Lost in Thought : Snippets of an Alternate POV

42 - Memories That Burn

Full story: Chapters 7-8 of Lost in Time

Recap: Trapped on a ship about to crash with its crew into a vengeful sun, things get hot real quick - and in more ways than one. In the heat of the moment, sparks fly and the Doctor gets a little too fired up... and the author gets just plain fired for making too many puns.

POV: Tenth Doctor

The Doctor closed his eyes as the mem- distractions - threatened to rise once more, distracting him from what was actually there. He shoved them down with a frustrated growl, trying to keep his focus on the present. Lyssa needed him here. The crew needed him here, working on the generator, trying to get it running.

She'd needed him then, too, a treacherous part of his brain whispered.

And if she'd needed him so much, why had he left her?

It was something he'd been asking himself ever since he'd left her there in the med-center with Lerner and the captain's husband. He cast the captain a brief sympathetic glance at the thought. Losing the one you loved was a torture he wouldn't wish on Rassilon, and the captain was a far better person than the madman had ever been. She was hiding something, certainly, but not a desire to wipe out all life in the universe. Or just plain megalomania.

Boiling oil hissed as it leaked down to the floor, and he flinched, thrusting his arm out to push Lyssa back to keep from getting burned. His arm hit nothing but air, and he blinked, smooth lines fading away to reveal a different ship - still in danger, but not doomed. Not yet. There was no oil, just steam hissing from a cracked pipe as the temperature continued to rise. No angry pilot refusing his help and condemning all three of them to die.

No Lyssa trapped there with him.

He ran his hand through his hair, once more wishing he hadn't left Lyssa behind. He'd needed to, he'd known that. She'd chosen to stay for a reason, and he'd needed to help the crew with the engine. She'd been right by his side last time, and that hadn't helped her any. He'd only doomed her along with him.

"Impact in 28.50," the computer announced, a few seconds ahead of his internal countdown. He scowled, tugging at his hair a little and willing the pain to keep him focused. He'd been distracted ever since they'd found out the TARDIS was inaccessible and the ship was going down. It'd been too much, too similar to before, even after all this time. And now it was affecting even his abilities so instinctual he'd practically been born with them.

"Doctor, these readings are starting to scare me," Lerner said over the intercom.

He responded immediately, brow furrowing in concern. "What d'you mean?" Was this why Lyssa had decided to stay behind? Was she all right?

"Korwin," she said, drawing the attention of the rest of the crew. "His body's changing. His whole biological make-up. It's... it's impossible. Your friend has him under heavy sedation, as far as it will go... and he's waking up."

"No, not waking up," he heard Lyssa breathe, and his hearts skipped a beat at the fear in her voice. "He is awake."

He tensed, blood running cold as the intercom abruptly shut off. Korwin had been taken over by a violent host who'd sabotaged a ship enough that everyone aboard was in danger... and he'd left her there with him.

Static crackled as the intercom turned back on. "This is med-center," Lerner called, voice rising in panic. "Urgent assistance requested. Urgent assistance!"

"Doctor! We need help up here!" Lyssa cried, fear audible, and he bolted.

He dropped everything, both whatever he'd been holding and all his shields, reaching desperately through their bond and growing all the more terrified when she failed to respond. There was nothing - he couldn't even use it to find her. He kept them down in case she was able to reach back, heedless of the risks. He turned down another hallway, terror growing the further he got and still couldn't find her. It was a small ship, with only three people aboard. Why was it taking so long to reach her?