Work Text:
“I can’t think what can be wrong with her,” the Doctor said. “Everything appears connected, as far as I can see.” He emerged from underneath the TARDIS’ console and glared at Jack Harkness. “And no, we haven’t had an infestation of snocks, or anything else for that matter.”
“I suppose you could try switching her off and back on again,” Jack said doubtfully.
“I don’t like doing that. The ‘on’ switch is rather temperamental and anyway it’s not that straightforward with a sentient machine. However…”
Instantly, everything went dark, very dark.
“That was quicker than I expected,” Jack said.
“I didn’t have time to do anything,” the Doctor replied.
“Oh!”
“So I’m going to need your help to locate the ‘on’ switch.”
“No problem.” Jack switched on the flashlight he had in his bag. The light shone for about half an inch and then simply vanished.
“It’s better than nothing. You’ll just have to get very close to find the switch.”
“Ouch!”
“And it’s not going to be easy.”
“I’ve discovered that,” Jack moaned. A few minutes later, he called out, “What does this particular switch look like?”
“Really it’s just like any other switch. But you need to be careful and not put the wrong thing on.”
“That’s not helpful! Wait a minute, I can hear humming. Surely there shouldn’t be any sound coming out.”
The Doctor crawled over to where Jack was standing, finding him by banging his head on Jack’s legs. “You’re right, she is humming. Let me see if I can find where the noise is coming from.”
The Doctor wriggled back under the console, taking the flashlight with him. Suddenly he felt something cold run down his back. His head shot up and he banged it hard. “Jack, that’s not funny.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Jack protested. “You’ve got the only light, so I’ve been staying still.”
Cautiously, the Doctor made his way back out. “Something ran down my back,” he said.
“Is it possible, some other force has taken over the TARDIS?” Jack asked.
“I checked for that, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with her at all.”
“You know this reminds me of when Ianto is reading a mystery novel and wants to be left alone to finish it. He’ll do anything to get me to leave him alone.”
“So you’re saying we should just sit and wait?”
“We could go out and leave her to it.”
“In the mood she’s in she might not let me back!”
Jack chuckled, “True.”
The flashlight battery ran out, leaving them in complete darkness.
“I’m not even sure I could find the door,” the Doctor said.
They had sat for about ten minutes, when the lights gradually came back on and the TARDIS felt like she was giving herself a gentle shake.
“There you are,” Jack said, “I knew I could fix her.”
“You didn’t do anything!”
“No, but that was exactly what was needed!”