Wow. How long has it been since I've updated? A big thanks to all the people who've been prodding me to continue with the story, and I am really very sorry it's taken me so long! I hope you like it, and please review. Even though you probably hate me for taking so long!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the storyline and my own characters. I am a nobody. However I am working on that..., seriously, how cool would it be to own Doctor Who?
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rose's body hung limply in his arms as he ran, desperate to catch the man who had taken his daughter. His dying daughter. Or daughters. Or family. The shadows snapped at his heels as he ran, but he paid them no heed, he only pushed himself harder, faster. The familiar blue box was getting closer, but there was no one around. He slowed his ferocious pace, and nudged the TARDIS door open with his shoulder.
Jack was knelt on the grating, next to the still forms of Hope and Erin. Beyond grief, he lay Rose beside his two baby girls, then sat back and rocked on his heels. A splash of something liquid dripped onto the grate. He was crying without realising it. He smiled grimly. It wasn't the first time he'd cried over Rose. And he was sure it wouldn't be the last. She had bought out the best and the worst in him, and right now, in that moment, he was at his lowest.
'Doctor?' a low voice broke into his clouded mind, and he looked up. Jack's outline was blurred. The Doctor passed a hand over his eyes, clearing the tears momentarily before looking up again at the ex-Time Agent. Jack looked away, unable to bear the unfathomable torment behind the Gallifreyan's eyes, and cleared his throat. When he looked back, there a determined steely glint in his expression.
'Think.' He urged him. 'Think. There must be something that can be done? If Bad Wolf is dying, what can we do?' The Doctor shook his head.
'Don't you think I've tried to think of something?' he bit out. 'This is my family dying here! Do you think I'd just accept that?' Jack flinched, but kept his hardened gaze on him.
'No, I don't. But I also don't think that you're thinking like yourself. You're letting you're emotions cloud you.' He smiled slightly bitterly. 'That is not Time-Lordly. Think! How was Bad Wolf made? Where did it come from? How can it be saved?'
Again, the Doctor shook his head.
'You know how Bad Wolf was created. You were there….although I suppose you might not remember it, after all you were dead.' A sudden movement behind Jack made the Doctor start, and he looked up into the teary eyes of Lucien. The boy looked startled, and a small smile tugged at the Doctor's mouth, in spite of the situation. Evidently this was something Jack hadn't told his son.
'Bad Wolf was created out of the Time Vortex. Rose looked into the Time Vortex to….' He trailed off, eyes widening. He looked up at Jack sharply. 'To get back to me. She looked into the Time Vortex. Bad Wolf is the Time Vortex.' Jack's forehead wrinkled as he tried to understand where the Doctor was coming from.
'Well, yes. I know that. What has that got to do with anything?' He looked up to where the Doctor had been moments ago, but by now he was up, darting around the control consol like so many mortal peril times before.
'If Bad Wolf was made form the Time Vortex, and if the Vortex is still running, which by all means it should be, there may be a chance that exposing Bad Wolf to it again will be enough to cure it…to take away whatever poison had gotten to it.' Jack jumped up, excitement written across his face.
'Brilliant!' He exclaimed, but his enthusiasm dimmed as a thought crossed his mind.
'Hang on. Doctor, when Rose looked into the Time Vortex, it nearly killed her. How would she survive it a second time?' The incessant movement stopped briefly, and the Doctor bowed his head, eyes closed. He took a deep breath before speaking.
'She may not. But what else is there? I have to try this Jack.' The two men just looked at each other for a moment. Then Jack burst into a manic grin so very similar to the Doctor's.
'Well then! What can I do to help?'
Xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
Rose opened her eyes to blackness, or light. She wasn't entirely sure. Glancing round, she found she was floating. She frowned. This could not be good. Something like this only ever happened when she was in trouble. Or the Doctor had gotten her into trouble, which was more likely.
'Mum!' Rose's head snapped round, barely catching sight of flying blonde hair before was knocked to the floor. Or rather just knocked over. There didn't seem to be a floor. Rose let out a surprised 'Oooof!' as another lump jumped onto her, increasing the weight that wasn't weight on her stomach.
Recognising the faint whimpers emanating from the second lump, Rose reached out her hand and stroked it through dark hair. After several long minutes, or a few seconds, she wasn't quite sure, the mass on top of here shifted and Rose sat up. She looked down at her two daughters and smiled fondly.
'Where are we?' Hope murmured. Rose shook her head, blonde hair flowing from side to side.
'I don't know sweetie. I wish I did though.' Hope looked from side to side, eyes wide, and Rose's attention was caught by her baby. Erin was unusually quiet, and Rose bent down next to her. Gently pulling Erin's thumb out of her mouth, Rose cupped her cheek and stroked it gently.
'What's wrong baby?' Erin's big blue eyes looked up at her, full of fear and uncertainty.
'They hurt you mummy.' She whispered, so quietly Rose had to strain to hear her. 'They hurt you and they wouldn't stop and I was so frightened.' Large tears rolled down her soft cheeks, and Rose's heart broke. Clearly this was not something Erin was going to forget anytime soon, if ever. Scared at how much the experience had damaged her little girl, Rose pulled her into a desperate embrace, clutching her small body to hers frantically.
'Oh baby. Look, mummy's fine. Everything's fine. The bad shadows aren't here anymore. They can't hurt any of us.' Erin let out a miserable hiccup. Rose looked up into the worried eyes of her 18 year old daughter, and gently shook her head. She didn't know where they were, or what they were going to do.
Things were not looking good.
'Doctor.' Rose whispered. 'Where are you?' She closed her eyes and buried her head in her baby's shoulder, letting a few tears fall.
'Where are you?'
Xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
The Doctor straightened up, and looked at Jack, wary anticipation evident on his face. Jack gave his a small smile in return.
'in all honesty.' Jack said, his expression pained. 'What is there left to lose?' The Doctor smiled grimly. He walked over to Rose and picked her up gently. He walked over to the grating beside the hatch to the Time Vortex and laid her down. Placing a careful kiss on her lips, her rested his forehead against hers briefly.
'Come back to me. I love you.' He murmured, before straightening up. Slowly he walked over to the hatch. With a final glance at her still body, the Doctor pulled the handle violently. Golden light spilled into the control room, and the Doctor prayed.
Xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
Rose felt herself jerked back from Erin. Another tug found her sprawled on her back. Eyes wide, she opened her mouth to question what on earth was going on, when a burning pain ripped through her. Through the haze of pain, Rose looked up to see both of her daughter's lying down, pain evident on both their faces, although obviously to a lesser extent.
Another ripple of pain, and a tearing, pulling sensation. Like something was being pulled from her very being. A familiar voice echoed across the light/blackness.
'Come back to me Rose. I love you.' And then it went completely black.
Xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
Well. So she's not dead. Yet. cackles again I am so sorry it's taken me so long to update. University is cool! REVIEW! Please…..
Sooo…cookies?