#*through gritted teeth* osgood... | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

riversofmars · 3 years

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Hope you enjoy the next lot of twists and turns coming up! :D

Charter 11: Past Prologue

Edinburgh, 2021

“I’m not sure we’re gonna find anything here…“ Ryan scanned the dressing room. It was a very neutral area. Barton was not the sort of person to make himself comfortable anywhere, particularly if it was just for the duration of a speech. “Not like he was here any length of time…“ Ryan’s eyes fell on the only item that wasn’t part of the furnishings. “Unless…“

“Forgot his jacket.“ Graham grinned and picked up the coat that had been flung over the side of an armchair. She reached into the pockets and quickly found what he was looking for: “Wallet.“ He announced, pleased with himself and opened it.

“Anything interesting?“ Ryan asked, looking over his grandfather’s shoulder, just as a business card fell out.

“Card…“ Graham picked it up and read: “Anastasis Project. Rings any bells?“ He turned it in his hand while Ryan gave a shrug. There was nothing else on the card apart from the name.

“Let’s meet up with the others.“ Ryan said, and they took the wallet and the coat with them.

“You didn’t follow him?“ Graham asked surprised when they found the rest of the team waiting outside.

“We’ve attached a transponder to his car but he didn’t exactly sound like he was going to see his contacts, quite the contrary, he’s going to be staying away and laying low.“ Jack explained.

“He’s certainly provided some kind of financial support, even if he’s not directly involved.“ Kate’s voice sounded in their ear-pieces.

“Let’s see where the money goes.“ Martha said and Ryan asked:

“Is there anything referring to an Anastasis Project in his portfolio?“ There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment. Meanwhile, they passed around the wallet and the business card.

“Not as such… but it seems like one of his research funds is supporting such a project.“ One of the Osgoods spoke at last. “Freelance. No direct ties.“

“Of course, so he can’t be made responsible for it.“ Gwen huffed, rolling her eyes.

“Do we have the address to an office or anything like that?“ Jack asked.

“There is a registered address, yes, probably fake though…“ Kate supplied, sounding doubtful.

“Still worth checking out.“ Ryan shrugged. It was better than returning to base with nothing. Whether they would have admitted it or not, being back in action made them realise how much they had missed it. Maybe they just weren’t made for the quiet life.

——

Demon’s Run, Main Hanger, 52nd century

“You lied to me.“ The Doctor growled at the Master. She took a couple of steps back, bringing some distance between herself and the two men. Her mind was reeling. She should have known better, she had been through it so many times. A little part of her had believed the Master would at least value the idea of a family enough to forgo a blatant lie. She had seen it when Missy had given her condolences upon learning of River’s death. The Master had always respected her relationship with River. It should have extended to their child. Or so she had hoped. Hope was so hard to resist. But in the end, the Master never failed to disappoint her.

“I did no such thing, I had no idea.“ The Master retorted and his voice was surprisingly calm and measured. He watched his doppelgänger, seemingly trying to figure out what was going on. They were identical, that was for sure but there was something unfamiliar about him too. His delight at the novelty of it had passed, now he required answers.

“Oh I see what’s happening, you're getting the wrong end of the stick here.“ The other Master grinned, clapping his hands joyfully. “See, I didn’t expect you to bring him.“ He carried on, gesturing to the Master. “I didn’t expect you, either, Doctor. Not this version of you. Last I saw you, you were so much younger… What happened to your little human friends? I really hope they died. Painfully. Not that he’s any better, mind, but I really hated those two… that mouthy med-tech and the do-gooder linguist… I should really have killed them when I had the chance…“ He carried on, and the Doctor couldn’t make sense of what he was saying. That part of her life had been lifetimes ago. Five lifetimes to be exact.

“What are you talking about?“ She asked, bewildered. She had met the Master so many times since then, when he had been posed as Harold Saxon, when he had been Missy…

“Oh, Doctor, do I have to spell it out for you? Is old age finally getting to you?“ He chuckled patronisingly, and the Doctor looked at the Master she had arrived with, wondering if he might have answers. He looked just as confused as she felt. “You don’t really think I’m the Master, do you? The Master!“ The other man cackled like it was the funniest thing he had heard all day.

