"Alright, Will. I can't deal with two sick and/or injured people who refuse to get help unless it's a life or death scenario, and trust me, it can quickly become one, so please tell me what's going on." Alison said firmly.
Will rests weakly against Nico, shaking his head. "I-I can't tell." He whispers shaking his head.
"Okay, fine. Say nothing, leave Nico in a state of panic, and remember that this is hurting everyone you love. But don't worry, you can just keep quiet. And while you're at it, why don't you give your boyfriend a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it." Alison said calmly.
Will whimpers softly. He didn't want to hurt Nico. But he was so scared. "A-assaulted…" He says softly, hiding his face.
"By whom and when?" Alison asked. "You need to tell us."
He shakes his head, "I dunno! They just surrounded me a-and…" He gulps back tears. Nico's eyes widen. "You came home with bruises, saying it was the pegasi when I asked. "Was that when…" Will nods weakly.
"Tell us about it, Will." Alison said. The Master threw a mildly amused glance her way, Alison glared in return.
"Please no…" Will whispers. "No…" Nico shushes him as he holds him. "It's okay. I've got you."
"Alright, it's okay, I understand. If you don't want us to discuss it, I won't push the issue further." Alison said. The Doctor suddenly groaned, attempting to sit up, making Alison jump a little from the sudden unannounced movement. "Lie still, Doctor," said Alison. "You're not healed completely yet." she added. "What were you thinking?" said the Master, and when Alison glanced at him she saw fury rising in his expression again, all the sharper for being more controlled this time. "Not much, I'm afraid," said the Doctor, with a weak chuckle. "Did I get hit?" he asked. "Yes, you idiot, you did, and you have Miss Cheney to thank that you aren't dead. If you'd been alone, since you won't let me off this ship-" "Well, I wasn't alone, and I'm not dead," said the Doctor, sitting up as his voice gained strength. "So I'll thank you to let me off this bed so I can finish this errand as quickly as possible."
Will releases a gentle breath. Oh thank god… He had been saved from explaining.
"You're not going anywhere. I tell you, you could have died!" the Master growled. "Possibly. Anyway, I would have regenerated," said the Doctor calmly. "You're getting careless with your bodies," hissed the Master. "At least I'm still inhabiting my own!" the Doctor snapped. Alison didn't quite understand what they were arguing about anymore, but the way they were fighting made her nervous. It was as if they’d forgotten she was there, their attention completely focused on the other and how wrong he was. Alison began to wonder whether she should step in or let her companions yell themselves hoarse. They never argued like this. It was always snide comments and cold voices, not full-blown screaming matches.
Nico takes Will out of the room, assuring him gently.
"I don't think I need to remind you what happened to my last body," said the Master, fists clenched. "Well, perhaps I won't remind you who built you the one you're wearing now, then," said the Doctor. His face was red, and Alison had a feeling the Master's would be too, if he had circulation. "I'm not wasting my time building you a robot when you die, rest assured," snarled the Master. "So take better care of yourself until then." he ordered. "Fine!" said the Doctor, throwing up his hands, only wincing a little as imperfectly-healed skin stretched over his ribs. "I'll just rest for a bit." He threw himself back down on the bed, closing his eyes. "Good," said the Master. He looked like he was starting to calm down, at ease with the Doctor complying with his instructions, for once. Alison began to think that they might get through this with no more injuries. She walked out to check on Will and Nico, hopefully this could all be over soon and she could have some, in her opinion, well-earned rest.
Will was talking quietly with Nico, and by the looks of it, Nico was furious behind his mask of calm.
"You two going to be okay?" Alison said. So far, all was quiet in the other room, so she could assume the argument was over.
Nico nods, kissing Will's forehead as he stands and looks down at the other. "He'll be okay. But I won't be okay until I kill the people who decided to hurt him." He growls.
"I feel you. I can understand wanting to hurt those who hurt your loved ones. But are you sure violence is the answer to violence?" Alison asked tentatively.
Nico growls. "Do you see the state he's in? They're lucky I'm not going to kill them."
"Yes, I do see it." Alison said. "I'm just… I went through something like this before, not with a romantic partner, but with my best friend, she was and still is like a sister to me. She had been assaulted…. well, I was out for revenge. I can't understand your situation, or how you feel, but I do know what it's like when someone hurts those you care about." Alison said reassuringly.
Nico looks at her, and for once, his pain could be seen. It was raw and angered. He had lost his sister. He had seen his friends die. His camp go up in flames, a god place his wrath on his family. He wasn't going to let this pass.
"Listen, let's head to the kitchen and I'll put the kettle on, yeah?" Alison asked. From the other room, there were raised voices. "Well, once I deal with these two." she growled. Alison pressed her ear to the door, listening in. "…..I'll doze for an hour, and then the others and I will go sort this blasted war out." the Doctor protested. "No, you won’t," said the Master, and they were off again. They kept arguing, Alison didn't know when or how to step in. “Look at me when I’m talking to you,” hissed the Master. “Look at me and then do what I say. I have my name for a reason, you know. I am the Master, and you will obey me!” he barked, his tone was almost that of a madman. “Don’t you take that tone with me,” said the Doctor. “I’ve made my decision. Don't try and hypnotize me out of it, you know that doesn't work on me." he scoffed. Alison quietly crept inside the room, hoping to mediate between her companions. "I know it doesn't work, but I feel obligated to try and keep you from making foolish choices either way, so do be quiet." the Master snapped. "Good," said the Doctor, stepping off of his bed and standing up a little shakily. "Now, pay attention. I know you're worried about me, and I promise I won't do anything idiotic, alright?" he said sincerely. "You're always doing something idiotic," started the Master, but the Doctor interrupted him by pressing his thumb to the Master's lips. The Master glanced immediately at Alison, and the Doctor sighed. "Oh, for heaven's sake. Alison, cover your eyes." She did, but because she didn't actually trust either of them, especially not after all this, she left a crack just big enough to see through. Through the frame of her fingers, Alison watched as the Doctor took the Master's face in his hands and kissed him until the Master stopped struggling and leaned into him, fists balled in the Doctor's torn coat. Oh. thought Alison. So that's it. That didn't exactly answer all her questions, but it seemed like a part of most of the possible answers. Alison started fitting the new piece into the big puzzle she called her companions, noting where edges fit and where they didn't quite match up. Now that she wasn't worried about the Doctor dying, she was back to being frustrated about being kept in the dark all the time. Either way, she had promised Will and Nico tea. She decided to leave the room, feeling a little awkward. "Anyways, how about that tea?" she asked nervously, after she had fully backed out of the room and slammed the door shut.
"Tea sounds wonderful." Nico replies. Will nods weakly. "Herbal please…" He mutters tiredly. Nico nudges his head towards the doctor and the master. "What's up with them?"
"Let's just go." Alison said. She felt rather uncomfortable. Alison lead them to the kitchen, putting the kettle on the stove and pouring in water, waiting for it to heat up. She looked through cupboards, trying to find a box of teabags that wasn't empty and placed back inside haphazardly by the Doctor. That was one of his more annoying habits, and inconvenient ones, Alison noted.
He nods and whispers something to Will. Will nods and Nico stands, walking towards Alison, sighing softly.
"Need anything?" Alison asked Nico.
"Just came to take a breather."
"Mm. So, you and Will are okay now, or at least a little bit better?" Alison asked.
"A little bit better." He replies.
"Well, that's good. It means there's hope for it to get totally better." Alison said. "Eureka! I have found tea!" she exclaimed triumphantly.
He smiles a little at her words. "Maybe it will." He replies.
