for salvagestime

[martha_jones]

It was all a bit rushed through, really.

The paperwork, the exams. They all seemed so much easier and so much less daunting than she remembered them. Of course, UNIT insisted that she be pushed through ahead of the other waiting doctoral candidates, and who would argue with them? It seemed like no time at all passed until she was stepping out of the ceremonial building, a fully qualified doctor.

She thought it would feel different, she supposed. Being a doctor rather than an intern. But no, no. It still felt the same. She just had a bit of paper that said she was Dr. Martha Jones, now. She took a breath and stepped outside for a bit of fresh air. The party inside was a little overwhelming.

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[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

The Doctor was right on time. Well, not exactly. The party had started some time ago, apparently, but by his definition of 'on time', he'd done very well. Anyway, he wasn't here for the party.

The person he was here for was just outside the building, in fact. Away from the party, which was just as well for the Doctor. He leaned against the building, hidden in her blind spot, and looked as though he'd been waiting the entire time.

"Out for a stroll, Doctor Jones?" he asked, a smile coming to his face at the words.

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

She wouldn't say she was completely surprised. Ever since she'd left him, she always imagined one day she'd walk around the corner or cross a street and there would be him and his police box, or him tugging off his tie and confusing her to no end.

But to show up today of all days? This had to be planned. She couldn't stop the grin that stretched across her face.

"Proper Doctor Jones, now," she said, holding up her papers. "UNIT rushed it through, what with all my experience in the field. Some 'higher up' gave me a rather stellar recommendation." The use of the word 'stellar' combined with the smirk she gave him said she had a pretty good idea who.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

"Oh, he's quite good," the Doctor said with a smirk to match her's. "Very good, matter of fact. But I hear he only takes the best."

But then his features softened just a bit. "They'll be lucky to have you, so it's no wonder they're rushing it. Nothing you can't handle, eh?"

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

It was silly, how proud his statement made her feel. She spent a long time feeling like she was just a shadow under Rose, but he called her the best. Oh, that was silly. He was probably only being nice.

"I've seen the headquarters, met some of the military personnel. They want me to start training next week." She took in a nervous breath. "Not what I was expecting when I first joined medical school, yeah, but...they do good things there."

And, because it was important: "Thank you."

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

"You're quite welcome." The reply was easy but he meant it entirely.

"I think you'll like UNIT." The Doctor pushed off the wall, hands in his pockets as he strolled over to her. She looked older, just a bit. It hadn't even been that long since he'd seen her, really. But she wasn't the Martha Jones he'd met on the moon. "Defending the Earth, saving lives, stuff you've got covered. Bit more suiting to you."

When it came down to it, part of the recommendation was for her sake as well. He knew enough now that his friends needed an outlet after they left him. Something to put their skills to use. The Doctor couldn't think of anything better than UNIT for someone like Martha.

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

"Do what I do best, eh?" she grinned up at him. "Learnt from you. Ought to be the best at it."

Her feet ached a bit in the high heels she wore to the party and she was stressed and a little tired, but she couldn't stop grinning. It felt good to grin. She spent a year of her life without smiles at all.

"So, what about you, mister? Found a replacement for me, yet?"

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

"No," he said, sobering somewhat. The Doctor puffed out his cheeks, letting out a sigh. "Just me and the TARDIS! Not that I mind it, traveling like that. She's good company. Well, usually. Sometimes she doesn't want to behave. I've just been doing what I do best," he said with a grin as he borrowed her phrase.

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

That made her a little sad. The Doctor wasn't safe on his own, she imagined. All those times she had to save him from some scrape or other.

"Well, knowing you it won't be long til you've got someone else trailing after you, awed by the universe," she said, exaggerating the 'trailing' just a little bit to show she was teasing.

"And really, when has the TARDIS ever landed properly?"

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

"I do always like the 'awe' part," the Doctor admitted, falling into Martha's teasing. "There's nothing quite like the first time to step onto a new planet." A wistful look flickered over his face. It had been a very long time since he first had but that memory would never fade. He hoped all his traveling companions remembered their firsts just as well.

Then he shot her a mock-offended look. "Oi! She lands properly! She lands in the interesting places, anyway."

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

"Interesting places that are absolutely not where you promise to go!" Martha laughed. "I remember you promised me a milkshake in the retro diner of 9976, and we wound up running away from cavemen. BC and AD are not the same thing!"

This felt good. It was something they didn't have when she left: the ability to laugh at before. Oh, no matter what had changed Martha wouldn't have given up her memories for anything in the universe.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

"Running is good exercise!" the Doctor laughed with her. "Builds up a good taste for a milkshake, too. Which, let me remind you, you did get eventually. Excellent chips there, too."

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

She laughed. It was true, and no matter how furious she'd been, the milkshake had been just as good as he promised. It was the Doctor's way, and she couldn't think of a time he went back on a promise.

"Chips sound like a great idea. I'm about done with that party, fancy something to eat? Great place down the street there."

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

"Just over here? I hope they put vinegar on the chips, then," the Doctor said, his nose wrinkling a bit in thought. He took a few steps closer before faltering.

It was actually a terrible idea. He hadn't come here for a chat, not really. Oh sure, he'd hoped for one. But Martha Jones deserved the chance to move on. The Doctor wasn't supposed to show up again unless she called. And now here he was, ready to just walk off with her again, like this was just another stop for them.

"I don't know." He jammed his hands into his pockets. "You'd be all right with that?" Because I'm going to leave again. Extending the admittedly pleasant evening was only going to make parting harder.