“Then who are you?“ The Doctor pressed through gritted teeth. She hated feeling stupid.

“Your greatest enemy, of course.“ He took a dramatic bow which only served to infuriate the Master next to her more. His eyes flashed dangerously as recognition appeared to dawn on him.

“How did this happen?“ The Master took a threatening step towards the other man.

“What are you talking about?“ The Doctor frowned. Perhaps she had been wrong. There was something familiar about the other Master but the more she heard him speak, the less she believed her initial assessment. Something was very wrong here.

“I should have made sure you were dead last time around.“ The Master spat, baring his teeth at the other man whilst clearly contemplating how he would accomplish the feat again.

“Ah recognition at last. If that imbecile can figure it out, surely you can, Doctor. Has it really been so long for you that you don’t remember me anymore?“ The other Master smirked at the Doctor. “The fun we’ve had.“ He giggled, his voice changing slightly. “Gallifrey? The Crucible of Souls? Artron’s Tomb? You were there for that one, too.“ He winked at the Master.

“Spit it out already!“ The Doctor snapped as a terrible thought crossed her mind. It couldn’t be, could it?

“Oh dear, you don’t have the same presence I used to have.“ The man’s voice changed and suddenly sounded an awful lot more familiar to the Doctor. “I’m frightfully hurt, old chum.“ His voice changed again, laughing and then he barked: “Can we just kill her already.“

“No.“ Colour drained from the Doctor’s face. They should be dead. She was sure of it.

“So what are you doing impersonating me?“ The Master cut in, having had enough of the exchange.

“Impersonating you? I think you’ll find I’ve had this face much longer than you! I wear it better too.“ The other man grinned. “Also, I don’t do impersonations anymore, not since… well, the Nine?“ He looked at the Doctor ravelling in the look of shock on her face. “Remember that, Doctor? I impersonated you and then you impersonated me, and that was just embarrassing.“ He laughed as the Doctor just shook her head incredulously.

“You’re lying. The Twelve died on Gallifrey.“ She was sure of it. The Twelve had died in an explosion, their body had never been recovered.

“Yes. I was there. I am the Thirteen.“ The Thirteen smirked, satisfied that finally, the penny seemed to have dropped.

“You can’t be, you are a future version of him.“ She pointed to the Master. Her experiences with the Eleven and the Twelve had been lifetimes ago. Thousands of years of her own life, before the Time War, there was no way he was here now. “I don’t know why I trusted you.“ She snapped at the Master next to her.

“Now that’s something you should never do.“ The Thirteen agreed, enjoying watching them bicker. They would be far easier to deal with if they weren’t working together.

“Just you wait till I get my hands on you.“ The Master snarled at the Thirteen. “Believe what you will, Doctor, but do you not think you might be getting a little distracted from why we’re really here?“ His dark eyes darted around the room. They weren’t alone anymore. Soldiers were lining at the edges of the room, slowly advancing towards them. It was a trap. “Even if that is a future version of me, which I can assure you, it’s not…“

“The very thought…“ The Thirteen chuckled.

“Do you not have something to ask of the nice man here?“ The Master urged and the Doctor overcame her disbelief at the situation she found herself in. The Master had a point. They were here for a very good reason. Regardless of whether this man was the Thirteen, the Master or Rassilon himself, her question remained the same.

“Where is my son?“ The Doctor fixed her eyes on the Thirteen, her voice turning low and threatening. Enough of the games.

“Oh, it’s like that, is it?“ The Thirteen feigned shock and grasped his chest. “Did you lose someone precious to you?“

“Whoever you are, you know something.“ The Doctor took a threatening step towards him.

“Well, he’s not here if that’s what you’re asking.“ The Thirteen gave a dismissive wave. “In fact, Doctor, I hadn’t really planned for this detour.“ He gestured around the room. “But it does get one thing out of the way…“

“What’s that?“ The Doctor shot back.

