"What is this place?..." Rose mumbled as she hopped off Arthur's back, resting her hand on the gate of the castle and removing it just as quickly as the coldness of it stung her skin. "It's huge…"
She looked down and saw Jackie's brown cap laying on the ground, torn and dirtied. "Oh god, Mum!"
After rattling with the gate for a moment it opened and Rose sprinted to the door of the castle, opening it cautiously and stepping inside. Donna and Jack were in the living room, talking amongst themselves and hadn't noticed Rose slipping inside.
"Oh, I'm Jack, let's just invite strangers into the Doctor's castle and serve them tea! Oh, let's let them sit in his chair too, because why not?!" Donna mocked him, scowling.
Jack rolled his eyes, "I was trying to be polite!"
"Hello? Is someone there?" Rose's voice rang out as she searched the foyer.
Jack and Donna let out a simultaneous yelp and hid behind a counter, scared stiff. Rose walked into the living room and searched around, not seeing the little boy who was watching her from the kitchen doorway.
"Sarah Jane!" Tony whispered, running back into the kitchen straight to her and tugging on her arm, "There's a girl in the castle! A real, live, blonde girl! I swear, I saw her!"
Sarah chuckled, "Tony, I won't have you making up stories. There are no new girls in the castle."
Reinette ran into the room, eyes wide, "There's a girl in the castle!"
Back behind the counter, Jack and Donna were whispering to one another angrily. "Did you see who it was?!" Donna asked excitedly.
"It was a girl! A real, live, human girl! I saw her clearly, she was blonde!" Jack replied happily.
"No way it was a girl, that's impossible!"
"It was! Take a peek!"
Donna obeyed and peered her head over the counter, staring at the confused Rose. "Oh my god, it is a girl!"
Jack squealed, "Don't you see?! She's the one we've been waiting for! She'll break the spell and we'll all be Time Lords again and return to Gallifrey! Come on!"
He left their hiding spot with Donna clutching at his leg and bounced over to Rose. "Hello! My name is Jack!"
Rose smiled charismatically, "Hi, I'm Rose. Have you seen my mother? She's about… This tall… A little feisty… An inventor?"
Donna stepped out from the counter next, walking up behind Jack. "Er… Nope, no, we haven't seen your mother. Sorry, dear."
Rose ignored them and walked up to a trapdoor on the floor, opening it and examining the ladder that lead downwards. "Let me out!" Jackie's shout echoed up the trapdoor, making Rose gasp.
"That's my Mum! I'm going to get her!" Before Donna or Jack could stop her, Rose was halfway down the ladder yelling, "I'm coming, Mum!"
As soon as her feet hit the new floor she sprinted in the darkness to Jackie's cell, grabbing her hands that were sticking out through the bars. "Rose, oh, you have to get out of here sweetheart! You have to go right now!"
"Your hands are like ice," Rose commented, a frown on her face. "Let's get you out of here, Mum."
Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed Rose by her shoulders and twirled her around, making her shriek. The room was so dark she could just barely see the man's face. "Rose, get back!" Jackie pleaded, "You have to get away from him!"
Rose backed up a little until she bumped into the wall. "Who are you? Why can't I see you?"
"What are you doing here?" The man asked simply, glaring at her with piercing blue eyes that were barely visible.
"My mother… Can't you see that she's sick? I'll take her home and we won't bother you again. Just let us go."
"You both shouldn't have trespassed on this land." As he said this, Rose noted that he had a northern accent and a deep, gruff voice. "Your mother is my prisoner."
"We didn't mean to trespass! This is all a mistake!" She sighed as she realized her words were of no use. "What if I take her place?"
The man's tone turned interested instead of angry. "You would replace her as my prisoner?"
"Rose… I've lived my life, just go!" Jackie cried, gripping the iron bars until her knuckles turned white.
"Yes, I would," Rose said simply, ignoring her mother and standing up a little straighter. "Would you promise to let her go?"
The man considered this for a moment. "Yes, I would."
"Then take me and let her go."
"You would have to stay here for the rest of your life," the man said with a bowed head. "You must promise never to leave, never to attempt escape or any treason of the sort."
