Author's Note: Thank you for all who have read, reviewed, saved to favorites and are following this story. I appreciate it and hope 'Should I Stay' continues to hold your interest.

Happy reading and I hope you enjoy it!

~Valerie~


Chapter 7: Queen of a Rescue

Rose couldn't help it. She erupted in manic laughter. All eyes swerved her way. No doubt wondering why she was acting like a complete nutter. She waved them off in a 'don't mind me' sort of manner and got lost back in her thoughts. So whatever Solomon or anybody else was saying, Rose was not hearing. Her mind was too wrapped up by the fact that Queen Nefertiti was here, somewhere aboard this spaceship. Something she really shouldn't be. It was too dangerous and she was much too important.

How long had she been traveling with him?

Was there anything romantic between them?

She knew she shouldn't care if there was. But she couldn't help how she felt. Just like Rose knew she had no right to let it bother her. After all, she wasn't the one the Doctor was or will be married to. That honor belonged to River Song. At that another thought popped in her head. Was she here too? Not once had Rose considered the Doctor's wife might be here as well. Could she actually face the woman who managed to tie down the last existing Time Lord? Not like she really had a choice in the matter if she were.

The TARDIS was her only way off of this ship and back to Earth. If River was here then Rose wasn't going to make any kind of scene; just ask the Doctor that he drop her off, and then he and his wife can dematerialize off in the sunset for all she cared. Sounded like a plan to her. But in order to do that, the man issuing out threats needed to be dealt with. Rose was going to be damned if she let him get in the way of that.

Assessing the current situation, she quickly concluded that the two robots were the real threats here. Both in which she could easily take care of. For when she returned to her universe, so did the object she carried on her everywhere she went. Rose had a Compact RKL Blaster tucked on the inside of her right boot; one that she could switch from stun to energy then adjust the settings to deliver a high enough voltage to take the two rustic metals out. But to reach it meant bending down and unfortunately she was in Solomon's line of sight.

Loud thuds from one of the robots moving brought Rose back to the here and now. She looked up just as it fired four shots at the Triceratops. The poor thing roared out in pain then fell to its side. The Doctor walked over and knelt beside the fallen dinosaur where he began stroking its head. Rose clenched her fists in anger but didn't allow it to get the best of her. Instead she took advantage of the distraction and reached down to retrieve her weapon while Solomon and the robots attentions were focused elsewhere. Rose quickly tucked it in the back of her jeans, hidden beneath her leather jacket.

Once the Triceratops stopped breathing the Doctor strode back, clapping slowly. "You must be very proud."

"Bring her to me. Or the robots will make their way through your corpses," Solomon threatened. "Bring her now."

"No," the Doctor refused. Before any other words could be said, there was another blinding flash of light from behind them all and three people suddenly appeared.

In the middle, stood a woman with long ginger hair, in her hands she carried a long gun. Most likely one that shoots out tranquilizers to use on the dinosaurs so that no harm could come to them. At least Rose assumed that it did. She didn't think the Doctor would suddenly allow his companions to carry weapons. He never liked them. It didn't escape her notice how the woman glanced curiously at her. Immediately she determined this had to be Amy, the other companion and Rory's wife.

Flanked to her left was a very attractive looking man. Rose's lips twitched in amusement as she took in his appearance. He was completely donned in clothing that resembled what one would wear when traveling on a safari. Even down to the wide brimmed hat he wore atop his head. The man kind of reminded her of the fictional character Indiana Jones. In his right hand he held the same rifle looking gun Amy was carrying.

Then there was the woman on Amy's right side who, without a doubt, was Queen Nefertiti. She was beautiful and regal looking just as Rose knew she would be, garbed in her Egyptian attire. The woman stood tall and proud even in the face of danger surrounded by people, artifacts and machinery not of her time.

"What are you doing?" the Doctor asked.

"I demanded to be brought here," Queen Nefertiti answered as she walked forward.

"No, no, no, no; no way!" He grabbed hold of her arm, stopping her from going further.

"It isn't your choice Doctor, it's mine."

"Listen to me, if you go with him, I can't guarantee your safety."

"You saved my people. I'm in your debt."

"No. No debts, you don't owe me anything."

She snatched her arm out from the Doctor's grip. "Then I do it of my own will," her voice was firm, strong. Her mind already made up.

