Loose Threads

The

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Martha: “Oh, you are kidding me. You are so kidding me. Oh, my God, we did it. We travelled in time. Where are we? No, sorry. I got to get used to this whole new language. When are we?”

The Doctor: “Mind out.”

(He pulls Martha back as a man empties his slop bucket from an upstairs window.)

MAN: “Gardez l’eau!”

The Doctor: “Somewhere before the invention of the toilet. Sorry about that.”

Martha: “I’ve seen worse. I’ve worked the late night shift A+E. But are we safe? I mean, can we move around and stuff?”

The Doctor: “Of course we can. Why do you ask?”

Martha: “It’s like in the films. You step on a butterfly, you change the future of the human race.”

The Doctor: “Tell you what then, don’t step on any butterflies. What have butterflies ever done to you?”

Martha: “What if, I don’t know, what if I kill my grandfather?”

“Martha, stop being the last red M&M in the bag!” I lightly shook her shoulder. “Have a little fun!”

“Terra! Hello!” Martha cheered, running up to me and wrapping me in a hug.

I couldn’t look up at the Doctor, I felt his eyes burning the back of my skull. I grimaced. The Doctor and I had just had that big fight, and I had just done the Christmas Invasion. “Hello Butterfly.”

“Why’re you dressed like that?” Martha asked, looking over my costume.

“I never know.” I admitted. “The TARDIS tends to help me dress for the times.”

The Doctor was giving me a curious look.

“53.” I said, nervously looking anywhere but the Doctor. “Butterfly, let’s go take a look around London.”

Martha: “This is London?”

The Doctor: “I think so. Round about 1599.”

Martha: “Oh, but hold on. Am I all right? I’m not going to get carted off as a slave, am I?”

The Doctor: “Why would they do that?”

Martha: “Not exactly white, in case you haven’t noticed.”

The Doctor: “I’m not even human. Just walk about like you own the place. Works for me. Besides, you’d be surprised. Elizabethan England, not so different from your time. Look over there. They’ve got recycling.”

(A man shovels horse manure into a bucket.)

The Doctor: “Water cooler moment.”

(Two men talking at a water barrel.)

PREACHER: “And the world will be consumed by flame.”

The Doctor: “Global warming. Oh, yes, and entertainment. Popular entertainment for the masses. If I’m right, we’re just down the river by Southwark, right next to-”

(The Doctor gets Martha to run along from the south end of old London Bridge, past St Mary Ovarie - Southwark Cathedral - to a view of)

The Doctor: “Oh, yes, the Globe Theatre! Brand new. Just opened. Through, strictly speaking, it’s not a globe, it’s a tetradecagon. Fourteen sides. Containing the man himself.”

Martha: “Whoa, you don’t mean. Is Shakespeare in there?”

The Doctor: “Oh, yes. Miss Jones, will you accompany me to the theatre?”

Martha: “Mister Smith, I will.”

The Doctor: “When you get home, you can tell everyone you’ve seen Shakespeare.”

Martha: “Then I could get sectioned.”

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==LT==

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Martha: “That’s amazing! Just amazing. It’s worth putting up with the smell. And those are men dressed as women, yeah?”

The Doctor: “London never changes.”

Martha: “Where’s Shakespeare? I want to see Shakespeare. Author! Author! Do people shout that? Do they shout Author?”

MAN: “Author! Author!”

(And the crowd take up the chant.)

The Doctor: “Well, they do now.”

(Shakespeare comes onto the stage, very full of himself, to rapturous applause.)

Martha: “He’s a bit different from his portraits.”

(Lilith is dressed like an aristocrat, and sitting alone in one of the upper boxes. She takes a rough doll with a strand of hair stuck to its head from her purse.)

The Doctor: “Genius. He’s a genius. The genius. The most human human there’s ever been. Now we’re going to hear him speak. Always he chooses the best words. New, beautiful, brilliant words.”

William: “Ah, shut your big fat mouths!”

“Finally. Someone that speaks my language.”

(Laughter.)

The Doctor: “Oh, well.”

Martha: “You should never meet your heroes.”

William: “You’ve got excellent taste, I’ll give you that. Oh, that’s a wig.”

(Lilith pulls the hair on her doll.)

Lilith: “Wind the craft of ancient harm. The time approaches for our charm.”

William: “I know what you’re all saying. Loves Labour’s Lost, that’s a funny ending, isn’t it? It just stops. Will the boys get the girls? Well, don’t get your hose in a tangle, you’ll find out soon. Yeah, yeah. All in good time. You don’t rush a genius.”

(Lilith kisses her doll and Shakespeare suddenly goes rigid and blank.)

William: “When? Tomorrow night. The premiere of my brand new play. A sequel, no less, and I call it Loves Labour’s Won.”

(A short while later, everyone is filing out of the theatre.)

Martha: “I’m not an expert, but I’ve never heard of Loves Labour’s Won.”

The Doctor: “Exactly. The lost play. It doesn’t exist, only in rumours. It’s mentioned in lists of his plays but never ever turns up. And no one knows why.”

Martha: “Have you got a mini-disc or something? We can tape it. We can flog it. Sell it when we get home and make a mint.”

The Doctor: “No.”

Martha: “That would be bad.”

The Doctor: “Yeah, yeah.”

Martha: “Well, how come it disappeared in the first place?”

The Doctor: “Well, I was just going to give you a quick little trip in the TARDIS, but I suppose we could stay a bit longer.”

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==LT==

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The Doctor: “Hello! Excuse me, not interrupting, am I? Mister Shakespeare, isn’t it?”

