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Description
Levels Of Indecency - A roleplay by Starfish & Fuzzy

Characters

X: The tenth Doctor from a twisted alternate universe, roleplayed by Fuzzy

XI: The eleventh Doctor from another twisted alternate universe, roleplayed by Starfish

Harkness: A version of Captain Jack Harkness from X's universe, roleplayed by Fuzzy

Part Ten
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XI slowly rouses, stretching on the bed with a faint sigh. His partner is currently nowhere to be seen, his clothes from the night before dumped in a corner. He blinks, adjusting to a wakened state before flinching at the emptiness of the bed. Immediately panicked and on edge, he sits up and searches the room for any sign of a trap, yet the place is as it was left the night before, nothing appearing out of the ordinary. XI hugs the covers close to him, trying to muster up his more aggressive instincts. He looks around worriedly at the lack of new information - registering the presence of X's clothing.

“Doctor?” he calls, hoping he is in the nearby bathroom, but there is no response. He shivers; scared, and starts shifting toward the edge of the bed, constantly looking around. “Doctor?” he repeats, more firmly.

Still there is nothing.

Snarling, XI leaps up, scrabbling to find his clothes and getting tangled in the sheets. Once extracted, half off the bed, he gasps in a lungful of air and full-on yells, “DOCTOR!” He locates the lower half of his clothing and tugs it on with all haste.

After a short while, X pops around the door looking confused, dressed in much more casual clothing than normal. “What!?”

A strange, choked noise occurs in XI’s throat. “You fucking moron... I thought –.”

X blinks. “I was just...you know, in the TARDIS...sorry.”

XI trips over his feet to throw his arms around him. “I know, I'm a dick. I got scared. I woke up and you weren't fucking there.”

Quick to wrap his own arms around XI so that he can keep his face averted, X winces as he forces a laugh. “Stupid bastard.”

Smiling almost too innocently, XI hugs him tightly. “I can't lose you again.”

X squeezes XI slightly and disengages from the hug with a gruff noise. “Right, come on - get dressed for once 'cause we're going out.”

“Yeah? Where to?” XI rubs sleep from his eyes.

“You'll see, just hurry up - time and space might wait for a TARDIS but not me.” X grins and ducks back outside the door, striding for the console room as his expression drops. Foolishly addled from the previous night, XI shrugs and goes to get the rest of his clothes. He smiles to himself and follows after X once he's put on enough of his attire to finish fastening as he moves. X hardly seems to register XI's presence as he finishes keying in co-ordinates.

XI walks into the console room with a slight whistle on his lips. “So, can I have a clue?”

“Nope.”

Smirking, XI saunters up close. He smacks X on the arse and tries to get a sneak-look at the co-ordinates. X jumps with a small yelp, whirling around to move XI away. “Oi! Cheeky bastard! Just wait!”

XI pouts but grins immediately. “Says you, Mr Keeping-Secrets.”

X rolls his eyes and sets the TARDIS in motion, nodding towards the door. “Grab your coat, be there in a moment...”

“Any particular one of mine you like the best?” XI sticks his tongue out.

“Anything. You look good in anything.”

“Cheat. Fine, I'll go for the old trenchcoat.” XI dashes off to grab it from the hat/coat-stand and throws it on.

X closes his eyes for a brief moment, taking the opportunity to heave in a deep breath before the TARDIS settles. He opens his eyes and stares at the door.

Straightening his collar, XI looks to him. “We off then? Wonder what's in store.” He grins.

“Well get moving - find out soon enough. Right behind you.”

XI snorts and narrows his eyes. “Oh dear. Ominous. Better be worth it.” He strides for the door and opens it. X follows up quickly, shutting and locking the TARDIS door behind them as they step out into the corridor of a rather run-down looking hotel. “Ooh, well. Didn't expect this.” XI looks to his lover, raising an eyebrow. “Booked a room?”

“Should be third door down on the left.”

XI frowns, but still smiles. “What game are you playing?” Without waiting for an answer, he walks for the door in question. He tries the handle.

X follows after him, brow furrowing. “Locked? 'Ere...” He taps XI's side to warn him of his presence as he steps up behind him, reaching past to try the handle himself. As he pulls back, he uses his other hand to quickly jab a syringe needle into XI's arm.

“Agh!” XI hisses. “What the fuck-?” He looks fast to X, confused.

Quick to drop the syringe, X grabs XI's upper arms to steady him. “Shhh...”

XI searches X's eyes, his limbs failing fast. He tries to fight him, angry and disbelieving. “What did you -? Why? You…” His vision starts to cloud. “N- no...” He grabs at X uselessly, legs buckling. “Doc-.” He falls unconscious.

Stumbling to avoid collapsing with the now dead-weight of XI, X is careful to put him down as gently as possible. “I know, I know, I'm so sorry...” He registers the click of the latch to the door on the right and grimaces, distracting himself with making sure XI is as safe as possible.

Harkness scratches his jaw casually as he props open the door with a chair and raises his eyebrows, sounding more brusque than usual. “Took your time.”

X stands up and shoves his hands in his pockets. “Had things to do. Got whatever you wanted sorted?”

