Kiss of Life (short story)

Summary
The Doctor and Martha land on the planet Geravalon, where a spaceship is about to crash. They head towards a castle with the knowledge that the ship will probably overshoot it and land in the forest behind. Soon before the ship crashes, the Doctor and Martha meet a chameleon, which is startled as the ship crashes. They find the wreckage of an escape pod, where they find a young girl and a man beside it. The man is badly injured and bleeding, and the girl is attempting to dress the wound. An elderly man appears and confirms that the girl is only a servant girl, and that the man is Prince Rodrique, heir to the premiership of the Majullion Confederation. The girl says that her name is Sastra, and Martha realises that she is in shock.

The elderly man introduces himself as Padros, and tells the Doctor and Martha that Rodrique was heading for his official retreat in the castle. They reach the castle, where Sastra begins to recover and Rodrique receives medical attention. Sastra tells Martha that there is going to be a celebration for Rodrique tomorrow. At the evening meal, Rodrique invites Martha and the Doctor to the celebration. He also learns that Sastra saved his life, and invites her too. However, her legs hurt and she worries that she might not be able to attend.

The celebration commences later, and Sastra attends, dancing with Rodrique. The Doctor gave her painkillers previously to allow her time at the ball, but they begin to wear off, and Sastra flees from the ball. The Doctor, Martha and Rodrique follow, only to find Sastra lying in a corridor. Her legs are green and scaled, and the Doctor says that she is one of the chameleons from the forests. Her body is trying to change back, but does not have enough genetic material to allow her to maintain human form. Rodrique kisses her, transferring genetic information to her body through saliva. The Doctor says that he is required to kiss her every 24 hours to maintain her human form, and he and Martha leave.

Characters

 * The Doctor
 * Martha Jones
 * Rodrique
 * Sastra
 * Padros

Continuity
to be added

Timeline

 * This story takes place after DWS: The Iron Circle
 * This story takes place before DWS: Deep Water