Chapter 9

"Well that explains quite a bit", the Doctor muttered swiveling in his chair.

He had hung up the phone after a very disturbing conversation with Martha. The information was all jumbled in his head, what could this mean he wondered. Turning in his chair he stared out his window lost in thought. A knock came at the door, but he didn't seem to hear it. A second one followed and he still didn't move.

"Doctor are you still in here?" Jack's head popped around the corner

"Jack I thought I told you to go home," the Doctor replied.

"You did, but I thought I'd come back to check on you since I cancelled all your appointments."

"That was nice of you and how did it go at the Tyler's?" the Doctor asked already knowing the answer because if Jack had succeeded where the rest failed he would have been bragging about it.

"Not good she's still the same. Maybe you should give it a try," Jack said double checking the windows around the office.

"Maybe I will Jack," the Doctor murmured," Maybe I will."

X X X X

"Any change dear?" Pete asked Jackie later that day

"No sorry, that young man that I saw leaving didn't help huh?" Jackie asked

"Sorry Jacks. It was the same as all the rest; she just stayed asleep as always."

The doorbell rang downstairs and Pete excused himself to answer it. He found Martha on the doorstep and ushered her in.

"Hello Martha, how are you today?"

"A little worried about Rose. How is she by the way?"

"No change."

He took her up to Rose's room and after Martha exchanged greetings with Mrs. Tyler, Jackie went downstairs. Martha took Jackie's seat and talked to Rose as if she would answer back. She hoped that the sound of her voice might bring Rose back to the land of the living.

"Oh and Rose I found that mystery guy of yours," Martha said," If he looks as good as he sounds, Rose I may just have to give you a run for your money."

Martha laughed at her little joke knowing full well nothing on this planet could separate her from Mickey. If only Rose's mystery man would come by and bring her out of this. Her phone trilled in her purse and she reached to answer it. She looked down at her phone and saw it was Mickey. Sighing Martha picked up.

"Hey Mickey."

"Hey yourself. How would you like to go out tonight, you know take your mind off the whole Rose situation? I know she's your friend and all, but she wouldn't want you to waste your days away waiting for something that might not happen."

"Your right Micks. What did you have in mind?"

"Maybe dinner, a movie, and maybe some dessert afterwards."

The suggestive tone of voice made Martha giggle to herself. Well Rose would want me to have fun, I'll do this for Rose, Martha promised herself. She told Mickey she'd meet him later.

"Bye Rose. I'll give you all the details when I stop by tomorrow," she told her friend.

Martha went downstairs and said her farewells to the Tylers. I hope the gentleman I talked to earlier will make an appearance soon; I don't think her parents can take much more. She jumped in her car and made her way home.

X X X X

"It was nice of Martha to come and visit," Jackie said to Pete," I had hoped one of these young men might bring her around."

"So did I Jacks, so did I," Pete replied placing a hand on hers in comfort," Now lets finish our dinner. We each have a long night ahead of us. I'll take the first shift tonite if that's alright with you."

Jackie nodded and quickly finished her dinner. Leaving Pete to clean up she checked on Rose, placed a kiss on her forehead, and went to bed. She knew Pete would wake her when it was her turn to sit with Rose.

X X X X

"Doctor I think it's time for you to go home. It's not going to help this girl out if you make yourself ill."

Jack had to pry him out of his chair; he's been like this since he got that weird phone call earlier. The Doctor stumbled like a drunk and had to grab Jack's arm for balance.

"Sorry got up too fast," the Doctor apologized," I guess I've been sitting there all day."

"No problem Doctor. Let me lock up tonight if you'll just wait and I'll take you home."

"There's no reason to—"

"I just want to make sure you get home. If I know you, you'll fall asleep standing up. What you need is a good night's rest."

After Jack finished lecturing him, he took the Doctor home where he deposited him into the capable hands of the Doctor's housekeeper.

"Make sure he goes to bed and stays there," Jack told the housekeeper," Lock his door if you have to."

"I don't think that will be a problem. Don't worry I'll make sure the master stays in bed," the housekeeper promised.

When Jack saw that his boss was taken care of he headed for home. He hoped he would get a decent night's sleep, but unfortunately a restful night was not in the cards for the Doctor.

The Doctor reached his bedroom with help from his housekeeper and dismissed her when he proved that he would go straight to bed. He changed into a pair of pajama bottoms and slid into bed. The satin sheets (A/N: I know it sounds girly, but I thought he'd like a little luxury besides he'll make use of it later and it's cooler) cooled his overheated body and he was asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

*"Doctor wake up Doctor," a voice called to him urging him to wake up.

He opened his eyes to find that the same blond-haired girl he danced with lying beside him in bed. Her hands stroked his chest making his temperature rise. The girl's touch was tentative as if she didn't quite know if he liked it or not. Deciding to give her a hand he took hers and showed her what he liked. This brought newfound light to her eyes and gave her the confidence to try some of her own moves.

Without warning she stopped and looked at him with alarm. Her figure started to fade and he reached out to grab her. Before she disappeared completely she spoke.

"Doctor I need your help. Only you can bring me back from where I am," she said.

"What is your name? How can I help you, what do I do?" he asked frantic for any information that might help him

"My name is Rose Tyler and you must give me…"

"Give you what…What?!"

"A kiss," she said fading away.*

He jolted awake sweat soaked and panting. Oh boy that was a weird dream, he thought laying back down. I think I need to pay a visit to the Tyler family tomorrow, but for now I need some sleep.

A/.N: She's still out, but her subconscious is somehow reaching the Doctor while he sleeps. Please read and review.