Love Don't Roam
Disclaimer- I don't own anything from Doctor Who. It all belongs to BBC.
Hello beautiful people. I am back with another new series. I know I have been absent for a while and I still have a lot of other stories to finish but I have been re-watching Doctor Who recently and reading a lot of fanfictions for the series and decided to give it a go.
I know there are a lot of series rewrites with Rose and mine probably won't be that good but this has been plaguing me for a while and I'm gonna do it anyway, so deal with it XP
A few things to note beforehand; first off, for this story the Doctor and Rose are officially in a relationship after the events of 'The Satan Pit' though they are still figuring things out between them and neither have said 'I love you' yet.
Secondly, this is a series rewrite of 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, oh and the specials of course. I might throw in a few snippets with the twelfth doctor. Just to state that firmly. I will be throwing in some original adventures and some of the episodes will either be heavily changed so they don't seem like the same or disappear altogether.
Also, I'm Canadian so I might mess up a lot with the British term ology so for that I apologize. Please don't hate me and I will correct any mistakes I make if you lovely people point them out to me.
Lastly, I am not a huge fan of Martha or River Song but I don't hate them either. I might unconsciously be a little harsh to them at times but I don't do it intentionally so I am sorry to all their fans out there.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy the story and let me know what you think.
2.13- Doomsday
"Oh now, hold on, wait a minute." A grim voice says softly from the doorway.
Everyone in the room turn their attention that way and reactions vary at the sight of the man from absolute joy to 'rage'. The Dalek leader is the first to break the silence.
"ALERT, ALERT – YOU ARE THE DOCTOR!"
Rose smiles as he strolls into the room towards the group with his 3D specs perched on his nose.
Another Dalek speaks, "SENSORS REPORT HE IS UNARMED."
"That's me, always." The Doctor agrees instantly.
"THEN YOU ARE POWERLESS." Dalek Sek states, and in Rose's opinion he almost sounded smug, if a Dalek could feel such a thing.
"Not me." The Doctor says as he whips off his specs with flourish, "Never." Without breaking stride he turns to face Rose, his face deadly serious. "How are you?"
She couldn't have kept the grin off her face even if she wanted to, "Oh, same old, you know." Though her tone is light she can see and feel the concern rolling off them both.
Daleks and Cybermen, their worst enemies together at the same time. Talk about a terrible nightmare. It is taking all of Rose's willpower to keep her fear under control. But she knows that the Doctor will find a way out of this, he always does.
"Good!" He beams proudly at her before turning to face their old mate, "And Mickity-Mc-Mickey! Nice to see ya!"
The two bump fists as if it was something they had always done and have been friends for years. Even a small smile tugs at the corner of Mickey's mouth.
"And you, boss."
"SOCIAL INTERACTION WILL CEASE!" the Daleks yell.
The three time travellers all turn to face their alien foes.
Dalek Sek moves an inch closer to the Doctor, "HOW DID YOU SURVIVOR THE TIME WAR?!"
"By fighting," the Doctor answers grimly, "On the front line."
In that moment Rose could see the ancient Time Lord who was centuries old and has seen so much war and darkness in this universe. This contradicted drastically with the vulnerable man who needs Rose by his side just to function, just to breathe. She wants so desperately to move to his side and take his hand in hers but she knows now isn't the time.
Mickey turns with wide eyes to look at the Time Lord, as if this is the first he's heard of this. His gaze sweeping between the Doctor and his long time best mate, instantly seeing their connection and understanding a little more why the Doctor is so protective of Rose, so desperate to keep her safe.
"I was there at the fall of Arcadia. Someday, I might even come to terms with that." The Doctor continues, his eyes stormy before rage fills them. "But you lot- you ran away!"
"WE HAD TO SURVIVE!"
The Doctor moves closer to Rose while keeping an eye on the Daleks, "The last four Daleks in existence. So, what's so special about you?"
That's when Rose remembers something important and she shifts a little closer to the Doctor, keeping her tone soft, "Doctor, they've got names."
He glances at her.
"And Daleks don't have names, do they? One of them said they-"
"I AM DALEK THAY!"
"DALEK SEK!"
"DALEK JAST!"
"DALEK CAAN!"
Rose gasps quietly under her breath as a light pounding starts in her head at the last name. However, just as quickly as it started the pounding stopped and she can focus again.
"So that's it!" the Doctor exclaims.
Rose shakes her head to clear it and turns her attention back to the situation at hand.
"At last, the Cult of Skaro. I thought you were just a legend."
"Who are they?" Rose asks in confusion. She notices the Doctor subtly moves in front of her as if to shield her from them which is never a good sign.
The Doctor briefly touches her arm, his knuckles brushing hers in a show of affection before he walks around the Daleks.
"A secret order." The Doctor answers simply like it explains everything. "Above and beyond the Emperor himself. Their job was to imagine. Think as the enemy thinks. Even dared to have names. All to find new ways of killing." His tone is bitter as he finishes.
Though still utterly confused by his explanation Mickey gestures to the ark. "But that thing." The Doctor follows his hand. "They said it was yours. I mean, Time Lords."
Both the humans notice how the Doctor stiffens slightly at that.
"They built it. What does it do?"
"I don't know. Never seen it before." He replies as he examines the casket.
"But it's… Time Lord…" Rose says just a bit confused. How could the Doctor not know what it is?
"Both sides had secrets, my Rose." He says without thought.
Mickey raises a brow at the endearment though and casts a glance at the young woman who isn't even phased by his choice of words. This more than confirms his suspicions.
The Doctor spins around to face the Daleks once more, "What is it? What have you done?"
"TIME LORD SCIENCE WILL RESTORE DALEK SUPREMACY!" Dalek Sek exclaims, an almost excited tone to his voice.
