Fic: 'The Seed of Ambition'

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

Author: irishvampire13
Title: 'The Seed of Ambition'
Rating: G
Word Count: 1,096
Prompt/Chosen character: Borusa: Where he went wrong.
Notes/Warnings: None.
Summary: Mortality...mortality was a terrifying thing. An unrelenting phantom, chasing one and all without mercy.

The figure wore no ornate robes. He wore no ceremonial collars or headdresses. He was clad instead in simple sickbed attire.

In short, there was very little to show that the man lying in the sickbed was Lord President of Gallifrey, apart from the deference with which he was treated.

There was a soft knock at his door. "Lord President?"

"Yes?"

"You have a visitor. The Doctor is here to see you."

"Ah. Please show him in."

They went through the motions of normal hospitality, the Doctor politely declining any offer of refreshment as he seated himself at Borusa's bedside. Conversation danced back and forth between them, treating of everything that was not uppermost in either man's mind.

The flow of conversation eventually ebbed into a trickle. At last, it came to a stop. There were no longer any tiresome trivialities to dwell on. More pressing matters needed attending to; they both knew as much.

Tilting his head, the Doctor peered at Borusa, pursing his lips in a suspicious half-smile. "Somehow, I doubt that you asked me here for the sake of engaging in idle chitchat," he said.

Borusa held in a relieved sigh; he'd been unsure of how to begin. "Very astute of you. You're quite right. I'll come to the point. No doubt you've heard about the trouble my recent regeneration has caused me?"

"It's the talk of the town, so to speak," the Doctor confirmed. "From what I understand, it was touch-and-go for some time."

"It was. And my recovery has, thus far, been slower than anticipated. I must confess that I've been feeling a strong temptation to resign the Presidency."

"Why consult me, in that case," the Doctor wondered, confusion written frankly across his face. "Shouldn't this be a matter for the Council?"

"No." Borusa shook his head emphatically. "To involve the High Council would not be the ideal option. I've no doubt that there is much concern over my continuing fitness to serve as President. To tell them of my own feelings would only confirm their suspicions. It's no secret that the political path is a trying one, fraught with risk. Any rivals I might possess in the Council would leap at the slightest hint of weakness on my part. I believe that the chance exists that they would see fit to depose me, in the wake of my illness. To take advantage of my current state, in order to further their own ambitions."

"Depose you?" It was gratifying to see the Doctor's flare of indignation. "Why, that's preposterous! The High Council would never stand for such a thing--much less attempt it!"

"Nevertheless, there have been rumors to that effect, Doctor. And rumors can easily become reality, if they are sufficiently persistent. Do you understand now why I asked you here? I'm uncertain as to whom I can trust. Aside from you, I know of no one trustworthy enough to confide in. My rivals, if they exist, will have me removed if they see their chance. It would be infinitely less of an embarrassment to all concerned if I were to resign of my own accord."

"Nonsense. You'll be back up and about in no time. And, once everybody sees how hale and hearty you are, those rumors will vanish like smoke on the wind. To depose you simply because of a difficult regeneration...that would be a rank injustice. It's not an uncommon occurrence. The last time I regenerated, I had quite a hard time of it."

Borusa regarded his guest pensively. "Yes, but you're younger than I, better equipped to handle the strain. And you don't bear the responsibilities that my position carries."

"You're forgetting that I have borne those burdens before. And that is a strain to which I am not suited. I'd prefer to leave such matters in more qualified hands."

"Hands such as mine?"

"I can think of no one better," the Doctor replied, his voice ringing with sincerity and faith. "The Council will come 'round; just wait and see. They need you. Gallifrey needs you. But you need time to get well again before you can attend to matters of state. Toward that end, it might be wise if you were to get some rest."

"Yes," Borusa agreed as his guest rose. "Perhaps that would be best. Thank you for your visit. It was good of you to come."

The Doctor pressed the hand that was held out to him, smiling warmly. "Think nothing of it. And please call on me again if you need me. I'll be happy to help you in any way. Is there anything you need before I go? Shall I summon anyone for you?"

"No, thank you. If you'd just turn the lights down as you're going."

"Certainly."

Left alone in the now dim chamber, Borusa stared up at the ceiling without seeing it. His thoughts were elsewhere.

The regeneration had shaken him severely. Difficulties during the process were, indeed, not unknown. But they could be highly dangerous, and there was no way to know whether or not a regeneration would run smoothly. Fear had placed its icy hands upon his hearts, and had yet to release their determined grasp.

Mortality...mortality was a terrifying thing. An unrelenting phantom, chasing one and all without mercy. Surely such a thing could be combatted somehow?

Memories flitted into Borusa's mind; memories of long-ago legends learned when he was yet in his childhood. Evil rumors and dark whisperings of things best left alone. Things that not even Time Lords were meant to know.

There were tales that no one told any longer, about discoveries that may perhaps have been made in the obscure past. Those tales tended to be swept under the rug, fright and shame causing them to be concealed, buried where the average person would not find them. The average person would probably not even think to look for them.

One did not become Lord President through being merely average.

Borusa pondered deep into the night, intrigue and curiosity driving him from the rest that he'd been advised to take. Were the rumors true...? Might they contain some kernel of hope that could drive away the fear that now haunted him...?

Perhaps it might be instructive to consult the Matrix. It was unlikely to possess the answers he desired. But there were sure to be clues strewn about somewhere within the data it housed. Provided he found them, he could take it from there.

The seed of ambition had been sown, and may well flourish if encouraged.

All that he needed was time.