“You.“ the Thirteen grinned, and as if on cue the soldiers pointed their guns at her and the Master.

“Thanks for bringing her here, really, couldn’t have calculated it better myself.“ The Thirteen gave the Master a grin. “And just to be perfectly clear, Doctor, that we’re not the same person? I’ll have him killed, too.“ He glanced back to the Doctor who was looking around. The TARDIS was not far behind them. Was there time to turn and run? But if they ran, they wouldn’t find out what he knew.

“I will tear you limb from limb this time around.“ The Master’s eyes flashed dangerously as he recalled killing the Eleven. It was a bit of a blur, too many of his past selves had been present, but he recalled the deed well enough to be sure it happened. This time, he would make sure he couldn’t regenerate.

“What was it you said last time we met about compassion?“ The Thirteen looked to the Master. “I distinctly remember your lady version saying you weren’t without it… Well, I am. Which is why I will win and you will lose.“ He smirked.

“Still think that’s me?“ The Master looked to the Doctor who was at a loss for words.

“I…“

“Any clever ideas, Doctor?“ The Master stepped closer to the Doctor as the guards advanced further.

“The Doctor and the Master, sitting in a trap, K I L L I N G.“ The Thirteen sang. “No, doesn’t really work.“ He huffed. “Open fire on my mark.“ He called his men.

“OI!“ A female voice called out and suddenly an explosion rocked them, and the hangar filled with smoke.

——

Demon’s Run, Holding Cells, 52nd Century

“Here we go…“ River mumbled, connecting one last cable, as the force field turned off. “You'll be a good boy now, okay?“ She mumbled and pressed a kiss to her son’s head. This wasn’t exactly the right environment for a newborn but she didn’t have a choice.

There was an explosion somewhere, and alarms started wailing.

“Sounds like it’s the right time to get out of here.“ River soothed her son as he started crying because of the noise. She held him close as she walked down the corridor. She had to find a way off this space station. Her best bet would be the hangar bay.

“Professor Song!“ A voice called behind her suddenly and River whipped around as it was familiar and welcome.

“Madame Vastra!“ River exclaimed as she spotted the lizard woman who was just climbing out of a maintenance hatch.

“You’re… alive…“ Vastra marvelled at seeing her like this. Not just a consciousness trapped on a data stick but alive and whole and with her son in her arms. The relief and joy Vastra felt in that moment overshadowed all past anguish up until this point.

“Courtesy of my captors.“ River answered with a smirk as she stepped closer while Vastra helped another woman out of the tight hatch who River hadn’t met before. She could only presume she was a friend at the obvious relief on her face, too.

“Are you okay? Both of you?“ The girl asked, straightening herself up next to Vastra, and River nodded. Perhaps getting off this rock wouldn’t be so difficult after all, now that the cavalry had arrived.

“Professor, I’m so sorry, we tried…“ Vastra felt the overwhelming urge to make her apologies. She reached out and touched the little boy’s head, hoping to convey her deep regret for having failed to protect him.

“It’s okay, we’re okay, shall we chat later? And get out of here first?“ River gave her an encouraging smile. She didn’t blame her, how could she? Without knowing any details of what had happened, she knew that Vastra, Jenny and Strax would have done their utmost to keep her child safe. If they had failed to do so it could only have been through overwhelming odds. And now they had come to their rescue. They were the most loyal of friends. “I imagine we will have company soon. I may have tripped some alarms when I broke out of my cell.“ River pointed out the flashing lights and sirens while she tried to calm her son down.

“This way. We have a ship.“ Vastra nodded in agreement, and they rushed down the corridor. They had no time to lose.

“Now, now, Melody, can’t leave you alone for two minutes.“ They came to an abrupt halt as Madame Kovarian, backed by numerous soldiers, appeared at the top of the corridor they were heading towards.