Rose contemplated this, squinting her eyes. "Step out into the light…"
The man complied after a moment, giving her a full view of himself. Jackie looked away at the sight of him, but Rose just stared into his eyes with bravery. His eyes were still the same piercing blue color, but with a tiny hint of interest and amusement in them, something Jackie didn't see the last time. Rose tried not to shake or move at all, showing him she wasn't afraid. Although, she was most definitely afraid. The man's hands slid into his pockets and he waited for her to make a decision.
"I'll stay," she stated simply, tears coming to her eyes. "You have my word."
"Rose, please don't!" Jackie cried out again, banging on the wall with frustration and her helplessness. The Doctor unlocked Jackie's cell and she sprinted over to Rose, holding her in her arms. "Rose, please, listen to me! Like I said, I'm old! Just leave me and go, please, please go!"
The Doctor tore Jackie away and carried her out of the jail room, up the ladder, and outside, throwing her out of the gates and onto Arthur. "If you come back here, I'll kill her," the Doctor gave her one warning and shot back around, marching into the castle and back down to Rose.
Rose sat on the floor, exactly where the Doctor had left her, her head resting in her hands as pouted and tears dripped down from her eyes. "You didn't let me say goodbye…" She sniffled a little bit, looking up at the man whom she could see clearly now. "Why?"
A hint of sadness washed over his expression and she stood up to face him. He didn't reply, and Jack walked up to him and whispered in his ear, "Doctor… If Rose is going to be staying with us, perhaps you should offer her a more comfortable room."
The Doctor scowled and shooed him away before turning back to Rose. "Fine. Let me show you to your room."
Rose nodded and followed him as he climbed back up the ladder and walked down a long, winding hallway to a room with a dark purple door. Creepy statues lined the walls and the entire house reeked of death and misery. Jack caught up to them and walked with the Master, whispering to him again. "Say something to her…"
"Um…" He turned to Rose awkwardly, scratching his neck. "I hope you like it here."
The Doctor's eyes flickered to Jack for approval who waved his arms, gesturing for him to continue. "You can go anywhere you'd like in the castle. Except the West Wing. It's forbidden."
Rose's eyes widened with interest, "What's in the West Wing?"
"It's FORBIDDEN!" The Doctor boomed, turning on his heels and glaring at her.
She nodded meekly and continued following him and Jack in silence. When they reached the door the Doctor opened it, allowing Rose to walk inside. Rose flicked the light switch on the wall and smiled at the room. At least it was nice looking.
The floor was beige and the walls were a light purple, almost matching the pink she had in her room back home. Two large, circular windows lined the far wall and transparent black curtains were drawn over them. The bed was beautiful, with a large mahogany frame and matching curtains all around it. There was a walk in closet filled with clothes and the ensuite was bigger than any she had ever seen before.
"It's like this house is…" She began, walking around the room, unable to find the right words.
"Bigger on the inside," the Doctor finished with a nod. "My servants will attend to any of your needs."
Jack coughed and the Doctor glared at him. "Invite her to dinner…" He mumbled into his ear.
"Oh, yes. You will join me for dinner, Rose," the man said simply, walking out of the room and slamming the door shut behind him.
The weight of Rose's emotions were crashing down on her, so, as soon as the two were gone, she threw herself on the bed and cried, tears staining the purple pillow. "Oh god, Mum, will I never see you again?"
A loud coughing in her room made her look around and, through teary eyes, she could see a woman with bright red hair staring at her with tan skin, smiling in the doorway. "Don't cry!" Rose was surprised to find the woman had a heavy Scottish accent. "This place isn't that bad once you get used to it!"
"Who are you?" Rose asked, sniffing.
"Amy Pond," the woman extended her hand, still smiling. "And you're Rose Tyler! I've already heard all about you! I'll help you with whatever you need here, okay?"
Rose grinned apologetically, "I'm sorry for crying so much. It's a bit embarrassing."
"Oh, Rose, what you did was so brave of you! Everyone thinks so! Anyways, let's get you cheered up and find you something nice to wear to dinner, shall we[ML1] ?"