William: “Oh, no. No, no, no. Who let you in? No autographs. No, you can’t have yourself sketched with me. And please don’t ask where I get my ideas from. Thanks for the interest. Now be a good boy and shove-”

(Shakespeare spots Terra.)

William: “Hey, nonny nonny. Sit right down here next to me. You two get sewing on them costumes. Off you go.”

Dolly: “Come on, lads. I think our William’s found his new muse.”

William: “Sweet lady.”

(Dolly, Burbage and Kempe leave. Martha and the Doctor sit at the table.)

William: “Such unusual clothes. So fitted.”

Martha: “Er, verily, forsooth, egads.”

The Doctor: “No, no, don’t do that. Don’t.”

I patted Martha’s shoulder. “Remember, play it cool.”

(The Doctor shows Shakespeare his psychic paper.)

The Doctor: “I’m Sir Doctor of TARDIS and this is my companion, Miss Martha Jones, and this is Dame Terra Song.”

William: “Interesting, that bit of paper. It’s blank.”

The Doctor: “Oh, that’s very clever. That proves it. Absolute genius.”

Martha: “No, it says so right there. Sir Doctor, Martha Jones, Dame Terra Song. It says so.” She turned to me. “Terra, it says that right?”

Shit. I’ve been called out. My eyes blinked, unsure of what to say. “Yep. That’s what it says.” My tone was unconvincing.

The Doctor gave me a side glance. “Terra?”

“It’s blank.” The words flew out. “It’s always been blank. I’m sorry. I never wanted you to find out like this.”

William: “And I say it’s blank.”

The Doctor: “Psychic paper. Er, long story. Oh, I hate starting from scratch.”

William: “Psychic? Never heard that before and words are my trade. Who are you exactly? More’s the point, who is your tempting enchantress?”

I had the urge to bashfully giggle. To save me from embarrassment, I just gave him a flirtatious smirk. “Dame Terra Song, Mister Shakespeare. A pleasure to meet such a well known author as yourself.”

William seemed pleased at my opinion. “You are dressed like a Queen, dare I say.”

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this.” Martha commented.

“Best. Day. Ever.” I smiled.

“Terra and Martha are from a far off land, Freedonia.” The Doctor butted it, putting his hand on my shoulder. I kept smirking at William.

Lynley: “Excuse me! Hold hard a moment. This is abominable behaviour. A new play with no warning? I demand to see a script, Mister Shakespeare. As Master of the Revels, every new script must be registered at my office and examined by me before it can be performed.”

William: “Tomorrow morning, first thing, I’ll send it round.”

Lynley: “I don’t work to your schedule, you work to mine. The script, now!”

William: “I can’t.”

Lynley: “Then tomorrow’s performance is cancelled.”

(Lilith leaves quietly.)

Martha: “It’s all go around here, isn’t it?”

Lynley: “I’m returning to my office for a banning order. If it’s the last thing I do, Love’s Labours Won will never be played.”

(Lynley leaves and goes down the stairs.)

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Martha: “Well then, mystery solved. That’s Love’s Labours Won over and done with. Thought it might be something more, you know, more mysterious.”

“It’s never the first person they bring in.” I commented, looking down at the table in deep thought.

(A man’s scream comes from the street, then a woman’s. The three rush out to investigate.)

WOMAN: “Help me!”

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==LT==

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Martha: “It’s that Lynley bloke.”

The Doctor: “What’s wrong with him? Leave it to me. I’m a doctor.”

Martha: “So am I, near enough.”

Martha: “Got to get the heart going. Mister Lynley, come on. Can you hear me? You’re going to be all right.”

(Martha starts to clear Lynley’s airways for CPR, and water gushes out.)

Martha: “What the hell is that?”

The Doctor: “I’ve never seen a death like it. His lungs are full of water. He drowned and then, I don’t know, like a blow to the heart, an invisible blow.”

(Lilith watches from a balcony.)

The Doctor: “Good mistress, this poor fellow has died from a sudden imbalance of the humors. A natural if unfortunate demise. Call a constable and have him taken away.”

Dolly: “Yes, sir.”

Lilith: “I’ll do it, ma’am.”

(Lilith leaves, smiling.)

Martha: “And why are you telling them that?”

The Doctor: “This lot still have got one foot in the Dark Ages. If I tell them the truth, they’ll panic and think it was witchcraft.”

Martha: “Okay, what was it then?”

The Doctor: “Witchcraft.”

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==LT==

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Dolly: “I got you a room, Sir Doctor. You, Miss Song, and Miss Jones are just across the landing.”

William: “Poor Lynley. So many strange events. Not least of all, this land of Freedonia where a woman can be a doctor?”

“Where a woman can do what she likes.” To prove my point, I gave him a once over.

William: “And you, Sir Doctor. How can a man so young have eyes so old?”

The Doctor: “I do a lot of reading.”

William: “A trite reply. Yeah, that’s what I’d do.”

“Your eyes.” William commented. “They shine like the sun, yet they are clouded. Blocked. You’re trying to mask your pain.”

I tried to keep his stare, hoping the Doctor didn’t notice that he was right. Who was I kidding? The Doctor was William’s biggest fan, of course he would know he was right! “You should understand that I would rather not discuss it.”

William accepted that. “And you?” William turned to Martha. “You look at them like you’re surprised they exist. They’re a much of a puzzle to you as they are to me.”

Martha: “I think we should say goodnight.” (Martha leaves.)

William: “I must work. I have a play to complete. But I’ll get my answers tomorrow, Doctor, and I’ll discover more about you and why this constant performance of yours.”

The Doctor: “All the world’s a stage.”

William: “Hmm. I might use that. Goodnight, Doctor.”

The Doctor: “Nighty night, Shakespeare.”

“Have a fair night, dear William.” I said.

