The Guardian's Secret 8/?
Title: The Guardian's Secret 8/?
Author: Hezikiah
Disclaimer: Not mine, the BBC's.
Rating: PG
Characters: Ella (OC), Donna, Eighth Doctor, Healer Koray (OC), Healer Akakios (OC)
Warnings: None
Summary: Sequel to " Witnessing the Protector," five years on. When the metacrisis begins to unravel on its own, a desperate Ella finds the Doctor...and winds up giving up more than she bargained for to save her best friend's life.
A/N: I spent all day writing this beast of a chapter, so I hope ya'll like it! :)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7
Aug. 20, 2016 (continued)
I followed the Doctor, Koray, and Akakios down a long hallway. We passed by a few other Time Lords who were talking in groups of two or three. Some of them glanced at me as we passed and I didn't miss the disapproving looks. I forced myself to keep my head held high. It's not my fault if they're xenophobic or didn't like what had happened. As far as I was concerned, I hadn't done anything wrong by choosing to bring Donna to Gallifrey. I'd been acting in my capacity as Donna's guardian and her life was more important than their feelings.
The hallway terminated at a doorway that led to a massive circular room. I gasped out loud as we entered. The dominant color in the room was a deep emerald green marble and for one bizarre second, I thought I'd walked right into the Emerald City. There were several entrances to the room and guards stood at each one. Balconies and galleries soared above my head to a small oculus hundreds of feet above my head. Distant orange sunslight blinked through the opening, but didn't help to dispell the gloomy ambiance. Right away I didn't like this place.
Anyone seen the Wizard?
Time Lords in different colored regalia milled around, some of them already on the balconies. Koray broke away from our group and approached a tall, imposing Time Lord in purple-crimson robes that stood a few feet away. For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He instantly creeped me out. He was tall and thin, with a beaky nose and grey eyes. In fact, he had the same cold eyes as Koray and I wondered if they were related. There was a passing resemblance between them. The Time Lord stared at me as we passed, his thin lips turning down into something between a sneer and a frown. Koray glanced between us and an irritated look passed across her face again, but I wasn't sure if it was directed at me or her companion.
I was forced to look away when the Doctor took my elbow and led me up a series of steps to one of the galleries. I noticed that everyone gathered there wore Prydonian robes. I guess that each of the galleries were dedicated to a particular chapter of Time Lord society because I saw Koray and her disturbing friend head for a different gallery. A glance at the Doctor's face told me he was uncomfortable being there. I got the the impression that this was a place he visited infrequently and I couldn't really blame him. Akakios didn't seem disturbed, only thoughtful. He nodded at several of the other Prydonians.
Something seemed off and out of place, and it took me a moment to realize what it was: no one was talking. The groups of male and female Time Lords looked as if they were engaged in conversation, nodding and gesturing to each other...but made no sound. They were communicating via telepathy. Lots of them were staring up at me and it was disconcerting. I gripped the rail surrounding the gallery, feeling lightheaded and dizzy all of a sudden. I knew it was from not eating and probably the hormones, but I've never liked being stared at. It's like they were whispering about me but inside their heads and I could still sense that I was being talked about.
Akakios and the Doctor looked at each other and the Doctor touched my arm. “Are you all right?” he whispered.
I took a deep breath. “I think so.” I paused and asked, “If I click my heels together three times and say 'There's no place like home,' will I wind up back in Kansas?”
The corner of his mouth tugged up in a smile. “This is a bit like Oz, isn't it?”
“So does that make you the Wizard?”
He let out a soft chuckle. “Why? You're not in need of brains, or a heart, or courage.”
I glanced around the imposing room, trying to quell the nervous fluttering in my stomach. “I don't know about that last one.”
Before he could answer, there was a palatable silence in the room (as if it could get any quieter) when a Time Lord appeared on a raised dais at one end. He wore pure white robes, different from the others, and announced out loud, his voice echoing around the chamber, “We will come to order. Our esteemed Madame President, Romanadvoratrelundar, is present and will begin the inquiry.” I glanced over at the Doctor and was surprised to see a pleased grin on his face. He was staring with pride at the thin woman who stepped forward onto the dais as the other Time Lord moved out of her way. She seemed to be in her mid to late 40's, but I knew she was probably much older than that. Her robes were of a much deeper scarlet than the Prydonian's, almost a blood red. She wore no skull cap and her blonde hair hung down around her face. The gold and silver trim on her collar was much fancier than the others. I wondered why the Doctor seemed so proud of her, but didn't have time to wonder why.
Madame President
President Romana (as the Doctor whispered to me was her usual name) took a long look around the room before speaking. “My fellow Time Lords, an unusual situation has been thrust upon our hands and I thank you for gathering at such short notice to attend this Inquiry and decide upon a course of action. As you know, the Doctor has returned to us with a human woman who bears his suppressed memories up until his tenth regeneration, which is in our future. Also accompanying him is the woman's friend, who claims that this Donna Temple-Noble was the Tenth Doctor's companion. I call upon the Doctor to bear witness and testify.”
The Doctor disappeared from my side and I looked around in confusion, but then saw him striding across the middle of floor below me. He stood on a giant infinity sign, which I knew to be the Seal of Rassilon, set into the middle of the floor and it rose about fifteen feet in the air from under his feet. He didn't seem disturbed at all, but kept his eyes on President Romana. “Madame President, my fellow Time Lords,” he said when the platform stopped moving and he gave the room a brief glance.
The President asked him to recount the events of the last few days and the Doctor did, saying that he'd been traveling through the Time Vortex when his TARDIS was suddenly thrown off course and he materialized on earth in London in the year 2016. There I was. He told them exactly what had happened between us, how he'd been convinced of my veracity, and he'd felt that bringing Donna and me to Gallifrey had been the right course of action.
A Time Lord in another gallery, one whom I didn't see, bellowed, “And in doing so, you failed to follow the proper protocols. You should have come straight to the Council seeking guidance. Instead, you chose to defy our laws and take matters into your own hands.” The unseen accuser's disdain was obvious. “Not that you've ever followed the rules, Doctor.”
“I had no choice,” the Doctor replied. “Donna Temple-Noble was dying. Forgive me, but I wasn't going to risk her life while you lot stood around and argued for days over her fate.”
There were actually a few chuckles around the room. I had gotten the impression that the Doctor had somewhat of a renegade reputation amongst his people.
“You were under no obligation to help this woman,” the voice shot back. “You're not responsible for the actions of your future regenerations, you know this.”
“I am aware of that, but I could not even begin to comprehend why my future self would leave Donna Temple-Noble in such a state. If he would not or could not bring her to Gallifrey, then I felt it was my responsibility to do so and to seek immediate care for her.”
“And this woman?” Romana added, looking up at me for the first time. “Why bring her as well?”
The Doctor followed her gaze and I looked down at the floor. “My future self charged her to protect Donna Temple-Noble from the metacrisis that threatened to kill her. Who am I to question my future self's motivations when I don't understand the circumstances surrounding his companion's unfortunate condition? I felt that Dr. Steinfield's presence was important for Mrs. Temple-Noble's well-being.”
The President then called Akakios to the stand and he joined the Doctor on the platform via a set of stairs that appeared, winding around it. Akakios patted my shoulder before he left me alone in the gallery, surrounded by a few strange Time Lords that didn't speak to me.
