Chapter 7

Black Hole


TARDIS

"I need you to remember something," Crowley said, running his hands along the consul. "There's a black hole, you've been there, you met the big man and so kindly shoved him into it. That's where we're going," The Doctor took in a deep breath. He remembered all too well that black hole. He and Rose had landed on a planet orbiting the black hole, it was impossible, but it was real. Under the surface of that planet was the one thing the Doctor never believed in. The devil. He could remember the heat, the fear, the way he couldn't stop thinking of Rose. Rose. She was trapped in her body with that demon. He could do nothing about it. He fumed with rage.

"Why would I take you there?" the Doctor spat. The demon brushed Rose's yellow hair away from her perfect cheeks.

"You took Lucifer, who was perfectly trapped in his cage not harming a soul, and shoved him into oblivion. I need him for something and you will get him back,"

"What's this 'something' you're talking about?" the Doctor leaned back eyeing the demon trying to get a glimpse of his Rose. The demon laughed. "You're really a lot dumber than people make you seem. Do you actually think I would tell you what my plan was?" he stepped closer, pinning the Doctor against the TARDIS.

"Now, no more talking, we're leaving now," Every part of the Doctor, every muscle, every cell, every atom told him not to go, to kill him, get his Rose back. How could he? "Now," Crowley repeated again. The Doctor nodded, the TARDIS groaned in response to the coordinates he put in. Ever she knew this was a bad idea.

They reappeared in space, orbiting a black hole. The same black hole he and Rose had seen. The same black hole he shoved the devil back into. He opened the doors and peered out into the vast stars and nebulae around him.

"There, I've done it," he turned on his heel fuming with rage. "Now, give me back Rose," Cowley laughed.

"I'm not through with you. Do you honestly think I would just give you up? The King of Hell with a Time Lord, AND his TARDIS. There is nothing that can stop me," he let out a laugh that sent chills down the Doctors spine. "Plus, you need to get my boss out of there," he walked over to the open doors, taking in the sight of the the black hole. It's energy radiated off it, the bright light of stars being destroyed lighting up the inside of the ship with a ghastly yellow glow. It was beautifully horrific. If you peer right into the middle of it the blackness goes on forever. The stones, stars, and planets drifting into the gaping hole only to wither away and crush into nothing. And inside this beautiful piece of space burrowed the devil. This place held death. You could feel the chill in the air. The death of those whom he could not save.

"How? I can't go inside and pull him out, if you didn't realize that big black this is a black hole. If we were to move any closer it would pull us right in," the Doctor could only hope.

"Ah, but you have power, you are smart, you have the tools you need. I know you do, Doctor." Crowley slipped Rose's hand around the Doctor's arm and looked up at him. "Think of this pretty girl, it would be a shame if something happened to it," the look in Roses eyes was sinister, dark and evil. It scared the Doctor that Rose's perfect, beautiful face was even able to make those devilish eyes. He cleared his throat, running his shaking hands through his hair. If he did this, let the devil out of the cage he was imprisoned in there would be so much death, so much pain. He would be breaking every rule in his book. He couldn't. He physically felt sick at the thought. But, if he did Crowley would release Rose. He would fix everything after. He would. He always did. Everything would be fine.

"Let her go," he whispered.

"Excuse me?"

"Let Rose go, let her go home and I'll do anything you say," Crowley laughed.

"This pretty body is my insurance, I have her, you have your job. If you mess up I will make sure you watch her kill herself slowly. I will make you watch the life drain from her eyes and the pain flood her body. Then, right before she dies, I will release her and let you listen to her screams, so don't try anything Time Lord. But, I'm a nice man, as demons go. I will give you tonight with Rose, but I will be right here listening to everything you say, everything you do. And I expect you to do as I say. I need him out of that hole tomorrow, I have big plans," Crowley backed up, intently staring at the Doctor. Rose's mouth open wide with a scream, black smoke escaping flooding into the air. She fell limp on the floor. Quickly the Doctor rushed over to her. She was unconscious. Alive. Carefully he picked her up from the ground and clutched her body to his chest, tears filling his eyes. "You have until morning," Crowley sang from the other side of the room. The Doctor didn't even look at him.

