As he was getting ready to attach the clamps a strange sound pulled him from his thoughts. He looked over to see Rose standing before him looking around. His mind reeled; didn't she know how dangerous this was? She was saturated in Void material; she was at a great risk. He sent her back for her own safety and yet here she was. Even now she couldn't stay out of trouble, this was a new level for his jeopardy friendly companion.

But she only smiled and asked what needed to be done. She chose him. And then he realized that she'd always choose him. She was giving up a chance to remain with her family, sacrificing the chance to ever see them again. All to be with him. Her devotion to him was something that he had never experienced with another companion. Granted, how many of his companions would look into the Time Vortex to save him? But now was not the time to think of such things, there was a war going on and the human race was stuck in the middle. It had to end.

He instructed her on how to properly attach the clamp while he figured out the rest of the schematics. They were ready to go.

The Void opened and they held on for their lives. She watched in amazement as his plan had come together. Everything was falling into place; the Daleks and the Cybermen were pulled without mercy into the Void. He felt himself growing tired as it was taking all his strength to hold on, he looked over at Rose who wasn't fairing much better.

Suddenly everything went offline. He looked around and panicked. There were still Daleks and Cybermen left. What where they going to do now? As he was trying to formulate a plan, he looked over and noticed Rose had let go of the clamp on the wall. He felt both hearts skip a beat and she reached for the level on her side and struggled to switch it back on. He prayed, prayed she could do it. Rose could, she could because she was Rose.

He held tighter to the clamp in an attempt to ground himself, and caught himself holding his breath. Slowly she was able to switch it back on and watched her hold on for her life. The Void reopened with vigor as it continued to suck in its victims. He didn't care; he kept his eyes focused on her. And slowly, slowly he noticed that she was starting to slip. He watched as she tried to reposition herself to grip in another way, but it was all in vain. She was losing the battle. He felt his fear claw at his hearts and millions of thoughts rushed into his mind. What if she fell? He wouldn't be able to get her back…he'd lose her, forever. He'd lost so much already, and he almost did already. When her family took her to the parallel world, he was already prepping to be on his own…again.

She made a small sound of frustration as she struggled to hold on. Her palms weren't even gripping anymore, it was just her fingers struggling to pull her weight up and allow for more opportunity for her palms to re-grip. He looked around quickly and saw that the last of the Daleks and Cybermen were being pulled towards the Void. All she needed to do was hold on for a few more seconds and the Void would close, and everything would be ok. His hearts pounded in his chest

Again he looked over at her, prayed silently to anything out there to let her hold on. Suddenly she looked over at him, an unidentifiable look across her face. A Dalek hurled by them and once it had passed she wasn't there anymore.

He widened his eyes and turned to the Void, she was heading towards it. He screamed her name so many times; he found his voice growing strained with the effort. She had her arms out in front of her, her eyes pleading with him to reach out and grab her. But she was falling backwards with such speed and force; it'd only be a matter of time before she was lost forever. He screamed out her name again, as the white light engulfed her midsection, another Cyberman falling past her, the light now up to her neck, there was nothing that he could do but watch, watch in horror. He was losing her…and the thought that she would never hold his hand and run off on their next adventure tore him to pieces. He looked down and felt the ache in his hearts deepen. It was starting to hurt to breathe.

He heard the Void close itself off and he remained where he was, alone now. It wasn't until he heard the grizzly sound of something hitting the concrete wall, with great force, behind where the Void once was, did he actually look up. He widened eyes and stood up slowly.

Rose. She was there…on the other side. He couldn't believe what he was seeing ahead of him. His felt relief wash over him instantly because she had made it. He started running towards her when fear once again took hold of him once more as she wasn't moving and her eyes were closed.

He ran faster and knelt down in front of her. She was in a sitting position but her head was lolled off to the left side. He looked up at the wall and felt it. She must have hit it with great force, judging by the speed in which she was falling towards the Void.

He cupped her face in his head and softly called her name, she was looking pearlish grey. It only worried him more, what if she wouldn't wake up. But she was breathing, her breath was shallow, but it was still a good sign.

Slowly she opened her eyes, confusion written all over her face.

'Doctor…?' She spoke weakly; he looked into her eyes and noticed that something was not right. Her pupils were off. This wasn't good; he hoped she hadn't injured herself.

'We need to get back to the TARDIS, quickly,' He stood up and offered his hand she reached up slowly. What he didn't know was quickly her vision was deteriorating. When her hand met his, he pulled her up and she smiled. But quickly her legs gave out and she started to fall to the floor before he caught her.

'Rose?' She could hear the pain and worry in his voice.

'I just…feel dizzy. My head hurts…' He couldn't help notice the way she slurred her words. Something was wrong. So wrong. She couldn't stand, she was dizzy and her speech was impaired. These were symptoms of something so much larger.

