Fic: Envy's Slave Chapter Ten/?

[emraldeyedauter]

Title: Envy's Slave
Author: emraldeyedauter
Beta: naughtybunny23
Rating: Adult

Story Sumary: Milkshakes, Market places, with a helping of slave trade and a dash of green eyed Doctor. It's a recipe for trouble, adventure, heartache and maybe love

Characters: Ninth Doctor/ Rose Tyler, Jack Harkness (in later chapters) Plus several surprise guests and original characters.

Previous Chapters: Chapter 1   Chapter 2    Chapter 3    Chapter 4   Chapter 5   Chapter 6    Chapter 7    Chapter 8   Chapter 9  

Author Notes:  It'sbeen almost a year since I updated this fic.  I'm very sorry.  The plot bunny keeps getting more complicated and my time to write so much less this last twelve months.  I will finish it eventually and appreciate the emails I've received encouraging me to keep going with this fic.  Thanks for hanging in there with me so far.  :D


 If hell existed then the Doctor was sure he was slowly descending through it with no end in sight. There were no outward signs of the intense, endless pain that shot through his body with lightning speed. The regeneration energy flowed from his body into the box below his hands, the flood washing away his self-healing powers along with the simple ability to just move. His time sense was dulled and the time strings normally so sharp in his inner sight were now faded and indistinct. Through the haze of his pain he could hear someone laughing but he couldn’t think clearly as to who it could be. Fighting his way through the pain he struggled to regain some sense of reason but only one face floated up from his dark inner depths. He cried out a name just once, “Rose,” before succumbing to the agonising torment again.

Rose paced back and forth across the floor of the hotel room that served as her prison. Never in her life had she felt so confused; not even during her relationship with Jimmy Stone had she ever experienced the momentous battle that now raged between her head and her heart.

It had been some time since the ginger-haired buyer had left her alone but her heart was convinced that he had not been some stranger but her own beloved Doctor. Thinking back, she remembered his hands, a different finger shape but still the same familiar touch. If that had not been enough to persuade her, his eyes would have; nothing could hide the ancient knowledge and experience she’d seen in their depths. The gut instinct that she had come to rely upon whilst travelling with the Doctor agreed with her heart and every beat called his name.

Why then must her head argue against the case? Her brain told her that this could not be him. It was impossible to become a whole new person and that she was seeing the stranger as the Doctor because she wanted so much for it to be him. Fresh tears grazed her cheeks; she wiped them away with the sleeve of the gauzy robe she had slipped back on her thin form. She stopped her weary pacing and moved towards the velvet-covered windows. Pushing a plush panel aside she strained to see something of the outside world through the dark tinted panes.

Why would it be impossible? she asked herself. After all it’s not like he’s told you much about himself and he is alien. He looks human but that doesn’t mean he’s like you. For all you know he could change form at the drop of a hat.

She released the curtain allowing it to fall back across the window. She raised one hand and rubbed it against her temple. She was exhausted and the drama of the day had left her with an intense headache. Her confusion was not helping the situation either. Slowly she walked towards the bed and collapsed upon it. As she closed her eyes, her mind drifted back once again to the sweet caresses the Doctor had bestowed upon her. She was determined to believe it was him. His touch had been loving gestures, full of longing and bursting with the gratification of finally giving in. It was clear that at least for a moment he had let himself feel the emotions that until today had been carefully locked away except for those brief glimpses she occasionally caught when he thought she wasn’t looking. The pleasure of those memories were short lived however as she also recalled the moment he’d pulled away from her. The panic and fear that had been evident in his eyes after her kiss made her heart twist painfully in her chest. It was clearly obvious to her that he had realised his mistake and was regretful of his actions. Why else would he have left the room with such speed? Tears once again threatened to fall but she ferociously blinked them back. She mentally scolded herself. This was not the time to think about that. No more crying. You need to stay strong and positive and believe that it was him and that he is coming for you.

She rose from the bed and walked to the bathroom where she washed her face with several splashes of cool water. As she re-entered the other room she heard voices outside her door and her pulse quickened as she recognised the turn of the key in the lock. Rose was halfway to the door when it opened and a very nervous-looking Griff appeared.

“What do you want,” growled Rose. “Expecting me to strip off again for another dirty old man?”

He did not answer her straight away. Instead he moved to a panel that Rose had not noticed hidden behind one section of the heavy drapes and pushed a few buttons.

“What are you doing?”

As he finished he turned to face her. “I’m turning off the cameras. There’s a transaction happening right now for you so all other bidders are no longer allowed to keep viewing.”

Rose was almost afraid to ask the question but she did so shakily. “Was … was it the local buyer who bought me?”