“ Yup, got the room all tricked-out for our newest guest.” He steps up close to X and prods him in the chest. “And you can bring him in and get him all secured. You were always good with knots and shit like that.”

“Weren't so bad yourself,” X mutters.

“Just get him tied down somewhere before he starts screwin' things up like last time, will you?” He catches X by the jaw and kisses him quickly, grinning. “We've got a long day ahead so the quicker you get it done the quicker it's over with.”

X averts his eyes and nods sharply, choosing to ignore Harkness for the time being and focus on getting XI into the room with as much dignity as possible.

*******************************************************************

XI stirs, groggily coming to with the taste of nausea in the back of his throat. His body feels horribly stiff and he all too soon comes to the realisation that he's strapped to a cold radiator, hands bound behind him, ropes thick across his chest. He gives a slight choke of surprise and then looks around. X is lying on the room’s bed with his back to XI, picking idly at the bedcovers; his shirt is missing and he looks ruffled, but aside from a few nicks he appears to be physically unharmed. He pretends not to notice when XI rouses. XI stares at X's back for a few long seconds, then looks around the rest of the room, remaining silent. His counterpart makes no attempt to say anything, finding even more interest in the covers than humanly possible.
Defiantly saying nothing, XI shifts his legs very slightly, concentrating on getting feeling back into his limbs. After a time, X gets bored of poking at the duvet and instead slumps back on the bed childishly as if trying to sleep. XI closes his eyes and swallows. He smacks his own head almost too hard against the radiator - on purpose - then does nothing more, keeping his eyes shut but his senses fully awake.

X flinches at the sound and yet still does nothing. They wait in silence. Eventually, X rolls his shoulders uncomfortably and opens his mouth to speak, but he can't think of anything. Then – “You're probably wondering why I've brought you here...”

XI remains very still - not even opening his eyes, but there is a sense about him that suggests he is very much awake. X tries to follow through and keep talking in the silence but loses the bravery quickly and goes quiet.

After a very long pause, XI replies without opening his eyes, “Enlighten me.”

“ I d'know what you'd most want to hear.”

“Untie me.”

“I can't.”

“Can't,” XI snorts. He opens his eyes, looking up at the ceiling. “Wouldn't dare.”

X makes a tired growl, but it lacks emphasis.

XI shrugs. “Better for you if you don't.” He closes his eyes again.

"Yeah?”

XI simply nods, whether X can see it or not. X sighs and shifts slightly, rolling onto his back with a wince. The Time Lord bound to the radiator tangles his fingers into the ropes, having been straining secretly for a while. He has not got anywhere with them, though his hands are red raw.

X flicks his eyes sideways for a moment, just as Harkness slips back into the room from its adjoining bathroom, dressed casually. He registers XI. “Oh, you're awake, huh?”

XI looks at him blankly.

After a pause, Harkness continues, “Well you could at least say hi, you know, after you just ran off like that.” XI tilts his head, then straightens, gets himself as comfortable as possible and simply offers Harkness a strange smile. Harkness grins back, intrigued. “Oooh, someone's getting interesting. Sorry about the radiator: was gonna shackle you to the wall but ran outta time to fit something like that and, well, I sorta needed the bed.”

XI keeps twisting his wrists in the ropes out of sight, picking at the fibres with his nails. He makes no reply.

Harkness rolls his eyes. “Jesus you'd think a guy could get someone to talk here, wouldn't you?” He turns on X. “Hey, sit up. Think you could get him to be sociable?”

X sits up carefully, not even glancing at XI. “Nah.”

“I'm not in the mood for conversation,” XI spits at last, “and you don't really want me here. Why don't you do us all a favour and untie me, and I'll leave you to your room?”

“What, just walk outta here on your lonesome?” Harkness says. “Gee, I never thought I'd hear you say it.”

XI shrugs. “Happy birthday.”

Harkness arches his eyebrows. “I'm not convinced. Oddly enough. I'd ask you to prove it but, well, you kinda fucked that one up last time, didn't you?”

“Yeah, I really did. I'd say sorry, but I'm not, and no, Jack, you're right. I wouldn't just leave. I would have to come back, just for four seconds. Then I'd go again, for good.”

Harkness bristles a little at the use of his first name. “Yeah, well tough luck. You're here with the rest of us. Sorry we got started without you but I'm sure we can get you all caught up, right?”

“I'm not interested.”

“Like you've got a choice!” Harkness swaggers around the edge of the bed, catching X by the shoulder and pulling him close enough to absentmindedly stroke his hair. “You're not getting out of here 'till we've all reached a good and proper understanding, Doc. 'Cause you're messin' up my universe's timeline too much and we gotta get back home.”

“Fine. Let me go, give me my four seconds, and you can take him anywhere you like.”

“No. I'm not on your agenda, Doc, you're on mine.”

XI just stares.

“Great.” Harkness grins. “See? We can all get along if we just listen.”

XI stays quiet, apparently listening.

“Right. Time for a little etiquette lesson.” Harkness lets go of X's hair as he moves back around the bed with a murmur. “You've been doin' somethin' to him, Doc, gotta say he's been more interesting than ever ...” He almost disappears as he ducks to grab something from beneath the bed and straightens up, swinging a baseball bat over his shoulder. “So, who's first?”

