Doctor Who Fan Fiction ❯ Paying the Piper's son ❯ Old Notions Challenged ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: Dr. Who and associated characters belong to the BBC. Tomic is my own character. This is a work of fan fiction, not for profit. I don't own Dragon Ball Z either. Funimation controls that.

 

 

Part 2 Old Notions Challenged

Lasses fighting? Imbalances vexed him, in his adopted bunk. How could he thank her? Why was he so mixed up inside? Behind closed eyes he could see Victoria's china doll features sculpted from ivory flesh. He wouldn't dare to touch her hands with more than mere brotherly concern. Because of those strange shivers he'd felt when he'd met her in that house so long ago. Or glimpsed that painting above the mantelpiece of her mother.

Victoria was the image of her.

That Saiyan warrior visiting Earth's solar system from another galaxy. The green lense of her headpiece blurred one of those sparkling brown eyes. What made him feel weird when he was around her? Not afraid or uncomfortable. Not the weird that made his skin crawl and his stomach squirm. It was the type of weird sensation that pounded his heart faster, and tightened around his chest so he could hardly breathe.

How he sometimes felt when he saw a highly attractive lady. Was she bonnie? She was not unattractive. All sturdy and solid generous curves. A wee bit generous. Certainly far from fat. As she said the gravity on her world was greater than that of Earth. That'd explain the stockiness. After all, she was alien. Not to mention that furry band around her waist she claimed was a tail.

Alien, and approachable. Right bonnie enau. She never treated him like an idjit.

Again he turned over. Sleep seemed impossible. Slowly he sat up, and swung his legs round till he sat up. He didn't bother undressing before he slept. When he slept that was. What was keeping him awake? Call it a feeling. A feeling at the boundary between sleep and consciousness. What the Doctor would call intuition.

Jamie swung round his feet and slipped off the top bunk. He felt his feet hit the solid floor. He slipped into his shirt, and quickly wrapped his length of plaid around his waist. It seemed difficult to find other clothing in the dark. Sock clad feet slipped into cuffed boots, and fingers grabbed his belt and weapon. Slowly he approached the door. It slid open with only a minor hum. "Thank goodness fer those modern devices," he muttered. As if there was anyone to wake up in here. Just where was the Doctor? He crept down the hallway, messing with the rest of his plaid as he struggled to pin it to his shoulder. Only a few yards away he spotted a square rectangle of light painted on the far wall. The Doctor must still be awake at this late hour. Quietly he peered in.

A microscopic analyzer sat on a mica-topped lab bench. Such a mundane piece of furniture felt anachronistic in this ultramodern research base. Three prefabricated buildings were all that stood on Titan. And two of those were de-pressurized. Far underground were the generators and new expansion labs for the projected colony. To save power, the Doctor had switched off the oxygen exchange. Nothing could live down there. At least that's what he managed to understand of that high tech talk.

Faintly the luminescent panels hummed. Mingled with that sound was a rasping noise. Stepping inside, Jamie saw the source. That same mica topped lab bench had another piece of equipment alongside it. Head nestled in his folded arms, the Doctor lay half on the bench. All Jamie saw was the light shining off his straight black hair, because the Doctor's face was turned away from the door.

"You're becoming regular piece o furniture here," he laughed inside his head. Smiling, he picked up a space blanket and draped it around the Doctor's shoulders.

"Sweet dreams, Doctor," Jamie whispered, before turning out the light.

Strange, he thought, returning to his room. In the midst of danger existed small islands of peace. Like those times back in Scotland between skirmishes. Where he'd be sitting around a fire with the other people in his clan. Swapping songs and stories of the day's struggles.

The mothers brought out salted meat and biscuits. One or two men would be sharpening their weapons, or cleaning their muskets. And they'd softly sing to keep up their spirits. A sister might pour ale or wine into his pewter tankard.

He caught himself whistling one of the old tunes he used to pipe. How long had it been since he'd last played, he couldn't remember. No thanks to the Redcoats for his lack of a set of pipes. If he didn't practice, he'd get rusty. In the back of his mind he could hear his father drumming those lessons into his head all those years.

Two doors down he arrived at the lasses' room. Somewhere inside, Victoria and the geologist lass slept peacefully. At least he hoped so. In the past few months, Victoria had grown a lot. Still, she would scream at danger. But that was only natural. Wasn't it?

