A Doctor Who Story
10/Rose
By Sonic Jules
A/N: I do not own these characters, and I don't want to, because really, I'd just rather see them real. Rated for the teens for some swearing. No big spoilers.
This is my first Doctor Who fic, and I'd love some feedback. Lot's of feedback. Tons even ...
Welcome to Part One
Rose Tyler walked out towards the center console and stood on the opposite side of the Doctor's form, watching as he checked over the Tardis. He touched buttons here and there, ensuring everything was in working order. She'd just come out of the shower; one she hadn't been expecting to take until much later on. But mud tended to make one want to bathe. Especially as itchy as this stuff was.
The mud was in fact a surprise, actually. Their latest adventure wasn't meant to be one, either. They'd gone to Scroibrulla, a place the good Doctor had only been to once himself before, and that was by accident. But he'd never forgotten it, and when both he and Rose were ready for something peaceful and simple, that was his choice. The inhabitants enjoyed a simple coexistence, welcoming the travelers with hardly a fuss. Hardly, that is, until it started raining. And then the natives weren't so friendly, blaming their visitors for the sudden downpour out of season. Their anger might not have been so strong had the Doctor not laughed outright at their accusation. That seemed to be a no-no. So he and Rose took off, running straight for the Tardis, through an all-soaking storm with muddy little streams forming in their path. Instant muck. And lots of it.
"Should've made it snow before we left," the Doctor spoke, acknowledging Rose's presence.
"That'd teach them a thing or two," she replied with a grin.
"Yes, well, best not to dwell, I s'pose," he added, grinning as well. The Doctor pushed another button on the Tardis' console, then looked across to Rose. "You look less ... muddy," he said as he waved a hand from her toes to her head.
Rose actually tutted. "How is it that I got all covered in muck and you didn't?" she grinned.
"Oh, I got covered just as much as you, Rose Tyler. If you'd looked at me instead of running off screaming 'Shower! Shower!', you might've noticed. But unlike you, I don't take so very long getting cleaned up. Doing ... girlie things."
Rose smiled. "Well, this girlie is all cleaned and ready to go."
"Go where?" he asked, grinning back at her.
"Dunno. You're the navigator; the pilot; the captain; the ... the ..." She seemed to suddenly lose her train of thought.
"Rose?" The Doctor watched as she paled, holding out a hand to steady herself as she leaned towards the console. He took long fast strides, standing beside her in a double heartbeat.
"Are you feeling all right?" he asked, reaching out a hand to steady his traveling companion; watching closely as she slowly turned with his prompting to face him.
"Oh yeah. Um, just got a bit dizzy there for a minute, s'all. 'M fine now though."
"Really," he stated. It wasn't a question, just a word to maintain her attention as he looked her over.
"Sure," she answered, then promptly fell forward, stopped only from her headfirst dive into the grating by the Doctor's quick maneuvering.
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Rose awoke to the sight of white. Lots of bright white. It took her a few seconds to realize that she was in the medical bay. Blinking several times, she noticed the room getting darker - but no, that wasn't it. It was the Doctor, leaning down in front of her, blocking some of the offensive lighting.
"Well hello there, Rose Tyler. Did you have a good nap?" His voice was jovial and light, but his eyes told of his worry.
"What'm I doing in here?" she asked, looking around a bit before locking her eyes with his.
"Well, seems you went out on me for a bit."
"Went out?"
"Mm hmmm," the Doctor answered, looking closely in her eyes. "What? Don't you remember?"
"Uh, no. Not really." she answered as she tried pushing herself up, only to find resistance from the hands the Doctor placed on her shoulders.
"Not so fast," he began, seeing the frustration crossing her face. "You went down like a sack of potatoes and I'd like to know why."
"A sack of potatoes? Why Doctor, I didn't know you cared," she said, a little miffed at the comparison.
"Tsk tsk, Rose - no need to get upset. I'm merely concerned for your welfare, you know."
"And I bet you've been running test after test on me since you brought me into this laboratory," she scowled.
"I have," the Doctor replied, "and that's what's got me worried."
Rose looked up at him, dropping her animosity. "Why? What's wrong?" she asked quietly.
"I don't know," he answered, looking her straight in the eyes. "It's not like you to just go fainting for no reason." His look of worry dropped quickly, replaced with a slight grin for her benefit. "You can sit up, but do it slowly," he said, helping her with his hand behind her back. Once she was sitting up, he looked at her eyes closely again.