X frowns. XI sets his jaw, continuing to pick at the ropes as Harkness takes a few steps into the middle of the room, swinging the bat experimentally.

“Don't,” X says. Harkness fixes him with a stare. X gives the immortal human a pointed look as if trying to communicate something. Harkness ignores him and rounds on XI. “Well, at the lack of any volunteers…”

XI’s eyes light up, glaring warningly. He shifts his legs in slow movements and tears at the ropes until his fingers start bleeding. “Fuck you,” he whispers.

Harkness grins and swings the bat at XI's ribs. XI tries to kick back at him but coughs, completely winded, using all his willpower not to scream. Harkness aims to catch XI across the jaw with a second swing, completely unfazed. The Time Lord gives a cut-off cry, scraping his head against the radiator, his jaw making an unpleasant crack. Blood trickles from his lips. Harkness takes a half-step backwards and digs the end of the bat into XI's throat to encourage him to meet eyes. “This is really dumb, you know, always going in circles. But you gotta learn, and I guess you did today, huh? He's not after you.”

XI spits blood and looks up at him defiantly. “Yeah... you taught him how to fuck with people well.”

“Oooh I can't take all the credit, can I?” Harkness glances across to X, who so far hasn't moved. “You were always like this, huh, buddy?”

XI does not look over at X. With one final burst he rips through his ropes and launches at Harkness. He snarls like a wild animal, going for his throat with teeth and bloodied hands. He roars from the pain in his mouth, but grapples on.

“Fuck-!” Harkness staggers under the assault, snarling in desperation as he tries to get space enough to bring the baseball bat across the back of XI's head. XI dodges most of the blow but catches a good whack. He strikes out, trying to punch Harkness with one arm and grapple the bat with his other hand. Harkness loses his footing as the punch connects, wrangling to keep hold of the bat and shove XI off of him. The Gallifreyan snags hold of the bat with both hands and headbutts Harkness, relying on the hardiness of his physiology against Harkness’. The human utters a cut-off cry as he momentarily goes limp.

Yanking the bat out of Harkness’s grip, XI staggers back. He brings it hard over Harkness's head, though he's too dazed to be sure he's done enough to knock him out let alone kill him. He turns to X, eyes hardly focusing from pain and battered senses. “Doctor...”

X flinches, unable to meet his eyes. “Door's unlocked.”

A growl starts at the back of XI’s throat, growing louder as he starts toward X and breaks out into a shout. “ I'LL KILL YOU, I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” He brings the bat wide as he marches for the bed.

X scrambles backwards, raising his hands placatingly though he can't bring himself to make a run for it. “I know, I know!”

XI leaps onto the bed, grabs X by the throat and slams him hard into the wall at the headboard. “Lying piece of - he can have you, you bastard. After I've bashed in the pretty face he wants so much. Because that's all you are, isn't it? ISN'T IT?” He slams him again, raising the bat.

X shouts with each slam, screwing his eyes shut - making no move to fight back. “Fuck! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I was -just- I couldn't…”

“Shut up. I'm not listening. Not anymore. You know the reason I wanted to come back for those four seconds?” XI snarls. “Just long enough to walk in and fucking shoot you in the head.”

“You'd be right to.”

“You know how I know you deserve it?” XI grips the bat, readying to hit, and X says nothing.
XI hisses, speech slurring, “'Cause you never once fought to keep me.” He lets go, about to swing –

Harkness catches his wrist and yanks his arm behind his back painfully, pressing him hard against X and thus the wall. “Eeeeeeeasy there, freak.”

XI screeches in pain, releasing the bat. X stays incredibly still, clearly very uncomfortable.

“Good,” Harkness says. “Right. OK. So you won't just sit down and play nice, huh?”

XI breathes heavily, choking on blood instead of responding.

“I'll take that as a no.” Harkness steps back, releasing XI, and withdraws the revolver from the back of his belt.

XI scrambles to get back from X, then turns on the bed, staring coldly at Harkness.

“If you're not playing by the rules, Doc, we gotta play a different game.” Harkness twists his hand sharply, snapping the canister open and letting most of the bullets fall out. He snaps it shut and gives it a spin. “Who first?”

“Why don't you just fucking shoot me?” XI sneers. “Neither of you want me here. I don't care about your stupid game.”

“Oh, drama queen.”
XI gets up from the bed, making for the door. Harkness aims at him and pulls the trigger.

Click

“Well damn,” he says.

XI flinches.

“Come onnnnn,” Harkness goads. “Not gonna stay at all? For the round?”

“No,” XI answers, lip curled. Again, he goes for the door.

Harkness growls and aims the gun again. “Fucking get back here.”

XI pauses and looks over at Harkness with all disdain. “It's not my turn.”

X frowns at the gun, eyes narrowing. “Oi, he's right.”

“Ugh,” Harkness grumbles.

“Come onnnnn,” X grins. “Play the game properly. You know you want to.”

“Yeah, go on,” XI says, flatly. “You can shoot each other's brains out without me.”

“There, now come on,” X insists. “Finish the round at least!”

Harkness rolls his eyes and aims lazily at X, glaring at XI's back. “If you're heading back to that TARDIS in the hopes of making some great dra-.”

