A/N: I'm switching to italics because it's a bit easier on the eyes. Plus, I don't want to seem like I'm yelling at you. Have fun with this chapter. It's not over yet.

Chapter 10

"Look out behind you!" The Doctor bit, so Rose turned and sidestepped a broadsword in action.

The woman with the blade swung again, and Rose screamed as the whoosh hissed past her ear. There was nothing but intensity in the soldier's eyes, as with the others around her. Rose looked with panic at the shining gun, and she didn't want to kill anyone. Why would the Doctor have such a weapon?

"Shoot it!" The Doctor commanded, struggling from under the beast.

"But Doctor, I-ahh!" She eluded the attempted kill once more, but others would be taking part soon.

"Shoot it!"

She shot, and a strange pulsing sensation swept through her body. All soldiers within fifty feet collapsed, all the while clutching their ears as they bled. Did she just kill all those people? She looked back at the Doctor and he, too, seemed dead.

"No!" She dropped the gun ran to him. With all her might, she pulled him from under the animal. She held out her hand to check for breath. An anxious moment of dread stabbed her when she didn't feel him, but it passed as the Doctor lightly exhaled. She laid him flat in the short brindle grass and listened to his hearts.

Thump thump thump thump.

Thump thump thump thump.

The rhythm was beautiful, and nearly sounded like drums. Anxiety still pulsed through Rose, unsure whether the Doctor would live.

Her circle of knock outs was beginning to close again. Soldiers broke the perimeter, barely noticing their fallen comrades. All Rose could think of was getting the Doctor away.

The Doctor was heavier than she expected; when she tried to lift him, her initial burst of strength diminishing, she fell to her knees. She was careful not to drop him, and he groaned slightly. Groaning was good. Groaning meant- well, groaning really didn't mean anything in particular, but she had to stay positive. The Doctor started to breathe with deep, heavy breaths.

More soldiers closed in. She wasn't mobile with the Doctor in her arms, she couldn't carry him, and he couldn't walk, so maybe she should shoot that gun again.

Lungs burning, ears blazing with the sounds of war, she bounded to the silver machine. Because it was the center of the blast, it was clear of any fight. Rose retrieved the slick metallic pod and returned to her Doctor. If anyone came close, she would shoot.

But, would another shot kill the Doctor? She desperately battled this question, believing it to be true. His ears were bleeding. He was unconscious. Even Time Lords have limits.

"You cause me so much trouble." She whispered to him, shoved it in her pocket, blissfully hoping he would reply.

"Looks like you're in a bit more trouble, love." A crude voice not belonging to her Doctor sneered. The short moment of dread couldn't settle within her as a stinging blade slashed though her back. She cried out in surprise and agony, with her blood soaking into her ripped black attire. She partly collapsed over the Doctor, and she swore she saw his eyes open for a moment.

The man the crude voice belonged to kicked her over, scrutinizing her. Rose was bleeding onto the Doctor.

"Well aren't you a pretty one." The man sucked in. He bent down and with his free hand held her hair at the back of her head. Rose slapped the corrupt man and his red tattoos glowed. "You aren't going to misbehave, now are you?" His eyebrows rose with the question.

She spat in his face, so he forced her onto the stocky and prickly grass. It itched its way into her gash. Rose kicked and thrashed, all the while the Doctor was unconscious one foot away. The Xexon silenced her legs by kneeling on them and he put his weight into his arms to pin her.

He pressed his bloody lips against hers, tongue denied entry, but he tried for access. He held both her wrists with one arm, franticly stroking her tender body. Rose whimpered and thrashed as much as she could.

The man was jerked off and away from her fluidly.

"What the hell is wrong with you!" Hiccaro shouted at him as more of an accusation than a question. Hiccaro smashed his boot into the man's side. Again. And again. And again.

Hiccaro cracked his fellow Xexon until he was motionless; still like a predator before its prey. Menacing and dauntless, he drew out his breath, making it clear who the victor was.

"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Hiccaro didn't look back at Rose, and his arm twitched readily as if it would be crushing more. "Rose?"

She wiped blood off her lips, "Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Are you fine right now?" He said, indignant.

"Yeah," she repeated, "I'll be fine."

Harrumphing, Hiccaro tore with his voice, "Nitara! Have you told them?" His ally was in the scrimmage, battling her best.

Colonel Nitara cried back, "Yes sir! We await your orders!"

Hicarro kicked the vile creature one last time for good measure, "Commence."

"Commence!" Nitara screamed, her voice raggedy from shouting. All at once, the Xexon troops formed defensive lines and retreated. They were a moving mass, all with one mechanical movement unhindered by the straggling Kasirtos soldiers.

Hiccaro easily shouldered the Doctor as if he was a doll, "Follow me." He ordered Rose. She complied, not out of duty to Hiccaro, but to stay with the Doctor. She didn't want to let him out of her sight unless she knew he would be safe. Hiccaro said nothing as they trailed a straight line to his troops. He nodded to them when he passed. They bowed in return.

The general handed the Doctor away, making it blatant that he was to be taken care of. The Doctor was taken to medics.

"And where do you think he's going?" Rose said with more sting than anticipated.

Hiccaro faced her and gave a face as if she was barmy, "To be healed. Where else?"

"Is he hurt badly?" She felt guilt take the place of anxiety. Guilt fought it, bickering and shaking her.

"Do I look like a doctor?" Hiccaro twitched, realizing what he said.

"You said you were a nurse; you have to know something."

"That's mostly field training. More life and death situations. Just wait and be patient."

Rose wanted answers to anything, "Why did we retreat?"

"We'll be waiting until Shadasphira gives the 'okay'. Then we have a serious talk with the," he tripped over his words, "Kasirtos. Just, stay with me."