“Yes,” answered Griff, though he wished he could relieve her fears by telling her a lot more. Very soon he would be able to do more but he needed to wait till until he knew the deal was done. In the meantime Darcia would be able to help the girl. “I’ve brought someone to see you,” he said roughly. Walking back towards the door he opened it and exited the room.

Rose’s heart was in her mouth as she stood there waiting for him to return. Now she would find out if her instincts were true. Finally she would see if the stranger had been her Doctor or not. Anticipation quickly turned to disappointment as Griff returned closely followed by a blonde-haired woman. “Rose, this is Darcia. She’s come to talk to you.” He moved back towards the entrance but to Rose’s surprise he did not leave this time. Wondering what on earth was going on she turned back to face her new visitor only to be greeted by a warm genuine smile and the words, “Hello Rose. It’s good to see you again.”

Rose’s initial disappointment at her visitor not being the Doctor quickly disappeared, blind anger quickly taking its place. “Is this a joke?” she demanded, directing her question to Griff before looking back at Darcia once more. “What do you mean ‘nice to meet you again?’ I’ve never seen you before in my life, lady. Who are you?”

Darcia did not appear to be phased by Rose’s outburst one bit. “I’m Darcia and I’m with the buyer who came to see you earlier.”

Rose’s heart nearly ripped in two at the other woman’s words. So she had been wrong. The man had not been the Doctor and it had all been wishful thinking on her part.

Darcia, seeing the anguish on Rose’s face quickly spoke again. “That man is the Doctor, Rose. He is the one who has bought you. He sent me here to be with you until the sale is complete. And you have met me before but I did not look like this. We met this morning in the ladies’ bathroom just before you were taken. When the Doctor came rushing to the rescue you had already gone but he asked me for my help.”

“But … oh I am so confused. I remember this morning but how can you look one way and then another?”

“I’m afraid this isn’t the place to explain it in detail, but I have a gift that lets me change form. Furthermore I used that gift on the Doctor so that we could get in here unchallenged. That’s why he looks different.”

Hope was rising in Rose’s heart but her head still refused to believe the things she was being told.

“How do I know you are telling me the truth?” she ventured to ask.

Darcia laughed softly before replying. “He said you’d argue so he told me something to tell you should this very conversation occur.”

“What was it?” said Rose, her voice so low it came out as a whisper, so frightened was she that this turn of events might all be a dream.

“He said ‘tell Rose I only take the best.’”

It was evident to Darcia that these words held special meaning for the woman before her. Rose’s dejected expression vanished replaced by a brilliant smile and overbright eyes that flooded with tears of joy. She suddenly found herself pulled into a fierce hug as Rose embraced her, crying out her relief on her shoulder. “Oh my God, it’s really him. It’s him, the Doctor. Oh thank you. Thank you.”

Eventually Rose stepped back, her face flaming with embarrassment over her lack of control. “I’m sorry about that. Just I’ve been so worried and confused.”

“Its fine,” soothed Darcia. “No need to apologise. Given the circumstances I’d probably have needed a shoulder to cry on as well.”

“Well thanks again, anyway.”

“You’re welcome, Rose.”

“So, you’re really able to change your form and other people’s as well?”

“Yes, I can. Like I said it’s a special gift.”

“Guess I don’t have to worry about the Doctor changing his form on me whenever it suits him then.”

Darcia flinched inwardly remembering the Doctor’s reluctant words about regeneration. Seconds later she put the thought to the back of her mind. It was not her place to mention it. “We just need to sit tight for a bit and then you’ll be free.”

“Where is the Doctor, now and what’s the deal with him?” asked Rose gesturing towards Griff as she did so.

“He’s securing your release,” said Darcia knowing she was avoiding giving the real answer. It had been obvious to her that the Doctor had not wanted Rose to know about the price he was to pay for her freedom. Though she thought the woman before her ought to know the full truth she held it back, honouring the Doctor’s unspoken wishes. Instead she turned her attention to Griff and answered Rose’s second question. “He’s on our side. Seems he’s a criminal with a conscience though there may have been a threat or two that made him come over to our way of thinking. Your Doctor is very persuasive.”

Rose grinned briefly. “Oh yes. I pity anyone who ticks off the Doctor. He has the most beautiful hearts in the world but he’s scary as hell when he’s angry.”

Darcia could well believe it.

“Darcia,” began Rose in a small voice. “Did the Doctor tell you anything else? Did he give you any other messages for me?” After the way he had touched her she was hoping for something more.