"What does that mean?" the Doctor asks in confusion, which is something he isn't use to feeling. "What sort of Time Lord science? What do you mean?"
Rose moves a little closer to the Doctor as she speaks up, "The said one touch from a time Traveller will wake it up."
A laugh bubbles up from the Doctor's throat and he looks almost giddy in a grim sort of way.
"Technology using the one thing a Dalek can't do. Touch." He waves his fingers mockingly. "Sealed inside your casing. Not feeling anything… ever… from birth to death, locked inside a code metal cage." His voice dropped to a mere whisper, "Completely alone. And that explains your voice. No wonder you scream."
"THE DOCTOR WILL OPEN THE ARK!" Dalek Sek shouts.
The Doctor laughs mockingly.
"The Doctor will not."
"YOU HAVE NO WAY OF RESISTING!"
"Well, you got me there." The Doctor says with a shrug. "Although, there is always this." He pushes his sonic screwdriver from his pocket.
"A SONIC PROBE?!"
"That's screwdriver."
Rose rolls her eyes a little at that. The Doctor is so proud and protective of his sonic screwdriver and considering that it's a part of him it makes sense. Something he made when he was bored as he told Jack so long ago.
"IT IS HARMLESS!"
"Oh yes." The Doctor agrees. "Harmless is just a word. That's why I like it." He twirls the screwdriver between his fingers. "Doesn't kill, doesn't wound, doesn't maim. But I'll tell you what is does do – it is very good at opening doors."
With his speech done he activates the sonic and the door flies open.
Jake, his men and the Cybermen all come charging into the room, firing their weapons at the Daleks.
"Delete. Delete. Delete."
"ALERT! CASING IMPACT! CASING IMPACT!"
The couple dive to the floor to avoid the chaos and she sees instantly the desperation in his gaze as he wraps an arm around her waist to steady her.
"Rose! Get out!"
With a quick nod of her head Rose makes for the exit. She loses her footing after a short distance and nearly stumbles to the floor.
"Fire power insufficient!" one of the Cybermen declares. "Fire power insufficient!"
Suddenly, much to Rose's surprise, Pete is there and helping her escape the room. She chances a glance back at the Doctor as the dash to the door and she sees Mickey snatch up a gun and start firing wildly.
Once they were in the relative safety of the door Rose turns back to the others.
"Daleks will be deleted. Delete! Delete!" The Cybermen continue to yell.
The Doctor runs for the door full pelt and puts a comforting hand on Rose's arm once he reaches her.
"Mickey! Come on!" Rose screams to her friend.
"ADAPT TO WEAPONRY!"
"FIRE POWER RESTORED!"
The Dalek fires at the Cyberman, instantly destroying it. That is when Jake safely makes it to the door but Mickey is still standing near the ark.
When Mickey attempts to dash for the door he accidentally falls backward and puts his hand of the ark to stabilize himself, leaving a red hot handprint on the case much like the one Rose left when she restored the Dalek in Utah. After regaining his balance he runs to the door and finally reaches the others.
Rose throws her arms around him in a relieved hug, glad to know he is safe.
As he pulls away Mickey winces and looks at his hand which is a dark red while the rest of Jake's men make it out of the room before the door slides shut. Thus, both the Daleks and Cybermen were sealed inside.
Once the door firmly closed the Doctor pulls Rose into a fierce hug, one she returns just as desperately and he drops a kiss to her temple. When he pulls back he retains her hand in a firm grip. His gaze lands on Jake, "Jake, check the stairwell." He then turns to the rest of the party. "The rest of you, come on!"
With that, the group splits in two; Jake and his men run to check the stairs while the Doctor, Rose, Pete and Mickey run in the opposite direction. The Doctor still tightly holding onto Rose's hand.
"I just fell!" Mickey apologizes as he runs alongside the Doctor. "I didn't mean it."
The Time Lord just shakes his head.
"Mickey, without us, they'd have opened it by force!" he explains. "To do that, they'd have blown up the sun."
Rose cringes at that, subconsciously thinking of her first trip with the Doctor.
"You've done us a favour!"
He kiss the young man on the head, who then pulls back with a raised brow. His gaze flicks to Rose who just shrugs, use to this kind of behaviour from her Doctor.
"Now, run!" the Doctor encourages.
They continue to run down the corridors, weaving every which way until they come across two Cybermen pointing weapons at something that is out of sight to the group.
"You will be upgraded!" They declare.
"No, but you can't-"
Rose's heart stops dead in her chest at the sound of her mother's voice. Her mind flashing back to what happened to the Jackie of the alternate universe, bile rising in her throat at thought of that happening to her actual mother.
The doctor squeezes her hand.
"PLEASE!"
Before anyone can react Pete Tyler shoots both Cybermen from behind, destroying them in an instant. His companions stare at him in awed confusion at the speed in which he defended the woman.
Jackie on the other hand squints through the smoke to see who her rescuer is. Then her eyes widen when she realizes who is before her.
"PETE!"
Rose watches with tears in her eyes as she watches her 'parents' meet. She leans into the Doctor for support which he gives by squeezing her hand tighter and kissing the top of her head.
Mickey feels a little out of place with the pairs. He kind of thought he was done being the third wheel or in this case the fifth wheel.
"Hello Jacks."
"I said there were ghosts." Jackie says in a whiny voice though Rose can see the hope shining in her eyes, "But that's not fair. Why him!?"
Pete smiles a bit at that. "I'm not a ghost."
"But you're dead." Jackie insists. "You died twenty years ago, Pete."
The Doctor reluctantly leaves Rose's side to tentatively step forward to explain the situation to Jackie.
"It's Pete from a different Universe. There are parallel worlds, Jackie. Every single decision we make creates a parallel existence, a different dimension where-"
"Oh, you can shut up." Jackie snaps, her gaze still locked on the only man she's ever loved.
