The Doctor and Donna have returned to the TARDIS.
Donna is using the computer terminal on the console, studying printouts that are in a script only she and the Doctor can decipher.
The Doctor, meanwhile, has retired to the library to see if he can find anything amongst the thousands of books he has amassed over the centuries that may assist in their efforts to contact Rose.
Donna looks up from the printout she is studying. She thinks she hears a noise coming from behind her. She turns to see if it is the Doctor returning with something useful but finds no-one there. With a slight shake of her head she returns her attention to the swirling symbols on the piece of paper in her hand.
Several minutes pass with Donna deep in concentration, rapidly typing commands into the computer and scanning the results for any useful hints on how to contact someone in a parallel world. Again she hears a noise from somewhere behind her. She turns around quickly, hoping to surprise whoever is there. "Oh now come on. This is so not funny any more. Just come on out and show yourself," Donna says to the empty room.
Her request is met with silence.
"I must be hearing things," she mutters to herself. "Too much excitement for one day, that's what it is."
A few minutes later Donna hears something again. This time it's a voice. A voice that seems somehow familiar. And that voice is calling one name. "Doctor."
"Rose?" Donna whispers the name. "Is that you?"
"Yes, it's me. Is that you, Donna?"
"Yes, Rose, I'm here," Donna replies.
"How can you be there? I thought the Doctor had to erase your memories to save your life. At least that's what the other him told me."
"He did but then I started to get these dreadful headaches." Donna went on to explain to Rose all that had occurred that day, about recovering her memories and still being part Time Lord.
"How is it that I can hear you anyway?" Donna finally thinks to ask Rose.
"The TARDIS is helping me. I have a link to her thanks to Bad Wolf. Where's the Doctor?"
"He's in the library, trying to figure out a way to contact you. Just wait until I tell him that you beat him to it!" Donna is almost crowing over that fact.
"Can you go and get him please? I don't know how long I can keep this link open. Even with the TARDIS helping it still takes a lot of energy."
"Just you stay right where you are and I'll be right back with him." Donna races off in the direction of the library, shouting the Doctor's name at the top of her voice.
The Doctor almost runs into Donna in the corridor, his anxiety evident by the look on his face. It's not like Donna to be shouting at the top of her lungs. Something terrible must have happened. He grabs her by the shoulders to steady her and waits impatiently for her to get her breathing under control before he questions her.
"Ok Donna, breathe nice and slowly for me and tell me what's happened." The Doctor tries not to let his impatience show as Donna recovers herself.
"Oh, Doctor, it's Rose. She….." Donna starts to explain but is interrupted by the Doctor as soon as she mentions Rose's name.
"What about Rose?" the Doctor queries, his full attention on Donna.
"She spoke to me. Says she has a link to the TARDIS because of Bad Wolf. She's keeping the link open so that she can talk to you." Donna gets this all out in a rush.
Without another word the Doctor turns on his heel and sprints for the console room, Donna hot on his heels.
"Rose?" he shouts the moment he enters the room. His voice is filled with hope and joy.
Donna notices a shimmering patch of light forming in front of the console. The shimmering fades and a woman is left standing there. It's Rose.
The Doctor sees her as well and starts to run towards her.
"I'm just an image, Doctor. No touch," she says to him, echoing his words of so long ago when he first left her on that beach.
"How can you be here? How is it possible?" the Doctor is clearly flustered. He is used to being in control of things but this has left him stunned.
"The TARDIS and I have a telepathic link because of Bad Wolf. This connection takes a lot of energy but the TARDIS is doing most of it. Lucky that you're near the rift so she can recharge, hey?" Rose chuckles to him.
"Rose, I'm so sorry for leaving you there with him. Did he hurt you?" the Doctor asks, recovering his senses.
"'m fine, really. Mum took care of Don. He's in a holding cell at Torchwood. He has amnesia so is no threat at the moment," Rose explains.
"Don?" the Doctor queries.
"Well I couldn't very well call him Doctor and, as he came from Donna, I thought that Don was the next best name for him. Sorry Donna, no offence," Rose turns to Donna and offers her a half smile.
"None taken. We know about his amnesia," Donna offers. At Rose's quizzical look Donna explains her own telepathic link to Don and how she was able to see his memories of what had happened on the beach.
"Now we just have to find a way to get you back where you belong," the Doctor starts to ramble excitedly. "That's if you still want to come with me?" he asks, his voice lowering and an almost pleading look appearing on his face.
The Doctor and Donna are both staring at Rose, awaiting her reply. Neither of them dares to take a breath, the tension is that palpable.
Rose's eyes seem to flare for a moment and then become a bright golden colour. The rest of her body is also encompassed by a golden aura. When she speaks it is with a voice as old as time itself.
"You are a foolish man, Time Lord. Rose has been genetically altered to be your partner, your protector, your saviour. You are her whole reason for existence. She was made for you, and you for her. Do not attempt to leave her behind again or there will be consequences!" Bad Wolf states firmly to the Doctor.
The Doctor is staring at Rose/Bad Wolf, his mouth agape. For once in his life he is lost for words. Bad Wolf's words have rattled him.
He recovers himself quickly though. "What do you mean about Rose being altered? Altered how?" the Doctor demands.
"She will age at a slower rate. Her lifespan will match yours. She will also heal rapidly if injured," Bad Wolf explains.
"So Rose is a Time Lord now, too?" Donna questions, a look of confusion passing over her face.
"No, she will not regenerate if injured too badly. If she receives immediate treatment for life threatening injuries she will recover completely. The TARDIS and I will both see to this. Doctor, Rose once promised you forever. This is that forever," Bad Wolf smiles softly at him.
Donna turns to the Doctor and notices that he has tears running down his cheeks. She starts to move towards him to offer comfort when she sees the look on his face. It is a look of wonder, hope and elation. There is another emotion evident as well. It is love.
"We cannot stay any longer. This has exhausted Rose. Make your plans and the TARDIS can relate them to Rose. Remember, two heads are better than one. Goodbye for now, Doctor, Donna," Bad Wolf says as she slowly disappears.
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