Ah well. If he couldn't sleep, he could look out for danger. Smoothing his kilt plaid under him, he sat on the cold steel floor next to their door. He folded his arms and settled down, only shivering a bit in the sterile recycled air.

His heart jumped when he heard a door slide open. Right next to him he heard footsteps. Ever so slowly he slipped his hand toward his sheath knife at his hip. Against his thigh he felt the shifting weight of a curved ankle. Someone almost tripped over him where he sat. Automatically he reached up with a cry of "Aha!" to grab whoever it was.

"Great Oozaru!" cried a female voice. "What are you doing?"

"Hoot mon!" he gasped, surprised. "I'm sorry . . . I thought ye were . . . "

"Never mind. Why are you sitting out in the hall here?"

"Er, jest keeping guard," he said.

He could see a brief flash of light across the single lens of her scouter. She stood in front of him now, crouched over. To support herself, she braced her hands against her thighs. "That's very sweet of you to be concerned, but the alarms aren't blaring this minute."

"Ye cannae be too sure with them, lass," he said. He was sure she could see his white shirtsleeves in the dim light. "I've dealt wi' those Sontaran monsters before, an they niver give up."

"Neither do you, I see. Playing the hero overtime, huh?"

"Er, I was worried about Victoria. She does get a wee bit frightened, sleeping in a strange place the first night."

"Let me guess. You couldn't sleep either, right?"

"No' really. It's jest a feeling I have. That things aren't right."

"You seen the Doctor lately?"

"Aye. He's got his head doon right in the middle o' that experiment thing he's been doin."

"Aren't you the one who's usually falling asleep right in the middle of something?"

"Aye, Tha's true . . . hey wait a minute!"

He stopped when he saw the flash of her sharp white teeth. "You're ruining your reputation, James," she laughed. "That's what's not right."

"I suppose tis a wee bit strange," he said. "He's always complaining that only I can fall asleep right when a Dalek's plotting against us."

She sat next to him. Folding her knees before her, she clasped hands around them. For a while they remained there in silence. Such silence made Jamie's skin crawl. For all her self composure, the Saiyan was probably just as worried as he. Jamie glanced down his chest at the ruffles on his wide collared shirt. Strangely all white fabric appeared a ghostly purple. The Doctor called it black light.

"I hope the Doctor figures out jest what's going on with that carbon stuff. I for one dinnae see what it has t' do wi' the disappearing people here."

"He's checking for a time slip. If the carbon doesn't match other carbon in the right experiment, he'll know something's wrong."

He could tell she was struggling. Carefully she tried not to insult his intelligence while at the same time using words he could understand. Again he drew his dirk, carefully laying it across his lap. Somehow it reassured him that this adventure was really not a daft dream. Wrapping fingers around its handle literally gave him a grip on reality.

"I'm no used t' having a lass rescue me," he said suddenly.

"Is that what's been bothering you?" she asked him.

"Aye."

"You did come to my aid when he disarmed me. And you thought of my safety when I was about to fight him . . . "

"If he wasnae so bleedin' strong . . . "

"You did your best. It's not your fault that they're from a high gravity planet."

"I hate not bein able t' fight . . . "

"In my society females are not helpless. Some of our males consider us second class but even we are fierce enough to defend when called upon. And in your planet's future women are no longer helpless. It's hard to get used to. Seeing a woman save herself when you the man sits helpless. Even a Saiyan male must grudgingly admit there are some time when his mate must fight for him."

"I let him jest cuff me aside. I had nowt the strength to fight him."

"Courage and spirit are strengths. That's what you have in abundance, James Robert McCrimmon, and it's what counts the most. You are a true warrior."

Jamie shivered with pleasure as she grasped his shoulder. He kept forgetting these future lasses were used to taking care of themselves. Somehow that made life difficult for him. So often he tried to understand. But it wasn't always easy.

"Shall I give the young hero a kiss as a reward for his bravery? Against death-defying odds?"

Was she making fun of him? At first Jamie wasn't sure. A second later he felt hot breath against his cheek, followed by a brief gentle caress lasting a fraction of a second. Fingers gently gripped the swath of plaid near his shoulder. Gladly, he found his suspicion was wrong. He swallowed, and licked his lips.

"Not many human males would leap to a rescue of someone they hardly know, unless they are extremely physically attracted by the female . . . "

"Ht' doesn't matter. I'd rescue a lass even if she's far past her prime," he began. But then put his hand over his mouth in fear that he had said something rude.

