Rose had offered to call Angus as soon as they got to the Doctor's office, but Maggie had resisted, requesting instead that her favorite neighbor remain at her side as the Doctor examined her. Rose understood that she didn't want to worry her husband until she knew precisely what the problem was.

The Doctor was always kind and calm with his patients, but with Maggie he was even more so. He understood that the woman's own professional knowledge and experience had left her particularly frightened by the many possibilities suggested by her symptoms. He remained positive, however, keeping his words and demeanor encouraging.

He finished by drawing blood. "I'll just run this through the lab and see what's what," he said. "I should have results by the end of the day. Will Angus be home by then?"

Maggie nodded woodenly. "I expect him back for supper."

The Doctor rested a gentle hand upon her shoulder. "I'll drop by around six."

"An' I'll drive you home an' keep you company 'til then," Rose offered.

Maggie blinked back tears. "You're both too good to me."

"Nothing less than you deserve," the Doctor said.

He and Rose left Maggie to compose herself. As soon as they were out of the room, Rose asked, "Do you know what it is? Is it from the artifact?"

"I'm not sure, on either count. But I'll know soon enough." He peered at the vial of blood.

With his sophisticated and partially alien equipment, he had isolated the main illnesses caused by the artifact, developing a series of tests that could identify the primary disease.

He bent to kiss Rose's cheek.

"Best get to it, then," he said. "I'll see you later."

"Doctor." She reached out to grab his departing hand. "You'll be able to cure her, right?"

He hesitated for just an instant, just enough to reveal the truth to her. "I hope so."

Rose felt tears welling in her own eyes. Maggie was more than a neighbor. She'd grown to love the older woman like her own grandmother. She swiped at her eyes then turned back to the exam room with an encouraging smile upon her face.

**

The Doctor's arm was wrapped securely around Rose as they walked back to their house in the evening chill. She felt cold, exhausted, and a little nauseous.

The news had not been good. The artifact had spurred a complex growth in Maggie's spinal column, identifiable through the specific protein it created. Before the Doctor's arrival in Durryvale, the malady would have proven fatal within three months. He'd assured Maggie and Angus that he could treat the illness, but it would be a difficult process for her. She would require daily intravenous medication which would leave her feeling unwell at the very least. Still, the Doctor felt that the treatment would be successful ultimately. Rose knew that he was determined on that point.

"I'll need to start working on the drug first thing tomorrow," he told her as they shuffled along.

She nodded. "'Course."

"And it's going to take some time to synthesize it. Maggie's case is rather unique, so I'm going to have to create the drug specifically for her."

"But it'll work, yeah?"

"Yes."

Perhaps her foot touched a stone or she slipped a bit on the damp walkway. Whatever the cause, Rose stumbled, nearly falling to the ground. The Doctor caught her arm and gently pulled her up.

"All right?" he asked, peering at her closely in the wan glow cast by their porch light.

"Tripped, I think."

"You look pale," he replied, ushering her carefully into the house. Once inside, in the stronger light from the hallway fixture, his gaze quickly appraised her. "When did you last eat? Did you have anything at Maggie's?"

She shook her head. "Didn't even think about it. I made tea, but that's all we had."

He led her to the living room and eased her down onto the couch. His hand pressed over her cheek, his fingers dipping to touch the pulse point in her throat. "You're chilled, Rose. I'm going to heat some soup for you."

After quickly bending to remove her shoes, he spread a blanket over her legs then kissed her forehead. She sat quietly while he prepared the food. She still felt a bit queasy, but maybe that was just hunger. Sometimes with all the weight and pressure it was difficult to discern exactly what sensation she was experiencing.

The Doctor returned bearing a tray with soup, hot cocoa, and half a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread. He set it on the coffee table then sat down at her side. He handed her the cocoa first.

She took a sip, immediately appreciative of the warmth. It seemed to help settle her stomach, too. When she'd finished half the mug, he nodded at her.

"Your color's a little better," he reported.

"Sorry. It's been a tough day."

His hand closed over hers. "I know. But it's over now, and we're going to have a quiet, restful evening. All right?"

"Yeah."

She managed to eat most of the sandwich and a good portion of the soup. The Doctor watched her, smiling his approval at each bite she took. The baby seemed pleased, too; she delivered several gleeful kicks beneath Rose's ribs.

"Oof," Rose grunted, pressing her hand over the tiny foot. "Think we've got Beckham's successor here."

"Is there a Beckham in this universe?" he replied.

"It's Beckwith."

"Huh. Is he married to Plush Seasoning, then?"

She chuckled and nudged at his thigh with her sock-clad foot. "Funny, you are."

"It's a gift," he responded cheekily.

Their smiles faded, however, as both thought about the world Rose had left behind. She had no regrets; he knew that. But sometimes—rarely, really—she did remember her Earth and the Time Lord who had taken her so far away from it.

His gaze was gentle as he said with simple sincerity, "I'm happy here."

"Me too."

He opened his arms to her. Suddenly she was terribly tired.

"Fancy a bath?" he asked.

"Mmm. Not sure I have the energy for that."

"I can help."

She sighed. "Sorry, but I really don't have the energy for that."

He arched an eyebrow at her. "When I say 'help' I mean assist, as in run the soapy sponge over your lovely, soft, glowing skin; maybe spend a bit of time on a back rub; and possibly massage some of that apricot-scented lotion you like so much into those fatigued feet. Unless you're too tired for it?

She leaned limply into his embrace. "Sounds perfect."

"Just what the Doctor ordered." He kissed her crown as his hand found the glorious swell of her belly.

**

To be continued…