Chapter Six.

"That's better," the Doctor said several hours later as he emerged from the TARDIS's Med Bay. His clothes were still stained with blood but all his wounds healed and energy restored.

"I'm so sorry Doctor," Rose whispered, hanging her head in shame. "I should never have let that happen to you."

"Rose," he said, trying to hide his frustration. "It doesn't matter. I've told you, don't blame yourself. What's done is done, and I'm still alive so let's just not worry about that. Now, have you thought back to how this all started?"

Rose nodded. "I still can't figure anything out though."

"Well then you haven't thought enough. Think more."

Rose sighed and closed her eyes, letting memories wash over her again.

0o0o0o0o

At last William had broken the kiss and Rose had stood there shivering, not sure what to think or feel. His lips were cold, so cold, yet he felt so alive. He smirked at her and Rose suddenly felt eyes on her back. She spun around and there was the Doctor, breathing heavily and glaring at William with pure anger and hatred.

"How dare you," he hissed, taking a step towards William and Rose bit her lip, feeling as though she'd betrayed the Doctor.

"It's not like she's yours," William said casually with a soft laugh. "So why is it a problem?"

"She's here with me," the Doctor said in a tone so calm and quiet that was somehow more threatening than a shout.

"You don't love me though," Rose said before she could think and regretted it as soon as the words were out.

The Doctor stared at her for a moment, all sorts of emotions running across his face before he glared at them both, his jaw clenched tightly and turned to leave. He stopped, turned back to face William and said, "Have her then." And with that he turned and walked away.

"Doctor!" Rose cried, moving to go after him but William put out an arm to stop her.

"Don't go after him," he said loudly. "He's not worth it; he doesn't care about you, Rose. If he's just letting you go that easily then he'll clearly never love you."

"Right, that's it," the Doctor snarled, storming back into the room and whipping out his sonic screwdriver, pointing it threateningly at William. "Touch Rose and I kill you."

William laughed softly. "With that?" he said cynically. "I doubt it."

"I'm warning you," he said, his voice hushed and dangerous. "Get away from her."

William leaned forwards until his face was just inches from the Doctor's, a small smile playing on his pale lips and said, "No."

The Doctor's patience cracked and he launched himself at William, pure fury burning in his eyes. Quick as lightning William pulled something from inside his pocket and the Doctor staggered back, staring at his chest in disbelief. Blood seeped from a gash in his chest about six inches long and William stood grinning, a hunting knife in his hand. Hot wet blood dripped from the glinting blade and Rose screamed.

"How could you?" she screeched at William, terror swimming through her veins and throughout her shaking body. "You bastard! You absolute bastard."

"Tut, tut, Rose Tyler," William smirked and noted with satisfaction that the Doctor's breathing was becoming irregular from the rapid loss of blood.

"Rose," the Doctor whispered, fixing her with a look of deep sorrow before passing into unconsciousness.

Rose bit her lip, holding back tears and ran to the Doctor's side, checking his pulse. Only one heart in working order. She quickly began to apply pressure to the wound, her hands being soaked in the Doctor's warm and sticky blood. She felt William approach her and desperately bitter rage took over. She spun around and stood up tall, fixing William with the infamous Tyler glare and saw the man recoil slightly.

"Why, you little…" before William knew what was happening she'd wrenched the knife from his hand and drew back her arm, ready to plunge the blade directly into William's chest, just as he'd done to her Doctor. William gasped and leapt to the side, avoiding the knife by mere centimetres. He shoved Rose out of the way and she staggered backwards, tripping over the Doctor's motionless body and he ran through the doorway, fleeing to safety.

"Gutless bloody shit," Rose muttered, dropping the knife and leaning back over the Doctor. "Oh Doctor, please don't leave me. I'm so sorry."

She bit her lip til it bled, praying for the Doctor to wake up. She remembered reading somewhere that talking to an unconscious person can help to wake them so she tried.

"Doctor," she said, stroking dark hair from his damp forehead. "I don't know why I let him kiss me. I love you Doctor, even if you don't feel the same way about me. I think you do now, after seeing you react like that, but I still can't be sure. I don't want you to die, or regenerate. You're absolutely gorgeous with your cheeky smile and energy. I love you Doctor, please believe me. I love you."

He groaned, shifting slightly and wincing in pain before whispered, "Rose, get us out of here." Then he was still once again. Rose was determined now. She got to her feet and heaved the Doctor onto her shoulder. She knew William would be back, and he'd come for them. She didn't know why, she didn't know anything; she just knew that she had to get the Doctor to safety.

0o0o0o0o

"Of course!" Rose screeched and the Doctor jumped slightly at her sudden outburst. "He was acting all brave, but he nicked off when I got the knife. He's terrified of dying!"

"Well, we already knew that," the Doctor said, not sure what this had to do with anything.

"So, Rose said, bouncing with excitement. "We set something up, making him think we're vulnerable; he'll come to get us, and then bam! We kill him."

"Yeah," the Doctor said slowly. "Except I can see about a thousand flaws in that plan."

"We knew it all along though," Rose continued. "It was there, staring me in the face. He doesn't wanna die, but he can't live unless he takes someone else's life. He's weak at the moment, so if we kill him now, he can't come back!"

"He's quick though," the Doctor said seriously. "You saw how fast he drew the knife on me. He's faster than I was, and that's never a good thing. We'll have to think very carefully about it and have every detail of the plan perfect, or else we'll be finished."

"So, what's the plan then?"

The Doctor grinned his heart melting grin and Rose knew he was back to normal. "No idea!"

TBC

A/N: Review, or else I'll send William after you!! xD