Impulsively he grasped her gauntleted hand. She didn't pull hers away. Instead she squeezed his in return. "Och, I'm sorry. I didnae mean t' say it quite that way..."

"That's okay, James," she said, amused. "Such chivalry, in one so young. It's a real shame to see so little of it."

"There's no many lasses like ye tha' I've met," he said. "Strong and together on the outside. Some having the hate 'n fear in each word. But yer no angry. Jest sad. As if ye'd seen things a lass shuildnae see, and ye dinnae lash out at others in spite of it."

"I understand you've met females who fit that description?"

"Aye. They'd get angry if I open a door for 'em."

"Such females think that a male treating them with common courtesy is being sexist. That being equal means that you treat everyone the same. That's true to some extent. But they forget that the male and female of a species are different. Having the two sexes goes beyond just what you look like and act. A Female carries the young that a male grants her. A female also defends her whelps. Despite the fact that some of my race of higher class grow them in incubators. To deny the difference between male and female is to deny what your race strength's and weaknesses are. You humans are much like we are in form mind and body, despite your fraility."

"So ye dinnae mind if a fellow opens a door for ye, eh?"

"To me, he's being a gentleman and a male of good breeding. That's part of your culture, and I respect it."

Conversation drifted as they compared notes on their experiences. Here was somebody who understood where he came from. Someone who spoke Gaelic. Who didn't ridicule him for his culture. Not that the lasses he'd rescued from time to time did. What made her intriguing? He couldn't put a finger on it. It was then he realized half the conversation had been in his language and he'd not quite realized it till the sudden silence. Still she'd kept hold of his hand. With his other hand he kept his knife ready for any unexpected intruder.

"There's one thing I've been wondering," he said.

"Which is?"

"How do ye ken ma tongue? Were ye ever in Scotland?"

"This device assists me in learning languages. But human speech is easy for a Saiyan to learn due to the similarities in our vocal structures," said Tomic. Now she tucked her right ankle under her bent left knee, resting the right leg on the floor.

"I meant t' ask ye. Ye said you'd worked wi a scientist in the Third Zone. Wuild the scientist ye worked for there... be called Dastari?"

"That is the one. I was one of the team that was to benefit from his time machine..." said Tomic softly. "But I objected to his genetic experiments..."

"Aye the hungrymen... I mean Androgums."

"They have the same appetites as Saiyans, and the same desires. But we don't like eating sentient beings. We prefer mindless beasts we can hunt. That's where our similarities end. Also we don't eat any race remotely primate or simian in nature. The Doctor said that you'd had a run in with them... and that's how you know about the Third Zone..."

"Are ye a friend of the Doctor's past or future self?" Jamie asked slowly.

"He did a favor for the king of my race generations ago," said Tomic. "King Vejita the 4th long before I was whelped. But Saiyan memories are long indeed."

"Third Zone is far from where we were... I mean that's what the Doctor says... how can ye be here?"

"My home world was destroyed recently by that monster Freiza. We Saiyans are a space faring race with the technology to travel great distances by using ships that make us sleep, so we don't need food or water," she said. "Like those burrowing animals that you know of who hibernate in winter."

"Aye, that's right. So ye dinna need any food for such a long trip."

"Also, I know one of the Doctor's future selves from one of my missions in the past.

One of the Doctor's future selves. I believe the best way to say is by who was traveling with him. A girl called Peri... well it's a long story. But essentially I was a Companion as yourself... and he let me 'tag along' after he came back to check up on the rebuilding of the Third Zone station, and he returned me to my war party. The Saiyans had gotten a distress call that the Sontarans had attacked. So my team lead by Lieutenant commander Napa was dispatched by Commander Turles to investigate. Especially when Professor Bardock and his assistant Bharbera went missing. But they had managed to escape with the help of some of the Androgums loyal to our alliance."

"Aye, Peri..." nodded Jamie. "I niver found oot what happen' when the Doctor... mah doctor an' mahself left... to get Victoria back..."

"He and his companion Peri returned. The reason I'd survived that Sontaran attack was because my team was away on a mission. But when I returned I saw Dastari and the whole team building that time machine dead. The Doctor was helping to complete the Time Lord's report because your Doctor... had business elsewhere."

"The way ye speak it I'd thought ye were a true Scot yourself. Despite yer tail and yer hair, no offense lass," he said.

