The Doctor's Angel

Smith and Jones

Merandria bolted upright, her breath coming in ragged gasps, every nerve in her body alert. She could feel it—an urgent, undeniable pull toward the Doctor. Now. Without hesitation, she clicked her fingers, the world blurring and shifting until she materialized in a sterile room dominated by the hum of an MRI machine. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, the sudden change in atmosphere and the lack of oxygen disorienting her. But her attention snapped to the dark-skinned woman leaning over the Doctor.

She narrowed her eyes, not in suspicion, but in a fierce sense of duty. Whoever this woman was, she was trying to help the Doctor, but that wasn't her role—it was Merandria's. This was her mission. Her responsibility. With a swift motion, she stepped forward, raising a glowing finger to the Doctor's forehead, ignoring the shocked gasp from the woman beside her. A bright light enveloped the Doctor, shimmering and pure, as Merandria poured her divine energy into him.
The Doctor's eyes fluttered open, dazed and in pain, but alive. She focused only on healing him, on ensuring he was safe, his life force steady under her touch. Her energy flowed freely, a cascade of warmth that rippled through him, soothing the deep strain that his body had endured. The other woman's voice cut through the quiet, "The scanner... she did something..." Then, the woman collapsed, her body hitting the floor with a soft thud.

Merandria blinked, tilting her head in innocent confusion. Why had she fallen asleep? Kneeling, she poked the unconscious human, curiosity flashing in her silver eyes. "Odd..." she murmured to herself, her wings twitching faintly behind her. She rose again, stepping away from the woman and focusing once more on the Doctor. He was already moving, his attention fixed on the wires and machinery in front of him.

She couldn't leave yet. Not until she knew for certain that he was out of danger.She watched him muttering about his sonic screwdriver, furrowing her brow as he fiddled with the tangle of wires. His hand shot out, yanking a red wire loose, and the menacing tunnel of energy instantly died. The air felt lighter, and the Doctor exhaled in relief, his chest heaving from the effort.

Merandria stepped closer, her presence finally drawing his attention. His eyes met hers, a flicker of recognition sparking within them. She approached slowly, stopping when her hand rested lightly on his shoulder. That familiar, comforting light—the same one he had seen only once before, after Rose had left—radiated from her touch, wrapping him in warmth. His laboured breathing evened out, the tension in his muscles fading.

He stared at her, torn between wonder and hesitation. There was a quiet yearning in his gaze, his fingers twitching as if he longed to reach out and touch the black feathers of the wings that stretched behind her, yet something held him back. Who was this mysterious being who appeared whenever he was in peril? What was she?

A thousand questions raced through his mind, but he settled on the simplest. "Who are you?" Merandria cocked her head to the side, her black hair brushing her cheek. "Merandria," she replied simply, her voice soft but steady. Her attention shifted to the unconscious student on the floor. "Why is your friend sleeping?" she asked, genuine confusion in her voice, her angelic innocence making the question sound almost childlike.

For once, the Doctor was at a loss for words, his sharp mind stumbling to explain the situation. He glanced between Merandria and Martha, his usual quick wit momentarily failing him. With a sigh, he bent down, lifting Martha into his arms and heading toward the door. Merandria followed, her eyes sweeping over the unconscious bodies scattered throughout the hospital as they walked. The pieces fell into place, and she realized they weren't sleeping at all.

She stayed silent as the Doctor rushed to the Judoon, his voice rising in desperation as he pleaded for the hospital to be returned to Earth. Merandria stood at a distance, her watchful gaze never leaving him. His relief was palpable when the hospital touched down, a smile breaking across his face as he felt the familiar pull of gravity.

With a satisfied nod, Merandria turned on her heel, her wings folding behind her. The Doctor was safe. Her mission was complete. With a soft click of her fingers, she vanished, leaving only the faint sound of fluttering wings in her wake.

The Doctor paused, listening to that now-familiar sound, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Maybe—just maybe—he could trust this mysterious winged woman after all.