"Neffy. Neffy. Neffy." Rose stiffened at that. Neffy? What is it with the Doctor shortening famous Queen names, she wondered as she thought back to when he once told her and Mickey that he'd met Cleopatra, whom he called Cleo. Nefertiti ignored the Doctor and offered herself up to Solomon.

The Queen may have thought she was acting noble, sacrificing herself for the others, and if she were anybody else and Rose hadn't have already come up with a plan, she would've applauded the woman's bravery. But unfortunately it was an idiotic move. Because it now put her in harm's way which meant she couldn't take the shots she needed without endangering not only her life but that of history. She was getting a glimpse of what the Doctor must go through. Rose didn't envy him. Still, she wasn't going to give up. It just meant she needed a new plan.

Instantly her gaze fell on Indiana Jones; what Rose was going to call the safari dressed man until she learned what his name was. Positioning her body so that she was hidden behind Rory and Brian, she covertly waved her arm capturing his attention. Slowly she reached behind her back and lifted her jacket revealing to him her weapon. His brows shot up in surprise, followed by a smirk. Then to her annoyance his eyes trailed down her body.

Really, he's checking me out now?!

Indiana Jones ignored her glare and returned a subtle nod. Message received. Rose discreetly pointed to herself and mouthed the word 'robots' then she pointed to him and mouthed 'Queen'. Again he nodded in understanding. She flashed him three fingers letting him know they would move on the count of three. A final nod. The plan was set.

"No!" Indiana Jones called out as he sprinted closer to Solomon, cocking his gun and pointing it at him. Rose gaped at the man in disbelief. What the hell was he doing? "Take her, I shoot you."

Queen Nefertiti held out an arm to keep him back. "Put your weapon down. Let me make my choice."

"Do it, boy," Solomon ordered. One of the robots stepped forward. Indiana Jones lowered his weapon then pulled his left hand behind his back and gave a 'thumbs' up. Rose then understood what it was the man had just done. He positioned himself closer to his target. She smiled in relief then refocused on the task as his fingers began the countdown.

One. She reached for her weapon and brought it forward.

Two. She adjusted the settings and gripped it in her hands.

Three. She pointed it at her target and squeezed the trigger.

With perfect aim, Rose fired the first two shots hitting her intended target; the robot closest. The second one only had a chance to turn its head before she shot two rounds in it as well. Before the first one could gather its bearings and react, she fired off more shots then turned and did the same to the other. Both robots fall backwards, bolts of electric running through their metal frames until smoke was rising and they were no longer moving. Targets were down. The move had distracted Solomon for the few seconds needed for Indiana Jones to do his part and reach for Queen Nefertiti, moving her out of harm's way.

He made a mistake though. When the Queen hollered out in anger, he turned his head in surprise leaving him vulnerable for the attack Solomon made on him. Rose heard somebody call out in warning as she rushed over to help. But it was too late. Indiana Jones was hit on the back of his head by one of the walking sticks. He went down leaving the Queen vulnerable. Solomon grabbed one of Nefertiti's arms. The Doctor grabbed the other.

"Computer, take us...," he began saying. Rose didn't let him finish that sentence.

A kick to the back of his weak legs was all it took for the man to lose his hold on the arm he was holding and fall to the ground with a startled cry. With Queen Nefertiti now safe and the robots eliminated, Solomon no longer had the power to threaten any of them anymore; unless he had others they weren't aware of. Rose hoped not. Judging by the look he was giving her, she was sure if that were the case, then he would be coming after her now that she was on the man's radar.

"Just who do you think you are?!" Rose's head snapped up in surprise as she was confronted by one very angry Queen.

"Excuse me." She narrowed her eyes.

"I had already made my choice. You had no right to interfere."

This was the thanks she was getting for saving her life? Rose stepped into the woman's personal space. "In Egypt you may be Queen, here you're not," her voice was low and threatening. "You best remember tha' before talkin' to me tha' way again." Their eyes locked, Rose refusing to submit and back down. Queen Nefertiti conceded when she lowered her gaze. Once the woman turned her back, Rose dropped to her knees beside her fallen accomplice. "Hey, you okay?"

The man was being assisted by Rory. "Hello," he replied instead of answering. "The names John Riddell." He held his hand out.

Rose rolled her eyes. First the Doctor was channeling Jack Harkness and now this man. She ignored him. "Better than wha' I was callin' you."

"And what might that have been?"

Rose smirked. "Indiana Jones." From behind she heard Amy snort in laughter. Beside her Rory coughed to disguise his.