The healer gave an account of Donna's condition, verifying that the Doctor and I had been telling the truth about her mind bearing the Doctor's DNA and his memories. He restated that the only course of action to save her life was to complete the conversion into a full Time Lord. Akakios added that my having been there was serendipitous because she'd been pregnant and her human child would have died had I not offered to serve as a surrogate.
There was a great stir among the assembly and I looked around in confusion. The Time Lords were all gesturing at each other, communicating rapidly through telepathy. The strange Prydonians in my part of the gallery stared at me and I couldn't tell what was happening. I felt so lost without someone to explain and annoyed that they'd all gone so silent. I thought it was rude of them to gossip about me while I was standing right there! I felt a surge of anger and I looked at the Doctor, who raised an eyebrow and glanced down. I followed his line of sight and saw Healer Koray making her way up the winding steps of the dais.
She definitely had some kind of status amongst the Time Lords because they quieted down somewhat as she mounted the last step. Koray lifted her chin and regarded President Romana. “It is my understanding that Donna Temple-Noble had no choice of the metacrisis that forced her into this situation. Like it or not, she is becoming a Time Lord...one of our kind,” she glanced around at the other Time Lords, some of whom shook their heads in an adamant way and my anger flared again. Why would they not accept Donna? “The human woman was with child and one of our basic tenants is honoring the sanctity of life. As a healer, I have taken additional vows to do all that I can to preserve life whenever possible. The technology to save the embryo exists and, although never used on a human, I took the necessary steps to ensure its survival. I am doing my best, but the results have been far from...optimal. Whether the child will live remains to be seen.” I knew she was referring to the issues we were having with my hormone levels. Did Koray doubt her own medical science? Fear stabbed through me and instinct made me rest my hand over the small bump that was concealed under the diaphanous gown I wore.
Her imposing companion that I'd spotted earlier boomed out, “Does the human child's genome bear Time Lord DNA?”
Akakios and Koray looked at each other before Akakios replied, “I do not know. We did not perform a genetic analysis due to the time constraints, but at first glance, the child is ostensibly human.”
Again, I was confused. Why did it matter if the baby had Time Lord DNA? But glancing around, I could see that the idea seemed to be unpopular. Again, the Time Lords were conversing silently and looking at me. I wanted to sink into the floor.
I thought of Holly and Peter and an iciness washed down my spine. Those two were incredibly smart, smarter than they should be. I knew without a doubt it had something to do with Donna's DNA. They must have inherited a bit of the metacrisis. While not pure Time Lords, they had enhanced mental capacities. I instinctively knew to clam up about the children, unsure of how the aliens would react if they knew that this baby wasn't Donna's only child. I could be placing her other children in danger and it was better to keep silent.
“When can you find out? And if so, what are we to do with a half-breed child? Do you think it will have the mental capacity to attend the Academy?” There was some sarcastic laughter around the room and it was all I could do to control my temper.
Romana spoke then, attempting to quell the rising indignation. “Be calm. The question of the child's genetics will be answered in time and there's no use speculating on its future when it's still uncertain whether it will live or die. Those questions must wait for another day. I call the human's guardian to testify.”
I was so livid that it took me a moment to realize she was talking to me. The Doctor looked up at me and made a small gesture with his hand. “Oh!” I said aloud and tripped over the hem of my gown as I made for the stairs. There was some small laughter behind me and my face flushed red in embarrassment and anger.
Hiking up my skirts, I stomped down the stairs and marched across the floor, suddenly not caring what any of them thought. I hadn't done anything wrong. I wasn't about to let those alien jerks judge me simply for being different. I climbed the stairs of the dais and kept my eyes on the Gallifreyan president, clasping my hands behind my back and holding my head high.
“For the record, state your name, rank, planet, and temporal origin,” the Time Lord in the white robes next to Romana stated.
I opened my mouth. “Doctor Eloise Elizabeth Porter Steinfield, Professor of Art History, University of Brittania-London. Earth.” I raised an eyebrow, wanting to show them that I wasn't a complete idiot. “5753.7 Rassilon Era to you, or August of 2016 on the Gregorian calendar.” I remembered the date from the TARDIS and had added a few days to it, hoping I just hadn't made a complete idiot of myself.
I hadn't. There was a slight stir again in the assembly and a smile crossed President Romana's face. “We should have known that a companion of the Doctor's would be versed in our ways.”
“I am not his companion.”
She cocked her head to the side and looked inquisitive. “No? Not ever?”
“No, Madame President.”
“Then one wonders how you met him, Dr. Steinfield,” It was obvious that she expected me to tell them.
I thought fast, knowing I was going to have to be careful with my words. “It was five years ago.” I figured that was safe to say. “Donna had just moved in next door to me.”
“And the metacrisis occurred prior to that time?” she asked.
I nodded. “Two years before I met her. I don't really know how that happened. The Doctor didn't tell me much.” That was partially the truth. I knew all about the Medusa Cascade and the Daleks, but there was no way in hell I was about to reveal that.
There was some murmuring around the assembly. Damn it. I'm such a terrible liar!
Romana gave me a long, cool look. “Nothing at all?”
I steeled myself. “Nothing that I can reveal to you, ma'am.”
“And why is that?” I heard Koray's imposing companion boom from the galleries.
Stay calm, Ella, I told myself. “Considering the Doctor's presence here and your own First Law of Time, I cannot reveal that information to you as you are forbidden to know the outcome of future events.”
I expected there to be an uproar. Instead, there was silence. I think they were surprised as there was much glancing around between them all. Romana cleared her throat and folded her hands in front of her. “You realize, Dr. Steinfield, that you are not bound by those laws?”
“Yes, Madame President, but in respect to your society, I uphold them nonetheless. I do not know if revealing such information will inexplicably change the course of the Doctor's future or the future of Gallifrey and so I have chosen to withhold it at this time.” I took another deep breath, starting to feel dizzy from the height and my own hunger. “I...I can tell you that I met the Tenth Doctor shortly after Donna moved in and through a series of events, we became acquainted. I did not travel with him per se, so that is why I denied being his companion. He chose me to be Donna's guardian in his absence. When the metacrisis began to unravel, I didn't know what to do. I don't know how I called him from the Time Vortex and I'm sure you can understand my bewilderment when he turned out not to be the Doctor I know. However, I am grateful that he decided to help.”
“And why did you choose to accompany Mrs. Temple-Noble to Gallifrey?” she queried. “Your obligation to the Tenth Doctor should have been satisfied at that point, no?”
“No,” I replied, glancing back at the Doctor. He only looked thoughtful, listening to my words. “My promise to act as Donna's advocate will not be fulfilled until she's out of danger of the metacrisis and that means when the conversion process is complete. Then and only then will my obligations be fulfilled.” I took a step forward, ignoring the fact that the room was spinning. “And so I make a formal request for the Time Lords to please save Donna Temple-Noble's life. My people do not have the technology to stop the metacrisis from killing her and it was only from desperation that I agreed to bring her here, fully understanding the consequences of such an action. One of your own has done this to her, it was not of her doing. It matters not that it was a future incarnation of the Doctor. He is still a Time Lord and one of your own, therefore you are responsible for correcting the damage and saving her life, no matter what it takes.” I turned and pointed at the Eighth Doctor. “He knows this, which is why he brought her here even though he is not legally responsible for the actions of his future incarnations. The right thing to do is to save her life and right this wrong.”