"I'll be waiting with the Doctor, thanks." Rose irately strode off to the medical area.

Her own wounds and bruises were treated before she was allowed to see the Doctor. Doctors applied Cicatrix Balm, telling Rose that it would help her damaged tissues repair faster. She had heard of the balm before, the Doctor briefly explained it once. The Cicatrix Balm was a type of regenerative "chapstick", as he put it. It wouldn't heal the wound from the inside, but a thick scab would form over the open area of skin it was applied to. It was prone to leaving light scarring.

The medical area was swarmed with patients, doctors, and nurses. The sour scent of disinfectant and blood misted the air, creating a sick urge in Rose to puke. Men and women alike were in frenzy, rushing to find fallen friends, crying, and dying. The view of those scenes wet Rose's cheeks and glassed her eyes. She could barely take it in; the death. She had seen it before, but this was different. This was on the largest scale she'd ever seen. It beat her innocence and tumbled the wall of security within her. The worst of it was she couldn't help. All she could do was console and hope for the best.

Those negative thoughts absconded and returned to her Doctor. If only they stayed in the TARDIS, maybe no one would've gotten hurt. Maybe they would've stayed angry, but not take action. What if everything was their fault?

Rose could picture what the Doctor would say to her, "No. Don't think that way, Rose. It isn't your fault. If anything, we've only quickened the pace a bit."

She wiped the scattered tears to appear calm for when the Doctor woke. Rose bobbed about the mess of terror and sadness until coming upon a makeshift cot with the Doctor soundly sleeping. Yet, even with the disguise of haven, he seemed restless. She knew that within him, he could never rest, not wholly or completely. He was to forever dream and think. Think of all possibilities, never stopping until all have been tested and tried again. The only peace he had was when he was with her.

As selfish to think that as it was, Rose knew it was true. He could be lulled into happiness by either relaxing or running with Rose at his side; as his companion. And Rose shared the common desire.

Rose stepped in between two nurses by his bedside. His thighs, knees, and calves were crushed from the creature that had pinioned him. He perfect eyes were closed, but were animated under the lids. They danced and skipped, stopping for brief breaks in thought, then resuming their frightened distress.

Rose took his hand, "Don't worry about a thing. I'll be the one getting us out this time."

…

She was given a chair, but steadily refused to sit. Instead, she squeezed beside the Doctor on his cot, hoping her connection would bring any comfort. Rose made sure not to touch his legs as to not cause him anymore harm. His regenerative sleep would heal them soon enough.

Meanwhile, she wondered at their recusant personalities. They could never submit; it wasn't in their nature. It would never be in their nature. The three hearts between them could be hurt, but never conquered and never be separated. Not truly.

"You love him." Hiccaro took the unoccupied seat set out for Rose. "Not an impulse, or lust, it's… it's love, isn't it?" His face was worn and tired from exhaustion. His finely sculpted frame slouched dejectedly and with a pelagic openness.

Her answer was not thought out, it was instinct, "Of course I do."

Hiccaro's expression perked and flushed with intrepid interest, "Does he know?"

Rose knew the Doctor knew. He didn't say anything about it, though. And she knew why. Eventually, as much as she denied it, she would have to say goodbye. As would the Doctor. She knew he couldn't if he ever told her that he felt the same as he assuredly did. Even if she spent the rest of her life with him, he couldn't spend it with her. Their parting was ultimate and decided the minute she said "Doctor what?". Her fingers stroked his hair, not letting the grease deter her.

So Rose told the most uncomplicated of answers, "No. And he never can. Never."

"Why?" Hiccaro's sudden persnickety attitude made her detached.

"Doesn't matter. He just can't." She continued to caress the Doctor, not wanting to be bothered.

"That isn't a very good answer." Hiccaro's musky smell lingered through the incondite air. "He needs to know if you love him."

"What? Like how you told me?" She punched.

An adenoidal voice joined, "Sir, do you wish to undress from you armor?"

Hiccaro waved the voice off with annoyance. They sat in solemn silence. The barrier keeping the two apart strengthened with the tense minutes. Rose wanted to break the wall parting them, but she wasn't sure how. She was about to try, but a familiar girl spoke.

"Rose! You're alright!" Jiva was carrying a bucked of mucked and bloodied water. She dropped it and ran to the cot, clearly elated from the good news.

Rose sat up to greet the girl, "Jiva? Why are you here? Where're your sisters?"

Jiva simpered, "I'm a medical officer, but most of the critical work has been done by now. We're cleaning out everything. Tahla is still working, and Leisa is back home." She widened her eyes at the Doctor, "What is he doing here? Is he alright?"

"You've met him?" Rose declared, astounded.

"Only once. Said he was your Doctor. Is he alright?"

Rose bit her bottom lip, "I don't know right now. But he'll pull through; he always does."

Hiccaro said, "You should return to your work, Jiva." The girl nodded and claimed the empty bucket from the trodden ground. Hiccaro sighed.

"She didn't have to go." Rose disputed slightly while returning to her snug position with the Doctor.

"Jiva has matters to attend to. You look tired, Rose."

Rose hadn't slept in far too long. She had semi-circles bagging under her eyes, and her lashes closed longer with each blink. She was drained of any energy, but she wanted to stay away for the Doctor.

Hiccaro averred, "You need sleep." He pressed two fingers to her forehead and pushed his own fatigue into Rose. In alliance with her previous weariness, the feeling caught her in a net. She tried to disentangle herself, but the net became a warm blanket, and she was swathed in sleep.

A/N: So, that ended on a nicer not than usual, huh? Still more to come; stay tuned. As always, thanks for reading.