“To you as well, Dame Terra.” The playwright winked at me as I followed behind the Doctor.

“To part is such sweet sorrow.” I quoted, following behind the Doctor.

There was a small pause. “That’s one of mine!” William realized.

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==LT==

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Martha: “It’s not exactly five star, is it?”

The Doctor: “Oh, it’ll do. I’ve seen worse.”

Martha: “I haven’t even got a toothbrush.”

The Doctor: “Oh. Er.”

(The Doctor produces one from a pocket.)

The Doctor: “Contains Venusian spearmint.0

Martha: “So, who’s going where? I mean, there’s only one bed.”

“We can manage.” I hopped on the bed, patting the spot next to me. “Oh. We can make a sleepover out of it. I like sleepovers, as you will learn Butterfly.”

“Why’re you calling me that?” Martha asked, sounding genuinely curious.

“Calling you what?” I asked. “Butterfly?”

“Yeah.”

I blinked. “Oh. That’s easy. Butterflies don’t know the color of their wings, but the human eye knows how beautiful it is. Likewise, you don’t know how good you are, but others can see you are special.” I said. “And Martha Jones, you are the most beautiful butterfly I have ever seen.”

Martha bashfully looked down at her toothbrush. “So um, magic and stuff. That’s a surprise. It’s all a little bit Harry Potter.”

The Doctor: “Wait till you read book seven. Oh, I cried.”

“It’s true. I held him in my arms.” I dramatically wrapped my arms around myself.

“You did not.” The Doctor argued.

“Ya got me.” I grinned at Martha. “I tried to, but he pushed me away.”

Martha: “But is it real, though? I mean, witches, black magic and all that, it’s real?”

“Course it isn’t!” The Doctor said the same time I said “Course it is!”

Martha: “Well, how am I supposed to know? I’ve only just started believing in time travel. Give me a break.”

The Doctor: “Looks like witchcraft, but it isn’t. Can’t be. Are you going to stand there all night?”

Martha: “Budge up a bit, then. Sorry, there’s not much room. Us three here, same bed. Tongues will wag.”

The Doctor: “There’s such a thing as psychic energy, but a human couldn’t channel it like that. Not without a generator the size of Taunton and I think we’d have spotted that. No, there’s something I’m missing, Martha. Something really close, staring me right in the face and I can’t see it.” The Doctor looked over at me. “Have you got any idea?”

I shrugged. “Magic. It’s a difficult thing for me as of late. With the right tools, I could solve it in a pinch, but my proverbial badge has been suspended.”

“Your what?” Martha asked.

“Cop joke.” I excused. “It means my magic is on suspension until further notice, or until I get a call from the governor.”

“Rose’d know. A friend of mine, Rose. Right now, she’d say exactly the right thing. Still, can’t be helped. You’re a novice, never mind. I’ll take you back home tomorrow.”

Martha: “Great.”

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I moved out of the bed, walking towards the window. I leaned against the seat, gazing out at the stars.

This is how I slept on Christmas, for decades. I would look up at the stars from our bed and gaze at them, marveling at the new constellations, with the Doctor holding my hand.

Ten wouldn’t do that. No, especially this one. He doesn’t like me so much. He hates my guts. I can see it in his eyes. He is disgusted by me.

Good. I cost him Rose. I put her in danger, constantly. It would only be fair I end up hated by Ten. He would eventually become the man that saved me, but I hate that it took Dominic torturing me for the Doctor to start trusting me again.

Ten didn’t really love me, he pitied me. He felt sorry for me. Of course he did, why would he think anything else? I had done nothing worth being valued for in Ten’s eyes.

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==LT==

The nights on Trenzalore were long, nearly spanning the entire day. With the town named Christmas, it was of no surprise that their air was always filled with a gentle snow.

In the Centre of town, there was a church. Not many had gone inside, not since the crack had appeared. Yet, some said it has always been there but had only just been noticed. For the past year, this church had been occupied by two off-worlders. The Doctor, a brave Time Lord who had come with the promise of protection from aliens who sought to destroy them.

The other was me, Terra Song. I was here to protect the Doctor. I was there to make sure he remembered his past, that he remembered what he was fighting for-

Okay. The Doctor always knew what he was fighting for, because all night that crack would ask Doctor Who? in those strange beeps. I was here, because the Doctor asked.

So, while he was off saving this planet, I was keeping myself busy. When I was still for too long, I thought about my dead son. I thought about what my life would be like if he was here, now. The Doctor would have helped rock him to sleep while I sang lullabies. I would help the Doctor tell him stories about my Earth or his past.

My boy would be walking now. I would be baby proofing everything, including most of the Doctor’s workspace. The Time Lord would be letting me, watching my Harry with a smile on his face.

I shook my head out of it. My boy was dead. I had to get back to work, plan a different future. The Doctor had his own space, the area just outside the crack. We had a bedroom, although it wasn’t often used for it’s intended purpose. My workroom was the room just beside, so I could immediately go there after waking up.

My work was paused by a freak at the door. I smiled as he knocked on the door. “Angels or cybers?”

He laughed. “Neither. Sontarans.”

“Oh? You went after the potatoes without me?” I said in mock hurt. “They love me!”

“I wouldn’t say that as a good thing.” The Doctor said, though it was slightly muffled by the door. “Terra, is it possible I could come in?” I blushed immediately, my hands crossing over my chest. “I miss my wife.”

My blush spread, a squeak nearly coming from my throat. I had only been in this reality for two years, barely used to being Doctor’s girlfriend and lover. In Blink, he had started out sexual relationship. It has been great, and here with Eleven...he wanted to continue where Ten left off.

The Doctor had taken my girly squeak as a yes. He walked into the room, making me gasp.

