Hot Blood
A Sequel to Sad Songs Say So Much
Two years after the Doctor returned to be with Rose, they disappear without warning, leaving their daughter in Captain Jack's care. Now Jack must struggle to come to terms with things he never knew whilst trying to take care of seven-year-old Tala.
Meanwhile, during the hottest April ever recorded, someone - or something - is putting the planet in danger as ice-caps melt and the hospitals fill up with patients suffering from heatstroke. Why though, and what has it all got to do with a rejuvenated holiday camp on the outskirts of Cardiff?
At home, Gwen's trying to continue an ordinary life, but Torchwood continues its infiltration of her life with Rhys. Then when Rhys makes a suggestion, suddenly it's her home-life which threatens the job she loves. And Gwen must face one of the hardest choices of her life.
The Doctor and Rose find themselves in a familiar place in the future, but all is not as it seems. As they try and make their way to the Controller of The Pleasure Dome, they face difficulties and separations, and both learn more than they ever wanted to know.
One thing's for sure: after the long hot spring of blood, nothing will be as it was before.
Prologue
Dear Mum,
If you're reading this I'm guessing it's because something happened and not because you're being nosey. The Doctor did pretty much tell you only to open this letter in an emergency. And I hate to think about you reading this because it means something's happened to us both. I wish I could promise you we'll be fine, but I know it wouldn't make any difference to you, you'd still worry yourself stupid, and I know why. You're never going to accept that I'm a big girl, are you? I'm still your little girl.
I didn't really want to write this, but the Doctor said I had to, just in case. It seems crazy, it's been so long since I left you behind properly, just day trips here and there, and yet, for the first time, I'm actually preparing you for the worst. That's how mature I've got.
I know it'll make no difference, but I'm going to say it anyway: don't worry. Not about us, if there's a way out, we'll find it. The Doctor's always been good at impossible. And if there isn't, then… well, everything has it's time. The important thing isn't us anymore. It's Tala.
If something or someone has taken us, Tala's in danger. She is, after all, part-Time Lord, and whatever's got us… well, it won't take them long to find out about her. That's how these aliens work. Tala could be in danger as you read this letter, though we'll do all we can to keep her safe; we'll always have the sonic screwdriver!
But for now, there's only one thing you can do. Mum, I know you won't like it, but you have to give Tala away. Give her away to someone who can look after her properly, and maybe even help to find us, wherever we are. You've never liked this alien lifestyle, and I'll admit that sometimes, like now, it gets a bit awful. Okay, more than a bit. I've just put Tala to bed, and she looks so peaceful lying there, that I hate to think that I'm ever going to be taken away from her. But now's not the time to be sentimental. You have to get Tala to somewhere safe, she needs to be with people that understand what's going on.
Call the phone number at the bottom of the page. Ask for Captain Jack Harkness. And tell him that Rose and the Doctor's daughter need him to come and save her.
Love always,
Rose.