Author's Notes: This story is a sequel to The Trial of Ten. While there are a few references to that story, it isn't necessary to read it to understand this new one. The main thing to understand is that Ten and Rose have been posted at Lindisfarne Castle by UNIT and are posing as caretakers while investigating strange occurrences on the island. They are freelancers, but their supervisor/contact is Martha.

Lindisfarne (and Holy Island) is a real place, and descriptions of the castle, priory and general orientation of the island are based on memory and a bit of research. However, while I visited the island once in the past, I do not know any of the inhabitants. All characters appearing in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The story has already been written and completed. I will be posting a new chapter once or twice a week (barring any unforeseen circumstances).

Disclaimer: This story takes place within the Doctor Who universe. This story is a way of re-interpreting concepts and ideas already present in Doctor Who. All Doctor Who characters within belong to the BBC. All other characters are fictitious. This story is for fun and for sharing, but not for profit.

Chapter 1: The Castle

The last bit of Tardis blue faded, taking Eleven with it. Ten and Rose stood alone on the rocky shore with their arms around each other, and they watched as their old home disappeared. Then, as the sea raged around them, they turned to where they would live now. Lindisfarne Castle stood above them on a rocky hill, looking across the water to the mainland of northern England.

Ten cleared his throat, and slowly let go of Rose. He moved as if to speak, but instead swallowed and silently took her hand. She smiled up at him, and then it was as if something released-let go. He smiled back at her, as if saying that now, right now, he need not heed the past. He squeezed her hand, and they picked their way over the rocks, onto the path and up the hill towards their new life.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

'Our very own castle,' breathed Rose.

'Well! Not exactly ours,' said Ten, looking up and around with curiosity.

'But... a castle!' She almost bounced on the spot.

He grinned at her. 'I know!' He grabbed her hand. 'Come on!' He pulled her up the last of the slope and soon they were standing in front of a low, arched, wooden door with a decidedly modern lock.

'Hang on...' She dug in a large envelope. 'I remember a key in here somewhere.'

'Right!' he said and he looked into his own envelope. 'Martha thinks of everything. And UNIT's no slouch.'

'Here it is.' She brought out a Yale key. 'Just like the Tardis. A little bit of home.'

Ten looked dubiously at the key dangling from her fingers. 'I don't know,' he mused, sniffing. He took the key and turned it over and over. Then he shook it. 'Is that a key for a castle? I ask you. I mean, a really old, stone, ancient, atmospheric castle? I'd think a key should be all heavy and iron with a lock that goes "clunk" when you turn it... like it really means something. Not a little, flat, common key.'

'Oh, all right, then,' she said. 'We can go back to UNIT and ask to trade up for a castle with an older lock.'

He nodded slowly. 'Yeah. Yeah... we should do that.'

They looked at each other then and laughed.

'Give me that, silly.' Rose snatched the key back. She fitted it into the lock and it turned quietly and smoothly.

They pushed their way in. The door opened without a creak which earned another sniff from Ten, but when they turned around to close it, he sighed with satisfaction.

'Now, that's more like it,' he said approvingly.

An old, heavy wooden bar rested in equally old wrought iron brackets on the back of the door. A matching bracket was bolted to the wooden door frame.

'There!' he said. 'You can lock anyone out with that!' They slid the end of the bar over into the doorframe bracket and then turned around to see where they were.

They stood at the end of a short, dim corridor with a low ceiling. Ten's hair nearly brushed the electrical cables crossing overhead.

'No jumping up and down in here,' said Rose. 'You'd knock yourself out.'

'Hm!' He made his way down the corridor and looked into the first open doorway on the left. 'Kitchenette. Oh, and living room, er, area. Microwave... television... Blimey! Telly, Yale locks... You lot have modernized everything!'

'Fusspot,' said Rose. She poked her head into doorway on the right. 'Here's the bedroom.' She laughed.

'What?' asked Ten. He came to her side.

'I think they don't know what to make of us.' She gestured. Two beds were inside, a double and a single. The mattresses were still covered in the manufacturer's plastic with wrapped bedding lying at the foot.

'Covered against all possibilities,' he murmured. 'That'll be Martha again.' He looked at Rose. 'Then again, I don't think I know quite what to make of us. At least-' He gestured at the beds. '-for this.'

'We never had a chance, did we,' said Rose. 'It was Dad's house while you were getting used to being human, then it was hospitals and laboratories for you after that.'

Ten shuddered. 'And a jail cell after that. Hm! Well. You think about it, then you let me know tonight how we're going to sort this.'

'All right.' She smiled up at him. 'Thanks,' she said softly.