"I'm fine," she stated, a hint of smugness in her tone.
"Yeah, right. Heard that one before," he replied with a little smugness of his own.
She watched him as he watched her. Up close and in her personal space. Then she began squirming a bit under his scrutiny. The staring contest had gone on long enough as far as Rose was concerned, so she leaned back - just a little.
Unfortunately her balance had not fully made it's complete comeback, and she began teetering backwards.
"Whoa there Rose. What's the matter? My breath offensive?" he asked, helping her right herself.
"You don't need to look at me that closely, do you? I mean, I'm sure you and your sonic screwdriver have been all over me, checkin' me over and whatnot," she told him as one of her hands waved a little in the air to emphasize her point.
"My my. Aren't we the grouch when we wake from our faint. No appreciation for the man who saved you from your headfirst dive towards the floor. I imagine that head of yours would've felt twice as bad as it does right now had I not caught you, you know," the Doctor spoke lightly.
Rose looked at him. Stared at him. Seconds passed between them with dramatic pause. "Yeah. Thanks. For that," she said quietly, looking down.
"Your welcome. Now then," he began, an index finger under her chin until her eyes met his. "Yes, I checked you over while you were unconscious, But I still haven't concluded just why it happened. And you know how I get."
"Yeah, I do," she answered, grinning affectionately .
"Well then," he looked her over appraisingly, "Care to get up?"
"Love to," she answered placing her hand in his awaiting one. She stood then in front of him as he watched her closely. "'M fine, see?"
The Doctor didn't look nearly as convinced as she sounded. He followed her out of the infirmary, letting himself relax just a little at her muttered word ...
"Hungry."
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They sat across from each other in the kitchen, sandwiches eaten and tea almost gone from their cups.
"You don't have'ta keep watching me you know. I'm not gonna go blowing up or something."
The Doctor sighed. "You're a riddle, Rose Tyler, and I'm just trying to solve it."
"A puzzle?" Rose asked.
"Tons more intricate than that," he said matter-of-factly.
"Flatterer," she teased.
"Yes. Well," the Doctor shook his head for a second before continuing, as if that was his indication to turn serious. "I'm fairly certain that you had a reaction to the mud on Scroibrulla, as much as you had all over you, sticking everywhere. Your pores probably absorbed some form of toxin and your body reacted to it." He stopped for a moment, watching her eyebrows rise in question. "What? It's an educated guess."
"Educated guess, eh? Okay, that's good enough for me." She smiled, then yawned. "I'm pooped."
The Doctor stood by her bed, having entered Rose's room after an appropriate waiting period to ensure she was asleep. He watched her, held his sonic screwdriver over her a few times - as if something would appear now that hadn't before as he again performed tests that only he understood. Finally he sat in a chair across from the bed, watching her as if he'd be able to see something that his scans did not. His worry for her was obvious. So concerned. So fond. All so very clear.
When she stirred in her sleep, moaning lightly as she changed positions, he stood, then sighed, understanding she wasn't in pain. Leaning over her, he cupped her cheek, his look one of affection. If she had awakened though, he'd have sworn he was merely checking her temperature.
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"Three days! I'm fine all ready! C'mon, Doctor, can't we go somewhere? Anywhere?" Rose was almost whining, and the Doctor was almost smiling because of it.
"Oh, I suppose so," he answered with an exaggerated sigh, turning away from her before she could see his grin. Didn't matter though, she could hear it.
She starting giggling and he turned towards her again, just in time to see her jumping him, wrapping her arms around his neck while bouncing up and down, cheering loudly in his right ear.
Disengaging themselves from one another, the Doctor turned back to the console and started setting the coordinates. For Earth. He was smiling to himself, sure that she'd enjoy a visit with her Mum in familiar enough surroundings, and he'd also be able to keep an eye on her. After all, she may seem fine, but he still didn't have the answer, and it was something he wouldn't - couldn't give up on finding out.
"Well Rose, I think you're going to simply adore where we're heading to. I picked it specifically to your liking," he stated smugly. The Doctor turned one more knob, then stood straight, frozen in place. Rose was entirely too quiet, and surely she should still be all giddy and questioning where they were going, right?
