I feel distraught that so many of my readers seem to have left, but you know what? I'm going to keep writing!
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Rose twirled her hair as she watched him fiddle at the controls. Her gaze turned to her son Alonso, who had started speaking a mixture of babble and English. "Doctor wait," she shouted as he was about to start the TARDIS. "What? We need to go. Now," he sounded slightly annoyed. "Don't take that tone with me. There isn't just us anymore. Gallifrey, and Skaro both want you dead. We can't take Alonso there." At the sound of his name, he stood up and wobbled over to her, "Mamma, me go?" The Doctor shut down the TARDIS, "Rose, you have to choose again, I can take you to London and the two of you can remain there while I deal with Gallifrey, or Alonso can stay here with Fillia. It is hard to say how long we will be gone." Rose chewed her tongue in distress, "Would he be safe here? Don't think me selfish, but this isn't exactly the kind of life a small child should live. Maybe when he is older, but for now, he needs to be educated." "But Rose! How can he learn to be a Time Lord there? He needs to be on Gallifrey," he whined and scooped up Alonso. "Two hearts like me Rose. Two hearts. I don't have to alone anymore!" Rose started to cry, "But ya have me! You've always had me! No matter how many times you change your face I'm here." She fell to her knees and wept bitterly, feeling as though she had failed him by being human.
There was a quiet knock on the TARDIS door as Fillia stepped in. "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice that you are still here. You were so eager to go, what is stalling you," she asked as she looked around. "What is going on in here?" She rushed over to Rose and held her. "Fillia, can Alonso stay here for a while? Rose is worried about his safety on Gallifrey," he whispered. "As she should be! You live a dangerous life. Alonso is too young to study to become like you, and he can't even regenerate yet! He is what, two? The studies don't start until age of eight. I will send word when he is ready. Now child, stand up. Be proud of your human heritage." She leaned in closer to Rose's ear, "That rose will forever be in bloom. There is an old story of a medicine woman on Gallifrey. Take three petals and a leaf to her. Just trust me." Rose wiped her eyes and hugged Alonso good bye, "Now baby, you be good alright? Mummy and daddy will be back before ya know it. We will have a very special trip planned for you." The young child hugged each of his parents in turn and bravely grasped his guardian's hand and headed to grow up in safety.
The Doctor gingerly walked over to his wife, "Rose darling, I am so so sorry I shouted. It was very rude of me." He held out his hand to her. Hesitantly she took it, "I got ya somethin', before I…disappeared." She choked on the last word as memories flooded back. "Well go get it then, I love presents!" She smiled and hurried off to her room. "Ah Rose, I haven't treated you well at all. I show you the universe, yet I was always too late to save you," he spoke to the empty room. "So many times to tell you how I feel, each time just assuming you knew. Things will be different now Rose Tyler." She peeked around the wall, "Rose Tyler? Now who is that?" He gave her a cheeky grin, "My apologies mum, Rose Smith." She appeared entirely, holding a garment bag out to him. "What's this," he asked taking the bag from her, "How did you get this on here and I had no idea?" She smirked, "Even Time Lords have to sleep. We only stayed together one night. I had many others to go out shopping. I found it in Cardiff." He laid it on the center console and unzipped the bag, revealing a brilliant blue suit. "Oh Rose, It's absolutely brilliant. Even comes with a matching tie," he wiggled it at her. "I'll make a smashing entrance on Gallifrey in this." With that, he pounded a button on the console and the TARDIS zoomed off.
Suddenly, the ship gave a great shake, causing her passengers to fall. "Awww c'mon! We aren't staying," The Doctor shouted at his ship as he turned some knobs. "What is goin' on," Rose asked reading the screen. "We are currently hovering about Gallifrey. Go look." She cautiously opened the door, and gasped at the sight below her. A planet of red and orange swirled beneath them. They were just close enough to be able to discern field from mountain. Her eyes filled with tears, "Doctor, it is so beautiful." He groaned, "Close the door! We are going in!" She rushed over and held his hand. A wave of an explosion shifted the TARDIS as she plunged to the surface. Just as suddenly as it came, it stopped.
His hands started shaking, "Now Rose. Humans are not welcome here exactly, but I think I might be even less. We are safe in here. Once we step out, well, let's just say there isn't a hero's welcome out there for me. Whatever happens, just trust me. Oh and Rose, keep your wedding ring close. That isn't just any diamond you wear. Whatever you do, do not let them have it." She fingered it gently, "Should I just leave it here then? She won't let them in, it'd be safe here." He shook his head, "No, we might need it." Confused she took his hand as they stepped out onto the plains of Gallifrey.
