Tales of a Time Lady (A Doctor Who Fanfiction)

8: Chapter 3: King and Country

A solid 20 minutes later, Jay had decided to walk out, round up the gang and leave. She knew the Doctor would be supportive. It just would be hard convincing Axe to come back to the TARDIS.

"What should I do?" She glanced up at the spine of the TARDIS, glowing its brilliant blue. It turned pink. "You know better than I do. If I prevent this, who knows what will happen?" It glowed dark purple. "You're as stubborn as he is!" A quiet creak was heard. "Or as I am being." Jay stood, thinking hard and slowly smiling. When she reached the conclusion, it was scary and crazy. "I can't. What am I talking about? More like how can't I?" She reached out and touched the console. "What do you think?" The TARDIS groaned, then glowed white. She grinned. "Thank you." Jay leaned over and kissed the spine.

The date, 20/8/1485, suddenly flashed up on the monitors. It sparked Jay into action. "Crap! That's the time? I have to hurry!" She raced up the platforms and headed into a room, empty except for a tall glass case standing in the middle. Inside was a present from an old friend. Jay reached out and touched the glass. "I thought it would have been a long time before I had to use this. But I guess now is as good of a time as any." She unlocked it with her army knife and opened the case. "My dear Joan of Arc, I will do you proud."

"Axe!" Marie cried and raced towards him, engulfing him in a hug. He stumbled back a bit, surprised. "Thank goodness you're here; the Doctor has been driving me crazy." They both laughed while the Doctor walked up to them and frowned.

"Objection. If anything, you have! Felt like I was playing '20 Minutes' with all these questions."

"Which you never answered." Marie mumbled under her breath. "Anyway! Where's Jay?" Axe shuffled his feet.

"And the status of Richard's men?" The Doctor asked. "Because we have to report to Richard as soon as you arrive." Again, Axe didn't reply.

"I'm probably not the most able of people to tell you this, but here it goes."

15 minutes later, and the Doctor had to sit down. Marie had gasped and Axe resisted showing his fear.

"I don't believe it." Marie said for the second time. She shook her head. "Henry Tudor? Alien?" Axe nodded.

"I'm afraid so." The Doctor had not yet said a word, but was thinking hard.

"None of this reaches Richard's ears, you understand?" They all nodded. "We will inform him about his men. And leave." Axe was shocked and felt a sense of déjà vu.

"We can't leave! You're worse than Jay!" The Doctor gave him a quizzed look. "She refuses to help and I thought you would!"

He shook his head. "The Battle of Bosworth is fixed, nothing I can do."

"I'm really getting sick of this fixed nonsense!" Axe cried in frustration. The Doctor sighed and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Axe, listen. A long time ago, I travelled to Pompeii. In my company was a companion, edger to see justice done like you. It was the day the volcano erupted. As much as it pained me, and her, we could not tell the people to evacuate or prevent the volcano erupting."

"How does one stop a volcano erupting? Even you can't." The Doctor didn't answer Marie.

"We had to let it happen. It was a standing moment in history; the world wouldn't be the same. Just like this."

"I just can't leave." Axe persisted, hands in tight fists. Marie was swallowing the guilt suddenly in her gut. "Richard's a good king."

"We have to."

"No, we don't." Everyone turned around in surprise to see Jay standing, in a full suit of armour, hands on a sharp sword. Her wild white hair was circling about her. Axe thought she looked amazing, but prevented saying so.