Rec: "Establishing Events," by Lurky McLurklurk

[nonelvis]

Posting on behalf of Styrofoam monster on Teaspoon.

Story: Establishing Events
Author: Lurky McLurklurk
Rating: All Ages
Word count: 2432
Characters: 10, Martha, Seven
Summary: "Saving someone's life's not a cheap trick, Martha," said the Doctor quietly.
"No, it's much more important."
Warnings: none

Recced for: Excellent timey-wimey in the form of a closed paradox. Martha wants to save her sister's life, and we all know she can't -- the way the establishing events of the title play out, though, show how manipulative the Doctor can be, without necessarily being cruel. An intricate and troubling fic.

Excerpt:
"So anyway, guess who I just saw."

"The Queen of Sheba? Alexander the Great? Freddie Flintoff?"

"Wrong, wrong and wrong. My cousin Adeola."

Deep shadows appeared in the Doctor's eyes. "The one who died at Canary Wharf."

"Yeah."

"What did you say to her?" the Doctor asked urgently.

"Nothing much, she had to leave in a hurry. But we arranged to meet for coffee later."

"And are you going to go?"

"Of course I am! I can warn her not to get involved in the battle."

"Bad idea. Very bad idea. You know you can't cross over into established events."

"Except for cheap tricks, that's what you said. Like that showing off with your tie."

"Saving someone's life's not a cheap trick, Martha," said the Doctor quietly.

"No, it's much more important."