“Yaz, take the long way around, take her to our ship!“ Vastra pulled her sword from its sheath and grabbed a blaster with the other. “Now!“

“But what about…“ Yaz started protesting.

“I will buy you some time, go!“ Vastra insisted, staring down the guards that were advancing towards them.

“Vastra!“ River grabbed her friend’s arm. They had to get out of here, they had to run, but they should be doing it together. She could risk her son getting injured. As much as River wanted to fight and finally, finally put an end to Madame Kovarian, her mother's instincts gripped her more tightly. She had to keep her son safe.

“It’s okay, you two go and don’t look back! I will find Jenny and Strax, we will make our own way. NOW GO!“ Vastra insisted with steely determination.

“I will find a way to come back for you!“ River promised hastily.

“GO!“ Vastra snapped and Yaz grabbed River’s arm. There was no arguing with Vastra.

“Thank you.“ River breathed and allowed herself to be pulled along.

——

London, 2021

“Dead end.“ Jack huffed, looking around. They found themselves in front of an empty plot with nothing but a post box in a dodgy area of town. They hadn’t all been able to go. Edinburgh to London was quite the track so they had decided to split up. Mickey, Martha and Gwen had returned to the Torchwood hub while Jack had taken Ryan and Graham for a ride with his vortex manipulator. Three was the limit, despite various modifications. “Thought it might happen. Nothing but a company shell…“ Jack carried on as they walked onto the abandoned plot. There was a bit of rubble and grass but nothing much. It was wedged between two warehouses.

“But then why have the card?“ Ryan mused, turning it in his hand.

“Why indeed.“ A voice sounded and suddenly the three men found themselves surrounded by four thugs that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

“What the…“ Jack reached for his gun but before he could do so, they each had one pointed at their heads.

“See, we might not be able to make you disappear easily but that doesn’t mean we make you disappear another way. You can be useful after all. We need some new subjects.“ One of the men grinned, and the Torchwood agents realised they had fallen into a trap.

——

Demon’s Run, Main Hanger, 52nd Century

It was utter chaos but the Doctor quickly figured out what was happening when he heard a familiar voice yelling:

“DIE ALIEN SCUM!“

“Strax?!“ The Doctor yelled through the smoke, ducking a laser blast, one of the few things visible in the smoke.

“Not to worry, Doctor, we’re here!“ Jenny called back and they found each other quickly, following the other’s voice.

“How did you get here?“ The Doctor asked surprised and delighted at once.

“Could ask you the same thing!“ Jenny retorted looking around not to get caught out. For the time being, Strax appeared to be doing an excellent job of dealing with the soldiers.

“We thought this might be where they’ve taken my son.“ The Doctor answered quickly.

“Well, I don’t know about that, but it’s definitely where they took your wife.“ Jenny replied quickly and pulled the Doctor behind a crate. She fired at two soldiers that emerged from the smoke dangerously close to them.

“My wife? River is here?!“ The Doctor exclaimed in disbelief. She was in shock, her words barely registered. How could River possibly be here?

“Her consciousness anyway. Some Timelord who calls himself the Thirteen stole it from the Library. We followed him here.“ Jenny carried on to explain.

“So it is him…“ The Doctor mumbled, trying to get things straight in her head.

“Told you, didn’t I, he’s not me!“ The Master found them behind the crate and took cover as well.

“Then why have you got the same face?“ The Doctor shot back angrily.

“I don’t know, Doctor, do I, do you think I’m thrilled he’s running around giving me a bad name?“ The Master bit back just as angrily.

“You do that all by yourself, usually.“ She snapped back.

“And you are…“ Jenny was at a loss for a moment.

“The Master.“ The Doctor answered before he could.

“Right… well, this Thirteen fellow…“ Jenny decided not to comment for the time being. There had to be a good reason for why the Master was here, seemingly with the Doctor.

“Looks exactly like him, you can’t miss him. And we have to find him, I want some answers! And River…“ The Doctor looked out from behind the crate, most of the hangar was still shrouded in smoke.

