Chapter Two
The Doctor shuts the door, locks it, and takes my hand in his. Smiling at me, he leads me out of the console room towards the med bay. I look into his eyes, and see only warmth and love there. It feels so good to see that look again after the cold, cruel eyes of my mast…Sarkesians. I no longer have to call them master, thanks to my Doctor. I will be forever grateful to him for rescuing me. He truly is my knight in shining armor and if I have to spend the rest of my life repaying him for this and for all the other times he has saved me, it will be worth it.
The Doctor ushers me into the med bay and laying his hand on my shoulder leads me over to an examination table in the middle of the room. He gently kisses my cheek and helps me to lie on my back. I glance up at him, and I see the barely contained rage, as he stares at the whip marks. I know he wants nothing more than to go and get his revenge on the Sarkesians for what they did to me, but he will restrain himself for the moment, until my wounds are cared for. After that…
I shudder to think what he will do once he walks outside the TARDIS doors and makes his way back to the field. I can tell from the way that he stares at the whip marks that he will show the Sarkesians no mercy. Not only for what they have done to me but to the other women as well. I want so much to talk him out of what he has in mind, but I know it would do no good. The Doctor has already decided what to do, and there will be no swaying him from it. I know that the other reason he refrained from attacking them was so he could get me back here, so I wouldn't witness it. And for that I am grateful. I see too much death and horror as it is.
I reach up to stroke his cheek and smile when he takes his hand in mine and tenderly kisses my fingertips. His lips feel so good against my skin. I shut my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief knowing that no more harm will come to me. The Doctor lays my arm down at my side and kisses me on the top of my head before he goes and gets what he needs to clean my wounds.
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My Rose. My brave Rose.
She's being so calm about all of this. I know that most of it is due to my presence. I also know that this is only the beginning. I know that in time the nightmares will come. I know that soon her calm will be shattered, and she will need me to be there for her, to calm and comfort her and let her know that I am with her. That is why I must do this quickly. I must tend to her wounds and free the other women because I don't want her to be alone in the TARDIS when it happens. I also know that any minute the Sarkesians might figure out what has happened and move their operations elsewhere. But, mostly I just want to get out there and hurt them for hurting Rose.
I keep calm, as I open the medicine cabinet and grab the antiseptic, and cotton balls. First things first, Rose's wounds must be attended to before infection sets in. I walk over to her and stare down at the marks on her back. Fighting back the tears, I lay down the antiseptic and bandages, and gingerly run my fingertips over one of the older wounds. I feel Rose shudder at my touch, and I pull my hand away quickly. I look over and see her looking at me with love in her eyes, and I smile back, as I run my finger down her cheek. I tell her that the antiseptic will sting, and she nods in return; her eyes conveying complete trust in me. I marvel at her for what must be the millionth time since I first met her. All those times I've failed her. All the times I let her out of my sight. All the times I let her down. All the times I broke my promise to Jackie that I would protect her with my life. All this, and she still loves and trusts me with all her heart. The thought of it moves me to tears, and I let them flow freely down my cheeks, as I grab a cotton ball and saturate it with the antiseptic. I hesitate for a moment, as I bring the cotton ball down over one of the whip marks. Swallowing hard, I force myself to lower it to the wound. I curse the Sarkesians when I hear Rose suck in her breath and see her grit her teeth. They will pay for this, I swear to Rassilon they will. I will pay them back ten fold for every mark they put on her body. They will be sorry they ever crossed me when I'm through with them.
I gently rub the antiseptic up and down Rose's body, watching as the dried blood is wiped away from her body. I only wish it were that easy to wipe away the two months of damage she has suffered at their hands. It will be a long and difficult recovery for her, but I will be with her every step of the way. I murmur words of love to her as I continue to clean her back.
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God, it stings. I wince, as I feel the antiseptic working on my wounds. Still, it's nothing compared to the abuse I suffered, so I grit my teeth and bear it quietly. I glance up at the Doctor and notice he is crying softly, as he's tending to my back. Other than that, he shows no emotion, but I know inside there is turmoil mixed with guilt. I know he will never forgive himself for this just as I'm sure he has never forgiven himself for all the other times I have been hurt. I know he promised my mum he would keep me safe, and it eats him up inside every time something happens to me, but I wish so much he would stop feeling guilty. It wasn't his fault that the Sarkesians ambushed us. He had no way of knowing they were there until it was too late. I don't blame him one bit. I've never blamed him. I consider it an honor to travel with him, and if that means I have to suffer the occasional bumps, bruises, and torment, then so be it. He is the only man I have ever wanted to die for, and I would do so in a heartbeat. He has done so much to keep me safe. If he hadn't been as vigilant as he has, I would have been dead long ago. I just wish he would think of that instead of the handful of times that I've been hurt. He is the most, loving, caring, selfless man I have ever known. I love him mind, body, and soul and nothing he does or says will ever change it.
I reach out, grab his free hand, and bring it to my lips. He pauses and smiles softly, as I kiss it. He says my name softly as if it were a prayer, and he strokes my cheek, as he continues to clean me up. I close my eyes and relish the soft caress. At the moment, I am calm, but I know sooner or later the enormity of what I have been through will finally catch up with me and when that happens I know that the Doctor will be with me to get me through it just like all the other times.
He finishes cleaning my back. Leaning over, he gives me a kiss on the cheek and whispers that I have to lie on my stomach for awhile so that the air can help heal my wounds. I nod in understanding and nod again when he whispers that he has to turn me over and carry me back to my room. We both ready ourselves for the task, and then he helps me to sit up. Gingerly he wraps his arms around me careful not to hurt me too much. The look of love and concern in his eyes as he does this, makes my heart break in two. He's terrified he's hurting me. I can see it. I give him a kiss on the lips and tell him that he's not hurting me. He breathes a sigh of relief and allows himself a tighter hold on my body, as he lifts me up and holds me close. I lean my head on his shoulder, as he turns and walks out of the med bay towards my bedroom. I stare at his left cheek. Leaning my head in, I kiss it gently and hear him whisper my name in return. I rest my head back on his shoulder feeling completely safe and loved. A Dalek could burst in on us at this moment, and I would still be as calm as I am now. My Doctor loves me more than anything in this universe and that knowledge quiets my mind and allows me to be at peace even after all that has happened.
We enter my bedroom. I feel tears come to my eyes when I see my bed. The soft warm bed that I've missed these two long months. The Doctor lowers himself and pulls back the covers. Then he sits me on the edge of the bed and helps me to get on my back. I put my arms under my pillow and pull it under my head, as he pulls the covers up to the small of my back and smoothes out the wrinkles. He leans down and kisses me on the cheek and whispers that I need to sleep and that he'll be near if I need anything. I lean my head up, kiss his soft lips, and lay my head back down on the pillow while he straightens up. It's only then that the loving expression on his face is replaced by a cold, hard look, and I shudder knowing what is about to happen. I watch as he turns away from me and purposefully strides to the door. He turns and with one last look at me, shuts the door behind him.