There was a buzz amongst the assembly and I hoped that I'd said the right words. The Doctor nodded once at me and I knew he was pleased.
An angry voice boomed from the gallery, the one of Koray's friend. He sounded incredulous. “By Omega, has no one stopped to consider the ramifications of saving the human's life?! She carries the memories of ten regenerations of a Time Lord's mind. We all know of the Doctor's past exploits and she knows of his future misadventures! Her power and knowledge would be dangerous. She could threaten the very safety of Gallifrey, for all we know. We know nothing of this woman! We only have this human's limited perspective of her past, her background. I say no. No, we cannot allow such a creature to live. My vote is nay.”
My head whipped around, I was so furious. I stared up at the gallery and his eyes met mine. I will never forget the cold, calculating look in those iron eyes. If I thought Koray was awful, this man was a million times worse.
There were a few other calls of “nay!” but Romana raised her hands in placation. “My fellow Time Lords, the question of Donna Temple-Noble's life is not up for a vote. Healer Akakios has already begun the conversion procedure and by our own laws, we cannot halt that process. To do so would be tantamount to murder, something that we all abhor.” She looked right at me. “Your petition has been granted, Dr. Steinfield. We will continue to do what we can to save your friend's life.” As the buzz began to build again, she raised her voice, “As for the Doctor's, Akakios', and Koray's decision to act without permission, the High Council will now decide if sanctions should be leveled against them.”
I started in shock. “What?!” No one had told me that they could be punished for helping Donna.
Akakios put a heavy hand on my shoulder to silence me as all of the Time Lords in the room closed their eyes and concentrated. It was an eerie sight to see, all of those silent and stoic figures. Romana's eyes opened after a moment and she declared the verdict. “Seventy-eight percent not in favor of sanction.” I let out a breath of relief. It wouldn't have been fair if they'd been punished. At least the Time Lords seemed to have some measure of sanity.
Except for the nutjob up in the gallery. “Send the human back to earth. She has no place here. Whether the child lives or dies is none of our concern.”
There was a collective murmuring around the gallery, but it seemed to be mostly in disapproval towards him. Koray turned and bellowed up to the gallery, “Silence, cousin! You have no say concerning this woman's fate nor the fate of the child she has chosen to carry for Donna Temple-Noble. As her healer, it would break every moral and ethic that I stand for if I allowed her to leave Gallifrey now.”
The Doctor also chimed in, “In accepting the responsibility to care for Donna Temple-Noble, the Time Lords have decided to honor my future self's decision to place her guardianship in Dr. Steinfield's hands. She cannot leave now, whether you want it or not, Lord Nevisth.”
So that was the bastard's name.
Jerk.
“Dr. Steinfield,” I heard Romana say.
“Yes?” I turned away from glaring at Lord Nevisth and looked up at the president.
“Considering the nature and the length of stay that your situation requires, you have been granted conditional residency on Gallifrey, with compulsory education as a requirement of maintaining your status.”
Residency? Education? What the hell was she talking about? “I don't understand.”
“I will explain to Dr. Steinfield after the Council, Madame President,” the Doctor answered.
President Romana nodded. “Thank you, Doctor. This Council will reconvene when Donna Temple-Noble has completed the conversion process and a proper evaluation of her condition has been made. At that time, we will further discuss a plan of action regarding her integration and place in Time Lord society.” She looked at me. “We will also discuss her guardian's future at that time, whether she will remain on Gallifrey or return to earth.” I noticed that she hadn't said whether remaining or leaving would be my choice or not and I felt a little sick.
The president stepped back and the other Time Lord in the white robes came forward. “This Council is adjourned.”
The platform shuddered under our feet and began to descend. As the seal sank back into the floor, I stepped off with the other three and followed them towards one of the exits. The Panopticon was slowly emptying, several of the Time Lords glancing at me in curiosity. I ignored them. I wasn't feeling particularly well after the emotional rollercoaster that I'd just experienced...not that I'd been feeling well before it. The Doctor had been right to object at my attendance at the Council. It was a bit much for me and I hated feeling so physically weak when I'd been fine before the procedure. I knew the weakness was only temporary, but it was frustrating.
As we stepped out into one of the halls, Lord Nevisth appeared in front of us. “I thought different of your loyalties, cousin,” he growled at Koray as we passed. “I am Head of House and you are to follow my lead.”
She turned and stared him down, but he didn't flinch. If those two had a staring contest, it would probably last until Gallifrey's suns went out. They were equally matched! “You may be Head of House, Nevisth, but I am also your elder. I agree with you most of the time, even on this matter, but not when it conflicts with my vows. My duties supersede my loyalties every time.”
I really didn't want to watch a nasty fight between family members and so I kept walking despite the fact that Akakios and the Doctor had stopped. The sunslight outside beckoned me out of that dark, gloomy place. I'd had enough of Oz. Emotionally, I was a seething mess of anger and confusion. Everything had seemed to come out ok, just like the Doctor had wanted, but I didn't know whether they were going to let me go home or if I was stuck there forever. I was worried about my son and my husband. I was worried about the baby, whether it had all been for nothing if my body decided to ultimately reject the pregnancy. I was worried about Donna and filled with sorrow at the idea that she'd never see Shaun, Peter, or Holly again. For the first time, I began to question my decision to bring Donna to Gallifrey. Perhaps...perhaps it would have been better to let her die after all, I thought. That horrible thought brought tears to my eyes and my steps quickened.
I ignored Akakios calling after me and rushed outside into the suns. I still wasn't used to the brighter orange light of Gallifrey and I was temporarily blinded. Pressing my palms against my eyes, I stumbled forward and kept walking. I could hear footsteps rushing up from behind me, but I didn't know who they belonged to and I didn't really care.
“Ella, stop.” It was Akakios. I stopped somewhere on the bridge, knowing that it wouldn't be right to continue to ignore him. This wasn't his fault and I was more than grateful at what the kind Gallifreyan healer was doing for Donna. He'd essentially put his career on the line for both of us. “You did well.”
I couldn't stop the sarcastic laugh that erupted out of me, rubbing at my eyes. They were burning from the sharp light and I could feel tears forming. “Yeah? So tell me why I don't know if I didn't just make a huge mistake by bringing Donna here?”
His hands grasped my wrists, gently pulling them away from my eyes and I blinked, squeezing my eyes shut. “Don't rub, that will only make it worse. And do you really believe that?” His voice was quiet and calm.
“I don't know what to believe anymore! This is...this is like before when I lost control of everything. It only ever happens when he's around. I never thought that bringing him back would cause everything to spin out of control again.”
“Come into the shade.” I felt a tug on my wrists and the brightness lessened some. “How could you have known? You were trying save your friend, you weren't thinking about yourself.”
I cracked an eye open and the light wasn't so painful. He'd led me in the shadow of a tall tree growing in the park.
“I think that's ultimately why he chose you,” another voice said behind me. The Doctor came up to us and I looked down at my feet, hoping that he hadn't witnessed my mini pity-party. “I've seen just what you'll do to save Donna's life. Do you know how hard it is for people to meet me more than once? How difficult it is to contact me when I'm traveling?”
