Starman [ Life on Mars / Doctor Who Crossover ]

Chapter 4 Iron Man

he was turned to steel
in the great magnetic field
when he traveled time
for the future of mankind

---

"You're in danger," said the Doctor.

It was strange how for a moment Sam believed him. How in the space of an eye-blink, one millisecond and another, he looked at this man and felt nothing but trust. It might have been the earnest expression, or the voice -- slow, deliberate, sincere. There was the breathing, too, deep and then shallow, like waves crashing on a rocky cove with all the force of an oncoming storm.

And then it evaporated, as if it'd never been.

Sam steeled his stance, crossed his arms. He raised his chin like the mean Manc copper he was.

"I'm not concerned for my own safety." He narrowed his eyes. "And I don't believe threats when they come from inside a cell."

"It's not a threat." Sam heard the Doctor shift his weight, press a fist to the other side of the door and lean on it. "I told you, I'm trying to help you."

Sam stepped up to the door and met the Doctor through the slot.

"Who are you?" he asked.

The man gazed back. "I told you. I'm the Doc--"

"I don't mean whatever name my mind's tossed out for a laugh," Sam growled, voice low, fists rigid at his sides. "What the hell are you and where do you get off rattling the bars of my sodding coma prison?"

The last of it echoed with a horrible din, like thunder after lightning.

Prison, prison.

The Doctor's expression softened. His mouth parted as his brow creased. He broke eye contact and looked to the floor, body sagging under an unseen burden.

"Oh, Sam..."

He sounded like Annie. He sounded like someone caught in the depths of concern, riddled with nerves and regret. He sounded, Sam realized, like he cared.

Sam slammed his hand against the door. "Don't talk like you fucking know me."

The Doctor swallowed. He wet his lips and babbled ardently, "But I do -- oh, I do know you, Sam. I know what it's like for you, and I'm sorry -- I am so, so sorry for all that's happened, and all you've suffered--"

"You don't know." Sam exhaled. "What this is like -- Doctor, you don't know..."

He heard his voice crack under its own weight. Shallow breaths heaved in and out of his chest as his eyes shut tight against something he couldn't -- shouldn't understand. He felt sick, like something was spinning in him, whirling lopsidedly, coming round and round again, beating, beating--

"I'm sorry," the Doctor whispered.

Sam opened his eyes, vision blurry, ears pounding. The Doctor took a breath and continued--

"I'm sorry, but we haven't much time." He took a step from the door and Sam heard him pace quickly, purposefully. Like a shark, Sam thought, that had to keep moving or else it would die. "Sam, I need you to do something for me."