BANG

“-Jesus!” Harkness nearly drops the gun, startled.

XI flinches at the sound, slowly following the gun's original trajectory. X is already doubled over on the bed, leaving a bloody stain on the wall, having made hardly a sound but for desperate gasps for breath.

Harkness gapes. “Fuck.”

XI stares at X, expression unreadable, as though something's not there anymore in his mind. He makes no move at all.

Harkness hesitates in getting too close to X, hands in his hair. “Jesus, fuck...no, you're not meant to do this!” XI just keeps watching, as though in a dream. Dropping the gun, Harkness moves close enough to try and touch X, but flinches back at the resultant agonised noise. “Fuck!” He turns on XI, uncharacteristically ruffled. “The hell do we do?!”

Beginning to waken from stupor, XI murmurs, “We?”

“The fuck do I do then?! He's supposed to fucking change and he isn't and I don't fucking know about Time Lords!”

“He doesn't want to change. Probably the only truth he ever told me. He won't regenerate. He's too stubborn. Or he's too critically hurt, either way.”

“So what happens now? I mean, Jesus…”

“He dies. Only a Time Lord could help him in a state like that.”

“So you're not gonna?”

XI starts walking for the door.

Harkness snarls, grabbing for him. “Do it. Fucking do it. He can't be dead, that's not how this works!”

Hardly reacting, XI speaks quietly, “Get him to the TARDIS.”

“Me? Can I even move him?”

“You get him to the TARDIS, or he will die. Get him now.”

“Fuck. Okay.” Harkness turns back and approaches the bed, trying not to think of the amount of blood saturating the sheets and picks up X, ignoring the resultant scream and sobbed protests. He snorts humourlessly as he walks. “Any other time, Doc, that'd get you somewhere.”

XI wrenches open the door and strides out, heading for the TARDIS. He snaps his fingers to open it and goes straight inside. Harkness follows quickly and silently.

“This way. Move.” XI hurries for the medical bay and starts readying the room. Harkness obeys him without a word, pulling a face as X retches and gasps for breath between Gallifreyan nonsense. “Put him on the table, then I need you to get out,” XI orders. “I'm going to flood the room with the chemicals you get in a Zero Room, minus only a few of the properties. If you stay, you'll die. Immortal or not, you'll be no use to anyone and you'll distract me.”

Harkness stares for a short while, then he puts X down and wipes his hands. “Fine. Fuckin' fine. This once.” He turns to leave. “But in all seriousness, I sorta have a respect for you, so I'd chuck 'im and let me take him home later; he's not going to appreciate any shit you do.” He ducks out of the room and takes himself out of the TARDIS.

XI waits in silence for a few seconds longer. He turns to look at X on the bed. The younger Time Lord is the epitome of miserable; curled up tightly trying to staunch the blood as he chokes out pathetic, nonsensical words in a whole series of languages, rapidly losing consciousness. XI moves fast then, slamming the door sealed, and goes to a panel in the wall. He takes a very deep breath and pushes down several red levers. There is a hiss as an invisible gas permeates the room and utter silence reigns. He hurries to X and grabs his ankles, laying him out straight with no heed to any protest. He snatches up a shot of sedative and jams it into him, not enough to totally knock him out, but to make him numb.
X coughs and gasps in the wake of his own protests, too short of breath to do anything but continue mouthing soundless, senseless apologies in tens of various languages.

XI forces himself to blot out what X is saying, though he wavers. He grabs X's hands and pulls them away from his stomach, his expression seeming callous. Bringing out his sonic screwdriver, he quickly applies it to the wound, the buzzing at once working to magnetise the bullet back along its entryway. X’s eyes roll at the strange sensation, jerking involuntarily as he retches. Knowing it must be agony, even with the sedative, XI keeps working. At last he gets the bullet out and throws it over his shoulder. Seeing the blood trying to escape rapidly, his eyes widen just for a moment before he smacks his hands down over the wound - hard, almost as if he were being cruel, but nothing of the sort. He forces down as hard as he can, applying pressure, blood messying his hands in an instant, looking panicked at X.

X makes a series of jerking, thrashing movements as his body screams its protest, trying desperately to curl back up as he finally stops uttering words in place of gritting his teeth, eyes streaming. XI suddenly lets out a sob, then chokes it off, knowing that his next breath could ruin his only chance. He uses all of his remaining concentration and focus of thought to cause his hands to gleam gold, wisps of light coiling around them like smoke, burrowing deep into the bullethole. Tears stream down his face and he gasps, his thoughts starting to give up, forcing him towards the inevitable coma but he battles to keep the energy flowing. Realising far too late what is being done, X panics and scrabbles at XI's hands, clawing at them.

“N-no!” XI’s words feel thick on his tongue, his palms fixing with blind instinct. X wrenches and claws with as much force as he can manage, crying out miserable pleas as he tries to stop him. XI just manages to hold out long enough for the wound to seal over before the effects of the Zero Room null the thoughts in his head and he collapses, sliding to the floor in a bloody heap. X makes one final effort to grab at XI before he collapses. He misses, and the effects of the room and blood loss knock him out in turn.