Rose's room was across from his, it was small, simple, and filled with pictures from their various trips around the universe. Right on her bedside table were two frames. One a picture from years back of Rose, Jackie, and Mickey sitting in a park. The other a photo Rose had taken of him while he was in awe over the stars above him. She always loved that photo. He set Rose down on her bed and layed down next to her. The door shut itself and locked, the lights dimmed and all noise from outside the room faded. Still asleep, Rose curled against the Doctor, clinging to his body and tucking her head into his neck. Her soft breaths warmed his skin, her scent made him feel at home. The tears that built in his eyes now flooded down his cheeks onto Rose's hair. How could he have let this happen? He promised to keep her safe. He pulled her body closer to his, wrapping his arms around her. His body shuddered as his tears turned to sobs. He would never forgive himself.

"I love you, I love you, I love you. I'm so sorry, so, so sorry. Oh, Rose, I'm sorry my love," he muttered between his sobs. He pressed his lips to her forehead, breathing in her scent once again. She stirred within his arms. Suddenly she awoke with a gasp, thrashing in fear in his arms. "Shh, Rose, please," he pulled back, looking into her scared eyes. "Rose, everything is fine," he lied. She let out a sigh, tears escaping her eyes. Without a word she hugged herself back into his arms, burrowing her face into his chest letting herself cry against him. He held her close, brushing her hair back from her face, rocking her quivering body trying to calm her. "I'm here, I won't let anything happen to you," He could feel himself ready to cry again. No, he couldn't cry in front of Rose, he need to be strong for her.

"I-I remember everything, I saw it all happen. You can't do this, Doctor, you can't. You can't sacrifice the universe to keep me safe, you can't," she cried, clutching the fabric of his jacket tight in her fists. "I don't know what you are going to do, but don't worry about be, worry about all of those people back on Earth," she pulled back looking into his eyes. She could see the tears still remaining on his cheeks. Nothing hurt her more than seeing the Doctor cry. "Protect them," "No,I can't." he whispered, feeling his chest tighten again. He was on the verge of crying again.

"I won't let anything happen to you. You are the only person I care about," he kissed her cheek.

"No," she sat up. "I can't let you," she protested.

"HOW CAN I JUST LET YOU SACRIFICE YOURSELF? HOW CAN I GIVE UP ON YOU? HOW CAN I LET THIS HAPPEN TO TO YOU? HOW CAN I LOSE SOMEONE LIKE YOU? SOMEONE I LOVE!" he shouted, the tears heavily fell from his eyes. He said it. He told her he loved her. And it felt right. She stared at him, fresh tears leaking from her watery eyes.

"You, l-love me?" she whispered. He pulled her close to his body again.

"I love you, Rose Tyler. I have always loved you. You're my everything. There's no other girl in the entire universe that can compare to you. And I simply cannot let this happen to you," She was crying.

"I love you, too. I love you so much," the Doctor placed his hands on either side of her face, feeling her tears dampen his fingers. "I love you," she whispered again. He smiled and drew her in closer. His two hearts beating faster than that have ever in his life. Their lips met and he could feel her pulse stop for a second. Their lips pressed together softly, their eyes fluttering shut, and arms reaching around each others bodies. Slowly, their lips moved together in a easy, passionate pace, their arms tightening with every second. Rose shifted herself so she was laying on top of the Doctor's body, one hand cupping his cheek, the other placed upon his chest feeling his two hearts beat rapidly underneath. They broke apart, Rose resting her head on his shoulder. He gripped her tight and sighed, tears still rolling down his face. And he shut his eyes, muttering into Rose's hair.

"I will work this out, even if it kills me,"