He nodded. He rummaged around in his envelope, took out his key and pocketed it. 'Let's leave these in the living room and look at the rest of the castle.'

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

There was only one more door which led a small office. This last was at the end of the corridor, but through it they found another door that led out into the main hall of the castle.

'Hey,' said Rose, puzzled. 'This looks like the main part of the castle. But I didn't see a toilet. There... there is a toilet, yeah?'

Ten shook his head. 'Doubt it. A bit hard to put in modern plumbing in a stone castle on top of volcanic rock. There's probably something outside. I saw an addition at the back of the castle. Big enough for a toilet and shower.'

'Ugh,' she said. 'Hope I won't have to go in the middle of the night.'

He didn't answer. Instead, he gazed up and around at the stone pillars that stood through the hall. He grinned and looked at Rose. 'It's tiny, as castles go, but it almost, you might say, "looks bigger..."'

'...on the inside,' completed Rose. 'Just don't start calling it a TARDIS. Unless it really is one.'

'No,' murmured Ten. He laid a hand on one of the reddish pillars and stroked it thoughtfully. 'Just stone. Old, though. It feels good. Solid.'

'Let's go up to the roof,' suggested Rose.

'All right. Get the lay of the land?'

They climbed a set of stairs and passed through a gallery with wooden beams overhead. After more steps came another gallery through which they found a strong, oak door. Undoing the heavy latch, Ten pushed it open.

They emerged, blinking, into the late afternoon sun. The wind roared around them, immediately whipping Rose's hair around her face and making Ten's coat flap.

'Ah!' he said, raising his voice. 'The smell of the sea. That salt tang. Love it!'

'What? You couldn't smell it down below?' she teased.

'Well, not like this-blowing in your face, with the sea all around, standing on top of a medieval castle. This... this is perfection, this is!'

She wrapped her arms around him. 'I love seeing you this happy. 'Specially since you're... you're...' She faltered.

'Grounded?' he said gently. He tucked some strands of hair behind her ear.

'Yeah,' she said. 'I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up.'

'It's okay,' he whispered. He put his arm around her and was silent for a moment. Then with a small jerk, as if trying to free himself from his thoughts, he waved expansively with his free arm to the sky, the sea and the parapet around them. 'We have all this! And a mystery to solve. An adventure! What could be better?'

'Not much,' she agreed.

He looked at her then and turned her so they both faced out to sea. He wrapped both arms around her. 'Your mum and dad, perhaps,' he murmured in her ear.

She brought her hands up and curled them over his forearms. 'I made my choice,' she said firmly. 'I miss them, but I'm where I belong. Don't you fret about that! Don't you dare. Promise?'

'I promise,' he answered, but tightened his arms around her.

They stood like that for a while, listening to the seagulls crying above them, the wind whistling around the stonework of the tower, and the waves crashing on the rocks. Rose closed her eyes and revelled in the warmth of the sun on her face and the gentle strength of Ten's arms holding her close.

Then he kissed the top of her head and let her go. He bounded over to the parapet. For just a moment, he stumbled, overbalanced and wavered on one foot.

'Doctor!' she shrieked and dashed towards him.

He clutched at the wall before righting himself. 'Whoops,' he said a little breathlessly. He looked over. 'That's a long way down...'

'Don't do that!' she shouted. 'You idiot. You nearly fell.'

'Sorry,' he said meekly.

Rose grasped his shoulders and turned him to face her. 'Eleven said you'd be clumsy for a while. You still aren't used to being back in this universe. Remember that, yeah? I don't want to lose you.'

He nodded.

'It's not even been a fortnight since we came back,' she continued, her voice rising. 'You've spent most of your time lying down, or sitting. You don't know your own body right now. No regeneration, remember? I don't think you really realize, yet.'

'Hey,' he said softly and once more put his arms around her. 'My poor Rose,' he said. She clutched at him and he rocked her back and forth a little. 'It's been hard on you, these past two weeks. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'll take care. I promise.'

'You'd better,' she said between sniffs. She pushed him away then and took a deep breath. 'Right. Let's go adventuring. Find out what UNIT's "unexplained events" are, yeah?'

He flashed a brilliant smile at her. 'Yeah,' he said. 'I think it's time to meet our neighbours.' He gazed over the land around them. 'Well, distant neighbours. Er, townsfolk. Shall we take a walk?'

'Yeah,' she said.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

It wasn't long before they reached the village. Flowers grew in profusion along the low stone walls along the left and trees leaned their branches over the path. On the right, old stone houses lined the road. Robins and chaffinches trilled and warbled in the bushes.

'Idyllic,' commented Ten.

