The impact from hitting the ground jolted the Doctor further awake, his body aching protest all over. He couldn't quite make out what the Master was saying, his ears still ringing from the sonic attack, but it was obvious that he was on edge, wound up near breaking point. And that the House was equally distracted; they'd both seemed to have forgotten him in their concerns.

The Doctor winced as his back throbbed again, struggling to keep his eyes open and on the Master. If he hadn't been certain of a way to escape the House and its Master before now, this would have clinched it. He'd only hesitated because of what he would have to do in order for it to work.

But it would have to wait until he'd regained enough energy to pull it off. He was already struggling to keep his eyes open and focussed on the other Time Lord, and he doubted the Master would remain around when it was apparent that he couldn't take any more of the 'tests'. Tomorrow, however, he would have to do what he'd been hoping to avoid.