“We will find her. Vastra and Yaz are looking for her as well. We will get both of them back.“ Jenny explained hastily.

“Touching reunion and all but perhaps we might deal with the more pressing issue at hand? The bomb will go off at any moment.“ The Master announced and instructed: “Everybody get down.“

“What?“ The Doctor looked back at him incredulous. She straightened up a little to glance over the top of the crate but the Master pulled her down.

“Duck!“ He snapped, just as an explosion shook the hangar deck. He had clearly been busy in the moments before rejoining them.

“What the…“ The Doctor shoved him off and stood quickly, assessing the damage. “Why did you do that?“ She shook her head in disbelief at the destruction in front of her. Half the hangar had blown up, emergency force fields had jumped into place where the hull had ripped away.

“How about a ‘thank you Master’?“ The Master scrambled to his feet and brushed off his suit. “I just laid waste to your enemies. It was fun too.“ He grinned.

“Excellent maneuverer, Sir.“ Strax came up behind them, and Jenny let out a sigh of relief upon seeing him. He could very well have been caught up in the Master’s explosion.

“I’m glad someone appreciates it.“ The Master huffed.

“It wasn’t necessary!“ The Doctor snapped, scanning the room. Most of the enemy soldiers were dead, some of the wounded tried to pull themselves up but they seemed to have lost the appetite for fighting. The Doctor quickly realised why: they were leaderless. “Where is he? Where is the Thirteen?“ She looked around, panicked. They couldn’t have lost him.

“Oh I hope I incinerated him… stealing my face, how dare he…“ The Master mumbled and the Doctor turned on her heels.

“I need him for answers!“ She snapped.

“Perhaps I can oblige.“ A voice called from the other end of the hangar and as they all looked around, they recognised Vastra and with her, being shoved along, Madame Kovarian.

“Vastra!“ Jenny called in relief and rushed over to her wife.

“Madame Kovarian…“ The Doctor’s response was more measured as she narrowed her eyes.

“Oh don’t tell me, a new face.“ Kovarian gave the Doctor a once-over and groaned in annoyance. It was bad enough to have her men bested by a lizard woman, this was adding insult to injury. The Doctor came to meet them halfway as Jenny flung herself around her wife’s neck.

“I should have known you were involved.“ The Doctor clenched her jaw, trying her best not to let her feelings overwhelm her. Instead, she decided to focus on the important questions: “Where is River? Where are you keeping her consciousness?“

“She escaped in our shuttle.“ Vastra cut in, letting go of Jenny at last.

“What?“ The Doctor looked at her confused.

“They’re gone, they got away. And it’s not just her consciousness either, they brought her body back, too.“ Vastra explained more patiently. She smiled contently, River would be safe now.

“Really?“ The Doctor didn’t know what to say. A wide grin spread across her face. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. She tried not to let herself get swept away in the excitement, keep a level head until she had actually seen River and made sure that she was okay. But she trusted Vastra and she would never doubt her. River was alive. The reality of it still had to sink in.

“Yaz took her back to our shuttle while I was dealing with them.“ Vastra continued. “And your son, too, Doctor.“ She added more softly.

“He’s here, too?“ Tears of joy jumped to the Doctor’s eyes.

“Oh Doctor, you just keep falling for the same trick, don’t you.“ Kovarian cut in, a cruel smile creeping onto her features.

——

Dorium’s Shuttle, 52nd Century

River collapsed against the bulkhead, cradling her son to her chest. Her hearts were racing in her chest, she tried to catch her breath. They had done it.

“Dorium…“ She gasped a greeting but managed a small smile, despite her exhaustion.

“Nice to see you in one piece, Professor, and in the flesh too, pardon the pun.“ Dorium mirrored her fond expression. He had been sat waiting, unable to do anything to help and it was a relief to see they were being successful.

“We can’t stay, Dorium, Vastra said to go, they will find their own way later.“ Yaz explained as she joined them on the bridge. “We need to get the Professor and her child to safety.“

“Certainly.“ Dorium agreed. “Where to, Professor?“

“Luna University, all my things are there.“ River answered after brief consideration and Yaz nodded, working the controls with Dorium’s help. As soon as the air corridor had detached from Demon’s Run and wheeled in, they set off with a jerk, putting distance between the space station and themselves.