And for once, the Doctor does just that. He knows how stubborn Jackie Tyler is, something her daughter has inherited, and he knows how much her slaps can hurt. So, stepping back to Rose's side he pulls his precious girl back to him, Rose instantly leaning into him.
Mickey, remembering how envious he was of the fact that Rose never looked at anyone but the Doctor can see how much the pair need each other, how their hearts belong to another. He feels a little guilty that he ever tried to split them up. By the Doctor' side is where Rose belongs. Together forever inside the TARDIS.
Pete smiles even more at Jackie.
"You look old." Jackie says after a pregnant pause.
"You don't." he answers easily.
"How can you be standing there?"
"Just got lucky. Lived my life." He smiles sadly for a moment. "You were left on your own. You didn't marry again, or…?"
She shook her head, tears now in her eyes, "There was never anyone else."
Rose releases a small giggle and the two males at her side share a smile as they watch Rose.
"Twenty years, though." Jackie continues. "Look at me – I never left that flat. Did nothing with myself."
"Brought her up." Pete returns while gesturing to the younger blonde woman. "Rose Tyler. That's not bad."
Rose blushes brightly and ducks her head. Both the Doctor and Mickey smile proudly at her.
"Yeah." Jackie whispers.
"In my world, it worked. All those daft little plans of mine. They worked. Made me rich."
"I don't care about that." Jackie denies, "How rich?"
A small laugh escapes Rose's lips at that. She knows her mother is just teasing but in some small part serious at the same time.
"Very."
"I don't care about that… How very?"
Pete laughs before becoming serious again. "Thing is though, Jacks, you're not… you're not my wife. I'm sorry, but you're not." he stumbles over his words. "I mean, we both…"
Jackie nods her head sadly but never takes her eyes off him.
"You know, it's just sort of…" he starts walking towards her, "Oh, come here!"
The two run towards each other, the tears finally leaking from Jackie's eyes. Once they meet, Pete sweeps her up in a bone crushing hug.
At that moment the Doctor pulls Rose towards him by the waist and claims her lips passionately with his not caring that Mickey is there watching them. He pulls away just as suddenly and turns back to address the group, still holding the dazed Rose's hand.
"We have to shift."
The group come across a door that leads to the wide weapons room that the Doctor remembers meeting Yvonne in when first stepping out of the TARDIS and into this whole disaster. How much he wishes he could go back and stop himself from doing just that, but he knows that if he had just left then there would be no one here to stop the invasion.
The Doctor wrenches open the door and peers inside at the battle rages on inside between the Daleks, Cybermen and what's left of the Torchwood men and waits for the right moment to run inside.
When it comes he dives into the room, with Rose watching his progress anxiously and wincing every time a beam pass near him.
As he searches through one of the crates Rose notices a brunette woman in a white lab coat hiding near where the Doctor is, a gun gripped tightly in her hand though she is not firing it. She is staring at the Doctor in almost a dazed sort of way and doesn't seem to be paying much attention the fighting going on around her.
Rose doesn't know what drew her attention to this brunette but she gets that headache again just like with Dalek Caan and she watches in surprised horror as the woman comes from her hiding place to shoot and kill a Cyberman who was about to shoot the Doctor in the back before another Cyberman shoots her and she falls lifelessly to the ground.
The headache stops but guilt and gratitude bubble in her chest as she stares at the woman who just gave her life for a man she didn't even know. A man who didn't even realize the sacrifice she just made.
The Doctor pulls two magna clamps from the crate and uses them to deflect beams as he races back to the door. Unfortunately, on his way he trips over a downed Cyberman and tumbles to the floor.
Rose moves to help him but Mickey holds her back so she instead reaches her hand out towards her Time Lord. "Come on, please."
Quickly jumping to his feet the Doctor crosses the few remaining feet to the door and slips out with Rose closing it behind him. The two share a meaningful look but after a few moments he looks away to put on his 3D specs, opens the door once more and peer around the room.
"OVERRIDE ROOF MECHANISM!" Dalek Sek screams.
On que the roof begins to peel open as the Daleks move to the center of the room with the ark between the four of them.
"ELEVATE!"
Rose watches in confusion as the Dalek and ark begin to rise into the air, "What are they doing? Why do they need to get outside?"
The Doctor shakes his head, trying to think, "Time Lord science… What Time Lord science?" He pulls the 3D specs of his face, "What is it?"
Dalek Sek rises out through the open ceiling with the Ark and the time travellers close the door while sharing a worried look. Just like they always do, the two begin running down the corridor with the other three following after.
"We've gotta see what it's doing!" the Doctor shouts over his shoulder as he runs. "We've gotta go back up! Come on! All of you! Top floor!"
"That's forty-five floors up! Believe me, I've done 'em all!" Jackie hollers back.
They continue to run towards the stairwell at the end of the hall.
"We could always take the lift." Jake says as he leans out from said lift.
The Doctor smiles as the group shuffle inside the lift.
When the Doctor and the others file out of the lift back into the room with the bridge between the universes he rushes towards the window as quickly as possible. He dumps the magna clamps down on Yvonne's desk as he passes, Rose coming up beside him as they watch the Ark.
As the Genesis Ark spins around Daleks shoot out of it one by one and the Doctor feels his stomach drop in despair. Still staring in horror he instinctively reaches for Rose who is already pressed against his side.
"Time Lord science…" he murmurs horrified as the pieces come together. "It's bigger on the inside."
"Did the Time Lords put those Daleks in there? What for?" Mickey asks as he looks between the Doctor and the Ark.
"It's a prison ship."
Rose swallows past the lump that's formed in her throat. "How many Daleks?"
"Millions."
She looks at him in horror.