Her new friend smiled sadly. “I think the kind of messages you’re hoping for Rose would sound more sincere coming from the Doctor himself but he did ask me to relate something else to you. I should have mentioned it straight away but quite frankly it slipped my mind because it seemed such a strange thing to say given what was going on.”

“What was it?”

“He said that your mother called this morning and gave him an earful. He said you ought to move her from J for Jackie to S for slapper and that she’d get on very well with someone else who was under S on your phone.” Noting Rose’s look of surprise, Darcia continued. “I’m hoping that his words make more sense to you.”

The stunned look on Rose’s face quickly disappeared, replaced by thoughtful countenance. “It’s a message Darcia. He’s trying to tell me something. Who else is on my phone? There’s my best mate Shireen, oh and Sarah’s Salon and a couple more that wouldn’t be what he’s getting at.” Who am I supposed to contact? Who is it Doctor?

She continued running silently through her phone list in her head, focussed on the S’s. One name triggered a flash of memories - the Shadow Proclamation. She remembered vividly her first encounter with the Doctor and his world of danger and adventure – the walking mannequins, running for her life and the battle with the Nestene Consciousness that ended with the Doctor programming the intergalactic number for the Shadow Proclamation into her super phone in the case that she or he would ever need it. She bit down hard on her bottom lip as she contemplated what he was asking of her. He’d insisted that contacting the mysterious organisation would only be something he’d do in the direst emergency. Apparently now was one of those times.

“Got it,” yelled Rose, causing Darcia to startle. “I need my phone. He wants me to call for help.” She marched over to Griff and stood in front of him, hands planted on her hips. “You took all my stuff when you kidnapped me. Show me where it is … now!”

Her captor had the decency to look a little scared of the feisty woman in front of him but he still managed to utter, “I can’t.”

Rose would have argued but Darcia stepped in to defend Griff. “He’s telling the truth, Rose. Henry said …”

“Henry? Who the hell is he?”

“Henry van Statten, Rose. The Doctor said you’ve met him before. It’s him that’s in charge.”

If Rose looked angry before there was no mistaking the expression of fury on her face now. “I’m gonna kill …” She stopped speaking but her eyes continued to show the flashing of irate emotion that consumed her.

“Rose,” spoke Darcia gently. “There’s more. You’ve got something inside you. Nanites, I think they were called?” She looked to Griff, who gave her a brief nod. He continued the story for her. “We spiked your drink at the café. I’m sorry but if you attempt to leave here and are seen Mr Van Statten can activate the nanites inside you to cause great pain and even kill you. If you just wait a bit more the transaction will be over and he’ll deactivate them so they’ll be harmless.”

“And what happens then? Does Henry get to go on his merry way? I can’t be the only one he’s done this to. Don’t you see? The Doctor knows these people who can help. He explained to me that they are sort of like police except they’re universal law enforcement and a bit tougher apparently. If I can get my phone I can call them and they’ll stop all of this,” she pleaded.

“I can’t let you go,” he repeated softly, “but I can do it.” Looking at Darcia he sighed. “The camera in here is no longer working but the ones elsewhere are. You both need to stay here until I return. Fortunately, Amy, the receptionist at the front desk, is fond of me so I can probably get her to give me your things but it will be difficult to avoid the other cameras. I just hope that I can pull it off without the boss finding out.”

Darcia placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You’ll do it, Griff and make your daughter proud.”

“After what I’ve done I’m not sure she would be but at least I can try to make up for it,” he said with a bittersweet smile before exiting the room.

As he left, Rose immediately asked Darcia to tell her everything that had happened since she’d been kidnapped. Although wondering how she would get around the last part of the tale Darcia agreed. She wove an elaborate story that perhaps embellished the truth a little, trying to postpone the inevitable ending and hoping that Griff would return before she reached it. As it was she did not know the whole story and had no intention of fuelling Rose’s desire to leave and do something foolhardy. As luck or fate or whatever happened, their co-conspirator re-entered the room just before the payment part of the story came up. Darcia let out a huge sigh of relief as she saw him.

Rose was already talking to Griff as she joined them and watched as he pulled out the phone from his pocket. “Well that went better than expected but I had to stall one colleague who was looking for Ert. Here, this what you were after?” he asked. “We don’t have those but I’m seen things similar.”

“Yes,” uttered Rose as she took the phone from him. She started to dial but Griff stopped her. “What on earth do you think you’re doing?” she fumed.

“Hang on a moment. If you call them now and they arrive before the transactions finished you could still be killed but if you wait ‘til I get the signal from the boss that the nanites are deactivated and then phone this Shadow lot you’d be free …”

“And Henry would be gone. I can’t let that happen. I’ve got to do it, no matter the risk to me. The Doctor’s counting on me and I won’t let him down.”