“No stop!” I called out, though it was too late. The Doctor could see my workshop.

He stared at my walls, of them covered in those spider chains with thumbtacks and thread. The Doctor walked up to a thread, holding it up and looking at me. “What’s all this? Are you planning me a surprise party?”

The joke lessened my blush, though only just. “Ah Plan when Ah’m anxious.” Damn that Truth Field.

The Doctor followed the thread, suddenly frowning. “Really? This is...” He stopped at seeing my blush. He walked up to my side, taking my hands in his. “Utterly amazing. You’ve got a brilliant mind.” He kissed my forehead. “Love a genius, me.”

I shook my head. “It’s ain’t your life on the walls. Ah did that ages ago.” Avoiding his deep green eyes, I went from wall to wall. “A show, Once Upon a Time, the Marvel movies, and that wall you were just at had the Grey Wolf Series.”

“Those werewolves that you love so much with our mate bond?” The Doctor said, looking back to it. “Why are you Planning them?”

I pressed my face to his chest, trying to hide. “Ah’m Planning it to include ya.”

“Me?” The Doctor said, hugging me back. “You’re including me? That’s wonderful, but would you really want me there?”

“‘Course Ah do. Totally and completely, remember?” I mumbled into his chest. “Ah want you there with me. Ah thought, Ah don’t know, that we could go see the wolves. We could...ya know...make it official.” I said in embarrassment.

His hands held me tighter, working their way to my shoulders. “Oh! Now that sounds like a plan I can get behind. Did you need any help?”

That made me smile. I reached down to my bag, pulling one of my favorite books out of it. “Use that Time Lord readin’ a your’s, manboy. We got work to do.”

That was how we spent the rest of our night, talking of a brighter future. We talked about the worlds I had been in, and of my history in them. It was perfect, even when the sun rose and I realized I had been up since the last.

==LT==

A harsh scream woke me up. I didn’t even pause

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(The Doctor and Martha leap out of bed and run to the room. Shakespeare wakes up.)

William: “What? What was that?”

(Dolly has collapsed. Martha goes to the window and sees an archetypal witch on a broomstick silhouetted against the full moon. Lilith cackles.)

The Doctor: “Her heart gave out. She died of fright.”

Martha: “Doctor?”

The Doctor: “What did you see?”

Martha: “A witch.”

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==LT==

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(Later, a cockerel crows and dogs start barking at the rising sun.)

William: “Oh, sweet Dolly Bailey. She sat out three bouts of the plague in this place when we all ran like rats. But what could have scared her so? She had such enormous spirit.”

The Doctor: “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

William: “I might use that.”

The Doctor: “You can’t. It’s someone else’s.”

“Lynley had an on land drowning, with the closest source of water being a bucket some twenty feet behind him. Dolly died of heart failure, though that’s mostly attributed to the old superstition of dying of fright.” I glanced at William. “Pardon me for saying this, but both were connected to you.”

William: “You’re accusing me?”

“Not at all William, but I can’t ignore the obvious connection. You’re at the centre of this, but that doesn’t make you the killer.” I explained, calmly. Years of being a Queen had it’s perks. “The unsub-”

“Unsub?” Martha asked.

“Unknown subject.” I said almost like an afterthought. “The unsub is revolving these murders around you, so you have to have some key in this.”

Giving William an assuring look, I walked up to his desk. “What were you doing before Dolly came in?”

William shrugged. “Writing the end of the play.”

I looked over to where we found Dolly. “Lynley was trying to stop Loves Labors Won, murdered on his way to the publishers. So it’s safe to say the unsub wants this play published.” I nodded, putting pieces together from what I remembered from this episode. “Dolly probably caught the witch in the act, so the witch killed her so as to remain hidden.”

“But what act?” Martha asked.

I turned to her, confused. “It wasn’t obvious?” I asked. “This witch wants the play done, and Will said himself that the script wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow-well I guess today-so the witch snuck in to make sure Will finished it.”

“But how would she do that?” Martha asked.

“Voodoo, I would imagine.” I admitted, wringing my hands together. “There are some spells to control the mind, but without knowing what kind of witch she is then I have no way of narrowing it down.”

“You really know your stuff.” The Doctor commented.

“Aw.” I bashfully looked to the edge of my dress. “You’re just saying that cause it’s true.” I bragged, lightly.

Martha only smiled excitedly. “This is bizarre. There you are, talking about witches, with Shakespeare, who writes about witches.”

William: “I have? When was that?”

The Doctor: “Not, not quite yet.”

William: “Peter Streete spoke of witches.”

Martha: “Who’s Peter Streete?”

William: “Our builder. He sketched the plans to the Globe.”

The Doctor: “The architect. Hold on. The architect! The architect! The Globe! Come on!”

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==LT==

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The Doctor: “The columns there, right? Fourteen sides. I’ve always wondered, but I never asked. Tell me, Will. Why fourteen sides?”

William: “It was the shape Peter Streete thought best, that’s all. Said it carried the sound well.”

The Doctor: “Fourteen. Why does that ring a bell? Fourteen.”

Martha: “There’s fourteen lines in a sonnet.”

The Doctor: “So there is. Good point. Words and shapes following the same design. Fourteen lines, fourteen sides, fourteen facets. Oh, my head. Tetradecagon. Think, think, think! Words, letters, numbers, lines!”

William: “This is just a theatre.”

The Doctor: “Oh yeah, but a theatre’s magic, isn’t it? You should know. Stand on this stage, say the right words with the right emphasis at the right time. Oh, you can make men weep, or cry with joy. Change them. You can change people’s minds just with words in this place. But if you exaggerate that.”