I shook my head.
“Next to impossible, and yet you've somehow managed to reach through time and space and find me again. You did that for Donna. You've endured incredible pain for her child. I've just met you and I already know a great deal about your character. This wasn't a mistake, Ella. This was meant to happen because my future self will remember this, as you pointed out to me yesterday.” He paused and lifted my chin, tilting his head so I could look into his thoughtful blue eyes. “I can only imagine how difficult it was for both of you when you first met him.” A sad smile crossed his face. “I'll know you, but you won't know me. That's going to hurt.”
“It was awful,” I admitted. “I was so scared of him, but you have to remember that I was a different person back then.” Pausing, I added, “I've never really thought of it from his point of view. I suppose it must have been hard for him, knowing me, knowing what I'd done for Donna, not knowing how...” I trailed off. How he'd ultimately caused me to get hurt in the first place. Wow...that must have been rough... I recalled the guilty look on the Tenth Doctor's face, the heartfelt apology when I'd first woken up on the TARDIS...
“I am so sorry this happened to you, Dr. Porter. I really am.”
I was confused at the contrite tone in his voice. “Why...why are you sorry?”
“Because this is all my fault. Stupid doctor that I am, if I had thought through how to approach you, in a crowded street for instance, then you wouldn't have run away from me and you wouldn't have fallen into the stream and done yourself a mischief.”
The Tenth Doctor must have felt awful...knowing that he had to confront me in some way, knowing it was time for me to meet Donna and maybe even excited to see me again...but I had no clue who he was and I'd gotten hurt. I'd never blamed him for that accident. I remembered the sorrow in his eyes the first time I'd busted into tears, right after that.
I looked at the Eighth Doctor and saw he was confused. “Not knowing how...?” he prompted me.
“How we'd meet,” I finished. “I mean...I've sort of told you, but I can't tell you any more.”
He nodded once. “You mentioned a concussion, being badly injured. I assume that I'll rescue you from sort of accident?”
I hesitated. “You could say that. You'll just have to wait to find out.”
“And so I shall.” He looked down the bridge towards the shimmering green and metallic exterior of the medical facility where the TARDIS was parked. “Let's get back to the ship.” He tugged at the stiff collar of his Time Lord regalia. “I'm itching to get this ridiculous outfit off.”
“Great, I'm starving,” I added as we started walking back.
“You don't look well,” Akakios added. “When was the last time you ate?”
“Last night, really. I had some morning sickness and then you lot showed up, so there wasn't time to eat.”
Akakios frowned. “Then you should eat something and rest. Healer Koray will be by this evening to check on you.”
I didn't say anything, but the angry look on my face gave away my feelings.
“Ella, she's only trying to help you,” the Doctor said as we walked into the medical facility.
“I know, but didn't you hear what she said to that...that Lord Nevisth guy? She said she agreed with him on this matter! She doesn't think Donna should be here and she practically said the same thing this morning! You really expect me to trust her? If it weren't for the fact that this pregnancy is in jeopardy thanks to my body fighting back, then I'd ask you to take me back to earth where I could have my own midwife whom I know and trust.”
“That's not an option,” he replied. “I'm sorry, but I wish there were another way.”
I was tired and frustrated and angry and again I felt like I'd had enough. “I don't want her to deliver the baby.”
The Doctor pulled his TARDIS key from a hidden pocket in his robes and glanced at Akakios, who was tugging off his skullcap. The healer ran a hand through his dark, flattened hair and looked between us. “There are others who could perhaps take over your care and deliver the child, but they will not even consider taking your case until the pregnancy is stabilized. We need Healer Koray to make that happen. Please, just be patient for now. We can choose another healer when the child is out of danger of miscarriage.” He nodded to both of us. “I'm going to check on Donna. I'll meet with the two of you later.”
We said goodbye and Akakios headed off into the medical facility. I followed the Doctor into the cavernous control room. He quickly tugged off the collar and the heavy robes, dumping them onto a table. He wore just his white shirt sans cravat and trousers underneath. “Ah, that's better!” he gave a happy groan and stretched his arms. “Now, you and I didn't have our breakfast. Go change your clothes and meet me in the kitchen. We'll have a bite and I still need to explain about the conditions of your residency.”
I'd forgotten all about that in the hubbub at the end of the Inquiry. “Ok.” I headed off to my room and it felt nice to take off the ceremonial gown. As lovely as it was, it was heavy and dealing with the weight of it tired me out. I changed into a pair of light green loose cotton drawstring pants and a matching top that looked straight of the 1970's (they probably were).
The Doctor was pulling a quiche out of the oven when I walked in. I have no idea how he'd made it so fast, but chalked it up to one of those weird Time Lord tricks or quirks. “That is so not strange at all,” I remarked as I went to a cabinet to look for plates.
“Oh, that I made it so fast? Had it in the freezer. Real men eat quiche, you know,” he quipped as he set the dish on a trivet in the middle of the table and I joined him, laying out two plates and forks. He sat down and leaned his head in his chin, grinning. “I think it's strange that you know your way around my kitchen.”
“And I think it's strange that your kitchen is exactly the same for your tenth self.”
He pressed a finger to his temple. “Mental note to self: Doctor, redecorate the bloody kitchen when you get to your eleventh regeneration.” The Doctor served up slices of the quiche, which didn't stay long on my plate. “Did you even taste that?” he asked, laughing, as I popped the last piece into my mouth. I shook my head and reached to take another piece. “Well, it's good your appetite's back, at any rate. That Baelian root tea's going to wear off before dinner, so you might not be so hungry later.”
“Ug! At least the cravings haven't started yet. I craved melted chocolate and sea salt and vinegar potato chips like nobody's business when I was pregnant with Bastian. Brian didn't know what...” I trailed off as a wave of sadness came over me and I held back the tears.
“How you must miss him.” The Doctor's voice was soft. “This is only temporary, I promise you.”
“How do you know that?” I sniffled, reaching for my napkin to wipe my eyes. “Koray told me they may never let me leave and even your president alluded to that. I can't stay here.”
“I know. And you won't. We'll find a way to get you home. As for the present, what Romana meant was that she's granted you temporary residency on Gallifrey.”
“Without a visa?” I joked, wiping my tears away. “I did forget to bring my passport.”
He smiled a little. “You should see the lines at immigration. A requirement of residency for off-worlders is to learn Gallifreyan customs, culture, and language. You'll have to attend classes and make sufficient progress in them to be eligible for an extension once your term is up.”
“Wait...isn't Gallifreyan impossibly hard to learn?”
“It can be challenging, yes.”
My heart sank. I'm terrible at foreign languages. “Great, I can't even manage Spanish! How the heck am I supposed to understand Gallifreyan?”
“I'll help you.”
“Thanks. When do I start?”
“Once Koray has determined how to stabilize the pregnancy. One thing at a time, and all that.”
“Well, that could take a while, from what she said this morning.”
“Yes, it could,” the Doctor agreed.
I finished my second slice of quiche. The Doctor suggested I go lie down, but I didn't really feel like going back to bed (even though I was pretty tired). I did, however, catch up in my journal and so here I am, in my room, writing away.
You know, I remember seeing a garden when I'd explored the Tenth Doctor's TARDIS. I wonder if I could find it again? All right, I'm off to explore a little...and maybe Koray won't be able to find me when she shows up later.
