A/N Not a plot-heavy chapter (yet), but it's the moments like this that make me love Ten & Rose all the more. Plus I want to include a bit of semi-fluff while I can... ;)


Chapter 9

His hand in hers, Rose tugged the Doctor gently towards the door and towards their latest adventure, hoping that simply getting the Doctor outside for a bit would lift the glum mood she knew was still lingering below the surface due to their situation. But as she moved for the door he held back and slipped his hand from her grasp.

"Just a sec," the Doctor said, then reached up and began removing the bandaging from over his eyes.

"What are you doing?" Rose quickly questioned, a little concerned.

"I'm going to give my eyes a chance to adjust to the light outside. They need to start taking in a little more light, and they can't do that all...wrapped and smothered."

Rose put a hand on his arm to still him. "Well...maybe we should ask Tyrus first. See what he says, and..."

"Rose," the Doctor cut in, his voice taking on an impatient, slightly irritated tone, "I am more than capable of making this determination for myself. I do not need a 'second opinion.'"

"Blimey, it's true that doctors make the worst patients," she muttered. "Fine. But light aside, the bandage also helps keep your eyes closed and protected. What if you accidentally open them?"

He snorted. "Believe me, Rose, that is not going to be a problem. At this point my eyes would have to be forced open. It's like when something jabs you in the eye and you literally can't open them. My instinct right now is to keep them shut."

"Are you in much pain?" Rose asked softly, tensing at the thought. He hadn't complained about the pain; but then, he wouldn't. So that didn't mean he wasn't experiencing a great deal of it.

"Oh, I've had far worse," he said by way of answering, the clawing pain he had initially felt from the TARDIS coming to mind, for one.

Rose wasn't sure if she should be reassured by his answer or feel even more sympathy for him.

The immediate issue settled, the Doctor finished unwrapping the bandage. Her cautions aside, Rose couldn't help but feel a bit of relief once again in seeing his uncovered face. Now if she could just see into those soulful brown eyes once more. It was clear he still had some healing to do. His lids were still swollen and also crusted at the slits, partly from the ointment but also from the weeping and drying over of lacrimal fluid.

"How do they look?" the Doctor asked, somewhat hesitant.

Rose bit her lip as she leaned a little closer for a better look. "Well, better than yesterday, at least."

He nodded acceptingly. "I'll take better. Better is good. Better is better than worse."

"A genius bit of reasoning there," she remarked with a smirk, taking his hand again.

"I do have my moments of utter brilliance. Often, in fact," he grinned.

She rolled her eyes fondly and began leading him out of the chamber.

In the aftermath of their shared bathing experience, there was the high possibility that things between them might be a little tense or awkward, but it actually seemed to bring them to a level of ease in the midst of their situation. They didn't need to speak of it; the added closeness was just quietly and reassuringly there.

Navigating the various twists and turns and spiraling steps through the castle had taken a bit of care, but it wasn't as difficult as Rose had thought it might be. The Doctor's other senses were razor-sharp (as Rose had been made keenly aware), and he was compensating well.

As they moved through the castle, Rose wondered if they might encounter King Zerin while about. She wondered if he even traversed the grounds of the castle often, though she suspected he spent most of his time overseeing the affairs of the kingdom from within, not having time for such leisure activity as strolls in the garden. Well, she and the Doctor were two who would take in the enjoyment, at least.

They finally reached the main entrance hall and moved through the large arching doors leading outside. It was a gorgeous day, clear and mild with a gentle breeze. Once outside, they followed a stone-paved path to the east side of the castle grounds that Rose had seen from their upper window where a sprawling garden occupied the space. There were a few others outside coming and going from the castle who cast respectful but noticeably curious glances their way, but deeper into the garden area there didn't seem to be anyone about, as all were apparently occupied elsewhere at this height of mid-morning.

A pebbled path meandered through the lush grounds, adorned with various types of exotic trees that afforded tranquil shade along the pathway. One such row of tall trees – their hanging branches somewhat like weeping willows but dark purple in color – formed an archway over the path, and low, flowering plants and bushes of various types and colors skirted each side of the scenic walkway.

"What does this planet look like?" the Doctor asked curiously as they slowly walked hand-in-hand along the path. He wished he could see it for himself, but for the moment he could be content seeing it through her eyes. Actually, Rose had a fresh way of seeing things on a different level and often picked up on things he might otherwise miss.

But for Rose this felt like such a role reversal. Usually she was seeing new planets and new horizons through the Doctor's eyes as he painted the experience with colorful details of history and facts and comparisons with other experiences throughout his many travels. Now he was the one having to literally see it through her eyes.

Rose tilted her head toward the clear sky peeking through the overhang of trees as she pondered his question. "It's beautiful here. It's like if you take the colors you see on Earth and magnify them. Everything's richer, brighter. The grass is green, but a really deep, vibrant green. The sky is a deep turquoise color. Sort of like that planet we went to once where the sky was the same color as their ocean, and you could hardly tell where one ended and the other began…what was it called?"

"Glishran?"