Martha: “It’s like your police box. Small wooden box with all that power inside.”

The Doctor: “Oh. Oh, Martha Jones, I like you. Tell you what, though. Peter Streete would know. Can I talk to him?”

William: “You won’t get an answer. A month after finishing this place, lost his mind.”

Martha: “Why? What happened?”

William: “Started raving about witches, hearing voices, babbling. His mind was addled.”

The Doctor: “Where is he now?”

William: “Bedlam.”

Martha: “What’s Bedlam?”

William: “Bethlem Hospital. The madhouse.”

“M-madhouse?” I stuttered.

The Doctor: “We’re going to go there. Right now. Come on.”

William: “Wait! I’m coming with you. I want to witness this at first hand.”

(Two young men enter.)

William: “Ralph, the last scene as promised. Copy it, hand it round, learn it, speak it. Back before curtain up. And remember, kid, project. Eyes and teeth. You never know, the Queen might turn up. As if. She never does.”

(More)

==LT==

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William: “So, tell me of Freedonia, where women can be doctors, writers, actors.”

Terra: “This country’s ruled by a woman.”

William: “Ah, she’s royal. That’s God’s business. Though you are a royal beauty.”

Terra: “Whoa, hold on seabiscuit. I know for a fact you’ve got a wife in the country.”

William: “But Terra, this is Town.”

The Doctor: “Come on. We can all have a good flirt later.”

William: “Is that a promise, Doctor?”

The Doctor: “Oh, fifty seven academics just punched the air. Now move!”

(More)

==LT==

(More)

I held my hand out to him. “Doctor.”

He looked back at me, impatient. “Terra, we-” Then the Doctor noticed the scared look in my eyes.

“Please.” My voice wavered. “Just hold my hand.”

(More)

“I can do this.” I whispered to myself. “I can do this.”

==LT==

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Keeper: “Does my Lord Doctor wish some entertainment while he waits? I’d whip these madmen. They’ll put on a good show for you. Mad dog in Bedlam.”

I squeezed the Doctor’s hand, trying to keep focused on Peter and not the screams of hundreds of madmen. My old scars were starting to ache. I was trying not to wince at every scream.

The Doctor: “No, I don’t!”

Keeper: “Well, wait here, my lords, while I make him decent for the ladies.” (The Keeper of the Hospital walks on down the corridor with cells on either side.)

Martha: “So this is what you call a hospital, yeah? Where the patients are whipped to entertain the gentry? And you put your friend in here?”

William: “Oh, it’s all so different in Freedonia.”

Martha: “But you’re clever. Do you honestly think this place is any good?”

William: “I’ve been mad. I’ve lost my mind. Fear of this place set me right again. It serves its purpose.”

Martha: “Mad in what way?”

“You lost your son.” I said, in place of the Doctor. Shakespeare turned to me, looking as if he was remembering his death.

“My only boy. The Black death took him.” Will explained, sounding angry at his absence. It really makes you think about those things. What was he doing at the time that made him miss his son? What were you doing when your child crossed to the other side? Was he waiting for him to show? Was his last thought of you in a positive light, or negative? “I wasn’t even there.”

“No parent should ever have to bury their child.” I said, empathizing with him.

Will nodded, looking at me with those meaningful deep brown eyes. “You speak from experience.”

My hand flashed up to my bracelet, toying with one of the charms. It was the Lilac charm, I knew. She had a beautiful amber birthstone. My daughters back Home, Cookie and Hannah, had their own charms. Maxi, Jane, Harry, and Barnable were on here, the children I’ve had in this universe. The Doctor and I, our charms were together. A heart charm, with two sapphires joined together. He wouldn’t tell me his birthday, so I just used a sapphire since the TARDIS was a near enough color.

My children had been in nearly killed at one point or another. Lilac was almost shot in the head, and not even two days later she was nearly wiped from existence. Cookie was used as bait, and food for the changelings. Hannah was almost used as some demon tool by rats. Max was used as a soldier, nearly ripped away from my arms. The same for Jane.

Harry was murdered just as he’d been born, by that bastard Naismith. My little boy, the first child I ever given birth to, murdered. I should have fought harder for him. It was three centuries ago, but it felt like yesterday. Who his father was meant nothing to me, it just mattered that he was mine.

“I’m sorry.” Martha spoke up. “I didn’t know.”

“It’s alright.” I told her, holding back the tears. “I’m fine.” I wiped at my eyes, trying to get rid of that burning feeling of held back tears.

William: “It made me question everything. The futility of this fleeting existence. To be or not to be. Oh, that’s quite good.”

The Doctor: “You should write that down.”

William: “Maybe not. A bit pretentious?”

Martha turned to me. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

I didn’t nod, but my lip trembled. My fingers danced over Harry’s turquoise charm. “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”

Martha seemed saddened by that response.

KEEPER: “This way, my lord!” “They can be dangerous, my lord. Don’t know their own strength.”

The Doctor: “I think it helps if you don’t whip them. Now get out!”

(The keeper leaves.)

The Doctor: “Peter? Peter Streete?”

William: “He’s the same as he was. You’ll get nothing out of him.”

I marched up to the bedside. “Just you watch me.” I held my fingertips to his head.

“Terra, what are you doing?” The Doctor asked.

“Fixing him.” I said, focusing all power to my hands.

My powers had been suspended by the manipulator. That didn’t mean I couldn’t find a work around. It would just really, really hurt. I pushed through the pain, forcing power into my hands.

They glowed bright amber, as my magic usually did. I almost smirked, but kept working. The spell would only get through if I worked my ass off. “Come on Mia, don’t let the spell fail me now.”

