Doctor Who_ The Algebra of Ice - Lloyd Rose [60]
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The Algebra of Ice
‘You really think you can track them down?’
‘I’m almost positive.’ He frowned at the tin. ‘This isn’t Darjeeling. I was certain I had Darjeeling.’
‘Probably another one of you popped in and drank it all.’
‘I wish I’d stop doing that. I’m going to have to start leaving notes. All right, Earl Grey it is.’ He lifted the second tin. ‘Bother.’
‘I guess all of you like the tea you like.’
‘They could at least replace the things they use. I always do.’
‘Yeah, well, you’re the responsible one, aren’t you? The others all sound as if they were a bit loopy.’
‘My fifth incarnation wasn’t,’ he said stiffly. ‘A gentleman, in his way.’
‘More than I can say for you.’
‘Kind hearts are more than coronets,’ he sniffed. ‘English Breakfast it is, then.’
She watched him warm the pot. ‘Suppose Ethan wants some?’
‘Certain of it,’ said the Doctor.
When Ethan waked this time, he felt Ace’s warm nakedness against his back.
He put his hand back and found her thigh.
‘I’ve got tea,’ she said.
‘It’s not tea I want.’
She kissed the nape of his neck, but said hesitantly, ‘Your chest. It’ll hurt if you’re lying on. . . well, you know what I mean. Pressure, and all.’
He snorted. ‘Don’t tell me that you, of all people, have never heard of Girls On Top.’
‘You’re feeling all right,’ said Ace.
‘I’m feeling wonderful.’
‘No, I mean, all right. No headaches. No hallucinations.’
‘No,’ he said, pleased but bewildered.
‘You’d think. . . ’ She stopped. ‘I mean, with everything. . . ’
‘The physical reality doesn’t influence the illness,’ he said, settling her closer against him. ‘If it did, the last hour would have cured me.’
Ace laughed happily. ‘Seriously, if you need some medicine from your flat
– only that’s not such a good idea. The Doctor may have something in the TARDIS.’
‘It’s a chemist’s as well as a spaceship?’
‘It’s lots of things. I can’t wait to show you.’ She sat up. ‘Come on.’
Chapter Fifteen
125
‘I’m ill,’ he objected. ‘I’ve had a dreadful time. I must stay in bed, and I can’t be left alone.’
She lay down immediately, ‘All right, slacker.’
A log fell, but no embers sparked onto the hearth.
‘It’s all right,’ said Ace. ‘Nothing landed on the rug.’ She turned over and put her arms gently around him. ‘D’you suppose. . . ?’
The log fell, scattering embers on the hearth.
Ethan and Ace sat bolt upright, still holding on to each other.
‘Erm. . . ’ he said.
‘Oh hell,’ she muttered.
‘Wasn’t that. . . Didn’t that happen before? Just now? Only the embers. . . ’
‘Yeah.’
The log fell. Embers flew out onto the rug.
‘Bollocks,’ said Ace. She started to get out of bed, but the embers faded to black.
‘What’s happening?’
The fireplace was cold and empty.
Ace said, ‘Balls!’
‘What’s going on?’
‘The thing. Only it shouldn’t be happening to you. It only happens to me.
And the Doctor. Because we’ve travelled so much in time. But everyone else, it changes for them. It should change for you.’
‘Right,’ he said bewilderedly.
‘It’s Time! Time’s just spinning in place. Well, not exactly, it’s repeating itself with tiny changes, only you shouldn’t be seeing that, you should just be changing –’
‘That was a time shift? I just saw a time shift!?’
‘– only I can’t work out why you’re not. Oh!’ She squeezed his hand. ‘We were touching.’
‘We were touching, yes. And that means. . . ?’
‘That’s why it happened to you too. Wicked!’ She jumped out of bed. ‘I’ve got to tell the Doctor.’
‘Put some clothes on!’
‘Oh, this wouldn’t bother the Doctor. He’s not interested in sex with aliens.’
Nonetheless, Ace pulled on her jeans and jumper. ‘I’m not sure he’s interested at all. I think his lot reproduce by being woven from DNA or something naff like that. Not much fun, is it?’ She headed for the door. ‘Probably accounts 126
The Algebra of Ice
for him being so gloomy. I’m starving. Come down to the kitchen; we’ll find something to eat.’
‘You’ll have to help me, I’m afraid.’
‘Oh, right.’ She winced, embarrassed. ‘I forgot