X-over fic: Dr Who and DC

[icarus_chained]

Title:  Violence and Gentility
Fandoms:  Dr Who (Pertwee era) and DC (back when Alf was younger)
Characters/Pairings:  Alfred, Third Doctor, Sarah Jane. No pairings, though Alfred does flirt gently with Sarah. 
Rating:  PG
Summary:  the Doctor and Sarah find a polite, and rather injured young man in the TARDIS
Notes:  for merfilly
Wordcount:  755

"Good grief, what are you doing in here, young man!"

Sarah Jane hurried forward to see who the Doctor was talking to, though judging by the shock beneath the crispness in his voice, whoever it was wasn't in immediate danger of getting thrown out. Despite the fact that they were somehow inside the TARDIS ...

"I do apologise, sir," a rather thin, but very dignifed voice sounded from near the floor, and as Sarah rounded the stunned figure of the Doctor, she found herself face to face with a young, wounded military man. No uniform, for whatever reason, but after so long in contact with the Brigadier, Sarah would recognise that bearing anywhere. The young man was in the process of wiping one bloodied hand on his jacket so he could hold it up to shake. "I'm afraid I mistook your ... transport? ... for a phone box. I was hoping to call in some help, you see."

"Yes, I can see why you would need it," the Doctor said wryly, crouching down to get a better look at the man's wound, and producing a hanky from his sleeve which the soldier accepted gratefully and pressed to his side. "Sarah, would you get the medical kit?" the Doctor asked, without looking round. She considered getting annoyed at being relegated, once again, to servant girl, but the young man's eyes came up to meet hers, and the smile he gave her through his obvious pain had her moving before she knew it.

"Thank you, miss," he said quietly, as she crouched down beside them to hand the box to the Doctor. He held out the cleanish hand, and when she gave her his, he put it to his lips to give it gentlemanly kiss. She blinked in stunned appreciation at the gesture, and looked away with a blush as the Doctor harrumphed loudly beside them. The young man looked away with a smile, and nodded in gratitude as the Doctor started gently trying to get a look at his injury.

"Been through the wars, haven't you?" the Doctor commented lightly, his hands deft and sure, and the young man looked up at him with eyes that seemed older than they should have.

"You too, I believe," he said softly, and nodded respectfully when the Doctor looked up in mild surprise. The Doctor looked away again hurriedly, grumbling as he brushed at the blood, but Sarah knew he was pleased. They stayed silent for a long moment, after that, while the Doctor busied himself with the man's side. Sarah found herself watching as the soldier's eyes stayed fixed on his benefactor's face, and thought she rather liked the look of them.

"There now!" the Doctor said abruptly, startling them both out of their fugue, and smirked knowingly in her direction. She met the look with a testy one of her own, and smiled when the Doctor shook his head at her. "Good as new!" The soldier looked down in surprise, to find his side indeed as good as new. He looked up quickly at the Doctor, his eyes swift and searching, but there was no fear in them. Just curiosity. Sarah smiled slightly. She knew that feeling well.

"Thank you, sir," the young man said at last, quietly and with true gratitude. "And you, miss. If I may ever be of assisstance to either of you ... Alfred Pennyworth will gladly serve." And Sarah almost laughed at the archaic nature of the promise, save for the quiet, humourous dignity of it. This was not a man you laughed at, she thought.

"No trouble, sir!" the Doctor said briskly, helping the unsteady Alfred to his feet. "Never did like seeing a person hurt." Alfred smiled slightly.

"I can see that, Mr ...?" he asked, softly, and the Doctor smiled.

"Doctor," he answered, ignoring the usual confusion as he left it at that, and took the young man's hand in a firm shake. And while he was still looking bemused, Sarah held out hers too, and shook Alfred's hand with a smile.

"Sarah Jane Smith," she said, brightly. "Don't mind him. He likes to be mysterious."

"Not necessarily a bad idea," Alfred smiled, and brought her hand to his lips again. "Charmed, miss. Truly."

She was still blushing gently even after the Doctor had shooed him out the door, and the knowing shake of his head hardly helped matters. With a sharp little sniff, she turned aside, and determinedly ignored his comment about feminism. A woman could appreciate gentility in a man, and still stand up for herself! So there!