'Yeah,' said Rose. 'But I've been thinking. We're going to need stuff.'

'Stuff?' he echoed.

'Stuff,' she said firmly. 'You know... Pyjamas, shampoo, more clothes... stuff. All we have is what's on us right now.'

'Oh.' He scratched the back of his head. 'Didn't think of that.'

'You wouldn't.' She slapped his arm playfully. 'Look. Why don't we find the shops, see if there's a cashpoint somewhere. Get us set up, yeah?'

'All right,' he responded vaguely. Then he brightened. 'That looks like a bookshop down that street. I like bookshops.'

'Uh oh,' she said. 'Right. I'll look around, you go to the bookshop. We'll meet there in an hour.'

'All right,' he said happily.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Ten was not in the bookstore when Rose returned thirty minutes later; however, it didn't take long for her to find him. She could see him two blocks away, leaning against a stone wall and chatting animatedly to a plump, elderly woman in her front garden.

As Rose started down the road, the woman opened the gate and Ten walked through. She sat him down in a garden chair and promptly disappeared into the house.

By the time Rose reached the house, the woman had come back out with a plate covered in biscuits and slices of cake. She looked up after placing the plate on a small table in front of Ten and stared for just a moment. She said something to Ten and he twisted around in his chair. A smile spread over his face when he saw Rose.

'Ah!' he said enthusiastically. 'Wonderful! I've just met this lady who's been telling me all sorts of fascinating things about Holy Island. She's an absolute font of information.'

The woman beamed. 'Anything you want to know, you come to me. I'm Betty. Sit down, lovey, there's a chair beside your husband.'

'Oh,' said Rose. 'He's not-'

'We're not-' said Ten. They looked at each other and then back at the woman.

'Ohh... I see.' Betty looked slightly scandalized, but then nodded and considered them. 'What's the term you young folk are using nowadays. Lovers? Partners?'

Ten and Rose looked at each other again. She spoke first. 'Something like that.'

He nodded. 'Partners. I like partners. But... best leave it to her to define it,' he murmured in a slightly conspiratorial tone.

Betty laughed. 'Very wise of you.' A whistle sounded through the open door. 'Just a moment. The tea.' With that she bustled inside the house. The sound of rattling cups soon started.

Ten leaned towards Rose. 'Apparently,' he said in a low voice, 'the islanders already know about us. News travels fast in small communities. And... people have been seeing things around the priory.'

'Priory?'

'Just on the edge of town, near the shore. Ancient. Built around 860 years ago. Mostly ruins now, though there's a church still beside it about the same age.'

'Oh. So, what kind of things?'

He shrugged. "Don't know. That's when she invited me in.'

She shook her head. 'You're further than I am. I don't think people do much shopping here-I mean, for everyday things. There was a cashpoint in the information office, but that was closed. There's a sort of main shop near the bookshop for bits of all sorts of things, and other ones for tourists, but not really much for what we need.'

He nodded. He pulled out a small, black comb from his pocket. 'I picked this up at the main shop. Only 10p. We'll probably have to go to the mainland for anything bigger.'

'We'll have to catch a ferry,' she said.

He shook his head. 'No ferries. This isn't actually an island-not a complete one, at any rate. It's a tidal island. There's a causeway at low tide. We could walk, though it would take a while. And we'd have to keep track of time.'

'Maybe someone could give us a ride,' Rose mused, but at that moment, Betty returned bearing a tray with teapot, cups and saucers.

'Did I hear you asking about a ride?' she queried, setting the tray down. 'Don't you have a car?'

'No,' said Rose.

'Oh! You'll find this place a bit cut off if you don't have a car.' Betty set out the cups and poured a liberal helping of milk into each one and added two teaspoons of sugar. As she poured the tea, she spoke again. 'Mind you, I'm going into town tomorrow with George... a gentleman friend of mine. You'd be welcome to come with us if you'd like.'

'Oh, that would be brilliant,' enthused Rose. 'Thanks!' She took the tea offered her and took a sip. It was strong, much stronger than her mum had ever made and she nearly choked.

Ten grinned. 'You've made her happy. Chance to shop.' He took his own tea and added another teaspoon of sugar. He took a large gulp and exhaled noisily. 'Ahh, marvellous. Now this... this is tea! Marvellous brew of tannins, anti-oxidants and free radicals all swirling together. Guaranteed to keep you going practically forever! My compliments to the expert!'

Betty beamed. 'Lor' bless you. It's so refreshing to see appreciation in young folk these days. They all want to go and have cappuccinos and lattes and whatever have you. I've always said there's nothing like tea.'

