They had only just arrived when a guard appeared at the cell door. "Excuse me Doctor Smith, I'm Alonzo – Captain Istvans second in command. He thought you would appreciate someone you could trust to escort Miss Tyler to the auditorium. I apologise Miss Tyler for this but I have to lead you via the chain. Please believe me when I say it gives me no pleasure what so ever to do this. If it's any consolation I'll aready be in for an earful from my lovely wife and rightfully so".
Rose smiled at little at the guards attempt at humour although she was still shaking at the thought of having to appear as she was before who knew how many at the auditorium.
"Alonzo if would just give us a minute please" said the Doctor.
"Yes sir, I'll be just outside when your ready"
"Thank you"
The Doctor pulled Rose close to him in a firm embrace. "It will be alright my precious girl. Focus only on us, what we feel, our love and the fact we shall soon be bonded. Everything else and anyone else is of no importance. I love you Rose Marion Tyler and soon you'll be in my arms as you are in my heart". He sealed his promise with a kiss. "Alonzo" he called, "You may escort Miss Tyler now"
"I love you Doctor" said Rose as she let the guard lead her away.
The Doctor changed into the clothes left for him by Jack. His jeans, jumper & leather jacket were neatly folded and packed away. He would make sure they were returned to him especially the jacket. They'd been through too much together and he'd hate to lose it. Funny how you get attached to some things. Jackets and Rose Tyler. Together the combination was fantastic and downright sexy. He let the delicious thought of Rose wearing nothing but his jacket play in his mind until another guard arrived to take him to the auditorium. The die was cast, now it was time for the players to act their parts though for he and Rose acting would be the furthest thing from the truth.
From the jail he was conveyed to the auditorium and told to alight. Once inside the building he was grateful to see that it was small and probably sat no more then two hundred people compared to the thousand seats of the grand arena. He saw the gazebo that had been erected to give himself and Rose some partial privacy and inside it he could glimpse a day bed. At the start of the sentencing he was to stand in the middle of the great floor. Rose would be led into the auditorium via the chain. The cord on her hands would be cut as she must approach him on her hands and knees in subjugation. Upon reaching him her chain would then be handed over into his grasp thus acknowledging his dominance, sealing her fate and the beginning of punishment. His heart ached. It should not be like this and he knew he was asking a great deal of her to carry this through. He would ensure that she never felt subservient to him or anyone else ever again.
As the time of sentencing neared the seats of the auditorium slowly filled. He tried not to think of the reasons why they would come and watch a punishment so normally disgraceful. When the auditorium was completely full all access doors were shut barring further entrance to the rest of the public.
With the hour soon approaching he saw the Governor take her place on a raised dias at the opposite end of the public seating. He tried to clear his mind of everything, closing out the noise from the audience. He thought only of Rose, calm thoughts, of wonderous beauty and peace. He closed his eyes but moments later reopened them as a noisy new group of people entered the auditorium floor. To his surprise they were led by Jack waving a large worded protest placard, wearing a large flowery caftan and was that a rose behind his ear. Oh my god thought the Doctor to himself, talk about a diversion and his face split into the biggest grin ever.
Jack was having so much fun. He was reliving one of the best times of his life and helping out friends into the bargain. His little protest band consisted of around nine or ten beings all of whom strongly believed in addressing change to the monstrous laws of this planet. With Mackenzie's help it hadn't be hard to round them all up and plan out their totally legal little distraction. Once he got the message that the auditorium was full and the access doors shut Jack signaled to the group to take up positions. Moving apart they each broke into their individual protest chants spreading out across the floor and up into the public seating area. Each person carried with them a large basket full of rose petals mixed with a fine dust of sleep powder (Mackenzies idea) and a carefully created 24 hour memory loss drug (Jack's contribution). As they chanted their peaceful sentiments they would toss the rose petals into the crowds seated being careful to cover as much area as they could around the people. If done correctly the dust would take effect just prior to Rose being led in thus saving her major embarrassment. Jack's heart swelled knowing he at least could do this for his friends and with so little sacrifice to his own manly self.
In the middle of the floor the Doctor couldn't believe what was happening. The crowds so noisy at first were starting to quieten then to his surprise he heard snoring as one by one each person slumped forward or down in their seats as the fine dust went about its task and claimed each one. He saw Jack and met his eyes.
"For you and Rose Doc" he shouted giving him a huge grin and salute. Thanks to a nifty vaccine he and his protesting friends remained immune to the sleep concoction so they could keep vigil to ensure that no one woke up too early.
Rose had heard the crowd and tried to hold on to what the Doctor had told her in the jail cell. She tried to picture him in her mind and encircle herself in his loving presence but it just wasn't working. She was too tense and truth be told angry at what she was being forced to do. It was only the blessed promise of things to come that made her take the initial steps of the shameful walk that came first. Alonzo still held her chain. He had apologised to her again and she knew he meant it. He wasn't enjoying this anymore than she was. The Governor gave the signal and Alonzo led her onto the floor of the auditorium. Once inside he cut her bonded hands and gently asked her to go to her hands and knees. It was only when she reached the ground that she realised all had gone silent. Although it was against the rules she lifted her head to look at the crowd and could see Alonzo was doing the same. She gasped when she saw Jack and his fellow protestors decked out in their colourful costumes and nearly cried when it hit home that the crowd were all in a comatosed state. How it happened she didn't care but her heart was now singing with joy and relief.
"Miss Tyler" said Alonzo. "We must continue".
Rose took one look in the direction of the Doctor and her heart melted. She nodded her assent to Alonzo and let him lead her while she shuffled on hands and knees head bent knowing this would soon be all over and paradise awaited.
They had crossed just a quarter of the distance to the Doctor when her chain went limp and a yelp of pain came from Alonzo. She looked up and saw him stagger the blade of a knife stuck into the back of his right shoulder. Sneering down at her was the shop keeper. He used the chain and yanked her roughly up off the ground. Spinning her round he pressed her back up against him with one arm around her neck hostage style. In the other he held a gun.
To be continued