A small amber heart came out from my hands, lowering into Peter’s forehead. I watched in shock as it spread a golden glow over the rest of his head. He opened his eyes, giving his head a quick shake as if waking up from a nap.

Peter Streete looked up at us, a bit surprised. “William? What...what happened? What are you doing here?”

My head was spinning, not just from shock. The spell had taken much more out of me than I originally thought. I fell back onto my rear, the Doctor instantly holding me up.

“Terra?”

“Sorry. Tired.” I was panting. “Took...more.”

William and Martha were staring at me, confused. “What are you?”

I smirked. “Never...gonna tell.”

The Doctor: “Tell me the story, Peter. Tell me about the witches.”

Peter: “Witches?”

“It’s alright, Peter.” My words came out a bit strained, but I managed to sound assuring. “They won’t hurt you here. Okay? Just tell us what they told you.”

Peter nervous shifted his gaze from the Doctor and I. “They...they spoke to me, at night in whispers. They told me to build the Globe to their design.” He flinched. “Fourteen walls, they said it had to be fourteen walls. When the work was done they...they snapped my wits.”

I smirked again. “I’m gonna kiss that alicorn next time I see her.”

The Doctor: “Where did you see the witches? Where in the city? Peter, tell me. You’ve got to tell me where were they?”

Peter: “All Hallows Street.”

Doomfinger: “Too many words.”

Martha: “What the hell?”

Doomfinger: “Just one touch of the heart.”

The Doctor: “No!”

I whacked her hand away. Doomfinger glared at me. “You. The one with strange magic.”

A cheeky grin. “Thank ya kindly. Now get out.” I ordered. “Or Ah’ll use mah strange magic again. This time on you.”

It was a bluff. It was a huge bluff, one I hope they didn’t call.

William: “Witch! I’m seeing a witch!”

Doomfinger: “Now, who shall be my new victim, hmm? Just one touch. Oh, oh, I’ll stop your frantic hearts. Poor, fragile mortals.”

Martha: “Let us out! Let us out!”

The Doctor: “That’s not going to work. The whole building’s shouting that.”

Doomfinger: “Who will die first, hmm?”

The Doctor: “Well, if you’re looking for volunteers.”

Martha: “No! Don’t!”

William: “Doctor, Terra, can you stop her?”

“You said you couldn’t stop her until you knew what kind of magic she had!” Martha reminded.

I smirked. “Good job on remembering.”

Doomfinger: “No mortal has power over me.”

The Doctor: “Oh, but there’s a power in words. If I can find the right one. If I can just know you.”

Doomfinger: “None on Earth has knowledge of us.”

“Ha!” I pointed a finger at the witch. “Bad news, lady. I am having a bad day! Time for your’s!” I sucked in a breath, making Doomfinger hiss. “Never say this wolf has more bark than bite! Creature I name you Carrionite!”

(Doomfinger screams and vanishes in a slow flash of light.)

“How did you know she was a Carrionite?” The Doctor asked me.

“Fourteen.” I grinned. “Humanoid female, used words to channel energy-”

“The fourteen stars of the Rexel planetary configuration!” The Doctor whacked his forehead, scolding himself for not realizing it sooner.

Martha: “What did she do?”

The Doctor: “She named her. The power of a name. That’s old magic.”

Martha: “But there’s no such thing as magic.”

“Who told you that nonsense?” I asked, offended. “Did you not see the floaty heart thing?”

Martha shrugged, hesitant. “Still trying to wrap my head around that.”

I snorted. Humans. “There’s different types of magic. Some call it science, but whatever. You bunches chose math (did you know vikings made the women do the math cause they thought it was witchcraft?). Do it right, you can split the atom or figure out how much those 27 watermelons cost. Carrionites use words.”

Off to the side, the Doctor grinned proudly. I blushed. “Exactly. Good job.”

“But what about you?” Martha asked.

I waved my hand. “That’s more complex. Mine is a mixture of three different magic brands, along with a couple dozen other techniques and spell styles. Think of me as an American style witch, that’ll keep your head on straight.”

William: “You said the witches use words. Use them for what?”

The Doctor: “The end of the world.”

(More)

==LT==

(More)

The Doctor: “The Carrionites disappeared way back at the dawn of the universe. Nobody was sure if they were real or legend.”

William: “Well, I’m going for real.”

Martha: “But what do they want?”

The Doctor: “A new empire on Earth. A world of bones and blood and witchcraft.”

Martha: “But how?”

The Doctor: “I’m looking at the man with the words.”

William: “Me? But I’ve done nothing.”

Martha: “Hold on, though. What were you doing last night, when that Carrionite was in the room?”

William: “Finishing the play.”

“We said that earlier.” I reminded Martha, but starting to grin at where they were going with this.

The Doctor: “What happens on the last page?”

William: “The boys get the girls. They have a bit of a dance. It’s all as funny and thought provoking as usual. Except those last few lines. Funny thing is, I don’t actually remember writing them.”

The Doctor: “That’s it. They used you. They gave you the final words like a spell, like a code. Love’s Labour’s Won. It’s a weapon. The right combination of words, spoken at the right place, with the shape of the Globe as an energy converter! The play’s the thing!” “And yes, you can have that.”

(More)

The Doctor: “All Hallows Street. There it is. Martha, we’ll track them down. Will, you get to the Globe. Whatever you do, stop that play.”

William: “I’ll do it. All these years I’ve been the cleverest man around. Next to you, I know nothing.”

Martha: “Oh, don’t complain.”

William: “I’m not. It’s marvellous. Good luck, Doctor.”

The Doctor: “Good luck, Shakespeare. Once more unto the breach.”

William: “I like that. Wait a minute, that’s one of mine.”

The Doctor: “(pokes his head around door) Oh, just shift!”