Turning in place swiftly, the Doctor stared at Rose's pale features. She seemed frozen on the spot.
"Rose? Rose Tyler - can you hear me?"
She simply stood there, blinking eyes not seeing anything, looking sleepy. The Doctor pulled his sonic screwdriver out, running it up and down in front of her. There was nothing unusual showing up other than her body was totally relaxed. Too relaxed, actually.
"Doctor?" Her voice was so quiet he'd hardly heard it. Looking up from his scanning, his eyes met hers.
"Rose. What are you feeling? Are you in pain?" He asked, his worry clear.
"N-no."
He stared at her, recognizing that she couldn't really talk to him. So he decided they could communicate on another level. Reaching his hands to her face, he placed fingertips to her temples, his concentration solely focused on her. "Rose ..."
Before he could join her thoughts, she fell into him, passing out and breaking their contact. The Doctor caught her easily, then swiftly carried her in his arms towards the infirmary.
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The Doctor stood over Rose's prone form again, deep concern evident in his eyes. He'd done all the 'human' tests on her he could, short of a living autopsy, and still came up with nothing other than a minute form of the mud toxin, which he verified with a few drops of blood. There certainly wasn't enough in her system to cause harm, and her body's defenses were not fighting any type of infection. Scroibrullian mud certainly wouldn't cause her to pass out, either. She'd been out longer than the previous time as well, and not even the use of old-fashioned smelling salts roused her.
He turned from her suddenly and slammed his fist on the closest counter. "Dammit!" he said to no one.
In a mere second, his look went from one of frustration to blankness, staring straight ahead. He turned around purposefully, hopeful that his outburst had awakened Rose. It had not. He leaned over her, willing her to wake up, but she didn't stir.
"We're not going anywhere until I figure out what's wrong with you, Rose Tyler." He'd barely finished his whispered words when her eyes opened.
"Rose?"
"Doctor?"
"Yes."
"Not again?"
"Yes."
"Damn."
"My sentiments exactly."
Rose leaned up, bracing herself on her elbows. She stared at the Doctor for a moment, her own frustration rising with her body as the Doctor helped her sit up slowly. When she was sitting up on her own, she was surprised to feel the sting of tears in her eyes, and turned away from his concerned gaze.
"I'm sorry," she spoke quietly.
"What for?" he asked gently.
"I don't know. Maybe for bein' so, so ... human," she answered, looking upwards to stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks, trying to regain control. As soon as she felt composed, she heard him chuckle beside her. She turned back to face him, glaring. "I didn't mean to amuse you."
"I wasn't laughing at you, Rose," he began, cupping her face with his hand. "You should never apologize for who or what you are," he told her, his words sincere.
She looked down for a moment, breaking his stare before looking back up at him. "What's wrong with me?"
"Well," he began, a grin spreading across his face. "I believe you're pregnant." He spoke so seriously that Rose simply stared at him for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. The Doctor had hoped for just such a reaction.
She looked up at him again, calming her laughter, but still smiling. "So, no clue then?"
"Not a one," he admitted.
Rose gracefully swung her legs around until they dangled off of the medical bed as the Doctor watched, but said nothing. "I gotta go," she told him, lowering her feet on the floor until she stood right in front of him.
"Go where?" The Doctor asked, truly perplexed.
"The loo," she answered, and while he was saying 'Oh', he watched her leave the room steadily.
Rose was gone for a good ten minutes and the Doctor was feeling a pang of worry. He left the small medical bay and walked to the closest bathroom, humming to himself in case he was caught, not wanting to give the appearance of a worrywart. Waiting a few more seconds, he leaned towards the door and gently knocked on it.
"Rose? You in there?" he asked the door quietly.
"Not anymore," a voice from behind him said, startling him as he jumped and turned around quickly. She grinned, then snorted, then broke out into laughter.
"Bit rude, that was," he stated simply.
"Welcome to my world," Rose grinned.
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"So," she began after a few minutes of silence, walking beside the Doctor as they made their way towards the heart of the Tardis. "Fainting spells aside, I'm okay, right?"
"Rose, something is causing you to pass out. The human body doesn't just faint without cause."
"But I feel fine, Doctor, really."
"And you look fine."
"Why thank you."
"Doesn't mean you are fine, though."