"Hmm, you're not so unattractive for a whelp yourself," she laughed. "Your dark hair and eyes are considered attractive features among Saiyan males. And though your bones are fragile your love of fighting and battle are quite like my people."

"Thank ye. I love travel as much as ye do. Tis great running aboot in the TARDIS, when it works that is. We niver know where we'll end up. Of course it's the wee things outside that sometimes make the problems."

"Exactly. What fascinating places you must see and remarkable battles you must fight," she breathed. "But never knowing what to expect. That's the problem. At least for some of the Doctor's friends."

All he could say in agreement was a mere sound. Slowly he released her hand. He liked adventure. But how about Victoria? How was she coping? Jamie was almost afraid to ask her sometimes. Was she really happy, uprooted from home and family? Facing the answer was difficult, and Jamie pushed the question to the back of his mind for now.

"Do ye ever get homesick? Fer yuir ain world?"

"I can't even remember what it looks like sometimes," she said, laughing softly once again. Now she sat with her arms folded across her bosom. He noticed the large black breastplate she wore that matched her gauntlets and boots.

"The Doctor was telling me aboot yair people. He said the Ice-jin were ruling over ye..."

Anger crept into her face. "Yes. Like the British did to you Scots. We became warriors under the rule of Emperor Freiza, trading our Crown Prince for our freedom. But what could we do against beings so powerful as they..."

"I'm sorry," Jamie said softly. "I didnae mean t' make ye sad, lass."

"It's all right. You of all people would understand my society the best..."

Underneath, the cold seeped into them where they sat. It felt awfully harsh to Jamie all of a sudden, despite the wool he wore. Convinced there was no immediate danger, he slipped his dirk back into its holster. Once more he slipped the rest of his plaid over his shoulder, securing his bandoleer strap.

"Well, I suppose I should turn in," Tomic said. "I may be strong, but I still require rest as you do."

Before she could rise, Jamie McCrimmon had beaten her to it. "Here, let me give ye a hand."

"Thank you," she said, extending her hand to him. He helped her the rest of the way up. "How about you? Feel tired yet?"

"I'm thinking I'd better stay out here," he said with a toss of his head. "Jest in case. Ye or Victoria need anything. Or if the Doctor wakes up."

"Time travelers need some rest. I hope you get some . . . "

Gently he seized her hand. Raising it to his lips, he kissed it. "You too, lass," he said softly. Faintly the light traced her long brown hair. Minute flashes suggested her scouter perched on that upturned nose. Only slightly did her skin begin to gracefully crease from middle age. What was middle age to her? If she were like the Doctor? He had thought she wasn't a Time Lord, but when he'd asked the Doctor about them, all he got was a hasty explanation. At least he thought she wasn't one. He recalled hearing about the process of a Gallifreyan becoming a time lord.

At the Celestial Academy, in a kind a ceremony. That's how a Time Lord was made. At least, that's what the Doctor said. Something about passing through a gateway that changed their bodies forever. A magical spell perhaps?

Jamie had asked him again how he could look like that man they met in the future. Back with that horrible Sontaran business.

"He's me, Jamie. Or who I will be in the future."

"And who will I be?"

"Oh, Jamie, really," the Doctor sighed, rolling those eyes.

And that beautiful young woman who'd been traveling with him. She was bonnie, all right. Not much older than he. Peri was her name. With the same accent as this geologist lassie.

Directly opposite from each other they now stood before the doorway. "Good night, Jamie," she said, a smile warm on her face. Slight amusement twinkled those mature eyes. It wasn't often she called him by the familiar. Most of the time she called him James.

Small fingertips caressed his cheek. She leaned forwards. Only briefly did she plant the answer to his previous gesture there. Kissing a woman on her hand was daring enough for him. She must be answering with a gesture equivalent, in this time, to his own eighteenth-century boldness.

Against his sense of what was proper conduct, he grasped her shoulder as she turned to enter the room. The top of her soft hair came just level with his. "Er . . . Tomic," he said, coughing out the choking in his throat. As if he had something to say to her before he lost his nerve.

"What's the matter?" she asked, hesitating. Concerned brown eyes fixed into his gaze.

Summoning all courage, he leaned forwards. Slipped his shaking hand, cuffed with the antique ruffled sleeve, under her chin. He felt like he was reaching out to touch a wild mare. How would the horse react? Long ago he'd reached out to pet a draft horse captured from a British soldier. That beast had whinnied sharply, baring its teeth at his slightest touch.