“Are you okay?“ Yaz asked, looking at River who had settled in a chair with her child.

“Getting there…“ River sighed. “I’m sorry, I barely caught your name?“

“Yasmin Khan, friends call me Yaz.“ Yaz answered with a smile, watching her rock her son.

“You’re a friend of the Doctor’s?“ River deduced and she nodded.

“And you’re her wife. And mother to her child.“ Yaz smiled.

“Her?“ River raised her eyebrows, surprised. “My, things have changed… how long have I been in that Library for?“ She shook her head to herself.

“Miss Khan, if you could be so kind and jump us into hyper speed, there is only so much a head can do.“ Dorium said. “I will be very glad if I never have to see Demon’s Run ever again.“

“Likewise.“ River chuckled and Yaz turned back to the controls:

“My pleasure.“

It happened as the stars blurred outside and River screamed. The connection severed. Her son disappeared from her arms, dissolving into a white substance, dripping onto the floor. A flesh avatar.

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bonnissance · 7 years

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see i was gonna give u something cute and fluffy but then... kate/osgood & 6 im dyin already

so the prompt was Kate/Osgood+piggy back and :333 a million thanks to @strangerstarsandlands for being my medical situation go to *blows a kiss* and @biancagrieve for being a beta-ing babe and holding my hand

I may be no action woman but I’m happy to have your back, Kate/Osgood (Doctor Who/Big Finish Audios), teen (maybe mature for physical injury? but it’s all fairly tame), 2k+ (lmao what’s a drabble?) cw: broken leg+pinched nerve=limp noodle foot

“Ma’am!”

Kate hears Osgood’s yell resound in the corridor before she even realises she’s stopped running. Feels the fall before she sees the crack and jut of the stone floor. Feels the break long before she’s registered hitting the ground.

She screws her eyes shut and whimpers softly as she presses her forehead against the cold floor. Curls onto her side and brings her knees in on herself, as if that might choke the scream resting in her chest or ease the pain throbbing in her leg. She keeps her eyes shut as she hears Osgood call her name, as she feels Osgood’s hands flitter frantic from her shoulder to her back to her hip, as she feels Osgood brush against Kate’s own hands; hands hovering above her leg, desperate to hold it till it stops hurting, but too scared to touch knowing it won’t help.

“Ma’am, what happened, are you alright?” Osgood’s asks, panic and concern palpable, as Kate stays curled up and whimpering.

Kate shakes her head and flaps a hand at Osgood, to calm her down and usher her away. She pushes herself up on her elbows and swipes at the sweat formed on her brow; rests her weight on her hip and finally opens her eyes.

“No, Osgood, I’m not,” Kate bites out. She press her knuckles into the ground to sit up properly as she does her best to access the situation through the fog of pain, constantly cycling back to one solid, essential idea: “We need to get out of here.”

Kate tries to stand under her own steam, to push herself upright and off the ground. Fails. She feels Osgood’s arm looped around her waist and hauling her up before she’s had a chance to ask for help, instinctually loops her own arms around Osgood’s neck, bracing herself against Osgood’s side as she rests her body weight on one foot. She vaguely registers Osgood feels surprisingly sturdy beside her as she shuffles to settle the second foot on the ground, struggling to keep a groan from clawing its way out of her throat. She muffles it as best she can till it ends up a whimper, sharp and nasal high, as she rest her weight on both feet now flat on the ground.

She clings to Osgood as she bends gently at the knee, sees Osgood look up and down the corridor in the corner of her peripheries, straightens again and loosens her grip.

She clenches her jaw as she takes a step, keeps it clutches as she takes another, as she takes another to peel away from Osgood completely to leave her hovering a foot behind.