Author: Hezikiah
Disclaimer: Not mine, the BBC's.
Rating: PG
Characters: Ella (OC), Donna, Eighth Doctor, Healer Koray (OC), Healer Akakios (OC)
Warnings: None
Summary: Sequel to " Witnessing the Protector," five years on. When the metacrisis begins to unravel on its own, a desperate Ella finds the Doctor...and winds up giving up more than she bargained for to save her best friend's life.
A/N: I spent all day writing this beast of a chapter, so I hope ya'll like it! :)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7
Aug. 20, 2016 (continued)
I followed the Doctor, Koray, and Akakios down a long hallway. We passed by a few other Time Lords who were talking in groups of two or three. Some of them glanced at me as we passed and I didn't miss the disapproving looks. I forced myself to keep my head held high. It's not my fault if they're xenophobic or didn't like what had happened. As far as I was concerned, I hadn't done anything wrong by choosing to bring Donna to Gallifrey. I'd been acting in my capacity as Donna's guardian and her life was more important than their feelings.
The hallway terminated at a doorway that led to a massive circular room. I gasped out loud as we entered. The dominant color in the room was a deep emerald green marble and for one bizarre second, I thought I'd walked right into the Emerald City. There were several entrances to the room and guards stood at each one. Balconies and galleries soared above my head to a small oculus hundreds of feet above my head. Distant orange sunslight blinked through the opening, but didn't help to dispell the gloomy ambiance. Right away I didn't like this place.
Anyone seen the Wizard?
Time Lords in different colored regalia milled around, some of them already on the balconies. Koray broke away from our group and approached a tall, imposing Time Lord in purple-crimson robes that stood a few feet away. For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He instantly creeped me out. He was tall and thin, with a beaky nose and grey eyes. In fact, he had the same cold eyes as Koray and I wondered if they were related. There was a passing resemblance between them. The Time Lord stared at me as we passed, his thin lips turning down into something between a sneer and a frown. Koray glanced between us and an irritated look passed across her face again, but I wasn't sure if it was directed at me or her companion.
I was forced to look away when the Doctor took my elbow and led me up a series of steps to one of the galleries. I noticed that everyone gathered there wore Prydonian robes. I guess that each of the galleries were dedicated to a particular chapter of Time Lord society because I saw Koray and her disturbing friend head for a different gallery. A glance at the Doctor's face told me he was uncomfortable being there. I got the the impression that this was a place he visited infrequently and I couldn't really blame him. Akakios didn't seem disturbed, only thoughtful. He nodded at several of the other Prydonians.
Something seemed off and out of place, and it took me a moment to realize what it was: no one was talking. The groups of male and female Time Lords looked as if they were engaged in conversation, nodding and gesturing to each other...but made no sound. They were communicating via telepathy. Lots of them were staring up at me and it was disconcerting. I gripped the rail surrounding the gallery, feeling lightheaded and dizzy all of a sudden. I knew it was from not eating and probably the hormones, but I've never liked being stared at. It's like they were whispering about me but inside their heads and I could still sense that I was being talked about.
Akakios and the Doctor looked at each other and the Doctor touched my arm. “Are you all right?” he whispered.
I took a deep breath. “I think so.” I paused and asked, “If I click my heels together three times and say 'There's no place like home,' will I wind up back in Kansas?”
The corner of his mouth tugged up in a smile. “This is a bit like Oz, isn't it?”
“So does that make you the Wizard?”
He let out a soft chuckle. “Why? You're not in need of brains, or a heart, or courage.”
I glanced around the imposing room, trying to quell the nervous fluttering in my stomach. “I don't know about that last one.”
Before he could answer, there was a palatable silence in the room (as if it could get any quieter) when a Time Lord appeared on a raised dais at one end. He wore pure white robes, different from the others, and announced out loud, his voice echoing around the chamber, “We will come to order. Our esteemed Madame President, Romanadvoratrelundar, is present and will begin the inquiry.” I glanced over at the Doctor and was surprised to see a pleased grin on his face. He was staring with pride at the thin woman who stepped forward onto the dais as the other Time Lord moved out of her way. She seemed to be in her mid to late 40's, but I knew she was probably much older than that. Her robes were of a much deeper scarlet than the Prydonian's, almost a blood red. She wore no skull cap and her blonde hair hung down around her face. The gold and silver trim on her collar was much fancier than the others. I wondered why the Doctor seemed so proud of her, but didn't have time to wonder why.
Madame President
President Romana (as the Doctor whispered to me was her usual name) took a long look around the room before speaking. “My fellow Time Lords, an unusual situation has been thrust upon our hands and I thank you for gathering at such short notice to attend this Inquiry and decide upon a course of action. As you know, the Doctor has returned to us with a human woman who bears his suppressed memories up until his tenth regeneration, which is in our future. Also accompanying him is the woman's friend, who claims that this Donna Temple-Noble was the Tenth Doctor's companion. I call upon the Doctor to bear witness and testify.”
The Doctor disappeared from my side and I looked around in confusion, but then saw him striding across the middle of floor below me. He stood on a giant infinity sign, which I knew to be the Seal of Rassilon, set into the middle of the floor and it rose about fifteen feet in the air from under his feet. He didn't seem disturbed at all, but kept his eyes on President Romana. “Madame President, my fellow Time Lords,” he said when the platform stopped moving and he gave the room a brief glance.
The President asked him to recount the events of the last few days and the Doctor did, saying that he'd been traveling through the Time Vortex when his TARDIS was suddenly thrown off course and he materialized on earth in London in the year 2016. There I was. He told them exactly what had happened between us, how he'd been convinced of my veracity, and he'd felt that bringing Donna and me to Gallifrey had been the right course of action.
A Time Lord in another gallery, one whom I didn't see, bellowed, “And in doing so, you failed to follow the proper protocols. You should have come straight to the Council seeking guidance. Instead, you chose to defy our laws and take matters into your own hands.” The unseen accuser's disdain was obvious. “Not that you've ever followed the rules, Doctor.”
“I had no choice,” the Doctor replied. “Donna Temple-Noble was dying. Forgive me, but I wasn't going to risk her life while you lot stood around and argued for days over her fate.”
There were actually a few chuckles around the room. I had gotten the impression that the Doctor had somewhat of a renegade reputation amongst his people.
“You were under no obligation to help this woman,” the voice shot back. “You're not responsible for the actions of your future regenerations, you know this.”
“I am aware of that, but I could not even begin to comprehend why my future self would leave Donna Temple-Noble in such a state. If he would not or could not bring her to Gallifrey, then I felt it was my responsibility to do so and to seek immediate care for her.”
“And this woman?” Romana added, looking up at me for the first time. “Why bring her as well?”
The Doctor followed her gaze and I looked down at the floor. “My future self charged her to protect Donna Temple-Noble from the metacrisis that threatened to kill her. Who am I to question my future self's motivations when I don't understand the circumstances surrounding his companion's unfortunate condition? I felt that Dr. Steinfield's presence was important for Mrs. Temple-Noble's well-being.”
The President then called Akakios to the stand and he joined the Doctor on the platform via a set of stairs that appeared, winding around it. Akakios patted my shoulder before he left me alone in the gallery, surrounded by a few strange Time Lords that didn't speak to me.