Pete shakes his head as he watches the Daleks and Cybermen declare open warfare on each other, completely missing the people who are running away in terror. He walks away from the window and begins to head to the center of the room.
"I'm sorry but you've had it." He declares. "This world's gonna crash and burn. There's nothing we can do. We're going home. Jacks, take this."
He tosses her one of the yellow buttons they use to cross the void without hesitation. After she catches it Jackie looks at it for a heartbeat before staring at Pete incredulously.
"But they're destroying the city!" she cries.
Pete smiles affectionately, "I forgot you could argue."
He puts the button around her neck and does the same with his own.
"It's not just London, it's the whole world." He says before taking her face in his hands. "But there's another world just waiting for you, Jacks. And it's safe." He shifts his gaze to the Doctor. "As long as the Doctor closes the breach. Doctor?"
The Doctor turns away from the window, Rose following suit with the 3D specs still perched on his nose again. His manic grin is firmly in place.
"Oh, I'm ready." He answers. "I've got the equipment right here. Thank you Torchwood."
The Doctor dashes to the computer and begins typing furiously, "Slam it down and close off both universes."
"Reboot systems." A computerized voice states.
Rose shakes her head and moves closer to the Doctor, trying to understand what he's thinking. "But we can't just leave. What about the Daleks? And the Cybermen?"
The Doctor stands up and smiles at her, "They're part of the problem. And that makes them part of the solution. Oh yes!"
Rose lets out a nervous laugh, not sure if she likes where this is going but still trusting that the Doctor knows what he's doing.
Though to an outside person the Doctor appeared to be excited and bouncy but Rose knows better. Under his manic front he is terrified and is trying his best to not let the fear get the best of him.
"Well?!" he asks, "Isn't anyone going to ask? What is it with the glasses?"
Smiling despite the situation and knowing her que when she sees it Rose steps forward, "What is it with the glasses?"
"I can SEE! That's what!" The Doctor exclaims, some real excitement and joy breaking through his manic mask. "Cos we've got two separate worlds, but in-between the two separate worlds we've got the void."
Rose nods, understanding his explanation so far.
"That's where the Daleks were hiding. And the Cybermen travelled through the void to get here! And you lot – one world to another, via the void." He pauses for a moment. "Oh! I like that. Via the void!"
The Doctor turns to Rose and places the 3D specs on her face, "Look!"
Blinking her eyes a few times she focuses on the Doctor and sees the weird green and red particles floating around him.
"I've been through it." He says as he dodges about a bit so Rose can see the particles a little better. "Do you see?"
She reaches out her hand in an attempt to touch them. After a few seconds however, the Doctor catches her hand within his own. This does catch Jackie's attention but she doesn't say anything.
"Reboot in three minutes." The computer chimes.
The Doctor smiles at Rose, "Void stuff."
Rose stops to think for a moment, "Like…. Um…. Background radiation?"
"That's it!" The Doctor says as he hugs her. "Now look at the others."
She does as the Doctor instructed and looks at the group behind her. Everyone with the exception of Jackie has 'void stuff' hovering around them just like the Doctor.
The Doctor points at them, or more specifically Jackie, "The only one who hasn't been through the void, your mother." He says, "First time she's looked normal in her life."
"Oi!" Jackie shouts and Rose laughs despite herself.
Ignoring the domestics the Doctor rushes into the breach area with Rose hot on his tail, the rest following behind her.
"The Daleks lived inside the void. They're bristling with it." He explains to his audience. "Cybermen- all of them. I just open the void, end of verse. The void stuff gets sucked back inside."
Rose nods her head, her enthusiasm building to match his. "Pulling them all in!"
"Pulling them all in!" the Doctor repeats while beaming proudly at her.
"Sorry…" Mickey interrupts, stepping forward. "What's – what's the void?"
Blinking once the Doctor turns to face the young man having almost forgotten he was still here since he was so wrapped up in Rose and their usual dynamics.
"The dead space." He says. Mickey looks at him confused. "Some people call it hell."
Mickey loops his button around his neck and turns to face Jake. No one notices that Rose isn't really listening to this conversation or at least partially.
"So… you're sending the Daleks and Cybermen to hell." Mickey repeats. "Man, I told you he was good."
"But it's like you said," Rose says drawing everyone's attention back to her as a frown forms on her face. "We've all got void stuff. Me too, cos we went to that parallel world."
She flexes her fingers as she stares at the void particles before pulling off the glasses. The Doctor comes to stand before her with regret and heartbreak in his eyes.
"We're all contaminated." Rose continues, trying to figure out why he looks that way. "We'll get pulled in."
"That's why you've got to go." The Doctor says past the lump in his throat.
Rose stares at him completely horror struck, not understanding how he could suggest such a thing.
"Reboot in two minutes."
"…No…" Rose whispers.
"Back to Pete's world. Hey, we should call it that, Pete's world." The Doctor rambles before turning back to Rose seriously again. "I'm opening the void, but only on this side. You'll be safe on that side."
Rose continues to stare at him uncomprehending. After everything they've been through and the relationship they have now she can't believe that the Doctor would just send her away. He couldn't; they need each other.
"And then you close it? For good?" Pete clarifies.
The Doctor never takes his eyes off Rose as he answers the other man, "The breach itself is soaked in void stuff. In the end it'll close itself. And that's it. Kaput!"
"But," Rose speaks up again, her heart breaking in her chest as she finally catches his meaning. "You're staying… on this side."
Mickey shakes his head. "But you'll get pulled in." He points out, trying to help his friend the best he could though he understands why the Doctor is doing this.
The Doctor holds Rose's gaze for a moment longer before he moves back to Yvonne's desk and picks up the magna clamps. This time Rose doesn't follow him, her feet staying rooted to the spot as she feels like the Doctor just slapped her across the face.
