The Changing Man (Doctor Who Fan Story)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

        Everything was a blur, Jack's balled up fist flew at the Master and struck his jaw with an audible whack, but didn't really effect him, while Jack's hand seemed to be crushed, as though the impact between his hand and The Master's face had broken it. Before he could react, The Masters feral self stirred within him and he quickly grabbed Jack by his long coat and flung him across the room with ease, colliding with a small coffee table with a popuri bowl. The Master growled and hissed, his arms outstretched in front of me, as though he was expecting Jack to come for me. I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, the feral man whipped round to look at me, and visibly calmed down as the feral entity returned to his murky depths. From the other end of the room, Martha and Donna helped Jack up as he healed quickly, while the Doctor approached us hesitantly with Kara behind, looking back and forth between me and the Master. I left the Master's side and almost ran towards them, flinging my arms around my parents necks as I hugged them, which took them a while to realize what I was doing and wrapped their own arms around me, keeping a wary eye on the Master who was still turned towards the entrance, eyes closed as he was trying to put his feral self back.

 "Are you ok? I've missed you so much" I mumbled, releasing them from my death grip to give them a small smile, running my eyes over them, searching for any visible wounds or signs of distress.

"Yeah, we're ok, Einstern and his lackeys put us in here and we haven't seen them since. Bit of a disappointment though, get ourselves taken prisoner and all they do is keep us in a nice comfortable room... Where are the good old iron bars and handcuffs? And the sense danger? Maybe I just set my standards too high nowadays..." The Doctor mused, his eyes searching mine, and the rest of me, including the cat like ears and the tail that lazily flickered behind me.

"Enough of that, you may get what you wish for" Kara smiled and playfully elbowed the Doctor in the ribs before turning to me, eyebrows knitting together "What about you though? Are you ok? I mean, you look sort of... different" 

"I suppose I'm fine, just have to get used to a few adjustments, like the diet and having better eyesight and hearing... I think I don't have to wear them glasses when I read anymore" I smiled at the realization, cartwheeling internally as I thought about getting rod of them horrible blue glasses that always leaves a red mark on the bridge of my nose when I take them off.

Jack wandered over slowly, staring at the Master who was busy inspecting a pile of magazines on a small wooden rack near the fireplace in the centre of the room, pawing through each issue until he found one and sprawled out on the cream L-shaped sofas, kicking his shoes off and left them of the soft pale brown carpets. Behind Jack, Martha crossed her arms staring at me while Donna gazed at Jack, her thoughts blindingly obvious to everyone other than Jack, as she slowly twirled her long red hair on her index finger.

"So what is the plan then?" Martha asked me, her dark brown eyes boring into mine.

"Plan? Um..." I stumbled, like a shock to my brain

"I knew it" sneered Martha, she shot a venomous look at the Master who took no notice of her. "Your on his side, aren't you?  He's changed you and now he has taken control of you!" She then turned to the others "See I told you! We won't get any help from her, and you said that The Master had changed but look what he did to Jack!" Her voice grew louder with the accusations.

"That was self defense" growled The Master, his eyes not straying from the magazine that he held in his hands.

"And we were trying to escape! Something that Ashly isn't really interested in at this moment in time!" Martha stared at me, her eyes filling with harsh emotions, as though she had forgotten that she and I were close friends for years.