Rose awoke to the sound of machines bleeping close by, a tube was in her arm and in the distance she could hear the sound of people's footsteps. A year, two months, twenty six days and two hours had passed since her collapse and since that time she had been moved to a medical suite in Torchwood. She could recall hearing people visit her bedside and talk to her, her Mum had never left her side for the duration of the first month and since then she had popped in daily regaling stories of her younger brother and sister and talking about Rose's childhood. Rose had longed to reach out to her but she had not been able to wake up, she had felt no connection to her body.

Rose opened her eyes and took a look at her surroundings. She lay in a hospital bed surrounded by monitoring equipment; someone had left a vase of flowers on her bedside table along with several get well cards. She could smell her Mums perfume in the air and it comforted her but it was late at night so her Mum was probably at home. Rose checked her surroundings; she really could do with a glass of water… The door opened then and an older man walked in wearing a lab coat and clutching a glass of water. Rose stared at him, this man looked to be in his late fifties, his hair white, with a small face with brilliant blue eyes, they made her feel calm.

"Rose Tyler welcome back" and he pressed the glass of water into her hands, "Here no doubt you'll be thirsty, drink up whilst I just check you are ok"

The man studied her face before taking her pulse and he nodded thoughtfully. He took out a thermometer and held it under her arm whilst prodding her ribs.

Rose put down the glass and he motioned for her to take another thermometer in her mouth whilst he took out a stethoscope and listened to her chest.

"Amazing" he muttered as he took out the two thermometers and checked their reading he nodded cheerfully "perfect"

"Am I dead?" she asked though as she said it she just knew it wasn't the case

What a stupid question, typical human

"It was a stupid question, forget I asked"

He stared at her, he hadn't spoken aloud yet she knew his thoughts, interesting.

"Physically all seems to be working well, how do you feel?"

She shook her head "I feel quite muzzy, I can't seem to feel my body, I didn't taste the water you brought me, there's no pain I didn't even feel you prod me just now its as if my body is not mine" she giggled nervously, "Sounds crazy"

He shook his head and wrote some notes in his notebook, "No sounds perfectly ok to me, you've been unconscious for a while"

"Just over a year I can't believe I've lost a year"

He positively grinned "How long exactly?"

"A year, two months, twenty six days and two hours sixteen minutes"

"Fantastic"

Rose felt for the TARDIS key at her neck, it wasn't there and she glanced around in panic. The old man placed the necklace between her fingers she stared at the key tears in her eyes oh Doctor and all the sadness came back to her in waves.

Humans, emotionally flawed, why did this happen to such an insignificant creation?

"Pardon?"

He would have to be careful around her, she was becoming stronger now.

"So Doctor…"

"Doctor Mortious"

"The growths, why am I still alive?"

He raised his eyebrows, "There was no chance of you dying you are going to live a long life Rose Tyler that I can promise you. Now it is late and I believe you are feeling sleepy again so I shall leave you to rest. Things will be clearer once you wake up and your body and mind are one again then we will talk about the future. Sleep well Rose Tyler" and with that he walked out of the room.

Rose shook her head and kissed the TARDIS key in her hand and fell asleep.