"That's why… I got these." The Doctor says, his gaze on everyone except Rose. His own heart breaking with the thought of letting her go. "I'll just have to hold on tight. I've been doing it all my life."
"I'm supposed to go." Rose states.
The Doctor flinches at her words, "Yeah."
"To another world, then it gets sealed off."
"Yeah."
It is obvious to everyone that the Doctor doesn't want to have this conversation but Rose isn't going to let him avoid it. Both Mickey and Jackie can see how devastated the pair are with just the thought of being without another.
"Forever." Rose says as she remembers her promise from not so long ago, after Krop Tor. She lets out a humourless chuckle. "That's not going to happen."
Before the Doctor or anyone can say anything in reply a crash from outside shakes the entire building and they all look around in alarm.
Pete immediately jumps into action, "We haven't got time to argue. The plan works, we go in." He points at Rose and Jackie, "You too. All of us."
All of Rose's despair turns to rage as she rounds one her 'dad', "No! I'm not leaving him!"
"I'm not going without you, Rose." Jackie says in turn while shaking her head.
"Oh my God!" Pete declares, sounding all the much like the husband and father he had denied himself being all day. "We're going!"
"I've had twenty years without you, so button it. I'm not leaving her." Jackie snaps.
Rose walks over to her mother. "You've got to go."
"No."
"Mum."
"Reboot in one minute." The computer reminds them of their deadline.
Rose takes a deep breath as she prepares to explain to her mother why she wasn't going to the parallel world. "I've had a life with you for nineteen years. But then I met the Doctor and… all the things I've seen him do for me. For you. For us all. For the whole stupid planet… and every planet out there. He does it alone, mum."
Mickey sees the Doctor watching Rose with such heartbreak in his eyes as he pulls a button out from his pocket.
"But not anymore." Rose states firmly. "Cos now he's got me."
The rest of her speech is cut off when the Doctor loops the button around her neck and she turns to face him in shock.
"What are you-"
Before she can finish asking or move to take the button off Pete activates all of their teleports and they disappear in a flash of light.
The Doctor stares at the spot where Rose had been as he takes a shuddering breath, his hearts breaking in his chest. But, he wants her safe, above everything else, he wants her safe. Even if it means letting her go forever. Even if it means never seeing her again. Steeling himself once more he turns back to the computer and gets to work saving the world again.
The others reappear in the parallel Torchwood and Rose looks around wildly. Her eyes darkening as she realizes what just happened.
"Oh no you don't." she growls. "He's not doing that to me again."
She goes to hit the button but Jackie catches her hand. "You can't sweetheart! He sent you here to keep you safe! Don't you understand that?"
"I do understand that, mum." Rose returns instantly. She knows exactly why the Doctor did what he did. "But I'm not staying here. I can't. I'll die in this world. You know I will. I need to be with the Doctor."
"Then go babe." Mickey says.
Jackie whirls on him in shock, betrayal shinning in her eyes. Rose looks at him gratefully though sadly.
"He needs you." Mickey continues. "And you love him. Have since the moment you met him, when he was all big ears and leather. So go. You two belong together."
Rose nods once, a look of grateful sadness in her eyes before slamming her hand down on the button, disappearing in the bright light.
Jackie turns around and stares in horror as her daughter vanishes before her eyes, "ROSE!"
"I think this is the one switch."
The Doctor whirls around as Rose reappears in the room, both fear and joy warring inside his chest. She can't be here. She shouldn't be here. "Rose!?"
Marching forward he grabs her by the shoulders and leans down slightly so he could look her directly in the eyes.
"Once the breach collapses, that's it." He declares, "You will never be able to see her again. Your own mother!"
Tears shine in Rose's eyes but she doesn't let them fall as she replies calmly, "I made my choice a long time ago, and I'm never gonna leave you."
The Doctor stares at her a moment, completely stunned. He knows she made the promise to stay for her forever but to think she would give up her mother, her chance to have a normal family. He slowly releases her.
"So, what can I do to help?" she asks.
"Systems rebooted. Open access." The computer prompts snapping the Doctor out of his daze and he breaks his gaze with Rose to point to the computer.
"Those co-ordinates over there, set them all to six."
Rose walks quickly to the computer and begins to do as he instructed. The Doctor watches her carefully.
"And hurry up." He says, sounding almost angry.
Rose leans over the computer and takes off the button so the Doctor can't pull the same trick twice. She throws a nervous glance at the Doctor, doubt beginning to bubble inside her. Had she misjudged him? Maybe he didn't just send her away to keep her safe, but because it was his way of telling her he didn't want to continue with the relationship they had started.
She knows it's wrong to doubt him this way, but the Doctor has made it quite clear that he doesn't do domestics and that he doesn't normally get this close to his companions. She is beginning to wonder if maybe he regrets starting the romantic relationship with her and that sending her away was his way of telling her that. Either way, she isn't going to leave him, even if he chooses to end their relationship she is staying with him; forever.
The readings on the screen pull her from her thoughts, "We've got Cybermen on the way up."
He runs across the room to stand at her side and looks at the screen, "How many floors down?"
"Just one."
The pair watch the screen briefly and are surprised when one Cyberman stops the advancing army at the top of the stairs and begins firing at them. Since there is no sound they have no idea why this Cyberman has turned against its kind but are grateful for it all the same.
Moving away quickly, the Doctor types on the command computer, "Levers operational."
The Doctor grins at Rose, giving her the first smile since she returned to him and relieving some of the doubt from her chest.
"That's more like it, bit of a smile!" she declares, "The old team."
The Doctor picks of the magna clamps and walks towards her, "Hope and Glory, Mutt and Jeff, Shiver and Shake!"
"Which one's Shiver?"
