The Doctor was in one of his comas again, his skin icy to the touch. He had been declared dead twice. Poor Jo was at her wit's end as she sat next to her unconscious friend. Of course, she had seen him come back from such a lifeless state before; surely he would be all right this time.

Wouldn't he?

It took her a moment to realize she had been crying, her tears splashing onto sapphire velvet. She was seized by a sudden wave of hopelessness, and she buried her face in the soft fabric as she often did when seeking comfort. It always made her feel like a helpless child, but she would admonish herself later. Right now, she just needed-

Was that a heart beat?

No. Perhaps she had imagined it.

All at once, the Doctor's chest seemed to convulse under her ear, causing Jo to rock back in her chair in surprise! The Doctor sat bolt upright with a thunderous "Aaaaaaaaashoo!" that startled Jo nearly out of her skin.

The velvet-clad Time Lord opened one eye experimentally, then the other. "I do beg your pardon, my dear." He sniffed delicately. "It caught me rather off guard." He smiled reassuringly at his incredulous assistant. "I believe it is customary on this part of your planet to say 'Bless you!' when someone sneezes." He crinkled his nose. "Or 'Gesundheit!', perhaps."

Jo opened her mouth to speak, but she was cut off as the Doctor sneezed again.

"This won't do at all," the Doctor mused aloud as he dug through his pockets. Jo blinked in confusion as he pressed a soft, linen handkerchief into her hand.

The Doctor smiled at her, cheekily. "I shall catch my death of cold if I allow you to continue soaking my jacket!"

"Doctor!" Jo threw her arms around her mentor, new tears of joy and relief coursing down her cheeks. The Doctor's soft chuckle tickled her ear as he returned the embrace.