"Rose, if I regenerate for whatever reason, don't let them stop me," those were the last things she heard before they were swarmed by Gallifreyans. "Identify yourself promptly," the nearest guard stated. "I am The Doctor, of the planet Gallifrey. I have come home." "And the girl?" Rose shifted slightly closer to him, "She is a human, and my wife. You will treat her with the respect she deserves." The guard shifted slightly, "You will come at once to the High Council." With that, he turned and led them towards the citadel. "Let me do the talking Rose," was all he said.
It was about a thirty minute walk. Rose glanced over her shoulder, and saw that a brigade of guards had secured the TARDIS. Sighing, she clung to her husband, fearing this could be the last time she saw this face. As subtly as she could, she slipped her camera from her pocket and snapped a few pictures, including one of her husband. He grinned at her and motioned ahead of them. There was a brilliant palace. "That Rose, is where we are going," he smiled at her. "I am so glad to be home, but this won't end well." "Doctor, who is the medicine woman here," she asked quietly. "How did you know about her? I never mentioned her." She shrugged, "Something Fillia said, she gave me some instructions to give her, but I dunno where to start to look." He ruffled his hair, "She will be an elderly woman, in the court. She may or may not be happy to see me. I am The Doctor, my mother, she is The Medicine Woman." Rose was silent the rest of their journey.
As they entered into the court, a towering man stood before them, "The Doctor, and his companion. You have broken the Time Lock. We are free once again. Why have you come here?" The Doctor let go of Rose's hand, as he stepped forward she glanced around in search of the woman, "You seemed to have paired up with an old enemy. What kind of truce did you sign with them? They bring my body to you and you stop trying to overtake them?" The leader chuckled, "They were merely sent to anger you to this point. You always were reckless. Bringing a human to Gallifrey-" The Doctor cut him off, "She is my wife. All I ask is no harm come to her." Laughter resounded through the court. "Fine. Your crimes do not reflect upon her. She will watch you die is all." Weapons of all sorts were armed and aimed at The Doctor, "Regenerating will not save you. As soon as it starts, they will fire again. You will die." A chorus of the weapons warming up was heard. Before Rose could scream, there was a louder, more anguished cry that resonated above the crowd.
"Do not shoot my son," an elderly woman strode down to ground level. "Whatever crimes he committed were ancient. This is a new Gallifrey. New rules." She went up and hugged her son, "Getting married and not inviting your own mother, shame on you. Delightful to meet you dear. I am The Medicine Woman. What is your name?" Rose smiled, "I'm Rose. I have photographs, things you should see. You have a grandson ma'am. His name is Alonso-" She was abruptly stopped, "I will spare him, for now. Doctor, you are under arrest. Guards, please escort the misses and his mother out. He will stand trial." Rose rushed to him and leapt into his arms, passionately kissing him before they were pulled apart. "I love you Rose, we will see each other again, but maybe not like this." "I love you Doctor!" The doors shut in her face as once again they were separated.
"Now now dearie, he will be okay. They won't kill him. He did commit war crimes. Now, what can I do to help you," his mother asked, placing a caring hand on Rose's shoulder. "I have these," she held out the petals and the leaf, "These are picked from the Immortal Rose. The Princess of Grash said if I brought them to ya, you could help me be immortal like him." The old woman sighed, "Why do you want this child? His life, you were born human. What regeneration is he on?" "Ten. That is his tenth form." "Time Lords get thirteen lives. They can get more with special permission, but it is tricky and usually requires a lot of bribery. I can indeed, change your cells so you may live like him, if you are sure." Rose nodded her head, "Him and my son both have two hearts, I just want to be with them." "It'll be painful. Follow me to my home. Don't think about what they are doing to him. You couldn't imagine it if you tried."
Back in the citadel, The Doctor laid on the floor, his breathing shallow. The room was empty, he had endured his punishment, and was free to go. The TARDIS was impounded to be harvested of some coral in order to repopulate the planet of Gallifrey with them. In 24 hours, he would have his ship back. "One heart, ugh, just one," He rolled onto his stomach and pulled himself up. "Time to go see mum." He wobbled his way down the path to his childhood home. As he entered, he could feel his heart failing. "Mum, mum you need to stop this. I'm not done with this body," he shouted as he collapsed into a chair. She rushed out and started pouring a mixture into his mouth. "Sit still. Let it work. Don't try to rush it or it won't work," she commanded as she wiped the sweat off his face. "Where is Rose?" His mother frowned, "Resting. She went through a lot today." He leaned back and closed his eyes as he felt his second heart starting to work again. Just as he relaxed, a strangled cry came from the next room. His eyes snapped open, "Rose!" She stumbled into the same room, breathing heavily, "How do ya live like this?" He got a puzzled look on his face, "What?" Rose placed his hands on her chest, "Two hearts. Your mum is a genious."
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Sorry about the length, I was just really excited for this chapter. Expect a regeneration of one of them soon!
Not only don't I know who I am, but I'm very suspicious of people who do know who they are. I am sometimes ten or twelve people a day, and sometimes four or five people an hour! Fourth Doctor