(More)

==LT==

(More)

The Doctor: “All Hallows Street, but which house?”

Martha: “The thing is, though am I missing something here? The world didn’t end in 1599. It just didn’t. Look at me. I’m living proof.”

The Doctor: “Oh, how to explain the mechanics of the infinite temporal flux? I know. Back to the Future. It’s like Back to the Future.”

Martha: “The film?”

The Doctor: “No, the novelisation. Yes, the film. Marty McFly goes back and changes history.”

Martha: “And he starts fading away. Oh my God, am I going to fade?”

The Doctor: “You and the entire future of the human race. It ends right now in 1599 if we don’t stop it. But which house?”

(A door creaks open invitingly.)

The Doctor: “Ah. Make that witch house.”

(More)

The Doctor: “I take it we’re expected.”

Lilith: “Oh, I think Death has been waiting for you a very long time.”

“Not this time.” I joked on my old nickname. “This time I had him waiting on me.”

Martha: “Right then, it’s my turn. I know how to do this. I name thee Carrionite! What did I do wrong? Was it the finger?”

Lilith: “The power of a name works only once. Observe. I gaze upon this bag of bones and now I name thee Martha Jones.”

(Martha falls backwards into the Doctor’s arms.)

“What did you do to her you harpy!” I growled.

Lilith: “Only sleeping, alas. It’s curious. The name has less impact. She’s somehow out of her time. And as for you, Dame Terra.” She blinked. “Fascinating. There is no name.” She turned to the Doctor. “Sir Doctor. Incredible. Neither of you show your names. Why would a man hide his title in such despair, or a woman hide her’s in such shame? Oh, but look. There’s still words with the power that aches.”

Lilith turned to me. I gave her a warning glare. “You battle every day, with no effect to your charisma. Yet your heart freezes over your precious Theta Sigma?”

I flinched away, feeling my hearts break.

The Doctor: “The naming won’t work on me.”

Lilith: “But your heart grows cold. The north wind blows and carries down the distant Rose.”

The Doctor: “Oh, big mistake. Because that name keeps me fighting.”

“The Carrionites vanished. Where did you go?”

Lilith: “The Eternals found the right word to banish us into deep darkness.”

The Doctor: “And how did you escape?”

Lilith: “New words. New and glittering, from a mind like no other.”

The Doctor: “Shakespeare.”

Lilith: “His son perished. The grief of a genius. Grief without measure. Madness enough to allow us entrance.”

The Doctor: “How many of you?”

Lilith: “Just the three. But the play tonight shall restore the rest. Then the human race will be purged as pestilence. And from this world we will lead the universe back into the old ways of blood and magic.”

The Doctor: “Hmm. Busy schedule. But first you’ve got to get past us.”

Lilith: “Oh, that should be a pleasure, considering my enemy has such a handsome shape.”

The Doctor: “Now, that’s one form of magic that’s definitely not going to work on me.”

Lilith: “Oh, we’ll see.” (Lilith pulls some hairs from his head.)

The Doctor: “What did you do?”

Lilith: “Souvenir.”

The Doctor: “Well, give it back.”

(Lilith flies out of the window backwards. They are on the upper floor.)

The Doctor: “Well, that’s just cheating.”

Lilith: “Behold, Doctor. Men to Carrionites are nothing but puppets.” (Lilith wraps his hair round a wooden doll, while Martha wakes up.) (Martha wakes slowly.)

The Doctor: “Now, you might call that magic. I’d call that a DNA replication module.”

Lilith: “What use is your science now?” (Lilith stabs the doll, The Doctor screams and falls. Lilith flies away.)

Martha: “Oh my God, Doctor. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Hold on, mister. Two hearts?”

The Doctor: “You’re making a habit of this. Ah! I’ve only got one heart working. How do you people cope? I’ve got to get the other one started. Hit me! Hit me on the chest! Dah! Other side. Now, on the back, on the back. Left a bit. Dah, lovely. There we go. Badda booma! Well, what are you standing there for? Come one! The Globe!”

(More)

==LT==

(More)

Martha: “We’re going the wrong way!”

The Doctor: “No, we’re not! We’re going the wrong way!”

(More)

==LT==

(More)

PREACHER: “I told thee so! I told thee!”

The Doctor: “Stage door!”

(More)

The Doctor: “Stop the play. I think that was it. Yeah, I said, stop the play!”

William: “I hit my head.”

The Doctor: “Yeah, don’t rub it, you’ll go bald. I think that’s my cue!”

(More)

==LT==

(More)

The Doctor: “Come on, Will! History needs you!”

William: “But what can I do?”

The Doctor: “Reverse it!”

William: “How am I supposed to do that?”

The Doctor: “The shape of the Globe gives words power, but you’re the wordsmith, the one true genius. The only man clever enough to do it.”

William: “But what words? I have none ready!”

The Doctor: “You’re William Shakespeare!”

William: “But these Carrionite phrases, the need such precision.”

The Doctor: “Trust yourself. When you’re locked away in your room, the words just come, don’t they, like magic. Words of the right sound, the right shape, the right rhythm. Words that last forever. That’s what you do, Will. You choose perfect words. Do it. Improvise.”

William: “Close up this din of hateful, dire decay, decomposition of your witches’ plot. You thieve my brains, consider me your toy. My doting Doctor tells me I am not!”

Lilith: “No! Words of power!”

William: “Foul Carrionite spectres, cease your show! Between the points.”

The Doctor: “Seven six one three nine oh!”

William: “Seven six one three nine oh! Banished like a tinker’s cuss, I say to thee-”

Martha: “Expelliarmus!”

The Doctor: “Expelliarmus!”

William: “Expelliarmus!”