“Right, let’s go,” Kate forces out, balling her hand into a fist and walking as close to her normal pace as she can manage as they continues up the corridor towards their extraction point. They only have to make one more turn to get eyes on the rendez-vous.

Kate attempts to pick up the pace, to rush towards the corner, only to collapse a few steps later. This time Osgood catches her before she hits the ground: wraps an arm around her waist to stabilise, shuffles her over towards the wall, pushes Kate back till she’s leaning against the wall.

Kate loops an arm under her thigh to brace her leg and leaves it hanging above the ground; rests the back of her head against the brick and takes a few shaky breaths.

“How bad?” Kate bites out, eyes burning, as she looks up at the granite ceiling. She can just make out the top of Osgood’s head as she crouches slightly to get a better at look at Kate’s leg.

“I, ah, umm, it’s not, I mean…” Osgood stammers and Kate inhales sharply.

“Osgood!” Kate snaps, all her patience funnelled into trying not to cry. She looks down to meet Osgood’s eyes looking back at her, concern evident behind her glasses.

“You’re foot, it’s gone…funny,” Osgood mumbles. “Like that time McGillop knocked over that stack of crates in the subbasement.”

Kate’s stomach rolls at the memory: rescuing their head of R&D from under a bundle of broken wood and artefacts only to realise a broken bone had pinched a nerve that left his left foot limp and dangling when he tried to stand. She hadn’t been able to tear her eyes away from the odd angle it sat in as they waited for the paramedics. She resists the urge to look at her own.

“You need to get out of here, right now,” Osgood mumbles as she slips an arm around Kate’s waist to pull her close. Kate slings an arm over Osgood shoulder, lets herself be pulled away from the wall, does her best to hop up the corridor using Osgood as a crutch.

“It’s not like we were already trying to do that,” Kate snarks through gritted teeth, panting and heaving as the approach the corner. She barely manages to smirk at her own joke when the faint calls of soldiers and clatter of boots make their way up the corridor. Osgood’s grip on her waist gets tighter and she practically throws them around the corner. The extraction point is within sight and just out of reach.

Kate falters. Her knee gives out. She just manages to push herself towards the wall to brace her fall instead of going face first into the ground and possibly snapping her leg in two.

Osgood is in front of her in an instant, hands reaching out to help; Kate ducks away, flattening herself against the wall.

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” Kate whimpers as she tries to massage her cramp stiffened thigh. She thinks she can make out the sound of individual boots on the ground now; hopes one of them falls and cracks their head open. “Go!” Her mouth is dry and her whole body aches and she’s not sure she can feel her foot anymore. “One of us needs to get out of here and report back to base—”

“Both of us need to get out of here,” Osgood replies, voice just shy of frantic.

“We can’t Osgood, I can’t,” Kate spits out as she swallow the burn of bile at the back of her her throat. “Go, please,” she says, so quiet it’s almost begging. They both know the corridor won’t stay empty for long. “Don’t make me order you.”

“Don’t make me disobey you,” Osgood insists as her eyes dart left and right, obviously racking her brain for a way to get them out of there, until her eye narrow behind her glasses as she settles on a way to get them out of there. “Come on, I’ll carry you.”

“What, no!” Kate splutters, gapes. “Don’t be ridiculous, just go,” she says, mouth still slack, pushing Osgood away by the shoulders, pushing her away. “I’ll be alright, go!”

The both know it’s a lie: not with Kate’s leg and especially with the hash they made of negotiations that led them to running for their lives though winding stone tunnels in the first place.

“I’m not leaving you!” Osgood all but shouts, her eyes wide and fearful. Kate starts, stunned and wide eyed, stammers slightly. She sees Osgood suck in a deep breath and soften, feels Osgood slip a hand into Kate’s, looks down to watch their fingers tangle together. “Please, Kate,” Osgood whispers and Kate looks up into her eyes. “I can’t leave you, and you can’t do it on your own.”

Kate sucks in a shaky breath, squeezes Osgood’s hand, nods sharply.