"And who is this man?" She looked at him as though he were bonkers.

"Computer," Solomon's voice suddenly grabbed their attention, "take me to my ship." The man disappeared in a flash of light.

"Should we go after him?" Brian asked the Doctor.

"No reason to. He's no longer a threat."

Rose returned her attention back to the fallen man. "How could you not know who Indiana Jones is?"

"That would be 'cos he's from the early 20th Century," Amy answered.

She nodded in understanding. "Oh, then never mind." Rose looked down at Riddell. "Nice to meet ya'." She moved to stand up but he stopped her by grabbing hold of her hand.

"How about later on you and I get to know each other better."

Again Rose rolled her eyes, but before she could open her mouth to say 'thanks, but no thanks' the Doctor was there yanking her hand out of the man's grasp and to her feet. "That's quite enough Riddell," he told him. With his right hand he cupped her cheek; a little too tenderly for her comfort. "What were you thinking Rose?"

Her brows rose at that. "What was I thinking? I was thinkin' of saving Earth's history, that's wha'." She swatted his hand away and took a step back. "Question is Doctor, what the hell were you thinking bringing 'er here?" The Doctor looked surprised by her vehemence.

"She pushed her way inside the TARDIS," the Doctor argued. "What was I supposed to do?"

"Push 'er back out."

"Trust me, I know what I'm doing Rose."

"That's debatable Doctor."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Sometimes you think ya' know, but not really."

The Doctor grabbed her hand. "When did you stop trusting me Rose?"

"The day you abandoned me."

From behind she heard a gasp. "What is she talking about Doctor?" Amy asked him.

He ignored her. "Is that what you really think?"

"It's what I know," she answered honestly then moved as far away from him as she could.

Rose regretted attacking him about Queen Nefertiti. Yes, the Doctor took unnecessary risks, but he'd been doing it for so long, he knew what he was doing. She knew the reason she was acting this way was because she was comparing this to the Madame De Pompadour incident. Rose thought she was better than that. Before she could apologize or he could respond to her accusation, alarms began blaring diverting their attention as a computer voice repeatedly announced that a hostile target was in progress.

"What is it? What's happening?" Rory asked the Doctor.

"Bingo," was all he said. Then he clapped his hand. "Okay, everybody gather together." Rory helped Riddell to his feet. Once they all were huddled in a group the Doctor grasped her hand in his. "Computer, take us to…"

"Wait," Rose interrupted before he could finish that sentence, teleporting them all wherever it was he was trying to go. "Doctor, 'm a bit knackered. 'M gonna head to the TARDIS while you do wha' you need to do."

"No," the Doctor said as though she were asking his permission. And then he had the gall to reclaim her hand, in his tight grip. "Computer, take us to control deck," he said before she could tell him where he could stick his 'no' at.

Rose stood there fuming in anger as they were teleported out of the corridor they were standing in and into a small room covered with cobwebs and two piloting chairs where a small post was settled between them. She yanked her hand out from beneath his and turned to glare at him. He didn't acknowledge her. Instead just walked to where the post was and squatted down to remove the cap and peer inside.

"I'm gonna take position by the door in case anybody was wondering," Riddell announced to nobody in particular. Needing distance from the Doctor she moved to follow him but was stopped by a hand on her forearm.

"You're staying right here with me," the Doctor told her with an air of finality. Her eyes narrowed and her palm itched to make do with her earlier sentiment and give the Time Lord a hearty Tyler slap.

"You don' get to tell me wha' to do!" she snapped in return.

"In case you've forgotten Solomon is still out there," he returned. "And let's not forget the dinosaurs."

"I can take care of myself Doctor."

"Not saying you can't."

"Sure in hell sounds like it."

"Will you stop being so argumentative Rose and understand I'm doing this 'cos I just got you back." Rose opened her mouth to respond but was cut off when he reached out and placed one hand on her waist, the other on the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair. He pulled her to him.

"Doctor," she tried to protest but again was cut off.

"No. I'm not gonna lose the woman I love, not again," the Doctor declared with determination.

Rose's head snapped up at that and she found all she could do was gasp in shock.


Author's Note: Did the Doctor really just declare his love to Rose? Yes, yes he did. Did I just really end the chapter with that? Yes, yes I did. ;-D

Comments, criticisms and suggestions are always welcomed. Chapter 8 will be posted soon.