Chapter Six: The Warning

The Doctor slept and Lisa was lying beside him, holding him close. She’d been listening in on Hooks and Rose’s conversation and figured they were going to end up going outside. Hooks would make sure they didn’t end up on the wrong end of Woodhorn’s horn – he was a stallion that greatly disliked humans – but she was going to need to tell Hooks not to tell Rose anything she had no business knowing.

Granted, Hooks’ knowledge of the Doctor was limited, but if he didn’t want her knowing things about him, Lisa wasn’t going to betray his trust.

Hooks, Lisa sent telepathically, tell Rose to stay wherever she is and you come over here.

When he appeared in the doorway, Lisa patted the bed next to her. He hopped up – the Doctor stirred from the vibrations, but did not wake – and she said, speaking telepathically so Rose couldn’t listen in and so she wouldn’t wake the Doctor, Don’t tell Rose much about the Doctor. He doesn’t want her knowing too much. Warn the others, too.

I don’t know a lot anyway, he replied. Nobody does. Except you.

I know, but with the Doctor in the state he’s in, now, I don’t want any unnecessary stress. I’ve never betrayed his trust and I’m not gonna start now.

Yes, Lisa. I understand.

Good. She patted his head. Be a good guide.

He blushed.

Oh, stop that. Make sure she behaves herself and be careful with Woodhorn and Janis Thorn. Stay on the paths and don’t go too deep. Be home by dark.

Yes, Lisa. He glanced at the sleeping Doctor. How is he? Emotions were difficult for him to read when the subject was asleep.

Recovering. He’ll be okay after a decent rest and he hasn’t had one since he left here. Go on. Have fun.

The critter clambered up to give her a fuzzy kiss on her cheek, nuzzled the Doctor’s hand that was resting on Lisa’s side, then jumped to the floor and trotted out. She could hear the front door open and close.

Beside her, the Doctor groaned softly, his sleep troubled. She gently ran her hand down his cheek.

No… he said in his mind, his thoughts trembling, tightening his grip around her waist. No, please…

He was being haunted by the nightmare they’d lived through. Through the link, Lisa could see vague image of Daleks and Time Lords and hear the dying screams of the Doctor’s people and the Dalek weapons.

No… the Doctor said again. No…I can’t…

“Doctor, wake up,” Lisa said, shaking him gently. Doctor, come on, wake up.

Please…no, please…

“Doctor, wake up!” She didn’t really shout, but her voice was firm. She shook him a little harder. Wake up.

He finally did with a start, then he realized where he was and tried to calm down.

Are you okay? she asked him.

He didn’t answer. His mind was churning with a hundred million thoughts, regrets and what-ifs.

It’s not your fault. Lisa insisted.

I couldn’t save them…I couldn’t save anyone…I just ran…

If you hadn’t, you’d’ve been killed, too. Me, too, probably. There was nothing you could’ve done.

He shook his head and looked away, trembling. Lisa sighed. She didn’t think she was ever going to get through to him.

End chapter six.

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