Osgood smiles—more a grimace with the absence of fear that a smile—and turns her back to Kate. She crouches down enough for Kate to brace against her back and wraps her arms around Kate’s knees; Kate wrap her arms around her neck and leans against Osgood’s back as she stand up again. Osgood gently jostles her upwards, one leg at a time, and Kate lets out a gentle “oof” each time her weight settles properly on either side. Her thighs grip hard around Osgood’s hips.

Kate wants to say “this is ridiculous you can’t carry me you can’t walk like this it’s impossible” but keeps her mouth shut when Osgood takes her weight in her stride and make towards the door, not quite fast enough to be a jog, but so much faster than Kate had been expecting. Kate feels her eyes go wide as she notices the bulge of Osgood’s bicep against her sides and the strength of her grip under Kate’s thighs. If she were standing on her own two feet Kate suspects she might be a bit weak at the knee; keeps that observation to herself and settles for clinging to Osgood just a little tighter as she tries to keep her leg steady.

They reach the door—the one that promises to lead them out of the underground caves and into the tunnels leading to the world outside and the rest of their team already waiting for them—and Osgood lets go of Kate’s left leg. She reaches out to the door control while holding Kate’s right leg firm against her as Kate slides off her back. She only lets go when Kate is safely tucked into the corner and leaning back against the wall.

Kate closes her eyes, Osgood punching in code after code as she works though the list of credentials they were given on their arrival at breakneck speed, and tries to get her thoughts in order. She can still feel the phantom of Osgood’s body against hers: the pane of Osgood’s back against her stomach, the cut of shoulder blades curled against her breasts, the grip of Osgood’s hands around her thighs. She can still feel Osgood pressed tight against her, sharper than the throb in her leg or the ache in her head, and does her best not to think about how that makes her feel. She gets distracted by the Osgood’s hum of success and the hiss of the door unsealing.

Kate opens her eyes to look over Osgood’s shoulder. Sees a troop of soldiers turning the corner. Sees them halt. Sees them take aim. Her whole body rushes white hot and numb.

Kate yells and curls to the side as Osgood throws the door open. She hears weapons fire and a series of pings hitting the door. Feels Osgood wraps an arm around her waist. Feels herself hauled over the threshold and into the safety the next room. Hears the door slammed shut and finds herself dumped, gently enough given the circumstances, near enough to the wall to reach out and brace herself steady.

The room is filled with the Osgood’s mutterings and the peep of the door control and the muffled clang of boots on the other side of the wall.

Kate pushes a palm against the stone and and stares straight ahead, standing on one leg with the other kinked like a flamingo, and breathing heavy through the adrenaline coursing through her. She glances to the side to see Osgood still frantically entering codes, mumbling about deadlock seals, and realise that Osgood just carried her—her whole body weight in one arm—through the door to get her to safety before Kate could even think to issue an order.

She blinks at Osgood, slightly slack jawed and panting, and struggles to follow her own thoughts as they race through how strong Osgood is—how brave she just was—what would I do without her and she just saved my life and good god she’s so strong.

The door hisses again as the control peeps and Kate takes Osgood’s sigh of relief as a good sign, especially given she seems remarkably unperturbed by the crashing and banging on the other side.

Kate twists to face Osgood, a bit wide eyed and blinking rapidly, as Osgood turns towards her.

“Thank you, for listening, for trusting me,” Osgood starts, reaching out to take Kate’s free hand and help keep her steady on one foot. Kate slides their palms together and feels her skin tingle. “I promise I’ll get you out of here,” Osgood reassures her, rubbing her thumb over Kate’s knuckle.

She blinks at Osgood, smiling small and bright, standing tall and strong and barely a foot away. Inhales deeply as her blood hums and her leg aches and her head throbs, and does what any reasonable person would do in the situation: pulls Osgood close and holds her tight and kisses her hard and doesn’t even think of letting her go.

#kate stewart #petronella osgood #precious darling kate and osgood #mxquill #what a good prompt thank beanie #i wrote a thing #big finish you are a gift #doctor who #osgood(s)

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