Even more briefly than she just had done, he touched his own lips to her cheek. All his shaking uneasiness he squeezed into that caress before pulling away.

"So young, and innocent you are," she sighed. He felt her dark eyes trace the lines of his young face through the gloom. Infinite sadness, like the look in the Doctor's eyes glistened there in her puzzled frown. Those eyes seemed to have that same remote intensity as his.

Simultaneously they moved together. Hands rested on opposite cheeks, caressing the smoothness. In the space of those few seconds he felt his knees shaking beneath the warm wool of his plaid. Respective noses brushed past each other.

"Sweet as the morning you are whelp," she breathed, as he pulled away to catch his breath. Trembling, he only dared clutch her waist with his slender pale hands. "Are you all right? I'm far stronger than you are, and can hold my breath much longer. I'm quite familiar with that human custom you call a kiss?"

"Dinnae be daft," he laughed. Once more he felt the strange softness of her long hair as he immersed his fingers in it. It flared out in small spikes that moved like a bird's feathers. Stiffer then human hair. On both sides of his chest her hands slid up to fold just at the back of his head. Beneath her right hand she gripped that fold of tartan draped over his right shoulder, yet again. Even her touch through his shirt sent jolts through him. All he had to do was lean forward to kiss again.

"Why are you shaking so?" she asked, that same concern in her voice. "Have you never kissed a woman of your own kind before?"

Jamie felt he had to answer. For a moment he felt angry she'd ask such a thing. But he remembered she was older than he. Probably had all sorts of experiences he'd not yet had.

"Don't be ashamed. I understand the hesitation," she whispered. "I feel it as well."

"Ye do nau?"

"Yes. All the feelings one cannot express. But you must calm down, or I shall be nervous too. I can smell your hesitation."

So saying, she gently smoothed a hand over his chest now, rhythmically up to his shoulder. Once there, the strong hand squeezed the tense knots out of his neck muscles. Just wrapping her in his white sleeved arms seemed a pleasure. So strong and sturdy she was. Much stronger than he, a mere man barely no longer a lad.

Pulling off her scouter, she kissed him once more. He felt her hot breath in his mouth for the first time, and marveled in its sweetness. Kissing with an open mouth was a very alien experience. Something he'd seen briefly in odd situations. When he'd glimpse a last desperate embrace betwixt a lad and a lass before a battle.

"Whist," he gasped. It wasn't the force of the caress. That had been gentle. Rather the intensity wiped the breath from his lungs. All he could do was to take it as it came, like feeling the enemy's strength in battle. As she had done, he let instinct fall over his actions. Till the feelings that churned inside of him exploded into action.

"You're going to be a heartbreaker with a kiss like that," she said, as he took a breather.

"Really nau?" he asked, feeling silly for a moment. He was glad she couldn't see the blood pounding his face strawberry red. Almost as red as the wool in his McClaren tartan.

"I cannot tell a lie," she smiled. "You're spoiling me with all this attention."

"Nau wha's the matter wi that?" he grinned, at last enjoying the strange new sensations rushing through his veins. His heart pounded right against her chest. Now he wasn't frightened to enfold her in strong, muscled arms. Soft firmness pressed close to his chest and knees. Strange garment she was wearing. Overalls, she called them. All one piece from waist to hip.

"Are ye thinking what I think yer thinking?"

"I didn't think you were psychic. Saiyans are to some degree," she said, feigning puzzlement. Dark bottomless eyes now tracked back and.

"It's no exactly proper... I ken, but it's the only way I..." he said, then stopped himself. All he dared do was gently grip her upper arms in his hands while he took a step backwards. Under his fingers he felt her slick armor.

"I understand your hesitation, James. I'm sorry if I'm confusing you, or something."

"Whatever do ye maun?"

"I'm not forcing you to do anything you don't want am I? It is not uncommon for a youth to turn to an experienced female for guidance and comfort when alone."

"Hush nau," he said. "I wasnae blaming you, lassie. I jest didnae think it proper of me t' carry on like this so soon..."

I maun... we only jest met the other day."

"You things are moving too fast?" she said with a hint of sad amusement.

"I maun, we only jest met th other day. But, mebbe since this is the future, and ye lassies do things differently here..."

"You think that I'm thinking this affection... is payment for me saving your life back in the duel?"

"Aye, tis that. Well, sort of."