"Oh, I'm Shake." He says before dumping one of the clamps in her arms.
As he stares at her the Doctor swallows thickly. There is so much he needs to say to her, but knows that now is not the time. Once this is all over he will tell her everything he never has but first they have to stop the invasion.
They share a meaningful look before she nods, understanding him better than anyone else ever has.
Moving as one, they run to opposite sides of the room and press their magna clamps against the wall. They look at each other over their shoulders.
"Press the red button." The Doctor instructs.
Doing as he says they attach the clamps to the wall. They can see the Daleks heading for the building through the large window.
"When it starts, just hold on tight." The Doctor explains quickly, knowing that we're running out of time. "Shouldn't be too bad for us but the Daleks and the Cybermen are steeped with void stuff." He turns to look at her seriously, "Are you ready?"
They move to their assigned levers.
"Yes." She says before nodding at the window. "And so are they."
"Let's do it!"
They pushed the levers into the online position and sprint to the magna clamps, grabbing them tightly.
"Online."
At the moment, the windows smash open as the Daleks are sucked into the void, screaming as they pass the pair who are pulled off their feet but still hold desperately to their clamps. The white light and wind fill the room along with the screams of their enemies as they are all pulled back into the void.
Rose and the Doctor hold onto the clamp, trying to maintain their hold as the void tries to pull them in as well.
"The breach is open!" The Doctor exclaims excitedly, triumph in his voice as his plan comes together. "Into the void. Ha!"
Rose smiles at the Doctor who returns it as the wind continues to billow around them.
Just when they think everything is going to work out, that nothing can go wrong a sudden burst of sparks comes from Rose's lever as it slides into the offline position. Their smiles instantly fade as both look at the downed lever.
"Offline." The computer announces as if mocking them.
Rose releases the clamp with one hand to reach for the lever. "I've got to turn it on!"
"Be careful!" the Doctor shouts as fear stops his heart in his chest as he watches Rose.
The suction of the void begins to ease while Rose reaches for the lever while retaining her hold on the clamp but it is just out of her reach. Eventually she realizes she has no option and releases the clamp, falling into the lever.
She struggles with it as she tries to push the lever back into place, her feet sliding back against the slight suction that is still present within the room.
The Doctor watches helplessly as she struggles with the lever, his hearts in his throat and stomach. Dread begins to consume him.
Finally, with a great deal of effort she manages to get the lever back upright.
"Online and locked."
Now with the lever back in position the suction picks up instantly giving Rose no chance to get back to her clamp and only the lever to hold onto as the wind pulls her horizontal once more.
"Rose! Hold on!" The Doctor cries desperately as his hearts plummet as he watches her cling to the lever.
But the void continues to pull at her, making in next to impossible for Rose to hold onto the lever. She winces with the effort, letting out a painful cry as her body is strained beyond its limits.
"HOLD ON!" the Doctor cries, panic and terror now consuming him.
Rose moans in pain, her strength almost completely spent as she is down to her last few fingers. The Doctor stares at her in absolute horror as he reaches out to her helplessly, knowing there is nothing he can do to save her but knowing he can't lose her either.
With one last cry, Rose slips away from the lever and is pulled towards the void screaming in terror as she falls.
"ROSE!" the Doctor screams as he watches her fall away from him.
He always knew that one day he would lose her, he just never thought it would be like this. He always thought he would lose her to time or that she would choose to leave like everyone else did. But to lose her like this?
And watching her fall he realizes what an idiot he had been by fighting what was between them from the beginning. He had been an idiot to deny what he felt for her. Now he is going to lose her to the void, never to see her again. And there was so much he still has to tell her, most important of which is; he loves her. More than anything in the universe, he loves her and he never told her that. He'll never get the chance to tell her.
The two both continue to scream as Rose continues to fall towards the void, both trying to memorize the faces of the other for the last time they will see them.
Suddenly, Rose hits the wall with a sickening thud and falls to the floor in a lump, the world turning black.
As the suction dies completely and the Doctor is standing firmly on his feet, he stares at Rose's limp form for a moment before sprinting across the room to her side as fast as his feet will carry him. He kneels beside her as he tries to process what just happened.
The void had closed before Rose had been sucked in. Rose is still with him, here, in this universe. Rose is still here but is unnaturally still.
He reaches out and gingerly touches her cheek, "R-Rose?"
She doesn't answer and he gives her a gentle shake, "Rose, please. Wake up!"
For a heart wrenching moment there is no response from her but then much to his unbridled relief she lets out a muffled groan and opens her eyes half-lidded. "Doc…tor?"
"Rassilon. Thank Rassilon." He whispers while helping her into a sitting position. "Are you alright?" He cups her face in his hands as she stares blankly at him.
"I… I think so…" she answers in a whisper. Her left hand to touch the back of her head where she feels a bump growing and winces. When she moves to get up she lets out a pained cry and cradles her right wrist to her chest.
The Doctor stares at it a moment before seeing the dark bruise already starting to form. He pulls his sonic from his pocket and gently takes her wrist in his hand then begins to carefully work on the abused flesh. After a few painstaking moments he pulls away.
"Fractured. Should heal in a few weeks." He explains while helping her to her feet. "I can heal it better back in the TARDIS. And your head too." When he gets no response from her the Doctor looks at her to see she is staring at the white wall behind her. "Rose?"
"I'm never going to see her again." She whispers.
"I'm sorry Rose."
She shakes her head, "Not your fault. I made my choice… I just… I didn't even say goodbye to her…"
Carefully she moves away from the Doctor and turns to face the wall, placing her uninjured limb against the cold wall. The Doctor watches as she leans her cheek and palm flat against it, realizing she can probably feel her mother on the other side through the little gap still there. Jackie is most likely doing the same thing as Rose. After a few moments she pulls away and turns back to the Doctor.