Description
Levels Of Indecency - A roleplay by Starfish & Fuzzy

Characters

X: The tenth Doctor from a twisted alternate universe, roleplayed by Fuzzy

XI: The eleventh Doctor from another twisted alternate universe, roleplayed by Starfish

Harkness: A version of Captain Jack Harkness from X's universe, roleplayed by Fuzzy

Part Ten
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XI slowly rouses, stretching on the bed with a faint sigh. His partner is currently nowhere to be seen, his clothes from the night before dumped in a corner. He blinks, adjusting to a wakened state before flinching at the emptiness of the bed. Immediately panicked and on edge, he sits up and searches the room for any sign of a trap, yet the place is as it was left the night before, nothing appearing out of the ordinary. XI hugs the covers close to him, trying to muster up his more aggressive instincts. He looks around worriedly at the lack of new information - registering the presence of X's clothing.

“Doctor?” he calls, hoping he is in the nearby bathroom, but there is no response. He shivers; scared, and starts shifting toward the edge of the bed, constantly looking around. “Doctor?” he repeats, more firmly.

Still there is nothing.

Snarling, XI leaps up, scrabbling to find his clothes and getting tangled in the sheets. Once extracted, half off the bed, he gasps in a lungful of air and full-on yells, “DOCTOR!” He locates the lower half of his clothing and tugs it on with all haste.

After a short while, X pops around the door looking confused, dressed in much more casual clothing than normal. “What!?”

A strange, choked noise occurs in XI’s throat. “You fucking moron... I thought –.”

X blinks. “I was just...you know, in the TARDIS...sorry.”

XI trips over his feet to throw his arms around him. “I know, I'm a dick. I got scared. I woke up and you weren't fucking there.”

Quick to wrap his own arms around XI so that he can keep his face averted, X winces as he forces a laugh. “Stupid bastard.”

Smiling almost too innocently, XI hugs him tightly. “I can't lose you again.”

X squeezes XI slightly and disengages from the hug with a gruff noise. “Right, come on - get dressed for once 'cause we're going out.”

“Yeah? Where to?” XI rubs sleep from his eyes.

“You'll see, just hurry up - time and space might wait for a TARDIS but not me.” X grins and ducks back outside the door, striding for the console room as his expression drops. Foolishly addled from the previous night, XI shrugs and goes to get the rest of his clothes. He smiles to himself and follows after X once he's put on enough of his attire to finish fastening as he moves. X hardly seems to register XI's presence as he finishes keying in co-ordinates.

XI walks into the console room with a slight whistle on his lips. “So, can I have a clue?”

“Nope.”

Smirking, XI saunters up close. He smacks X on the arse and tries to get a sneak-look at the co-ordinates. X jumps with a small yelp, whirling around to move XI away. “Oi! Cheeky bastard! Just wait!”

XI pouts but grins immediately. “Says you, Mr Keeping-Secrets.”

X rolls his eyes and sets the TARDIS in motion, nodding towards the door. “Grab your coat, be there in a moment...”

“Any particular one of mine you like the best?” XI sticks his tongue out.

“Anything. You look good in anything.”

“Cheat. Fine, I'll go for the old trenchcoat.” XI dashes off to grab it from the hat/coat-stand and throws it on.

X closes his eyes for a brief moment, taking the opportunity to heave in a deep breath before the TARDIS settles. He opens his eyes and stares at the door.

Straightening his collar, XI looks to him. “We off then? Wonder what's in store.” He grins.

“Well get moving - find out soon enough. Right behind you.”

XI snorts and narrows his eyes. “Oh dear. Ominous. Better be worth it.” He strides for the door and opens it. X follows up quickly, shutting and locking the TARDIS door behind them as they step out into the corridor of a rather run-down looking hotel. “Ooh, well. Didn't expect this.” XI looks to his lover, raising an eyebrow. “Booked a room?”

“Should be third door down on the left.”

XI frowns, but still smiles. “What game are you playing?” Without waiting for an answer, he walks for the door in question. He tries the handle.

X follows after him, brow furrowing. “Locked? 'Ere...” He taps XI's side to warn him of his presence as he steps up behind him, reaching past to try the handle himself. As he pulls back, he uses his other hand to quickly jab a syringe needle into XI's arm.

“Agh!” XI hisses. “What the fuck-?” He looks fast to X, confused.

Quick to drop the syringe, X grabs XI's upper arms to steady him. “Shhh...”

XI searches X's eyes, his limbs failing fast. He tries to fight him, angry and disbelieving. “What did you -? Why? You…” His vision starts to cloud. “N- no...” He grabs at X uselessly, legs buckling. “Doc-.” He falls unconscious.

Stumbling to avoid collapsing with the now dead-weight of XI, X is careful to put him down as gently as possible. “I know, I know, I'm so sorry...” He registers the click of the latch to the door on the right and grimaces, distracting himself with making sure XI is as safe as possible.

Harkness scratches his jaw casually as he props open the door with a chair and raises his eyebrows, sounding more brusque than usual. “Took your time.”

X stands up and shoves his hands in his pockets. “Had things to do. Got whatever you wanted sorted?”

