The Gall

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Previously in chapter six...

The Doctor stared at Rose for a good six seconds, evaluating her in his mind. The color was back in her face, and she did look tired, telling how much this latest episode had affected her. He huffed out a sigh. Rest probably was best for her if she did indeed have an intestinal virus.

"Go ahead, have your kip. I'll be back in a little while to check on you."

She smiled and hugged him softly. "Thanks. You won't regret it, I promise."

The Time Lord returned her hug. "I hope not," he whispered against her hair.

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Chapter Seven:

No Place to Hide

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Rose knew that something was wrong the moment she woke. She supposed she really hadn't been sleeping, but she had been sort of dozing, slightly dazed by fever and mild discomfort. Now, however, she hurt, and she nearly cried out as she tried to take a deep, calming breath. The small action resulted in a stabbing pain below her chest.

Very gingerly she sat up, keeping an arm wrapped around her middle in an attempt to assuage the pain behind her ribs. Her right shoulder was throbbing, too, and this confused and concerned her. But most of all, it left her in agony.

She needed to find the Doctor, but she hesitated momentarily. She'd insisted that she was fine, that she didn't need his help and would recover from her silly little stomach bug on her own. Now she knew she'd been very, very wrong. Whatever was the matter with her was much worse than flu.

She knew he'd be cross with her. He'd chide her and tell her what a stupid ape she'd been. If he were angry enough, he might even take her back to London. And maybe that would be for the best. In fact, maybe that's what she should ask him to do straightaway. If she could muster the strength to get to the Console Room, she could simply tell him she wanted to go home. Once there, it would be a quick trip to Casualty, and maybe he'd never even need to know…

Heaving herself up from the bed, Rose pressed a hand firmly against the wall to keep from doubling over as she shuffled slowly down the corridor. As she shambled along, she gathered her fortitude and courage, and by the time she reached her destination, she was able to stand up, and she thought she'd be able to speak without her voice shaking. She took a moment to pinch her cheeks to bring a bit of much needed color to her pallid skin.

She stepped into the large chamber. "Doctor," she said, keeping one hand wrapped around the railing.

He looked up from a screen he was studying. "I was just gonna come check on you," he said, his eyes running over her appraisingly.

"Yeah? Well, you don't need to now. I'm up, an' I was thinkin' that I should go an' see my mum. Maybe stay for a day or two."

He frowned. "What prompted this? You still not feeling well?"

"Oh, no," she said too quickly, "'m feelin' a little better, I think. 'S just that I haven't seen her in a while, an' I thought—" She attempted a casual shrug, but this resulted in an increase in pain. She didn't mean to, but she gasped.

"Rose?" The Doctor was striding down the ramp, his face hard with concern. "What's goin' on?" His gaze raked over her, then he knew. "You're worse."

"No, I…" she stammered, but tears were springing to her eyes, and she felt so utterly miserable that she simply couldn't keep it inside any longer. When he cupped her cheek in his hand, she leaned into him and crumpled to the floor.

He caught her, of course, sliding down smoothly with his arms around her. In an instant she was sitting on the cool grating with her head against his chest. His large hand pressed over her forehead then moved down to the pulse point in her neck.

"Damn it, Rose," he said, but his tone was not angry, "why didn't you call for me? Fever an' pulse are way up. How bad's it hurt?"

"Bad," was all she could manage.

He slipped his hand under her shirt and spread his fingers over her stomach. He waited a few moments then began probing about gently between her navel and right hipbone. "Hurts here?" he asked.

She shook her head weakly. "Uh uh."

He appeared surprised. "You sure?"

"Yeah," she gritted, "think I know where it hurts, an' that's not it."

"Where then?"

"Higher.. An' behind my right shoulder."

His hand moved up to examine the area beneath her ribcage. "Right," he said, "not appendicitis, then. Probably acute cholecystitis, but I'll do a scan to be sure."

As he was scooping her up into his arms, Rose asked, "What's that?"

"Inflammation of the gallbladder."

"Is that bad?" She bit back a groan as he jostled her very slightly against his rapid stride.

"Genius, me." He offered her a reassuring if somewhat smug grin. "I can fix anything."

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When they arrived in the infirmary, the Time Lord gently laid Rose on an examination couch then turned away, sorting through various drawers and cabinets as he pulled out different pieces of equipment.

When he walked up beside her again he was wheeling what looked like a long, gooseneck lamp alongside him, but soon Rose realized it was some sort of ultrasound equipment.

He smiled gently. "This'll show me what's goin' on inside you."

He bent it forward as he positioned a small attached screen before him then touched the bottom of it. He moved the scanning device all around her torso, his face unreadable as he tapped the device once more, apparently turning it off.

Rolling that machine away, he returned with a flat disk with blinking lights on top of it. Rose thought it resembled the iPod-looking piece he'd used before to take a blood sample, and sure enough, he placed it on top of her wrist just like he had with the other.

"I'll just go check these results, then we'll fix whatever's wrong after that, all right?"

Rose nodded, watching as he turned away. She hoped he could make it better really soon, because the pain was becoming a bit unbearable. Breathing was becoming difficult as well, and suddenly she felt an urgency to have him near.

"Doctor," she called softly, trying to get his attention.

"Just a minute, Rose. A few more seconds and the results'll be comin' up on the screen, confirmin' what I already know."

She tried taking a deep breath, her need for him causing panic to rise when he wouldn't turn around and answer to her distress. "Doc, Doctor," she rasped out.

The odd sound Rose made caused the Time Lord to turn and look at her. A single glimpse was all it took to propel him from his stool and send him quickly to her side.

"What's wrong?" he asked, one hand grabbing her wrist as the other lay on her chest, counting her respirations.

"Can't ... Can't breathe."

"Rose, I need you to be specific. Can't breathe, or does it hurt too much to breathe?"

"Hurts," she gasped, struggling desperately to draw a breath before consciousness slipped away.

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To be concluded...

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