"Glishran! That's it. That's what this sky reminds me of. And then there're the trees. Most of them are a golden color – the leaves and the trunks. If you look at the hills around the castle you see vivid gold against the deep green. 'S beautiful." Rose swept her gaze around their immediate surroundings. "But there are also different colors of trees here in the garden, too. The ones hanging over us on the path are a deep purple. And there are some tall red ones just off to the left. The castle itself...well, I s'pose it looks like you would expect a castle to look – a massive building of gray stone with round turrets and pointed spires, and a high stone wall around the castle. And just a little ways outside the main gate, the road leads to a busy town. Sort of primitive, I guess you could say, with open marketplace stalls and stone buildings, and most traveling by foot, or..." Rose stopped walking and turned towards him. "Oh, and I forgot to tell you about the black horses that aren't really horses!"

"Horses that aren't horses?" he questioned, intrigued.

"Well, they're sort of like horses, but they have heads almost like lions – fierce looking! They're what the King and his men were riding when they found us. And then there're the people. There seems to be two different races on Zobulan. Shadarra – she's the former King's niece who I talked to last night – she said something about the Jezrians and the Krendorians, and it sounded like the two don't always get along. But King Zerin seems to be a good man who treats them all equally well, from what she said." Rose paused and thought about her impression of the King. "He seems kind," she said thoughtfully. "Well, obviously if he's taken us in like this. But he's also...I dunno...sort of quiet, too. Like he's got a lot on his mind, or something. 'Course, being the King, I s'pose he would. But I think he's just sort of...intrigued by us. I s'pose most everyone here is, though."

"Hmm. Well, this does seem to be an interesting place, I'll say that," the Doctor remarked. "And you've gotten quite the scoop, Lewis." He nudged her with his shoulder and Rose smiled. "So...tell me more about this garden we find ourselves in." He stopped, holding up one hand before she could speak. "No...no, no, no. Wait. Hold on. I think I can do a little describing of my own. Prepare to be impressed, Rose Tyler."

She grinned, glad that the distraction of a walk in the garden seemed to be working at the moment. He seemed a little more relaxed.

The Doctor released her hand and walked to the edge of the path. He then stooped to a squatting position closer to the foliage. He paused before taking a long, measured sniff, then spoke slowly, as if carefully unraveling a mystery through the clues his scent-investigation had just given him. "Somewhere very close by should be a creeping vine with slender, spiral-shaped leaves. Do you see it?"

Rose came to stand beside him and glanced around. She spotted some foliage that seemed to fit the description winding around a purple tree trunk a few feet to their right. "I think this is it!" she announced with enthusiasm as she hurried closer. Rose plucked a few of the prized leaves to bring back to him. She turned them over in her hand, inspecting them closely and rubbing her fingers along the curled, waxy surface. "So, what's special about this, then?"

He grinned brightly. "Oh, it's quite interesting, indeed! You see, no matter where you go or how far in the universe, it seems just about every planet has some form of the Toxicodendron Radicans plant. Also known on North American Earth as poison ivy."

Rose shrieked and threw the leaves to the ground. "Doctor! Why did you just tell me to PICK poison ivy?"

He stood. "I didn't tell you to pick it! I just said to look for it!"

"And I found it!"

"Well good for you!"

Rose scowled furiously, holding her hands out stiffly from her body so she wouldn't spread the insidious substance on herself further. If it wasn't for his present condition she'd have half a mind to wipe her hands on him. Though with his 'superior Time Lord biology' her revenge would probably be futile anyhow.

"Well?" she snipped.

"Well what?" he asked innocently.

"Can't you...I dunno...sonic this residue off me, or somethin'?" She flapped her hands helplessly in front of her, as if trying to shake off the poison.

"Why?"

Rose stomped her foot. "So I don't break out in a horrible rash any minute...or considering it's an alien variety...in...in some sort of giant boils!"

"Why would you do that?" he asked slowly, sounding genuinely puzzled.

Oh, was he trying to wind her up? "Because YOU just had me pluck a handful of Poison Ivy!"

He shrugged dismissively. "Oh, this type isn't poisonous or otherwise rash-inducing," he stated casually, as if she should have already known. "The spiral-leafed variety never is."

Rose dropped her hands back to her sides. "Communication, Doctor," she huffed.

"Hmm?" was his distracted reply as he squatted again to get closer to another plant along the path.

"We seem to be lacking in it," she clarified flatly.

The Doctor didn't even seem to notice his companion's ire, having turned his full attention to another horticultural specimen. "Rose, come look at this!" he called giddily, like a child discovering a bright new toy.

She snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh, I think I'll pass this time. Thanks."

He turned his head toward her, his swollen lids more pleading than his eyes could have been. "But I wanted you to see this, even if I can't."

Rose dissolved. She never stood a chance against his eyes, open or closed, and certainly not against a plea like that. She stepped closer and stooped beside him. "What is it, then?" she asked softly.