“ Yup, got the room all tricked-out for our newest guest.” He steps up close to X and prods him in the chest. “And you can bring him in and get him all secured. You were always good with knots and shit like that.”

“Weren't so bad yourself,” X mutters.

“Just get him tied down somewhere before he starts screwin' things up like last time, will you?” He catches X by the jaw and kisses him quickly, grinning. “We've got a long day ahead so the quicker you get it done the quicker it's over with.”

X averts his eyes and nods sharply, choosing to ignore Harkness for the time being and focus on getting XI into the room with as much dignity as possible.

*******************************************************************

XI stirs, groggily coming to with the taste of nausea in the back of his throat. His body feels horribly stiff and he all too soon comes to the realisation that he's strapped to a cold radiator, hands bound behind him, ropes thick across his chest. He gives a slight choke of surprise and then looks around. X is lying on the room’s bed with his back to XI, picking idly at the bedcovers; his shirt is missing and he looks ruffled, but aside from a few nicks he appears to be physically unharmed. He pretends not to notice when XI rouses. XI stares at X's back for a few long seconds, then looks around the rest of the room, remaining silent. His counterpart makes no attempt to say anything, finding even more interest in the covers than humanly possible.
Defiantly saying nothing, XI shifts his legs very slightly, concentrating on getting feeling back into his limbs. After a time, X gets bored of poking at the duvet and instead slumps back on the bed childishly as if trying to sleep. XI closes his eyes and swallows. He smacks his own head almost too hard against the radiator - on purpose - then does nothing more, keeping his eyes shut but his senses fully awake.

X flinches at the sound and yet still does nothing. They wait in silence. Eventually, X rolls his shoulders uncomfortably and opens his mouth to speak, but he can't think of anything. Then – “You're probably wondering why I've brought you here...”

XI remains very still - not even opening his eyes, but there is a sense about him that suggests he is very much awake. X tries to follow through and keep talking in the silence but loses the bravery quickly and goes quiet.

After a very long pause, XI replies without opening his eyes, “Enlighten me.”

“ I d'know what you'd most want to hear.”

“Untie me.”

“I can't.”

“Can't,” XI snorts. He opens his eyes, looking up at the ceiling. “Wouldn't dare.”

X makes a tired growl, but it lacks emphasis.

XI shrugs. “Better for you if you don't.” He closes his eyes again.

"Yeah?”

XI simply nods, whether X can see it or not. X sighs and shifts slightly, rolling onto his back with a wince. The Time Lord bound to the radiator tangles his fingers into the ropes, having been straining secretly for a while. He has not got anywhere with them, though his hands are red raw.

X flicks his eyes sideways for a moment, just as Harkness slips back into the room from its adjoining bathroom, dressed casually. He registers XI. “Oh, you're awake, huh?”

XI looks at him blankly.

After a pause, Harkness continues, “Well you could at least say hi, you know, after you just ran off like that.” XI tilts his head, then straightens, gets himself as comfortable as possible and simply offers Harkness a strange smile. Harkness grins back, intrigued. “Oooh, someone's getting interesting. Sorry about the radiator: was gonna shackle you to the wall but ran outta time to fit something like that and, well, I sorta needed the bed.”

XI keeps twisting his wrists in the ropes out of sight, picking at the fibres with his nails. He makes no reply.

Harkness rolls his eyes. “Jesus you'd think a guy could get someone to talk here, wouldn't you?” He turns on X. “Hey, sit up. Think you could get him to be sociable?”

X sits up carefully, not even glancing at XI. “Nah.”

“I'm not in the mood for conversation,” XI spits at last, “and you don't really want me here. Why don't you do us all a favour and untie me, and I'll leave you to your room?”

“What, just walk outta here on your lonesome?” Harkness says. “Gee, I never thought I'd hear you say it.”

XI shrugs. “Happy birthday.”

Harkness arches his eyebrows. “I'm not convinced. Oddly enough. I'd ask you to prove it but, well, you kinda fucked that one up last time, didn't you?”

“Yeah, I really did. I'd say sorry, but I'm not, and no, Jack, you're right. I wouldn't just leave. I would have to come back, just for four seconds. Then I'd go again, for good.”

Harkness bristles a little at the use of his first name. “Yeah, well tough luck. You're here with the rest of us. Sorry we got started without you but I'm sure we can get you all caught up, right?”

“I'm not interested.”

“Like you've got a choice!” Harkness swaggers around the edge of the bed, catching X by the shoulder and pulling him close enough to absentmindedly stroke his hair. “You're not getting out of here 'till we've all reached a good and proper understanding, Doc. 'Cause you're messin' up my universe's timeline too much and we gotta get back home.”

“Fine. Let me go, give me my four seconds, and you can take him anywhere you like.”

“No. I'm not on your agenda, Doc, you're on mine.”

XI just stares.

“Great.” Harkness grins. “See? We can all get along if we just listen.”

XI stays quiet, apparently listening.

“Right. Time for a little etiquette lesson.” Harkness lets go of X's hair as he moves back around the bed with a murmur. “You've been doin' somethin' to him, Doc, gotta say he's been more interesting than ever ...” He almost disappears as he ducks to grab something from beneath the bed and straightens up, swinging a baseball bat over his shoulder. “So, who's first?”