"Let's go home." She says in a hushed tone.
His hearts soar at her choice of word for the TARDIS but break a second later as he finally grasps what she just lost. It is one thing to know what is going to happen, it is another thing to see it happen. Something he is all too familiar with.
Nodding his head the Doctor wraps an arm around her waist and leads her out of the room.
The Doctor unlocks the door to the TARDIS and Rose walks past him inside their home. He follows behind her, closing the door, running to the console and sending them into the vortex. Once that's done he turns back to Rose to find her standing near the door while staring at nothing. "Rose?"
She shows no sign of hearing him and his concern and guilt grow tenfold.
"Rose, are you alright?" he asks.
Once again he receives no reply. Watching carefully the Doctor notices the instant her hands begin shaking and her chest moves quickly as she begins to dry sob. Moving faster than normally possible for a person he dashes across the room and catches Rose around the waist, pulling her to his chest before she can topple to the floor as shock and grief begin to overtake her.
Holding her to his chest he rubs comforting circles on her back and gently rocks her back and forth. "Shh. It will be alright, Rose. Everything is… You will be alright." He soothes, though a large part of him doesn't believe his words.
She has just lost her entire family and best mate because of him, because he couldn't stop the invasion any other way, because he couldn't let her go when he had the chance, because he forgot that she would fight her way back to him no matter what he tried to do to keep her safe. He can't help but think she may leave him now when the shock wears off because of what he's cost her, that all her love for him will turn to hate because of this.
Pushing that thought to the back of his mind he pulls the still sobbing Rose into his arms bridal style and carries her down the corridor. Under normal circumstances he would have taken her to her room but after what they just went through and almost losing her to the void he couldn't bear to part from her. He needed to keep her close.
Soon enough he comes to the TARDIS blue door with the familiar rings and swirls upon it and he pushes it open with his bum, sending a wave of thanks to his beautiful ship as he strolls over to the bed in three long strides. Keeping Rose cradled against his chest the Doctor swiftly and half-blindly throws all the maps, star charts and books on the floor before climbing into the bed and holding Rose close.
The young blonde clings to him as she continues to sob until she falls into a restless sleep.
Two weeks pass while the pair remain in the vortex and Rose deals with her loss. With each passing day she gets better but the Doctor can see the regret in her eyes.
He hopes his plan will be able to give her the closer she so desperately needs. After her crying session and sleep that first night the two had talked and though a small part of him still doubted that she wouldn't come to resent him for what's happened Rose confirmed for him that she doesn't regret choosing him, that she will remain with him for her forever. She just regrets leaving her mother without saying goodbye.
After checking to make sure everything is set up he sprints down the corridor to his room. Opening the door quickly he walks over to Rose and gently shakes her shoulder. "Rose?"
She grumbles and buries herself deeper into the dark blue duvet. An affectionate smile tugs at the Doctor's lip before he tries again. "Rose? Wake up."
He gives her another firm shake and finally Rose's eyes slide open to partially glare at him. "Wha…?"
"You need to wake up and make it quick. Meet me in the console room after."
Without an explanation he bolts out of the room leaving a confused Rose in his wake. After a few moments of grumbling she climbs out of bed while being mindful of her wrist which is still in a brace since she wouldn't let the Doctor heal the fracture any more than what he had done back at Torchwood.
Just because she lives with an alien doesn't mean she should have to heal like one too. It is also a reminder of everything she came close to losing when she hit that wall and right now she needs that reminder because it feels like a dream that she's still here with the man she loves.
Clearing those thoughts from her mind she heads over to the closet where the TARDIS has moved some of her clothes since she has stayed in the Doctor's room the past two weeks. It just feels right being here, in this room. It is also nice to have the Doctor by her side every night. He may not be there when she wakes up but he is always there when she goes to sleep.
She grabs a pair a black jeans, a black jumper and a pair of black boots. Quickly putting them on she brushes through her hair and puts on a light layer of make-up unlike what she did before, just some simple eyeliner, eyeshadow and light lipstick and heads for the door.
Before she reaches it however, something catches her eye. Rose turns fully to see a dark blue leather jacket that reminds her of the one her first Doctor use to wear and it brings a smile to her face. She quickly scoops it up and puts it on before patting the wall of the TARDIS, "Thanks old girl."
The TARDIS hums in reply.
Rose leaves the room quickly and heads to the console room to find the Doctor fiddling with the controls, "So, what's going on Doctor? Why did I need to get here so quick?"
He looks up at her and smiles nervously, tugging on his ear. "I've been working on this for the past few weeks and didn't want to say anything until I was sure."
Rose raises a questioning brow. "Working on what?"
"There's a small gap left in the universe… It's not enough to cross between but it's enough for you to say goodbye." He explains.
"Are you saying…" she trails off as she grasps what is being said. Hope bubbling in her chest. "Are you saying…?"
"You can say goodbye to Jackie, Rose. But we won't have long. It takes a lot of power and I found a sun we can use with no planets with life on them nearby."
She nods her head, "What do I need to do?"
He takes her hand in his and leads her to the other side of the TARDIS and gestures to the floor. "Stand right here. Good." The Doctor then moves to the side. "Now think of your mother. Just focus on her. The TARDIS will help reach her, just think of her."
Rose nods again, closes her eyes and does as he said, thinking of her mother. She remembers all the times her mum would help her when she was in a tough situation, all the times the fought over the most trivial things, the nights the spent watching EastEnders, her mother helping her after what happened with Jimmy Stone, all the times her mother was there for her during her time with the Doctor despite not agreeing with her travels with him. How much she loves her.
"Rose?" her mum's voice breaks through her thoughts.