They stood in front of the center console of the Tardis, the Doctor fiddling with buttons and knobs while Rose stood to his left silently. But it couldn't last.
"Can't we go somewhere?"
He looked over at her, frowning slightly.
"Anywhere?" she continued, looking about ready to pout.
The Doctor sighed. "I don't really think that's wise at the moment," he told her as he bent down, looking over some circuits.
"Maybe I'm fainting from boredom," she spoke lowly.
"Oh, if only," he spoke equally low, tweaking a wire here and there.
Both looked at each other, then began laughing. Then the Doctor stood, his laughter replaced with a puzzled glare as he looked away at nothing. "Strange, that," he stated.
"What?" Rose asked, thinking something was wrong with the ship.
"You know, the last time you were passed out in the infirmary, I was talking to myself, ..."
"Nothing strange about that," Rose replied matter-of-factly.
After a pointed stare, the Doctor continued. "As I was saying. I was talking aloud and I said we weren't going anywhere until I found out what was wrong with you."
Rose tried to hide her crestfallen face from him. "I'm sorry," she spoke quietly, "I must not've heard you."
"Well no, of course not, " he said, grinning as her eyes returned to his. "You were unconscious! But funny thing, you woke up right after I said that. Very quickly."
"And...?"
"And nothing. Just a thought," he replied.
"Coincidence?"
"Doubt it," he replied, then he turned his gaze from her for a few moments. Rose watched him, then began looking a little worried as he continued to stare, at well, nothing. His face was blank. Finally she couldn't take it, and touched his arm gently.
"Doctor? Are you okay?" She asked, her worry clear.
He jumped a little at her contact, then turned to her, smiling. "How about we go somewhere?"
She looked stunned.
"I think we should go to New, New Earth. We can take advantage of their very modern-for-Earth-folk hospital and then go for lunch in the park, maybe visit a few museums - a fun-filled day, don't you think?" he asked, his excitement clear.
"What? D'ya mean now?" she asked, shocked that her idea of getting out was suddenly back on the table, so to speak.
"Why not?" he asked whimsically, watching her closely.
"Finally!" She exclaimed, moving quickly to where he stood and hugging him fiercely.
He smiled at her when they parted. "Even if it means going to the hospital first for a once-over?" he asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Well, if you didn't find anything, I'm sure they won't be finding anything, and then we'll be off to museums and parks and out and about - finally!" She was so jovial, he couldn't help but smile wider at her enthusiasm, and her utter faith in him humbled him to the beyonds.
He looked away from her to set in the coordinates - first he turned a lever on the console, then looked back at her. "Almost there!" he smiled, watching her clap her hands like a child facing a candy store. He turned back and pushed in a button. "Soon you'll be out of the Tardis and into the grass!" he said, offering her the excitement she'd lent him, but too soon, his smile fell. He turned back around to face her.
Her face was pale, and her eyes didn't meet his when he'd turned towards her. He watched her closely.
"Rose ... Can you hear me? What's wrong?"
"I don't know," she answered quietly, just before her eyes began to flutter.
"Uh uh - you're not taking another dive towards the floor," he said excitedly as he grabbed her and swung her around to the bench behind them. Just in time too, as she was out and half in his arms when they stilled. The Doctor looked up towards the center console. "Why are you doing this to her?"
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Rose awoke to softness all around her. The lighting was soft; and she could feel a pillow behind her head and a comforter draped over her prone body. It felt divine, really. Blinking a few times, she realized she was in her room.
"Doctor?"
The Doctor stood from the chair he'd been sitting in and sat beside her on the bed. "Hello Rose," he said quietly, brushing a few stray hairs from her forehead as he spoke. "How are you feeling?"
"Bit numb, actually." She looked around again, then back at him, more focused. "I take it I did it again?"
"Actually, the TARDIS did it again," he said gently.
"Beg your pardon?" she asked, a bit taken aback.
"The TARDIS - she's been doing this to you."
Rose sat up as the Doctor rearranged her pillows behind her for support. "What'd I ever do to her?" Rose asked a bit indignantly.
He chuckled at her comment. "Nothing. In fact, I think she was trying to either protect you from something or keep us from leaving the ship, I just don't know which quite yet."
"Couldn't write a note like anyone else, I take it."