The healer gave an account of Donna's condition, verifying that the Doctor and I had been telling the truth about her mind bearing the Doctor's DNA and his memories. He restated that the only course of action to save her life was to complete the conversion into a full Time Lord. Akakios added that my having been there was serendipitous because she'd been pregnant and her human child would have died had I not offered to serve as a surrogate.
There was a great stir among the assembly and I looked around in confusion. The Time Lords were all gesturing at each other, communicating rapidly through telepathy. The strange Prydonians in my part of the gallery stared at me and I couldn't tell what was happening. I felt so lost without someone to explain and annoyed that they'd all gone so silent. I thought it was rude of them to gossip about me while I was standing right there! I felt a surge of anger and I looked at the Doctor, who raised an eyebrow and glanced down. I followed his line of sight and saw Healer Koray making her way up the winding steps of the dais.
She definitely had some kind of status amongst the Time Lords because they quieted down somewhat as she mounted the last step. Koray lifted her chin and regarded President Romana. “It is my understanding that Donna Temple-Noble had no choice of the metacrisis that forced her into this situation. Like it or not, she is becoming a Time Lord...one of our kind,” she glanced around at the other Time Lords, some of whom shook their heads in an adamant way and my anger flared again. Why would they not accept Donna? “The human woman was with child and one of our basic tenants is honoring the sanctity of life. As a healer, I have taken additional vows to do all that I can to preserve life whenever possible. The technology to save the embryo exists and, although never used on a human, I took the necessary steps to ensure its survival. I am doing my best, but the results have been far from...optimal. Whether the child will live remains to be seen.” I knew she was referring to the issues we were having with my hormone levels. Did Koray doubt her own medical science? Fear stabbed through me and instinct made me rest my hand over the small bump that was concealed under the diaphanous gown I wore.
Her imposing companion that I'd spotted earlier boomed out, “Does the human child's genome bear Time Lord DNA?”
Akakios and Koray looked at each other before Akakios replied, “I do not know. We did not perform a genetic analysis due to the time constraints, but at first glance, the child is ostensibly human.”
Again, I was confused. Why did it matter if the baby had Time Lord DNA? But glancing around, I could see that the idea seemed to be unpopular. Again, the Time Lords were conversing silently and looking at me. I wanted to sink into the floor.
I thought of Holly and Peter and an iciness washed down my spine. Those two were incredibly smart, smarter than they should be. I knew without a doubt it had something to do with Donna's DNA. They must have inherited a bit of the metacrisis. While not pure Time Lords, they had enhanced mental capacities. I instinctively knew to clam up about the children, unsure of how the aliens would react if they knew that this baby wasn't Donna's only child. I could be placing her other children in danger and it was better to keep silent.
“When can you find out? And if so, what are we to do with a half-breed child? Do you think it will have the mental capacity to attend the Academy?” There was some sarcastic laughter around the room and it was all I could do to control my temper.
Romana spoke then, attempting to quell the rising indignation. “Be calm. The question of the child's genetics will be answered in time and there's no use speculating on its future when it's still uncertain whether it will live or die. Those questions must wait for another day. I call the human's guardian to testify.”
I was so livid that it took me a moment to realize she was talking to me. The Doctor looked up at me and made a small gesture with his hand. “Oh!” I said aloud and tripped over the hem of my gown as I made for the stairs. There was some small laughter behind me and my face flushed red in embarrassment and anger.
Hiking up my skirts, I stomped down the stairs and marched across the floor, suddenly not caring what any of them thought. I hadn't done anything wrong. I wasn't about to let those alien jerks judge me simply for being different. I climbed the stairs of the dais and kept my eyes on the Gallifreyan president, clasping my hands behind my back and holding my head high.
“For the record, state your name, rank, planet, and temporal origin,” the Time Lord in the white robes next to Romana stated.
I opened my mouth. “Doctor Eloise Elizabeth Porter Steinfield, Professor of Art History, University of Brittania-London. Earth.” I raised an eyebrow, wanting to show them that I wasn't a complete idiot. “5753.7 Rassilon Era to you, or August of 2016 on the Gregorian calendar.” I remembered the date from the TARDIS and had added a few days to it, hoping I just hadn't made a complete idiot of myself.
I hadn't. There was a slight stir again in the assembly and a smile crossed President Romana's face. “We should have known that a companion of the Doctor's would be versed in our ways.”
“I am not his companion.”
She cocked her head to the side and looked inquisitive. “No? Not ever?”
“No, Madame President.”
“Then one wonders how you met him, Dr. Steinfield,” It was obvious that she expected me to tell them.
I thought fast, knowing I was going to have to be careful with my words. “It was five years ago.” I figured that was safe to say. “Donna had just moved in next door to me.”
“And the metacrisis occurred prior to that time?” she asked.
I nodded. “Two years before I met her. I don't really know how that happened. The Doctor didn't tell me much.” That was partially the truth. I knew all about the Medusa Cascade and the Daleks, but there was no way in hell I was about to reveal that.
There was some murmuring around the assembly. Damn it. I'm such a terrible liar!
Romana gave me a long, cool look. “Nothing at all?”
I steeled myself. “Nothing that I can reveal to you, ma'am.”
“And why is that?” I heard Koray's imposing companion boom from the galleries.
Stay calm, Ella, I told myself. “Considering the Doctor's presence here and your own First Law of Time, I cannot reveal that information to you as you are forbidden to know the outcome of future events.”
I expected there to be an uproar. Instead, there was silence. I think they were surprised as there was much glancing around between them all. Romana cleared her throat and folded her hands in front of her. “You realize, Dr. Steinfield, that you are not bound by those laws?”
“Yes, Madame President, but in respect to your society, I uphold them nonetheless. I do not know if revealing such information will inexplicably change the course of the Doctor's future or the future of Gallifrey and so I have chosen to withhold it at this time.” I took another deep breath, starting to feel dizzy from the height and my own hunger. “I...I can tell you that I met the Tenth Doctor shortly after Donna moved in and through a series of events, we became acquainted. I did not travel with him per se, so that is why I denied being his companion. He chose me to be Donna's guardian in his absence. When the metacrisis began to unravel, I didn't know what to do. I don't know how I called him from the Time Vortex and I'm sure you can understand my bewilderment when he turned out not to be the Doctor I know. However, I am grateful that he decided to help.”
“And why did you choose to accompany Mrs. Temple-Noble to Gallifrey?” she queried. “Your obligation to the Tenth Doctor should have been satisfied at that point, no?”
“No,” I replied, glancing back at the Doctor. He only looked thoughtful, listening to my words. “My promise to act as Donna's advocate will not be fulfilled until she's out of danger of the metacrisis and that means when the conversion process is complete. Then and only then will my obligations be fulfilled.” I took a step forward, ignoring the fact that the room was spinning. “And so I make a formal request for the Time Lords to please save Donna Temple-Noble's life. My people do not have the technology to stop the metacrisis from killing her and it was only from desperation that I agreed to bring her here, fully understanding the consequences of such an action. One of your own has done this to her, it was not of her doing. It matters not that it was a future incarnation of the Doctor. He is still a Time Lord and one of your own, therefore you are responsible for correcting the damage and saving her life, no matter what it takes.” I turned and pointed at the Eighth Doctor. “He knows this, which is why he brought her here even though he is not legally responsible for the actions of his future incarnations. The right thing to do is to save her life and right this wrong.”