"You desire much more than just repaying a debt of honor, whelp," she soothed, gently laying her hand on his chest. "I can feel it in you."

"How is it ye seem t' know what I'm thinking... at times?"

"It's a matter of observing. The way you move, the way you stand. Speaks volumes. And now you seem as if you're ashamed."

"Then what wuild I be ashamed of?" he asked, pressing his hand overtop hers.

"Attraction to the opposite sex is not a crime. Even if it's another species of intelligent life. Your affection is a sincere complement. I am touched."

"How can ye separate feeling from action?"

"I don't. I comprehend. Everyone needs warmth and contact. A few brief shining moments of affection and bonding are required to Saiyans as well. Before we take a mate for life we often cavort with others."

"I really want to... ye ken," he said softly. Placing at hand at the small of her back, he drew her closer again.

"Nothing would suit me better now," she said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "The question is, do you feel comfortable? If it's 'no,' than I will push no further. Demand no more than you're willing to give. That's all anyone should ask."

"But..."

"Am I always in the habit of desiring to have..." she started, then shifted to older phraseology. "I mean... lay with... handsome young men I've just met? No. The impulse is there. But how many times do you, a human male--I mean a man-- charge ahead with a desire?"

"Only if it seems right, or is a cause worth fightin' for..."

"Like Victoria for example. You desire her, and probably daydream you and she are together, more than friends."

"Yes... but how did ye..."

"I know people. Can't help but observe them like I observe the volcanoes and landslides that happen around me. It's normal male behavior to dream like that. But something obviously keeps you from satisfying that desire, doesn't it?"

"Yes. It's no right. At least something inside ma head tells me so. Call it mah conscience."

"That's how it is with me, too. I must be very careful with how I proceed with other species. I am afraid that anything beyond passionate kissing and embracing would hurt a human."

"I wuildnae mind, if this was the only time . . ."

"Yes. But I could seriously hurt you, if you and I well..."

At first Jamie thought she feared hurting his feelings. If one night of passion would seriously scar him. Instead, he took her words more literally. "Ye maun tha ye'd injure me... wi' yuir strength... from the heavier gravity, ye say..."

"Yes. Although, young males who are physically fit--human males reach their peak at age seventeen-- might be able to keep up."

"Mm. But a McCrimmon's hardly near a weakling. I may be young mahsel..."

"Definitely not. You might be able to withstand. But I don't want to hurt you..."

"Let's worry about tha bit if an when we come to it, okay," he suggested, steadying his shaking hand. "Else all this talking's fair near giving me a headache..."

"If its meant to happen it will..." she said.

"If a cause is worth fightin' for," he repeated.

"Otherwise Id'..."

No more words were exchanged as he stifled off the rest of her sentence. Maybe that famous piper's embouchure improved his lip caress technique. That giddy intoxication spread over alien and human alike. He wrapped her in an embrace that would have suffocated a normal human. All in his sudden desire, he latched tightly onto her to express himself in this new way. Her scent, her warm skin, all aspects of her he suddenly wanted closer than ever before.

"Why not," she whispered.

More and more he leaned against her. Felt his chest caressing her bosom. Reaching one hand back she accidentally broke the infrared circuit to the door. His long fingers clasped the once freed hand, and interlaced.

So intent was the kiss that he hardly felt the shock as he pitched forwards into darkness. All the time he'd pressed her up against the sliding door to his adopted quarters in his new found eagerness to explore "making out". Carefully Tomic picked up the Highlander and carried him to his bunk. Panting, Jaime looked up at her with a look of hunger. She leaned down and kissed him softly again, tasting his youth on her tongue. Wool and male human smell inundated her for a moment before something sharply pinched Jamie in the neck.

With a look of regret Tomic released the nerve cluster she had touched to immobilize him. She kissed the tip of his nose, and lightly licked the pulse of his jugular vein before backing away. Despite her savage urge to take the willing young human male, she feared she would destroy him in her need to mate. The promise of her intended mate Raditz drifted through her thoughts, and she remembered it well.

"I hope you find your chosen mate, strong one," she whispered, retreating from the sleeping Highlander. With a last look of regret, the Saiyan Third Class Tomic retreated and let the door slide shut. By the time he awakened he'd have a nasty headache. Yet she would be long gone, having dealt with the Sontarans in her own way. And the Doctor would continue on his journey through space and time the way it should be.

End.