X frowns. XI sets his jaw, continuing to pick at the ropes as Harkness takes a few steps into the middle of the room, swinging the bat experimentally.

“Don't,” X says. Harkness fixes him with a stare. X gives the immortal human a pointed look as if trying to communicate something. Harkness ignores him and rounds on XI. “Well, at the lack of any volunteers…”

XI’s eyes light up, glaring warningly. He shifts his legs in slow movements and tears at the ropes until his fingers start bleeding. “Fuck you,” he whispers.

Harkness grins and swings the bat at XI's ribs. XI tries to kick back at him but coughs, completely winded, using all his willpower not to scream. Harkness aims to catch XI across the jaw with a second swing, completely unfazed. The Time Lord gives a cut-off cry, scraping his head against the radiator, his jaw making an unpleasant crack. Blood trickles from his lips. Harkness takes a half-step backwards and digs the end of the bat into XI's throat to encourage him to meet eyes. “This is really dumb, you know, always going in circles. But you gotta learn, and I guess you did today, huh? He's not after you.”

XI spits blood and looks up at him defiantly. “Yeah... you taught him how to fuck with people well.”

“Oooh I can't take all the credit, can I?” Harkness glances across to X, who so far hasn't moved. “You were always like this, huh, buddy?”

XI does not look over at X. With one final burst he rips through his ropes and launches at Harkness. He snarls like a wild animal, going for his throat with teeth and bloodied hands. He roars from the pain in his mouth, but grapples on.

“Fuck-!” Harkness staggers under the assault, snarling in desperation as he tries to get space enough to bring the baseball bat across the back of XI's head. XI dodges most of the blow but catches a good whack. He strikes out, trying to punch Harkness with one arm and grapple the bat with his other hand. Harkness loses his footing as the punch connects, wrangling to keep hold of the bat and shove XI off of him. The Gallifreyan snags hold of the bat with both hands and headbutts Harkness, relying on the hardiness of his physiology against Harkness’. The human utters a cut-off cry as he momentarily goes limp.

Yanking the bat out of Harkness’s grip, XI staggers back. He brings it hard over Harkness's head, though he's too dazed to be sure he's done enough to knock him out let alone kill him. He turns to X, eyes hardly focusing from pain and battered senses. “Doctor...”

X flinches, unable to meet his eyes. “Door's unlocked.”

A growl starts at the back of XI’s throat, growing louder as he starts toward X and breaks out into a shout. “ I'LL KILL YOU, I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” He brings the bat wide as he marches for the bed.

X scrambles backwards, raising his hands placatingly though he can't bring himself to make a run for it. “I know, I know!”

XI leaps onto the bed, grabs X by the throat and slams him hard into the wall at the headboard. “Lying piece of - he can have you, you bastard. After I've bashed in the pretty face he wants so much. Because that's all you are, isn't it? ISN'T IT?” He slams him again, raising the bat.

X shouts with each slam, screwing his eyes shut - making no move to fight back. “Fuck! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I was -just- I couldn't…”

“Shut up. I'm not listening. Not anymore. You know the reason I wanted to come back for those four seconds?” XI snarls. “Just long enough to walk in and fucking shoot you in the head.”

“You'd be right to.”

“You know how I know you deserve it?” XI grips the bat, readying to hit, and X says nothing.
XI hisses, speech slurring, “'Cause you never once fought to keep me.” He lets go, about to swing –

Harkness catches his wrist and yanks his arm behind his back painfully, pressing him hard against X and thus the wall. “Eeeeeeeasy there, freak.”

XI screeches in pain, releasing the bat. X stays incredibly still, clearly very uncomfortable.

“Good,” Harkness says. “Right. OK. So you won't just sit down and play nice, huh?”

XI breathes heavily, choking on blood instead of responding.

“I'll take that as a no.” Harkness steps back, releasing XI, and withdraws the revolver from the back of his belt.

XI scrambles to get back from X, then turns on the bed, staring coldly at Harkness.

“If you're not playing by the rules, Doc, we gotta play a different game.” Harkness twists his hand sharply, snapping the canister open and letting most of the bullets fall out. He snaps it shut and gives it a spin. “Who first?”

“Why don't you just fucking shoot me?” XI sneers. “Neither of you want me here. I don't care about your stupid game.”

“Oh, drama queen.”
XI gets up from the bed, making for the door. Harkness aims at him and pulls the trigger.

Click

“Well damn,” he says.

XI flinches.

“Come onnnnn,” Harkness goads. “Not gonna stay at all? For the round?”

“No,” XI answers, lip curled. Again, he goes for the door.

Harkness growls and aims the gun again. “Fucking get back here.”

XI pauses and looks over at Harkness with all disdain. “It's not my turn.”

X frowns at the gun, eyes narrowing. “Oi, he's right.”

“Ugh,” Harkness grumbles.

“Come onnnnn,” X grins. “Play the game properly. You know you want to.”

“Yeah, go on,” XI says, flatly. “You can shoot each other's brains out without me.”

“There, now come on,” X insists. “Finish the round at least!”

Harkness rolls his eyes and aims lazily at X, glaring at XI's back. “If you're heading back to that TARDIS in the hopes of making some great dra-.”

