Chapter 11

“Huh?” John murmured, his tongue thick and uncoordinated in his mouth.

“Shock,” Doctor Davros explained. “Don’t worry, we’ll get Luis another can of juice.”

The warm hand on the base of John’s neck helped ground him as did the gentle humor. He shook his head, blinking the hair out of his eyes. When did the doctor have time to remove his gloves? How long had he been out of it? John cleared his throat.

“Sorry, must have been the paperwork.” He picked up the clipboard again; all too aware of the way his hands trembled despite his attempt to play off his reaction.

“Yeah,” Doctor Davros responded. His hand dropped, and to John’s private dismay he backed out of John’s personal space. “We get that a lot.”

“He’s ready, Doctor.” The nurse held out a clean pair of gloves, obviously tired of waiting.