Disclaimer: Dr Who is owned by the BBC and sadly not by me.
Characters: Pairing 9th Doctor & Rose Tyler, Jack Harkness (sorry not a threesome) plus a few other characters created from the dredges of my mind..
Warning: Story contains mild references to possible sexual abuse. Rated M for final chapter/s
He'd been waiting two hours. Two long hours in this stupid office with this stupid woman telling him his turn would be any minute now for about the eighth stupid time.
He sighed loudly cursing himself. Speaking of stupid...so much for his superior brain. Once again he'd been playing the high handed alien and not warned his companion Rose about the important rules and traditions of the planet they'd landed on and now she was in real danger.
The Doctor was used to Rose arguing with him over decisions. Her little human conscience was a better match for him then he would have given her credit for and on some occasions it was just as well but here on this planet to argue with apparent "betters" and not keeping to ones "station in life" spelt trouble. Dangerous life destroying trouble and like usual Rose found it.
He knew he shouldn't have come here but Shendowan Maicalica in the year 1989 was the only place he'd been able to obtain the small but necessary piece of technology to help repair the Tardis. He should have left Rose in the Tardis with Jack but no; his ego was too big as usual and he thought he could protect her so therefore didn't tell her the rules. They'd visited the parts shop together which was fine but then Rose had taken offence to the way the proprietor had spoken to his "employee" and she proceded to admonish the man in perfect Tyler fashion in front of his whole staff. Despite the predicament he had smiled remembering her face as she spoke with forceful accusation against the shop keeper. He had tried to smooth things over but it was no good. The law enforcers were called in and Rose arrested to face punishment.
He already knew that the charges were severe. The time lord was scared. Trials did not exist and sentences for wrong doers in this world were still akin to the dark ages. Punishment for a female or servant speaking out of turn on this planet ranged from flogging through to the woman being publicly sexually assaulted in an effort to break her spirit. He tried not to think the worst. Rose being sullied, violated, raped. His beautiful girl so full of life being reduced to nothing more than a broken animal. He would give his life for that not to happen. His precious Rose, the light, the spark that made him live after the horrors of the Time War. This tiny human who'd rekindled the desire to explore the universes again could not be permitted to endure the bestiality of the sentence that would most likely be handed down.
He had told the authorities he was her guardian and therefore given the right to appeal against any punishment that might be declared. He was Rose's only hope and he prayed to Rassilon that he would not fail her. That he was her guardian, was partially true but he wanted to be more than just her protector, He wanted to be the owner of her heart, her mind, her body and her love if she would ever give him the chance. It had been a long time since the Doctor had felt the two edged sword of love and desire. He felt unworthy of such happiness; but if it came his way he would welcome it especially with someone as addictive as Rose Tyler, the woman who had slipped beneath his walls and mental boundaries and worked her way into his hearts.
"Dr Smith your turn"
"Whaaat,: said the Doctor coming out of his reflections. "oh yes great thanks"
"Just go down the hall and to the right and you'll find the governor's office. I've announced you"
"Right thanks again"
He left the room following the given directions until he came to an ornate door bearing the name "Governor M. Trestone". The doctor knocked on the door, heard the command to enter and then opend the door and stepped into the room.
The office wasn't large but it was impressive. The panelled wood on the walls were covered in ornate tapestries depicting the history of the planet on them. Stained glass adorned the windows refracting the sunlight as it came through. A large carved desk in ancient wood graced the back of the room and on a high back chair behind the desk sat the Governor. What surprised him the most however was that the Governor wasn't a man
"You know in polite society Dr Smith one doesn't stand with ones mouth open"
It took a moment for the Doctor to register that he was being spoken too. "Err right, yes sorry my most humble apologies Madam Governor. I admit I was expecting to address a man".
"Apology accepted Dr Smith. You are not the first to make assumptions. Given the backwards nature of this planet it's reasonable to assume that its leader would be of the male species."
"So I take it you don't condone the punishments Madam Governor"
"I think that goes without saying Doctor and a change in the laws of this place has been a long time coming. I have only been in office 2 months and I'm doing my best to have certain punishments outlawed but it will take time. You can imagine that I have many enemies but its time for this planet to come out of the dark ages. However you didn't come here to discuss politics so I suggest we address the issue of your appeal Your here to petition the case against one Rose Tyler yes?"