There was a buzz amongst the assembly and I hoped that I'd said the right words. The Doctor nodded once at me and I knew he was pleased.
An angry voice boomed from the gallery, the one of Koray's friend. He sounded incredulous. “By Omega, has no one stopped to consider the ramifications of saving the human's life?! She carries the memories of ten regenerations of a Time Lord's mind. We all know of the Doctor's past exploits and she knows of his future misadventures! Her power and knowledge would be dangerous. She could threaten the very safety of Gallifrey, for all we know. We know nothing of this woman! We only have this human's limited perspective of her past, her background. I say no. No, we cannot allow such a creature to live. My vote is nay.”
My head whipped around, I was so furious. I stared up at the gallery and his eyes met mine. I will never forget the cold, calculating look in those iron eyes. If I thought Koray was awful, this man was a million times worse.
There were a few other calls of “nay!” but Romana raised her hands in placation. “My fellow Time Lords, the question of Donna Temple-Noble's life is not up for a vote. Healer Akakios has already begun the conversion procedure and by our own laws, we cannot halt that process. To do so would be tantamount to murder, something that we all abhor.” She looked right at me. “Your petition has been granted, Dr. Steinfield. We will continue to do what we can to save your friend's life.” As the buzz began to build again, she raised her voice, “As for the Doctor's, Akakios', and Koray's decision to act without permission, the High Council will now decide if sanctions should be leveled against them.”
I started in shock. “What?!” No one had told me that they could be punished for helping Donna.
Akakios put a heavy hand on my shoulder to silence me as all of the Time Lords in the room closed their eyes and concentrated. It was an eerie sight to see, all of those silent and stoic figures. Romana's eyes opened after a moment and she declared the verdict. “Seventy-eight percent not in favor of sanction.” I let out a breath of relief. It wouldn't have been fair if they'd been punished. At least the Time Lords seemed to have some measure of sanity.
Except for the nutjob up in the gallery. “Send the human back to earth. She has no place here. Whether the child lives or dies is none of our concern.”
There was a collective murmuring around the gallery, but it seemed to be mostly in disapproval towards him. Koray turned and bellowed up to the gallery, “Silence, cousin! You have no say concerning this woman's fate nor the fate of the child she has chosen to carry for Donna Temple-Noble. As her healer, it would break every moral and ethic that I stand for if I allowed her to leave Gallifrey now.”
The Doctor also chimed in, “In accepting the responsibility to care for Donna Temple-Noble, the Time Lords have decided to honor my future self's decision to place her guardianship in Dr. Steinfield's hands. She cannot leave now, whether you want it or not, Lord Nevisth.”
So that was the bastard's name.
Jerk.
“Dr. Steinfield,” I heard Romana say.
“Yes?” I turned away from glaring at Lord Nevisth and looked up at the president.
“Considering the nature and the length of stay that your situation requires, you have been granted conditional residency on Gallifrey, with compulsory education as a requirement of maintaining your status.”
Residency? Education? What the hell was she talking about? “I don't understand.”
“I will explain to Dr. Steinfield after the Council, Madame President,” the Doctor answered.
President Romana nodded. “Thank you, Doctor. This Council will reconvene when Donna Temple-Noble has completed the conversion process and a proper evaluation of her condition has been made. At that time, we will further discuss a plan of action regarding her integration and place in Time Lord society.” She looked at me. “We will also discuss her guardian's future at that time, whether she will remain on Gallifrey or return to earth.” I noticed that she hadn't said whether remaining or leaving would be my choice or not and I felt a little sick.
The president stepped back and the other Time Lord in the white robes came forward. “This Council is adjourned.”
The platform shuddered under our feet and began to descend. As the seal sank back into the floor, I stepped off with the other three and followed them towards one of the exits. The Panopticon was slowly emptying, several of the Time Lords glancing at me in curiosity. I ignored them. I wasn't feeling particularly well after the emotional rollercoaster that I'd just experienced...not that I'd been feeling well before it. The Doctor had been right to object at my attendance at the Council. It was a bit much for me and I hated feeling so physically weak when I'd been fine before the procedure. I knew the weakness was only temporary, but it was frustrating.
As we stepped out into one of the halls, Lord Nevisth appeared in front of us. “I thought different of your loyalties, cousin,” he growled at Koray as we passed. “I am Head of House and you are to follow my lead.”
She turned and stared him down, but he didn't flinch. If those two had a staring contest, it would probably last until Gallifrey's suns went out. They were equally matched! “You may be Head of House, Nevisth, but I am also your elder. I agree with you most of the time, even on this matter, but not when it conflicts with my vows. My duties supersede my loyalties every time.”
I really didn't want to watch a nasty fight between family members and so I kept walking despite the fact that Akakios and the Doctor had stopped. The sunslight outside beckoned me out of that dark, gloomy place. I'd had enough of Oz. Emotionally, I was a seething mess of anger and confusion. Everything had seemed to come out ok, just like the Doctor had wanted, but I didn't know whether they were going to let me go home or if I was stuck there forever. I was worried about my son and my husband. I was worried about the baby, whether it had all been for nothing if my body decided to ultimately reject the pregnancy. I was worried about Donna and filled with sorrow at the idea that she'd never see Shaun, Peter, or Holly again. For the first time, I began to question my decision to bring Donna to Gallifrey. Perhaps...perhaps it would have been better to let her die after all, I thought. That horrible thought brought tears to my eyes and my steps quickened.
I ignored Akakios calling after me and rushed outside into the suns. I still wasn't used to the brighter orange light of Gallifrey and I was temporarily blinded. Pressing my palms against my eyes, I stumbled forward and kept walking. I could hear footsteps rushing up from behind me, but I didn't know who they belonged to and I didn't really care.
“Ella, stop.” It was Akakios. I stopped somewhere on the bridge, knowing that it wouldn't be right to continue to ignore him. This wasn't his fault and I was more than grateful at what the kind Gallifreyan healer was doing for Donna. He'd essentially put his career on the line for both of us. “You did well.”
I couldn't stop the sarcastic laugh that erupted out of me, rubbing at my eyes. They were burning from the sharp light and I could feel tears forming. “Yeah? So tell me why I don't know if I didn't just make a huge mistake by bringing Donna here?”
His hands grasped my wrists, gently pulling them away from my eyes and I blinked, squeezing my eyes shut. “Don't rub, that will only make it worse. And do you really believe that?” His voice was quiet and calm.
“I don't know what to believe anymore! This is...this is like before when I lost control of everything. It only ever happens when he's around. I never thought that bringing him back would cause everything to spin out of control again.”
“Come into the shade.” I felt a tug on my wrists and the brightness lessened some. “How could you have known? You were trying save your friend, you weren't thinking about yourself.”
I cracked an eye open and the light wasn't so painful. He'd led me in the shadow of a tall tree growing in the park.
“I think that's ultimately why he chose you,” another voice said behind me. The Doctor came up to us and I looked down at my feet, hoping that he hadn't witnessed my mini pity-party. “I've seen just what you'll do to save Donna's life. Do you know how hard it is for people to meet me more than once? How difficult it is to contact me when I'm traveling?”
I shook my head.