You have no idea how much, thought Darcia as she watched the exchange between the two.

Finally Griff backed down. “Okay, we do it your way but show me how to use this thing and I’ll make the call. That way if things go wrong it won’t be traced back to you. Besides I don’t want the Doctor hunting me for eternity if you died.”

Rose huffed loudly, reluctantly handing her phone to the man before her. “I’ve never had to talk to the Shadow Proclamation before,” she said, “but I’m hoping that since they are supposed to be a type of law enforcement, their communications might be similar. The point is to just stay calm and tell them about the slave auctions and about Henry Van Statten. Don’t mention me and especially don’t mention the Doctor.” Griff looked at her confused so she explained in more detail. “The Doctor doesn’t like to draw attention to himself. He’d rather just let them handle Henry and if these auctions have been going on for a while then I’ve no doubt the Shadow Proclamation will definitely be interested in whoever is involved.”

“But what about me?” gulped Griff. “The Doctor promised that he’d speak with the local authorities about me. Said I could be near my daughter if I helped.”

“I don’t know,” replied Rose honestly, “but I am sure that he’ll do his best to keep his promise. You’ll just have to trust him. Do you still want to help?”

Griff nodded. The Doctor and Darcia had trusted him, now it was his turn to return the favour. He dialled the number and spoke. As it turned out it was not difficult apart from his initial dialling of the wrong number which resulted in him speaking with an alien pizza delivery service. However his error caused all three of them to laugh and break somewhat the horrid tension that seemed to stifle the air around them. Dialling again, Griff was thankful to find that Rose’s assumptions about the similarities of technology proved to be right. The mention of Henry Van Statten’s name did indeed cause some excitement on the other end of the line and he was forced to wait for a few minutes before he was put through to someone who he assumed was in a more ‘senior’ position to the first person, being, whatever he had talked to. He could not help trembling as he ended the call, wondering what in the galaxy he had just done. “They’re on their way,” he confirmed.

“Good, let’s get out of here,” urged Rose.

“No. You can’t leave this room until I get the signal that you’re safe.” Griff saw she was all set to argue further with him but while he admired her fighting spirit he also could not let her go into danger now. “We’ve done what the Doctor asked, Rose. Let this Shadow Proclamation do its job.”

“He’s right,” agreed Darcia. “The Doctor wouldn’t want you to get hurt. I’m sure it won’t be long before the transaction is finished.” She prayed this was the case. Whatever the taking of the Doctor’s future life involved she hoped it would be over soon. Rose would not be patient much longer.

Rose wanted to protest further but she did not have the strength to fight anymore. Wearily she walked to the bed and sank down upon it. “Fine, we stay but the second you get that signal I want to go straight to the Doctor.”

Silence filled the room as they settled down to wait.

************************************************************

Diana was getting ready for bed when the Master entered her room. As always when he was near her heart pounded wildly in both fear and anticipation. He was a good lover but he could also be cruel and she wondered nervously what mood he was in tonight. Gentle it seemed as he let her embrace him as he kissed her softly. She tried not to be disappointed however when he pulled away from her.

“I’m not staying tonight, my dear. I’ve decided to use the Vortex Manipulator and go to Gwilgoloth and see how things are going there. The readings tell me that the box is almost full and it will release the Doctor very shortly. I want to be there when that happens and I don’t trust that fool Van Statten to do things correctly.”

“You … you still mean to get rid of him then?” stammered Diana.

“Yes, he’s becoming a liability. Too power hungry and ambitious and I’m afraid there is only room for one of us to be like that on my ship. Don’t tell me you’re sad, Diana? You used him just as much as I did,” he taunted. “It’s not like you were in love with him or anything.”

“No, but he could be useful and he did save my life once or twice.”

“You humans and emotions. You put too much stock in them. Everything has it’s time and everything ends. Even you and I, eventually. Oh don’t worry my dear, I promise not to kill you, unless you betray me of course. I could not be responsible for my actions if that were to happen.” He caught her hand as she took a nervous step back from him. “You’d never give me a reason to do that though would you, Diana?” he said silkily as his hand travelled up her arm across her exposed throat to finally rest against the softness of her flushed cheek. “You wouldn’t, would you?” he repeated as his fingers caressed her lips.

She knew the dangers but still she whispered fervently back to him, “No. I wouldn’t betray you, Master. I love you.”

“As it should be, my dear. As it should be.” With one final kiss he moved towards the door. Before exiting he turned his charming smile on her once more. “I’m feeling quite generous today. Perhaps I won’t kill Van Statten after all.”

Chapter Eleven