She gripped around his waist as she tried to stand again, and he had his arm around her shoulder to steady her. Carefully he took a small step back and watched her. She looked around to try and figure out what exactly happened. She put her hand to her head and squeezed her eyes closed tightly. Suddenly her legs buckled once more and he quickly grabbed her waist to keep her from falling once more.

'I'm sorry,' She said with her hand pressed against her face. 'I don't know what's wrong with me.'

She opened her eyes quickly, and was confused when she looked around.

'Doctor…?' He looked at her; she was confused as to why she was being carried by him.

'It'll be faster this way. We're wasting time. You need to get back to the TARDIS, you're not well.'

It was only when he looked down that he began to panic again. She was now unconscious and had a small trail of blood escaping from the corner of her mouth.

He all but ran to the TARDIS as fast as he could. He was scared. She may have narrowly escaped the Void, but she wasn't out of the woods yet.

The TARDIS was happy they had both returned. She said she felt Rose disappear for a moments, but he felt her terrified thoughts as she saw Rose in his arms unmoving.

'I'm not sure what's wrong yet; I'll figure it out. You know me, I'm brilliant, and I'll have it figured out in no time.'

He quickened his pace to the medical bay; each moment that passed meant that she could be closer to death.

'I know, old girl, we nearly lost her. I'm not going to have it happen again.'

He placed on a table in the medical bay. He dug his glasses out from his pocket and shoved the on his face in a swift motion and pulled out his sonic screwdriver from another pocket. He ran it over her body quickly.

He needed to think, what was causing this? His hand brushed some loose hair out of her eyes. He promised her that he would find out what was wrong and help her. She was all his responsibility now. She had no one else. And he would do everything to keep her safe.

He went over to a machine that was place directly right of gurney. A CT scan would help him figure this out. He wanted to confirm his suspicions.

And he was right; he looked at the scan in his hands. At least it wasn't serious, a liner skull fracture. She must have gotten it when she hit the wall back in Torchwood. The force in which she hit her head must have been great.

It also explained her dizziness and headaches. But the problem would sort itself out with time and rest. He felt himself relax slightly and picked her up again. He figured it'd be better if she rested in her own room.

The TARDIS opened the door for him and just looked around Rose's room. Clothes everywhere, makeup all over her dresser and shoes in all corners. She was so messy, but he felt himself smile anyway. He ended up having to kick some of her clothes out of the way so he wouldn't trip and take them both down. He moved her comforter out of the way and carefully put her down on her bed, covering her back up.

Her complexion had improved slightly. The grey tinge had removed itself and even the paleness that had once been there, looked better as well.

He slowly shut the door and headed to the console room. He figured it'd just be best for them to orbit for now.

He sat down on the chair in the console room and thought. He almost couldn't believe that he had lost her. When she looked at him with terror in her eyes, it made him realize how helpless he had been. He couldn't do anything to save her. What if the Void hadn't closed when it did? She'd be pulled in as well, and there wouldn't have been anything he could have done about that.
Facing the prospect of losing her made him come to terms with a bunch of things. Things he had denied for so long now. Things he could not longer keep secret. He ran a hand through his hair. He knew how she felt about him, so he thought. But she had done her best to ensure that it didn't interfere with their friendship. But she loved him. And he guessed, that maybe he did too. And that was something that he never expected. He'd been close with companions before, especially Sarah Jane but with Rose it was so different. The ease in which they got along, her quick wit and her beautiful smile. Even in his ninth incarnation he felt that there was something he was attracted to.

He was so broken when they met, even now; to think of it, hurt him. But then she came along and helped him pick up the pieces. He marveled again at how she fit in. She was so accepting of other planets, races and other aliens. How selfless she was, what she would do to help other people. The ease in which she didn't even have to think twice to save his life.

If he were to have lost her today, he would be driven mad with guilt. He would be furious with himself for not letting her know how special she was to him, and how truly she had become his anchor. Maybe she knew, and maybe she didn't. But the truth was there, and he was glad for it. Images raced in his mind again of the day at Torchwood. He felt tears prick his eyes and he looked up. The thought, the mere thought of her not at his side was crippling. He needed her; he relied on her so much, more than she could ever hope to understand. He put his hands in his face, trying to stop the thoughts, images and 'what ifs' that entered his mind.

When he looked up, his eyes went wide. A woman, a woman with a white dress on was standing in the TARDIS. And did she ever look mad.

Hello,

Again, there has been much Doctor Who watching. I'm going to try my hand at writing series 3 with Rose in it. Please read and review, I am pretty sure I will need help to get their characters correctly.

Also please, check out my other Doctor Who stories and leave a constructive review, I always like to hear how I can improve.

Thanks for reading!