The Doctor: “Good old JK!”

(The Carrionites scream.) Lilith: “The deep darkness! They are consumed!” (The Carrionites are sucked into a tornado, along with all the extant pages of the play.)

The Doctor: “Love’s Labours Won. There it goes.”

(The sky clears with a flash and bang. After a few moments, someone starts clapping, then all the audience joins in.)

Martha: “They think it was all special effects?”

William: “Your effect is special indeed.”

Martha: “It’s not your best line.”

(Shakespeare and Martha take their bows. Meanwhile, the Doctor goes up to the now empty box and picks up the crystal. Lilith and her mothers are inside, scratching to get at him.

(More)

==LT==

(More)

William: “And I say, a heart for a hart and a dear for a deer.”

I laughed, lightly hitting his arm. Martha: “I don’t get it.”

William: “Then give me a joke from Freedonia.”

Martha: “Okay, Shakespeare walks into a pub and the landlord says, Oi mate, you’re Bard.”

William: “That’s brilliant. Doesn’t make sense, mind you.”

“Mine is better.” I said, sitting closer to William. I looked him in the eyes. “In Freedonia, we teach your plays to children.”

William dropped his jaw. “Children?”

“Yep.” I nodded. “Children. We teach your plays to them, and call them literary works of genius.”

“But, they’re full of vulgarity!” William argued.

“I know.”

“And jokes of sex!”

“I know.”

“And you teach children this?”

“And we make them watch it.” I looked over at Martha. “Told ya mine was better.”

“An interesting story, but never mind that. Now come here.”

William put his arm around my waist waist and pulled me towards him. “I’ve only just met you.” I teased, not exactly saying stop.

William: “The Doctor may never kiss you. Why not entertain a man who will?”

Terra: “I don’t know how to tell you this with kindness, oh great genius, so I will be frank.” I quirked a smile. “Your breath stinks.”

(The Doctor enters wearing a small stiff ruff and carrying an animal skull.) The Doctor: “Good props store back there. I’m not sure about this though. Reminds me of a Sycorax.”

William: “Sycorax. Nice word. I’ll have that off you as well.”

The Doctor: “I should be on ten percent. How’s your head?”

William: “Still aching.”

The Doctor: “Here, I got you this.” (The Doctor takes off the ruff and puts it on Shakespeare.) The Doctor: “Neck brace. Wear that for a few days till it’s better, although you might want to keep it. It suits you.”

Martha: “What about the play?”

The Doctor: “Gone. I looked all over. Every single copy of Love’s Labours Won went up in the sky.”

William: “My lost masterpiece.”

Martha: “You could write it up again.”

The Doctor: “Yeah, better not, Will. There’s still power in those words. Maybe it should best stay forgotten.”

William: “Oh, but I’ve got new ideas. Perhaps it’s time I wrote about fathers and sons, in memory of my boy, my precious Hamnet.”

Martha: “Hamnet?”

William: “That’s him.”

Martha: “Hamnet?” I elbowed her. “Oi.”

William: “What’s wrong with that?”

The Doctor: “Anyway, time we were off. I’ve got a nice attic in the TARDIS where this lot can scream for all eternity, and I’ve got to take Martha back to Freedonia.”

William: “You mean travel on through time and space.”

The Doctor: “You what?”

William: “You’re from another world like the Carrionites, and Terra and Martha are from the future. It’s not hard to work out.”

The Doctor: “That’s incredible. You are incredible.”

William: “We’re alike in many ways, Doctor. Terra, let me say goodbye to you in a new verse. A sonnet for my fair lady.”

I rolled my eyes, a gentle smile on my face.

“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun.” William began. My eyes widened and jaw dropped when I realized he was saying Sonnet 130. “Coral is far more red than her lips’ red. If snow be white, why then her-”

BURBAGE: “Will!”

KEMPE: “Will, you’ll never believe it. She’s here! She’s turned up!”

BURBAGE: “We’re the talk of the town. She heard about last night. She wants us to perform it again.”

Martha: “Who?”

BURBAGE: “Her Majesty. She’s here.”

“Biscuits.” I mumbled. I stood up. “I need to leave.”

“What? Why?” The Doctor asked.

It was too late. Elizabeth the First had come into the Globe. She had a cross look on her face. The guards carrying spears did little to help ease my fears.

“Elizabeth, let me explain!” I called out to her, holding my hands up.

“Terra!” Elizabeth snarled.

I groaned, facepalming. “Or just go straight to yelling.”

The Doctor: “Queen Elizabeth the First!”

The Queen of England growled. “And the Doctor, my sworn enemies!”

“What?” The Doctor asked.

I rolled my eyes. “I told him it was a bad idea! I told him twice! He never listens to me, remember?” I reasoned.

“What?” The Doctor repeated.

“Off with their heads!” Elizabeth ordered.

“What?!”

I groaned. “Come on Elizabeth! It was bad, yeah, but...wait, no. It’s totally justified.” I took a step take the side. “You can kill him. I get to kill the next one.”

Martha: “Never mind what, just run! See you, Will, and thanks.”

ELIZABETH: “Stop that pernicious Doctor, and his Terra!”

(More)

==LT==

(More)

PIKEMAN: “Stop in the name of the Queen!”

Martha: “What have you done to upset her?”

The Doctor: “How should I know? Haven’t even met her yet. That’s time travel for you. Still, can’t wait to find out.”

“Don’t look at me. I think you deserve this. I, however, do not.” I admitted.

(They get to the TARDIS and he lets Martha in.)

The Doctor: “That’s something to look forward to. Ooo!”

(The Doctor gets inside and shuts the door as an arrow thuds into it, just like in Silver Nemesis.)