He could tell she sounded a bit miffed, but he supposed she had the right to be. "No, nothing that simple, I'm afraid. You see Rose, it occurred to me when we were talking earlier - after you'd all ready passed out twice before this occasion, that you were only doing so when we were planning on leaving the TARDIS."
"So, it doesn't want me to leave?"
"She doesn't want us to leave. And since I wasn't completely positive, I decided to test my theory."
"But," Rose interrupted, "doesn't she kinda know what you're thinking?"
"Ah, give that girl a cigar!" he said animatedly. "You're right! But, being the brilliant Time Lord that I am, I hid my plans from her by thinking of other things, including the trip to go to New, New Earth. She believed I was going to take her there, and I think emitted a low frequency wave that caused you to pass out. Those things affect you humans - not me of course. The frequency's probably so low that even I can't hear it."
"Wow," she said, shocked that this ship could - and did, do this to her.
"Yes, like I said - brilliant," the Doctor replied coyly, mistaking her comment.
"But why?"
"Ah well, that is the question, isn't it? A mystery, if you will, that I'm sure she'll reveal all in her own good time." He looked at Rose after staring at the ceiling for a moment. "How are you feeling?" he asked her seriously.
"A little groggy still - like the fog hasn't completely lifted from the dock, if you know what I mean."
"Yes, well, you were out longer this time than the last two combined. I was getting a bit worried."
She smiled at him. "I'm in my room, not the infirmary," she said, stating the obvious.
"Well, didn't see much sense in that; bit uncomfortable in there."
"Yeah. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
"How long was I out?"
The Doctor squinted a bit, "About an hour I'd say."
"Oh."
"S'pose you needed the rest."
"Is that why I feel so tired?"
"Probably. The physical energy it takes for the human body to actually shut itself down and pass out is quite a drain. Your body actually has to work itself into a state of shock. It would certainly explain your being tired after these ... episodes." He smiled gently as his eyes stared into hers. "Tell you what," he spoke as he stood up, his eyes never leaving hers. "How about you settle in for a nice nap, and then we'll have some dinner, eh?"
"Mmm, sounds good - I'm hungry," Rose answered with a smile, albeit a sleepy one.
He cut the lamp off beside the chair and carefully walked away in the dark, hand on the doorknob, and was almost through the door when he turned back towards her. "I suppose we could do dinner now then, if you'd like?" He grinned when his question went unanswered, having seen for himself that she was all ready asleep.
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Rose stepped up to the kitchen doorway and stopped, allowing herself a big stretch and yawn, then froze suddenly when she realized the Doctor was watching her 'show' from a chair at the table, grinning.
"I've got dinner, if you're interested."
"Oh yeah," she answered with enthusiasm, sitting down across from him.
"How about cheeseburgers?"
"Cheeseburgers? But, how? Are you serious?" She practically bounced in her chair.
"Yep," the Doctor smiled smuggly. "Burgers and chips. Found them when I came in here a few minutes ago." He leaned across the table, watching as Rose leaned towards him.
"I think the old girl is trying to apologize to you," he whispered conspriatorily. They both sat back in their chairs.
"I know she was just trying to tell us something. I mean, it's not like she was trying to kill me or the likes," Rose answered, sitting back. Then she leaned towards the Doctor, watching as he leaned back towards her as well across the table. "Did you find any chocolate cake?" She whispered, making the Doctor laugh out loud.
Once they'd eaten, they sat companionably across from each other - she reading a magazine; he reading a newspaper. Both looked quite domestic. He looked over his paper and over his glasses towards her, then set his paper down.
"How are you feeling now?" He asked, interrupting the celebrity gossip she was reading.
"Stuffed," She set her magazine down and yawned. "I could fall asleep right here if I closed my eyes."
"I'm a little tired myself, what with everything going on here lately."
"I'm sorry," Rose blushed a little, embarrassed.
"Again, not you fault. Understood?" He asked, trying to act firm; failing miserably.
They both stood and placed their cups in the sink, then headed out of the kitchen. Without a word, the Doctor walked Rose to her room. When they reached it, she turned to him before walking in.
"Okay?" The Doctor asked gently.
"I'm okay," she answered him, her face showing her gratitude for his concern.
"Good," he replied, bending to kiss her forehead. "Goodnight, Rose," he said, then turned away, walking back down the hallway.
"Night, Doctor," she whispered.
End of Chapter One
Soooo, what do you think?