Title: Wherever You Go
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Tenth Doctor/Ten.5
Fandom: Doctor Who
Rating: PG-13
Table: 6, 50ficlets
Prompt: 22, Whisper
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.

***

The Doctor sighed as he stood in front of the large viewscreen, looking at the planet where they'd had their last encounter with the Master. It looked so innocuous at first glance; just a planet, spinning around its axis in the galaxy, with no dangerous connotations.

But if the Master was still there, it was more than dangerous, Jamie told himself as he slid his arms around the Doctor's slim waist and let the Time Lord lean back against him. They had been lucky to get away last time; he didn't want to walk into that viper's nest again.

They would more than likely have to, if they went back to that planet again and the Master was still there. At least they would be prepared to face him this time, Jamie told himself, trying to feel more confident about the idea of facing their nemesis once more.

This time, they wouldn't be going into battle unprepared, and the Master wouldn't be able to take them by surprise. They would know where he was hiding out, and they would be able to avoid him -- and hopefully find out just what plans he had for the planet he had invaded.

"What are we going to do if he's still there when we go back?" Jamie asked, his voice barely a whisper. "I know we need to be prepared this time. Do you have a plan?" He was sure that the Doctor did; the Time Lord could be counted on for that.

But to his surprise, the Doctor shook his head, sighing as he did so. "No, Jamie, I don't." He turned away from the viewscreen, a frown marring his brow as he regarded his lover. "I wasn't planning on going back. I don't want to put you in harm's way again."

"Doctor ...." Jamie's voice trailed off; he wasn't sure quite what to say. He knew that the Doctor didn't want to put him at risk, and he appreciated that thoughtfulness. But he was a Time Lord now; he was more able to deal with being in danger than he had been when he was human.

His voice caught in his throat when he tried to speak; it was hard to get the words he wanted to say to come out. He knew that the Doctor was holding back because of concern for him, and the thought that he could be loved so much humbled him.

The Doctor turned in his embrace, sliding his own arms around Jamie's waist and speaking in a whisper. "I know that you're a Time Lord now, Jamie. I know that you're much less fragile than you were as a human. But I still can't reconcile myself to the thought of leading you into danger."

"You wouldn't be leading me," Jamie whispered back, resting his forehead against the Doctor's. "I'd be following you. I would follow you anywhere, Doctor, into danger or any other situation. I'm meant to be with you. Wherever you go, I'll always follow."

"I don't deserve that kind of unquestioning loyalty," the Doctor whispered, his arms tightening around Jamie's waist to pull him closer. "But I'm grateful for it, love. I can face anything, knowing that you'll be there by my side. You make me feel invincible."

"Neither of us are invincible," Jamie murmured, his own voice a mere whisper. "But together, we're much stronger than either of us could ever hope to be alone. And we'll always be together, Doctor. In this world, and in any other. I'll always there here. There's nowhere else I want to be."

The Doctor was silent for several long moments; Jamie was sure that the other man was trying to keep his emotions in check. He himself was having a hard time keeping back the lump that had suddenly risen to his throat; he had to blink to hold back an onrush of tears.

When the Time Lord spoke, his voice was very soft, barely a whisper of sound; Jamie had to strain to hear the words. "I'm proud to have you standing by me, Jamie. And no matter where the future might lead us, I'll always want you here."

He couldn't manage to find his full voice when he spoke; all he could do was whisper the words. "And I'm proud to be the man who's standing beside you, Doctor." There were no more words to be said; his hearts were full to overflowing, his emotions sweeping over him in a rising tide.

No more words needed to be spoken, whether in whispers or out loud. As their lips met, Jamie knew that he was exactly where he needed to be -- and that he would always be here, no matter what the two of them might have to face in the future.

***