"Yeah thats right"
"Hmm let me see what she's been charged with.....Oh well that's not good. Embarrassing a "better" in public carries severe punishment Doctor and sadly sentence is of the terrible nature I am trying to expel. Unfortunately the new laws are not in place yet to help you or Rose Tyler."
"But I get to appeal don't I on her behalf" he questioned trying to keep panic out of his voice.
"Of course, that right has not changed. I want to help you Doctor Smith so please present your case and I will listen before deciding on the outcome."
"Madam Governor, This is not Roses fault. Rose is young, impressionable and still has much to learn about life. She's spent most of her life without a father figure but has her mother's dominant fighting spirit instilled within her. She was raised in a society different to this planet where she would treat everyone as equal and its her nature to try and right something she thinks is wrong. I understand that the shop keeper was within his rights by this planets rules to punish his employees but Rose would not see it like that. From where she comes from such behaviour towards ones workers is an abuse of trust, and ones dignity. She is impulsive, loyal, passionate and always thinks with her heart rather than her head. It's not in her nature to ignore someone who she believes needs help. When we first met she saved me from a bad situation and Rose has proven to me many times since then that she's not afraid of a challenge. Rose loves embracing life and everything that goes with it. She greets every sunrise and sunset with a smile and soaks up every piece of new knowledge in between. To snuff out such spirit, would be like ripping out a person's soul, destroying once and for all a shining light in a dark world. No, Rose is not at fault. If anyone should be punished its me."
"Dr Smith you paint a vivid picture of the young lady but despite her beliefs she is still in breach of the rules of our planet. Why do you think you are to blame?"
"As her Guardian I should have taken better care of her. Explained things. I'm... selfish sometimes, too excited about discovering new wonders...too caught up in time to remember that others don't know things I do. Big brain, big ears thats me with almost no heart. I'm too used to being on my own and.... I ... well I don't let people get close to me and now Rose is going to pay for that. I promised her mother I'd take care of her, protect her and she trusts me. Daft stupid me, and I let her down. I've nearly gotten her killed so many times yet she always insists its not my fault. Always trys to tell me that she never regrets travelling with me. Today is only the latest in a long list of times I haven't been the person I should be. That's why this is my fault, not hers, never hers. This punishment can't be allowed Madam, it would kill her.... and me". The last two words were almost a whisper. He stopped speaking knowing he'd said far more than he'd meant too and to a complete stranger of all things.
"Doctor Smith is that all you have to say in regards to your appeal?"
"Yes Madam Governor, I don't think there is much more I can add. You appear to have great foresight and leadership. I can only appeal to your wisdom, and compassion. We are in your hands"
"Thank you Doctor, now I persume you will wish to see the young lady in question?"
"Is that possible?"
"I am sure I can arrange it Doctor. You've given me much to think about and that includes everything you have said and left unsaid. I will give you my decision this evening but for now go and comfort your friend. She will have to remain in her cell tonight but I will arrange it so that you may stay with her. Unfortunately I cannot guarantee the good behaviour of the guards. They are not on my payroll so it goes without saying that she will be safer if you are there."
"Madam Governor I ought to tell you that Rose and I came with another friend as well. Am I able to get a message to him please and have your permission for him to see her too?
"Yes, just see my personal assistant on the way out and have her issue you with a special dispensation that gives you and your friend access to Miss Tylers cell whenever you need to"
"Thank you Madam Governor for your understanding. I will hear from you later then"
With a small bow The Doctor left the room and headed back to the front office where the Governors personal assistant worked. After dictating a short note to Jack and being handed the said dispensation he immediately requested he be escorted to the cities jail. His stomach churned at the thought of Rose being harmed. She was not safe until he got there and hoped that the guards had not taken it into their heads to mistreat her. He couldn't guarantee any of them would live if she had been tortured in anyway.
Mine, the word entered his head and he didn't deny the thought. What was the point. He'd been possessive of Rose for months now, even warning Jack away because he needed her but now he knew it was more than that. He wanted Rose body and soul. He was determined to rescue her and then he would tell her and show his precious girl the depth of his love if she would have him. God knows he wasn't good enough for her, broken & war torn but he would still try and if she accepted him he would claim her, bond with her and make her his for however long they were granted.
To be continued