Rose's eyes snap open and she finds herself standing on a beach with her mother standing before her. Mickey and Pete are off to the side leaning against a jeep. The wind is blowing around them but Rose is untouched by it which is her reminder that she is still in the TARDIS and not on the beach with her mother.
"Hi." Rose whispers.
"Hello." Jackie returns. The two smile sadly at each other as Jackie moves closer. "Where are you?"
"Inside the TARDIS. There is a tiny gap left in the universe which we're using to send this projection." She laughs a little. "It takes a lot of power to do just that… We're burning up a sun just to say goodbye."
"You look like a ghost." Jackie says, ignoring the part of this being Rose's goodbye. She can't imagine never seeing her daughter again.
Rose blinks and turns to look at the Doctor.
"Hold on." He says as he pulls his sonic screwdriver from his pocket and points it at the time rotor. Jackie takes another step closer as she reaches out to touch Rose.
"Can I -?" she asks.
Rose glances at the Doctor who shakes his head and the blonde turns to her mother. "I'm still just an image mum… No touch."
Jackie lets out a sob and Rose wants desperately to reach out to her but knows there is nothing she can do. Also, if her hand were to just pass through her mum it would break her and she can't afford that.
"Can't you just come through properly?" Jackie questions.
The Doctor comes to stand next to Rose, making himself visible to Jackie.
"The whole thing would fracture, Jackie." He states sadly. "Two universes would collapse."
"I don't care."
"You know we can't, mum." Rose replies to her mother.
The Doctor looks around for a distraction. "Where are we? Where did the gap come through?"
"In bloody Norway."
"Norway. Right."
"About fifty miles out of Bergen." Jackie continues, her tone softer now, a note of defeat to it. "It's called Darlig Ulv Stranden."
"Dalek?!" both the Doctor and Rose question in alarm.
"Darlig." Jackie corrects. "It's Norwegian for bad." The two continue to look at her and Jackie lets out a sigh. "It translates to Bad Wolf Bay."
The pair show a knowing look at the irony of this but return their focus on Jackie a moment later.
"How long have we got?"
"About two minutes." The Doctor answers the distraught mother solemnly.
Another sob burst past Jackie's lips as tears leak from her eyes.
"I can't think of what to say!"
"Neither can I." Rose admits sadly, tears escaping from the corner of her eyes. She glances over a Pete and Mickey. "You still got them though. Mickey's taking care of you, yeah?"
Jackie nods, glancing over her shoulder at the two men before turning back to her daughter. "There's five of us now. Me, your dad, Mickey and his gram… and … and the baby."
"You're not?" Rose asks, her face lighting up with joy for her mother.
"Three months gone. More Tylers on the way." The woman says proudly with her hands on her stomach. "And this little one's going to hear all about their big sister, they are."
Rose looks away, "Not much to tell."
"You shut up now." Jackie snaps at her daughter. "Rose Tyler, you saved the universe, two of 'em in fact. And you have been doing that since you met 'im. But you were amazing long before that and this baby is going to know all about their big sister; Rose Tyler the Defender of the Earth."
"Mum…"
Jackie now turns her attention to the Doctor who is silently staring at Rose like she is the most important thing in the universe. She sees as the Time Lord takes her daughter's hand within his.
"And you best take care of her Doctor." She orders, "You're all she has now and she gave up her family for you so you better not send her away or abandon her on some distant planet never to see you again." Her glare turns dark, "Or I will tear my way through that void thingy to slap you into yer next face!"
The Doctor chuckles dryly. "I believe you could. I give you my word Jackie, I will never abandon Rose and do everything within my power to keep her safe."
"I'll hold you to that."
"You're officially dead back home." Rose says suddenly. "So am I, I suppose." Her mother raises a brow. "So many people died that day and you've gone missing, as have I. We're on a list for the dead."
"You're not going to correct that?" Jackie asks in confusion.
"There's nothing for me to go back to anymore without you and Mickey there." Rose explains truthfully. "The TARDIS is my home now."
They both know they're running out of time but neither can think of anything to say but both having so much.
"Am I ever going to see you again?" Jackie asks hopefully.
"You can't." Rose returns, effectively killing her mother's last hope. "I'm sorry, mum." She finally blurts out. "I'm sorry I left the way I did. I never said goodbye or that I love you, and I do, I do love you."
"Oh, sweetheart, I know." Jackie soothes, even as both begin to cry harder. "I love you too, so much. And I am so proud of you."
"Goodbye mum. I love you."
"I love you –"
The rest is cut off as the beach fades from view and the Doctor and Rose are once more inside the TARDIS.
Rose begins crying uncontrollably and the Doctor pulls her to his chest, rocking them gently as he lets her cry. A single tear slips from the Time Lord's eye as he morns the loss of Jackie Tyler. The two may not have been on the best of terms but he did care for the woman and is sadden by the fact that he'll never see her again. Sad for the fact that Rose will never see her own mother again.
The two remain in each other's embrace even as Rose's tears stop and she is no longer crying, just enjoying his presence.
Movement on the other side of the console draws the Doctor's attention and while still holding Rose he leans over to see a red haired woman in a wedding dress standing with her back to them, facing the door.
"What?" he asks in utter confusion.
Rose turns to see what he is staring at and the bride whips around at the sound of his voice. She lets out a yelp of surprise as she looks at the pair before her.
"What?!" the Doctor says again, his vast vocabulary failing him at the moment.
"Who are you?" the bride questions.
Rose looks down at the console before looking at the bride again, "But-"
"Where am I?!" the bride shouts at them.
"What?!" The Doctor says once again, his mind a complete blank as he tries to understand what is before him.
"What the hell is this place?!" the redhead continues, not caring about the couple's confusion.
"What?!"
"Well… This is new…" Rose says as she looks between the Doctor and their new guest.
Life with the Doctor is never boring.