Title: Surface Scars
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Tenth Doctor/Ten.5
Fandom: Doctor Who
Rating: PG-13
Table: 6, 50ficlets
Prompt: 14, Wounds
Author's Note: Continuation of One Single Soul.
Author's Note: The human version of the Doctor is being referred to as John Smith in this fic, since it's the Doctor's human alias and his clone needed a name.
Author's Note: Spoilers for Journey's End, somewhat. This is an completely alternate take on the ending of Season Four.
Disclaimer: This is entirely a product of my own imagination, and I make no profit from it. I do not own the Tenth Doctor, or his human clone. Please do not sue.

***

Jamie took a deep breath as he stepped inside what he'd thought was a room; instead, it was another long corridor, made of stone and lined with torches that flickered along the walls. He hadn't expected this; he had thought this planet was much more modern.

Still, he had no doubt that the Doctor was here somewhere, being held prisoner. He knew that if the Master had been here, that the Doctor had to be in this vicinity, too. And he knew that the Time Lord was alive; he would have felt it in his hearts if his lover was gone.

Cautiously, he made his way down the corridor, glad that the torches illuminated the darkness; he wished that he had his own sonic screwdriver to help light the way, but getting him one of those little gadgets was one of the many things they hadn't gotten around to yet.

It seemed that the corridor was opening up, turning into a larger space. Jamie took another deep breath, closing his eyes for just a moment before he stepped out of the concealing darkness and into a more open space, bordered by bars on each side.

Jamie gasped as he looked to his left, his hearts feeling as though they stood still in his chest at the sight that met his eyes. The Doctor, stripped naked and chained facing the stone wall, bloody welts adorning the pale skin of his back, buttocks, and the backs of his legs.

Even as Jamie watched, the wounds seemed to become less prominent; they would probably be gone within th next short while, but at the moment, they looked hideously uncomfortable, and he felt his hands clenching in reaction to the sight.

"Doctor!" he gasped, clutching the bars of the Time Lord's prison. He had no idea how he was going to get through them, release the Doctor, and get them both out of here. But somehow, he would have to find a way to do so. And he had to do it quickly.

"Jamie, see if you can get to my clothes," the Doctor told him, his tone urgent. "I don't have any idea how long the Master is going to be gone, and I'd prefer for us to be out of here before he comes back. I don't want him to get his hands on you."

Jamie nodded, kneeling and reaching inside the barred enclosure that the Doctor was trapped in, trying to hook his fingers into the Doctor's coat. His first few tries failed, but he finally managed to drag the coat towards him, then pull it through the bars.

"My sonic screwdriver should be in the coat pocket," the Doctor told him, sounding breathless with relief. "Point it at the lock on the bars. Hurry, Jamie. I need to get dressed, and we have to get out of here before the Master comes back."

Jamie rummaged in the voluminous pocket of the Doctor's coat, relieved when he pulled out the sonic screwdriver. He did as the Doctor instructed, holding it in his right hand and pointing it at the bolt on the lock that seemed to twist around the barred door.

The lock opened, the chain that held it securely closed dropping to the floor. Jamie heaved a sigh of relief and went into the cell, pointing the sonic screwdriver at the cuffs that held the Doctor prisoner. Within seconds, the Time Lord was free, turning around and chafing his wrists.

Silently, Jamie helped the Doctor to dress, wincing inwardly as the Time Lord dragged his clothes on over the lash marks on his body. He had no idea what else the Master might have done to his lover; he didn't want to ask, in case the Doctor didn't want to talk about it.

"He didn't harm me, other than whipping me, Jamie," the Doctor said softly, straightening up from pulling his trainers on and looking Jamie in the eye. "I think he planned to -- but it seems that we'll be making our escape before he has the chance."

Jamie nodded, unable to resist sliding his arms around the Time Lord's waist and pulling him close for a few precious seconds. He was more relieved than he could say that the Doctor's wounds appeared to be only physical; he bore no more than surface scars.

At least, not this time. Who knew what could happen in the future? Shuddering, Jamie left the cell with the Doctor, not wanting to give the place a backward glance. They needed to make their way back to the Tardis, get out of here as quickly as they could, and plan their next move.

***

Next story in series - A Lot To Answer For.