I Can't Even

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

It was quite odd being so close to the Master and having to not freak out and yell. He was a freaking cannibal (well, not yet) and I had to be calm. Captain Jack had apparently started to think flirting with me was okay (it totally was!), and that took my mind off of the crazy murderer in front of me.

Professor Yana hadn't seen us yet. He was too busy freaking out over not being able to fix his ship. Captain Jack had blatantly refused to let me out of his arms, and I found I quite liked it there.

"Um, Professor..?" the Doctor addressed him.

"Oh, yes, the doctor! I'm Professor Yana." You could tell he didn't capitalize doctor. "Thank goodness you're here! You said you were a doctor of everything, yes?"

"Yep. From medicines to teaching," he replied.

"And science- advanced science?" he asked eagerly.

"Why, yes, very advanced! Let's have a look, shall we?" The Doctor hopped away from Martha's side to the panel Professor Yana was standing in front of.

"What is your name anyway? Doctor who?

"Just the Doctor, plain and simple," he said while examining the panel. "Hm..."

"Oh... Well, I've tried everything, Doctor!" exclaimed Yana.

"Oh yes, I see. Jack, do you have an atom neutralizer in that bag of yours?"

"Yes, sir!" Jack set me down (reluctantly) and pulled his bag off of his shoulder. He started pulling things out of it: a comb (I should have seen that coming), an army cap, an extra pair of suspenders, an extra belt (he literally couldn't keep his pants on apparently), and an alien weapon- or possibly a hair dryer. He kept unloading and digging around, and it turned out to be more like a Mary Poppins suit case. Maybe it was bigger on the inside.

Meanwhile, Professor Yana seemed to notice Jack, Martha, and I for the first time.

"And you are?" Professor Yana asked, gesturing towards Jack.

Jack paused his digging. "Captain Jack Harkness, Professor. Pleasure." He gave him his brilliant smile and resumed burrowing into his bag while I melted.

"Martha Jones, sir."

I couldn't tell him my real name, could I? If I did, my family could quite possibly be in danger as well as Martha's. But I couldn't tell her...

"Taylor Swift," I said almost automatically. Martha, Jack, and the Doctor looked at me funny, but Professor Yana didn't even bat an eye. He turned away and started talking to the Doctor, who was very close to finishing. I looked at Martha. I'm guessing my expression was pained, because she looked at me with sad and confused eyes. "I can't... I can't do anything," I said quietly. I knew what was going to happen and I couldn't do anything about it. Time can be rewritten, but not once you've read it. Or watched it.

I could vaguely remember whispering, "I can't do anything," the Doctor's face showing a genuine mix of shock and concern, and Captain Jack's hands on my shoulders before I slipped into unconsciousness and Jack's ready, strong arms.