He reached toward the base of a cluster of tall red stems. Once finding them, he delicately ran his thumb and index finger up the base of one slender stalk, but avoided the tip. "I'd say from the scent and the texture...," he pulled his hand away and licked his fingers as Rose scrunched her face, "hmm, yes...and the taste, that this is a specimen similar to the Liliaceaefamily, and it has a very interesting trigger for opening its blooms. Here, touch the tips," he encouraged.

"Oh, I don't know...," Rose hesitated.

"No, it's fine. I promise. Just touch it."

Rose eyed the stalks warily, then reached her fingers out with caution. If something snapped her fingers she was slapping him – injured or no. As her hand drew nearer, the tips of each stalk seemed to home in on her hand and bend towards it. She retracted her hand for a second out of surprise, but was too curious not to reach out again, this time a little further. When she came in contact with the tip of one of the red stalks it suddenly bloomed into life, opening to reveal a gorgeous crimson flower with delicate, teardrop-shaped petals.

"'S beautiful," she breathed, running her hand across the tips of the other stalks, revealing their hidden treasure one by one as if by magic. She laughed softly. "So beautiful."

The Doctor hummed happily, experiencing this small moment through her reaction. "They react to even the smallest touch of heat on their tips, usually that of pollinating insects, opening when they come in contact with it."

The moment was interrupted as their attention was then drawn behind them by the sound of footsteps approaching on the path. The Doctor and Rose both stood and turned. Nahlia approached, having come to look for them to deliver an invitation from the King.

"Doctor, Rose," she greeted them both with a warm smile upon reaching them.

"Hi," Rose replied.

"Oh, hello...Nahlia, was it?" the Doctor asked, recognizing the voice.

"Yes, that's right."

"Nice to see you again. Well, I say see, but considering my current limitation, I suppose the more accurate phrasing would be hear." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Though I can smell you, too."

Rose grimaced and discreetly poked him in the side. "He says things like that sometimes. Just...randomly insulting anyone and everyone. But he's harmless enough, I s'pose. He can't help it. Just ignore him."

The Doctor frowned and Nahlia just chuckled. "No offense taken, I assure you. Such cultural differences are to be expected."

Rose pressed her lips together to suppress a snicker while the Doctor frowned all the more. What had he done? He was simply conversing using accurate word choice, he inwardly reasoned.

"And are you both enjoying the garden?" Nahlia asked.

"Oh, yes!" Rose replied brightly. "It's so lovely here."

"Indeed," she agreed. "The garden is one of my favorite places to spend time. In my younger days it was once even larger, but an incursion on the eastern side of the wall during an attack many years back destroyed a large portion of what was once here."

"That is a pity," the Doctor remarked, his tone then becoming a distant and haunted murmur. "The devastations of war..." He pulled himself back out of darker thoughts. "And how long have you been in the King's service, Nahlia?" he asked, always interested in those around him, be they Kings or servants – it made no difference to him.

"Oh, since long before King Zerin took the throne. I was born in the castle, my family from a long line of royal labor personal. My late husband was also in the servitude of the palace, peace be upon his soul."

"Is it...a choice?" Rose asked tentatively. The aged woman seemed quite content in her work and position, but then, so had the enslaved Ood.

"Oh, yes. Of course. And it is considered a great honor. It is not always an...easy position, depending upon the ruler; but this is my place in life and I would never wish to leave. My husband and I never had children of our own, but my fellow servers here are like my family. And never have I been as happy at the palace as I am under King Zerin. He is highly favored throughout Zobulan, and we are enjoying a rare time of peace."

"I'd like to meet this King Zerin," the Doctor remarked.

"And you shall," she answered with a nod. "Which brings me to the reason I have sought you. The King wishes to extend the invitation to dine with him tomorrow evening. You are both no doubt still recovering from the events of the previous day, but he hopes that by tomorrow you will both feel up to accepting."

"Oh, we'd love to," Rose assured her.

"Yes, I'm anxious to meet our gracious host," agreed the Doctor.

"Splendid. I will inform the King of your acceptance."

With that, she excused herself and left the Doctor and Rose to continue their stroll through the gardens.

"A harrowing crash one day to dining in the presence of Kings the next. Never let it be said your life with me is dull, Rose Tyler," the Doctor stated, mustering up a half-grin.

Rose linked her arm through his as they continued walking. "Trust me, Doctor. I would never say that."

Despite his seemingly blithe exterior, Rose could see the tense set of his jaw return simply in mentioning the crash.

After a few quiet minutes of walking, she offered up a hesitant question. "Do you want to go check on the TARDIS?"

"No point," he replied dully. "She still has herself sealed off. I can feel it. It could be a day or more before it's safe for us to even go in again. I'll know when she's ready...in time."

"Time," Rose said simply, untwining their linked arms and sliding her hand down to find his, giving it a squeeze. "Time to recover. That's all you both need. Then everything's gonna be just fine again."

The Doctor's face was turned to the distant hills where the battered TARDIS lay somewhere beyond. "Yeah. Everything will be fine," he echoed back tonelessly, wishing he could have at least sounded as if he believed it.