“Next to impossible, and yet you've somehow managed to reach through time and space and find me again. You did that for Donna. You've endured incredible pain for her child. I've just met you and I already know a great deal about your character. This wasn't a mistake, Ella. This was meant to happen because my future self will remember this, as you pointed out to me yesterday.” He paused and lifted my chin, tilting his head so I could look into his thoughtful blue eyes. “I can only imagine how difficult it was for both of you when you first met him.” A sad smile crossed his face. “I'll know you, but you won't know me. That's going to hurt.”
“It was awful,” I admitted. “I was so scared of him, but you have to remember that I was a different person back then.” Pausing, I added, “I've never really thought of it from his point of view. I suppose it must have been hard for him, knowing me, knowing what I'd done for Donna, not knowing how...” I trailed off. How he'd ultimately caused me to get hurt in the first place. Wow...that must have been rough... I recalled the guilty look on the Tenth Doctor's face, the heartfelt apology when I'd first woken up on the TARDIS...
“I am so sorry this happened to you, Dr. Porter. I really am.”
I was confused at the contrite tone in his voice. “Why...why are you sorry?”
“Because this is all my fault. Stupid doctor that I am, if I had thought through how to approach you, in a crowded street for instance, then you wouldn't have run away from me and you wouldn't have fallen into the stream and done yourself a mischief.”
The Tenth Doctor must have felt awful...knowing that he had to confront me in some way, knowing it was time for me to meet Donna and maybe even excited to see me again...but I had no clue who he was and I'd gotten hurt. I'd never blamed him for that accident. I remembered the sorrow in his eyes the first time I'd busted into tears, right after that.
I looked at the Eighth Doctor and saw he was confused. “Not knowing how...?” he prompted me.
“How we'd meet,” I finished. “I mean...I've sort of told you, but I can't tell you any more.”
He nodded once. “You mentioned a concussion, being badly injured. I assume that I'll rescue you from sort of accident?”
I hesitated. “You could say that. You'll just have to wait to find out.”
“And so I shall.” He looked down the bridge towards the shimmering green and metallic exterior of the medical facility where the TARDIS was parked. “Let's get back to the ship.” He tugged at the stiff collar of his Time Lord regalia. “I'm itching to get this ridiculous outfit off.”
“Great, I'm starving,” I added as we started walking back.
“You don't look well,” Akakios added. “When was the last time you ate?”
“Last night, really. I had some morning sickness and then you lot showed up, so there wasn't time to eat.”
Akakios frowned. “Then you should eat something and rest. Healer Koray will be by this evening to check on you.”
I didn't say anything, but the angry look on my face gave away my feelings.
“Ella, she's only trying to help you,” the Doctor said as we walked into the medical facility.
“I know, but didn't you hear what she said to that...that Lord Nevisth guy? She said she agreed with him on this matter! She doesn't think Donna should be here and she practically said the same thing this morning! You really expect me to trust her? If it weren't for the fact that this pregnancy is in jeopardy thanks to my body fighting back, then I'd ask you to take me back to earth where I could have my own midwife whom I know and trust.”
“That's not an option,” he replied. “I'm sorry, but I wish there were another way.”
I was tired and frustrated and angry and again I felt like I'd had enough. “I don't want her to deliver the baby.”
The Doctor pulled his TARDIS key from a hidden pocket in his robes and glanced at Akakios, who was tugging off his skullcap. The healer ran a hand through his dark, flattened hair and looked between us. “There are others who could perhaps take over your care and deliver the child, but they will not even consider taking your case until the pregnancy is stabilized. We need Healer Koray to make that happen. Please, just be patient for now. We can choose another healer when the child is out of danger of miscarriage.” He nodded to both of us. “I'm going to check on Donna. I'll meet with the two of you later.”
We said goodbye and Akakios headed off into the medical facility. I followed the Doctor into the cavernous control room. He quickly tugged off the collar and the heavy robes, dumping them onto a table. He wore just his white shirt sans cravat and trousers underneath. “Ah, that's better!” he gave a happy groan and stretched his arms. “Now, you and I didn't have our breakfast. Go change your clothes and meet me in the kitchen. We'll have a bite and I still need to explain about the conditions of your residency.”
I'd forgotten all about that in the hubbub at the end of the Inquiry. “Ok.” I headed off to my room and it felt nice to take off the ceremonial gown. As lovely as it was, it was heavy and dealing with the weight of it tired me out. I changed into a pair of light green loose cotton drawstring pants and a matching top that looked straight of the 1970's (they probably were).
The Doctor was pulling a quiche out of the oven when I walked in. I have no idea how he'd made it so fast, but chalked it up to one of those weird Time Lord tricks or quirks. “That is so not strange at all,” I remarked as I went to a cabinet to look for plates.
“Oh, that I made it so fast? Had it in the freezer. Real men eat quiche, you know,” he quipped as he set the dish on a trivet in the middle of the table and I joined him, laying out two plates and forks. He sat down and leaned his head in his chin, grinning. “I think it's strange that you know your way around my kitchen.”
“And I think it's strange that your kitchen is exactly the same for your tenth self.”
He pressed a finger to his temple. “Mental note to self: Doctor, redecorate the bloody kitchen when you get to your eleventh regeneration.” The Doctor served up slices of the quiche, which didn't stay long on my plate. “Did you even taste that?” he asked, laughing, as I popped the last piece into my mouth. I shook my head and reached to take another piece. “Well, it's good your appetite's back, at any rate. That Baelian root tea's going to wear off before dinner, so you might not be so hungry later.”
“Ug! At least the cravings haven't started yet. I craved melted chocolate and sea salt and vinegar potato chips like nobody's business when I was pregnant with Bastian. Brian didn't know what...” I trailed off as a wave of sadness came over me and I held back the tears.
“How you must miss him.” The Doctor's voice was soft. “This is only temporary, I promise you.”
“How do you know that?” I sniffled, reaching for my napkin to wipe my eyes. “Koray told me they may never let me leave and even your president alluded to that. I can't stay here.”
“I know. And you won't. We'll find a way to get you home. As for the present, what Romana meant was that she's granted you temporary residency on Gallifrey.”
“Without a visa?” I joked, wiping my tears away. “I did forget to bring my passport.”
He smiled a little. “You should see the lines at immigration. A requirement of residency for off-worlders is to learn Gallifreyan customs, culture, and language. You'll have to attend classes and make sufficient progress in them to be eligible for an extension once your term is up.”
“Wait...isn't Gallifreyan impossibly hard to learn?”
“It can be challenging, yes.”
My heart sank. I'm terrible at foreign languages. “Great, I can't even manage Spanish! How the heck am I supposed to understand Gallifreyan?”
“I'll help you.”
“Thanks. When do I start?”
“Once Koray has determined how to stabilize the pregnancy. One thing at a time, and all that.”
“Well, that could take a while, from what she said this morning.”
“Yes, it could,” the Doctor agreed.
I finished my second slice of quiche. The Doctor suggested I go lie down, but I didn't really feel like going back to bed (even though I was pretty tired). I did, however, catch up in my journal and so here I am, in my room, writing away.
You know, I remember seeing a garden when I'd explored the Tenth Doctor's TARDIS. I wonder if I could find it again? All right, I'm off to explore a little...and maybe Koray won't be able to find me when she shows up later.