BANG

“-Jesus!” Harkness nearly drops the gun, startled.

XI flinches at the sound, slowly following the gun's original trajectory. X is already doubled over on the bed, leaving a bloody stain on the wall, having made hardly a sound but for desperate gasps for breath.

Harkness gapes. “Fuck.”

XI stares at X, expression unreadable, as though something's not there anymore in his mind. He makes no move at all.

Harkness hesitates in getting too close to X, hands in his hair. “Jesus, fuck...no, you're not meant to do this!” XI just keeps watching, as though in a dream. Dropping the gun, Harkness moves close enough to try and touch X, but flinches back at the resultant agonised noise. “Fuck!” He turns on XI, uncharacteristically ruffled. “The hell do we do?!”

Beginning to waken from stupor, XI murmurs, “We?”

“The fuck do I do then?! He's supposed to fucking change and he isn't and I don't fucking know about Time Lords!”

“He doesn't want to change. Probably the only truth he ever told me. He won't regenerate. He's too stubborn. Or he's too critically hurt, either way.”

“So what happens now? I mean, Jesus…”

“He dies. Only a Time Lord could help him in a state like that.”

“So you're not gonna?”

XI starts walking for the door.

Harkness snarls, grabbing for him. “Do it. Fucking do it. He can't be dead, that's not how this works!”

Hardly reacting, XI speaks quietly, “Get him to the TARDIS.”

“Me? Can I even move him?”

“You get him to the TARDIS, or he will die. Get him now.”

“Fuck. Okay.” Harkness turns back and approaches the bed, trying not to think of the amount of blood saturating the sheets and picks up X, ignoring the resultant scream and sobbed protests. He snorts humourlessly as he walks. “Any other time, Doc, that'd get you somewhere.”

XI wrenches open the door and strides out, heading for the TARDIS. He snaps his fingers to open it and goes straight inside. Harkness follows quickly and silently.

“This way. Move.” XI hurries for the medical bay and starts readying the room. Harkness obeys him without a word, pulling a face as X retches and gasps for breath between Gallifreyan nonsense. “Put him on the table, then I need you to get out,” XI orders. “I'm going to flood the room with the chemicals you get in a Zero Room, minus only a few of the properties. If you stay, you'll die. Immortal or not, you'll be no use to anyone and you'll distract me.”

Harkness stares for a short while, then he puts X down and wipes his hands. “Fine. Fuckin' fine. This once.” He turns to leave. “But in all seriousness, I sorta have a respect for you, so I'd chuck 'im and let me take him home later; he's not going to appreciate any shit you do.” He ducks out of the room and takes himself out of the TARDIS.

XI waits in silence for a few seconds longer. He turns to look at X on the bed. The younger Time Lord is the epitome of miserable; curled up tightly trying to staunch the blood as he chokes out pathetic, nonsensical words in a whole series of languages, rapidly losing consciousness. XI moves fast then, slamming the door sealed, and goes to a panel in the wall. He takes a very deep breath and pushes down several red levers. There is a hiss as an invisible gas permeates the room and utter silence reigns. He hurries to X and grabs his ankles, laying him out straight with no heed to any protest. He snatches up a shot of sedative and jams it into him, not enough to totally knock him out, but to make him numb.
X coughs and gasps in the wake of his own protests, too short of breath to do anything but continue mouthing soundless, senseless apologies in tens of various languages.

XI forces himself to blot out what X is saying, though he wavers. He grabs X's hands and pulls them away from his stomach, his expression seeming callous. Bringing out his sonic screwdriver, he quickly applies it to the wound, the buzzing at once working to magnetise the bullet back along its entryway. X’s eyes roll at the strange sensation, jerking involuntarily as he retches. Knowing it must be agony, even with the sedative, XI keeps working. At last he gets the bullet out and throws it over his shoulder. Seeing the blood trying to escape rapidly, his eyes widen just for a moment before he smacks his hands down over the wound - hard, almost as if he were being cruel, but nothing of the sort. He forces down as hard as he can, applying pressure, blood messying his hands in an instant, looking panicked at X.

X makes a series of jerking, thrashing movements as his body screams its protest, trying desperately to curl back up as he finally stops uttering words in place of gritting his teeth, eyes streaming. XI suddenly lets out a sob, then chokes it off, knowing that his next breath could ruin his only chance. He uses all of his remaining concentration and focus of thought to cause his hands to gleam gold, wisps of light coiling around them like smoke, burrowing deep into the bullethole. Tears stream down his face and he gasps, his thoughts starting to give up, forcing him towards the inevitable coma but he battles to keep the energy flowing. Realising far too late what is being done, X panics and scrabbles at XI's hands, clawing at them.

“N-no!” XI’s words feel thick on his tongue, his palms fixing with blind instinct. X wrenches and claws with as much force as he can manage, crying out miserable pleas as he tries to stop him. XI just manages to hold out long enough for the wound to seal over before the effects of the Zero Room null the thoughts in his head and he collapses, sliding to the floor in a bloody heap. X makes one final effort to grab at XI before he collapses. He misses, and the effects of the room and blood loss knock him out in turn.