'I couldn't agree more,' said Ten. He flashed her a brilliant smile. He took another swallow and set the cup down. He sat back in his chair and crossed his legs casually. 'Now, Betty, you were telling me about people seeing things around the priory. What more can you tell me?'

'Ooh, yes!' she said and she sat down promptly. 'Well, it's the strangest thing, and everyone's been talking about it. Not to the tourists, mind you-they don't need to know anything-but we all know, of course. And since you'll be living with us, you should too. In fact, my goodness... yes, you'll need to.'

'What have people seen?' asked Ten, leaning forward.

'Well! It's ever so peculiar,' she said, her voice dropping to a whisper even though no-one was near them. 'Ghosts, some say. Drifting-like. All ghostly, whitish. Usually at dusk. Others say monsters... with claws!'

Rose blinked. 'That... that sounds like two different things.'

'It does,' mused Ten. 'Are you sure? Have you seen them?'

Betty settled back in her chair and her voice returned to its normal tone. 'No, dear. I'm afraid I haven't. But I know several people who have. George saw something the other day. Mabel and Polly were walking by the priory and saw something last week. They're the ones who said monsters. And then Anne... Ooh!' Betty clapped her hand to her mouth and looked at Ten with big eyes. 'That's right. Anne... now she saw something at the castle-where you two are staying. Perhaps you will see something.'

Ten nodded slowly and sat back. 'Maybe we will.'

At that moment, the door of the next house opened, and a tall, thin man with grey hair and bristly beard came out.

'Yoo hoo,' called Betty. 'Arthur, I have the new couple here-the ones taking over from Jack.'

'Oh, right!' said Arthur, and he leaned over the wall, avoiding the rose bushes that lined most of the partition. 'I saw you arrive earlier this afternoon. I saw the jeep. Awfully military. What was that all about, hm?'

'Jeep?' Ten frowned, then his expression cleared. 'Ah! Yes. The jeep. Oh! Well, that was our good friend Martha. She, er...' He cleared his throat. 'Gave us a lift. Didn't she, Rose.'

'Oh, yeah.' She nodded vigourously.

'They don't have a car, Arthur,' said Betty. 'I'm taking them into town tomorrow. When's tide out?'

'You should be fine by ten,' he answered. 'Make sure you're back by four.' He turned to Rose and Ten. 'There's usually a six- or seven-hour gap when it's safe to cross the causeway, but you have to give yourself enough time to return.'

'Right,' said Rose. 'Um... there's no food at the castle, and the restaurants are closed. Where can we go to get something?'

'Don't you worry about that, dear,' said Betty. 'I'm having a friend or two over tonight for tea. There'll be enough for two more if you don't mind us old folk.'

'Ooh,' said Rose and she looked at Ten hopefully.

'That'd be brilliant!' He grinned and held out his cup. 'Any chance for more of your excellent tea?'

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

'That was so good,' said Rose as they began their walk back to the castle. 'Home-cooked food. Nothing like it.'

It was late evening and dusk had fallen. The wind had died down and the sea had calmed. Waves made shushing sounds and gurgled among the stones on the shore. The salt tang of the ocean had mellowed, and the air smelt soft and clean. As Rose and Ten walked along the road to the castle, they could see the faint shimmer of a path of light over the water as the newly waxing moon set over the far shore. Soft oranges and pinks glowed on the horizon and to the south they could see the bulky silhouette of Bamburgh Castle against the sky. On the island, closer to them and more to the left, the smaller castle of Lindisfarne perched on its rocky hill.

'Now that's positively atmospheric,' breathed Ten. He took Rose's hand. 'We're going to see some grand sunsets from there.'

'Yeah.' She squeezed his hand. 'Nothing in the way like in London.' She grinned up at him. 'Let's go up to the top every night and watch.'

'Linear time,' he mused. 'Our lives bounded by tides and sunsets.' He shook himself a bit like a dog after a swim. 'Well, better than alarm clocks, buses and angry bosses, I suppose.'

'Much better!' She swung their linked hands back and forth. 'I used to live with alarms, buses and bosses, remember? This is so much better.'

'Not much shopping, though,' he reminded her. 'You won't like that.'

She shrugged. 'Don't really miss it. Not any more.'

He nodded and opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He stopped short, pulling on her hand.

'Wha-?'

Letting go of her and bringing his arm near her face, he pointed at the castle. 'Look at the top.'

'There's something up there,' she exclaimed. 'Something's moving!'

'There is! Ghosts or monsters... or teenagers hoping to get lucky-which one?' He took her hand again. 'Come on!'

He pelted down the road, Rose soon breathless but right beside him.

The shape by the parapets stopped still and then melted into the shadows.

To be continued