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

"I already know I'm going to have to pay for it." She shook her head and rolled her eyes in mock-irritation.

But no, no. That wasn't what the Doctor meant. From the way he stood, hands-in-pockets and somewhat closed off, he was trying to keep some distance. Which was right, it was right. She wanted space. She wanted to get out. And there she was, inviting him to chips.

"You're right," she said. "Shouldn't...well."

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

That was it, then. Another goodbye staring him in the face. But it was the right thing. He had to do that more often.

The Doctor gave a sniff, nodding as he rubbed his nose. "Right, shouldn't. Well!" He looked back up with a warm smile that reached his eyes. "Martha Jones. You've already saved the Earth. UNIT shouldn't be too hard. The parties are nicer anyway."

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

"Right."

This was harder than before. Before she just had to deny him as he expected her to be there. Now, he had gone so far as to come to her. She took a few steps forward and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a hug.

"Thank you," she said. "For coming tonight." It was hard to express how much it did mean to her.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

The Doctor hesitated only the smallest fraction of time before returning the hug, arms wrapped around her tight.

"My pleasure," he said and actually meant it. Even if it meant this goodbye. The Doctor just smiled as he carefully slipped back, ready to disappear just as easily back into the alley.

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

It was everything in her to let him go. Better this way, she had to get over him, move on with her life. She had a job, now. Proper training for UNIT and she had plans to meet up with Tom...

And still she didn't want him to go. God, part of her hated him for getting so deep under her skin. She turned as well. It would be easier if she didn't have to watch him. If she---

The silence of the alley was suddenly interrupted by a scream. Obviously distant but definitely there nonetheless.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

The Doctor stopped dead in his tracks. Everything left over from the moment, his inhibitions and his worries, were gone. Instead they were replaced by the same mix of emotions that always came with trouble. It was dangerous. A thrill. And he even had someone with him to help.

"Now that sounds like trouble," he said. He was already at Martha's side and there was a familiar look in his eyes, his hand itching to grab her's. "They might need a doctor." The word was given emphasis and a slight grin flickered over his face. "C'mon!"

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, it would be no fun to run in these high heels. But the way the Doctor grinned at her, how could she refuse? She returned it widely and ran alongside him.

Doctors Smith and Jones, back in action. At least for a little while. Part of her still wanted to reach out and grab his hand as they ran.

She called over to him as she ran. "It sounded human, do you think someone was attacked? There haven't been any alien sightings for weeks according to UNIT manifests."

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

"Probably attacked, yes!" the Doctor called over the rushing of their feet. "Sightings don't always help. It could have been dormant! Maybe a pod landed and no one noticed. Might even be a homegrown mutation? Could just be a robber, I suppose. Or came through that rift. Jack mentioned trouble with it."

He reached into his pocket as they ran, pulling out the sonic screwdriver and flicking it on. His fingers deftly turned through settings as his mind raced. "I was going to ask him about that, actually. Never got the chance. Really need to."

The Doctor suddenly skidded to a halt, only to face an alley. The darkness blurred the edges, making it seem like a mouth. He held up the sonic screwdriver.

"I think...it came from in there."

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

"Checking for lifesigns?" Martha asked. Well, it's what she would do. Or alien tech, or...well, there were a number of things. She reached down and picked up a broken chair leg from where it had been discarded on the ground.

"I've seen the Weevils back in Cardiff. Terrifying things, all twisted and mutated faces." And she doubted her ability with a chair leg, but it was probably better than the Doctor with the sonic screwdriver. Most of her other UNIT crew had a gun, but Martha didn't want one. Guns were only good for killing. The chair leg, at least, could subdue and keep whatever was hurting the screaming person alive.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

The Doctor gave a short nod. "Two. One's not human. You might be onto something with that Weevil thing." The ever so slight difference in the sonic's whine indicated that the human life sign was going to need help fast. They had to hurry. If it was a weevil, then they might already be too late.

"Whatever it is, we don't need to startle it." Then again, he didn't need to warn her. Martha knew what she was doing. Instead he raised his voice just a bit, just enough noise so the beast wouldn't be surprised. "Hullo?" The Doctor kept the screwdriver's light focused, cutting through the dark. "We're not going to hurt you."

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

"Learned about it during UNIT training. They're pretty prevalent in Cardiff, something about the rift activity there."

She took a few breaths and steadied herself as they stepped into the alley. Her grip on the chair leg was steady. She'd done worse in her time than beat down an alien intruder.

"Oh, god."

A hand protruded from behind a rubbish bin, the owner of said hand clearly unconscious.

"Doctor, do you see---"

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

"I see it." The Doctor shone the light around the region, walking closer. He bent down as soon as he'd cleared the bins. It was a woman, dressed normally enough, probably in her mid-20's. The more alarming thing was the condition of her shoulder. Something had definitely gotten a hold of her.

"Martha, can you do anything about that?" he asked, looking up at his companion.

However, a crash sounded not too far away in the gloom and the Doctor stood quickly, pointing his screwdriver into the alley. He saw it, standing there, hunched over and curious. A Weevil.

[imnot-hisgirl.livejournal.com]

Martha started towards the injured woman but froze when she heard the crash. It was a Weevil. She'd only made a guess, she didn't expect the monster to actually be there.

But the woman was injured. Martha had to do something. She crept slowly over to her and knelt down. "Compound break and some torn flesh...she's losing a lot of blood, Doctor."

And blood didn't do good things to Weevils.

"Be careful!"