I do not own doctor who. Moving on...
Rose could hear the doctor yelling for her as she ran, sobs mixing into the heart broken cries. But this was the only way to keep him safe and that was all that mattered. She ran until her injured ankle gave out, too tired to fight when the darts finally hit their mark and dragged her down.
When she came to she, she was spread out on a large bed in a windowless room. There was a tray of fruits and sandwiches on a nearby wooden table and the air was cool enough that she had goosebumps on her skin. Someone had changed her clothes to a simple cotton dress and curled her hair into slim ringlets before pinning them up. If she was a prisoner, this was one of the nicer jails she'd been in.
She snickered at the thought she'd been captured enough to start comparing jails but sobered quickly. She was here alone, ankle freshly wrapped which meant she must have hurt it worse than she realized. That meant she couldn't run and the doctor wouldn't be swooping in to save the day this time.
"Alright Rose Tyler. You've saved the universe and a time lord, you can save yourself- eeep!" She let out a shriek of pain when her ankle was jarred just as another girl walked in. She was about twelve, fair skinned with Raven's hair braided half way down her back and violet eyes. Clearly delighted Rose was up, she hurried over.
"Oh goody you're awake!"
"Yeah goody, where am I?"
"The others will be so excited, we've never had one like you before!"
"Sorry, one like me?"
"Your hair's so pretty, may I brush it?"
"I'd really like to-"
"Don't fluster her Arabella! Goodness." An older matronly looking woman rushed in, shooing at the little girl with her hands.
"Leave our guest be. Can you walk dear? You've a rather nasty sprain, I'm afraid you won't be able to move about for a time- oh! I didn't even think to ask, what's your name?"
"I... I'm Rose. What is this-"
"We'll arrange transportation don't worry."
She could hardly get a word in, let alone a question and before she knew it the three of them were being placed into an ornate silver sled without wheels.
"I wanna start it,please?" Arabelle begged.
"Very well, not too fast though."
Rose yelped in surprise when the open carriage rose into the air and calmly hovered down the hall.
"What's 'appening? Where am I?!"
"Breathe dear. No one will harm you here."
They rode through the wide corridors where Arabella and the woman waved to men, women and children.
"What is this place?"
"It's the community! Isn't it lovely? I planted those flowers over there do you like them? And we polish the marble so it gleams and everybody pitches in and I helped paint these hallways here see the yellow ones and- oh! Look it's Candor! Hello Candor! Ashani can I go see him please?" The girl was bouncing in her seat, leaning halfway out of the sled towards a teen boy who was waving happily. He looked about 15, hair just as dark as Arabella's and green eyes that reminded Rose of the cat her mate shareen had when they were younger.
"Of course! Say hello for me won't you?"
Arabella nodded, then jumped from the sled into outstretched arms of candor. He carried her away and Rose could still hear her chattering a mile a minute.
"She and Candor are a bonded pair. They'll breed such lovely offspring don't you agree?"
"What... breed? Oh come one it's a crush." Rose laughed.
Ashani shook her head.
"They are joined. Arabella was chosen for him due to her genetic make up. They are 92.73 percent compatible and the second and third offspring will provide a bountiful trade."
The smile quickly fell from Rose's face.
"Second and third? Trade?"
"Oh yes, the pair is allowed their first offspring so as to continue the genetic line. The rest of the children will be traded to prosperous couples or those we deem of value who are unable to produce their own. In return, these ones trade to us goods and the like."
"But.. but that means you're just giving these kids away! Taking them from their parents!"
"No Rose you misunderstand. We're finding them a home. And because of this, they give to us food, crops, land, materials, technology... anything our society needs."
"So what, the kids are just a negotiation tactic?!"She felt sick just thinking about it.
Ashani studied her with sky blue eyes.
"You are not of this sector."
"What's that got to do with anythin? "
"You aren't familiar with our ways. Really its much nicer than it sounds. The pairs are very happy and we ensure each child goes to a loving family. I'm sure once you're paired you'll-"
"WHAT?!"
"Oh yes dear. You've such lovely hair, like sunshine. And the oddest speech patterns too. You'll be paired with a very good mate I guarantee it. And then-"
"And then you'll use my kids as 20 quid?! I don't think so."
She leapt from the cart, tumbling to the ground and hobbling for the end of the hall.
"You have a wonderfully feisty spirit. We'll acquire much from your brood." Ashani assured her, easily catching up.
"Over my dead body!"
"We'd never physically harm you. Don't worry, eventually you'll be very happy."
"Never."
"Ah but you will. " She promised, shooting her with a sedative."Sooner or later you will."
"Wose cose Jack!"
"You're sure this'll work?"
"Uh-huh. Shhh!"
He put a tiny finger to Jack's lips and frowned sternly.
"Once we finded wose, go to da TARDIS, otay?"
"Right, but first we have to fool them. Stay close doctor."
Taking the time tots hand, Jack walked up to the desk, looking for all the world like a harried and single parent with his son. Putting on his best "I'm broken, heal me in your bed" smile he patiently waited for the receptionist to look up.
"Hello there, how may I assist you sir?" She asked cheerfully.
"I was told I could find a partner through the community? You see I had a partner, but... well..." Her hazel eyes widened.
"I'm so sorry sir."
"Yes, well .. we can only treasure every day we have. Tomorrow we may not have another. "
"That was so beautifully said." The little red-head whispered.
He blushed and leaned in.
"It keeps me going. Takes the edge off." He purred.
"Daddy I wanna fine ma mama now!" The doctor demanded, jerking the captain's hand hard.
"Ow! Right. New momma, just a minute buddy."
"Oh is this your first offspring?! He's adorable. What's your name honey?" She cooed, coming around the desk.
"I doctor." He said proudly.
"How cute, he wants to be a doctor!"
"Uh... yeah. Yep, that's my boy. The doctor."
"And what's the doctor's first name?"
"I... Jack." He grinned.
"You little cherub you!"
"Or devil." Jack muttered forcing a chuckle.
"So. This little guy needs a mama."
"Yes of course. We've some very different options so first we'll sit you down to an interview and screening to get an idea of what your personal preference is alright."
"Sounds-"
"Daddy. "
"In a minute doctor."
"But daddy-"
"Just a minute doctor-"
"Daddy!"
He sighed and knelt down.
"What is it Jack? "
"I gotta go."
"Oh! Okay sure."
He looked up and smiled sheepishly.
"Could we use your bathroom?"
"Of course! Maybe we could continue our conversation while I have one of the children take him? Then they can play."
"He's- he's kinda shy I dunno-"
"I do it daddy! I doctor I go!" He declared, clearly trying to put on a brave face.
"Well-"
"Pease? I gotta GO."
"He'll be perfectly safe Mr.-?"
"Harkness. Captain."
"Captain Harkness. Arabella! Could you take our new friend Jack to the bathroom please?" Skipping down the hallway a dark haired little girl came and took the doctor's hand.
"C'mon Jack!"
"Otay. Bye daddy."
"See ya in a bit doctor." He watched them go, running a hand through his hair and biting his lip.
"He'll be alright, you needn't worry."
"He's my whole world. Hard not to." He admitted.
She beamed.
"We'll find you an excellent partner captain. I just know it."
"Wat dat?" The doctor asked, pointing as they walked.
"This room? Oh it's where our new ones come. I can show you after you relieve yourself." Arabella offered. His tour guide was eager to show off to her little guest and had happily answered any of his questions. So far he had seen a play room, a commons area and the hallway to a few sets of living quarters.
"I go peas?"
"Sure, here we are." She tried to go in with him but he shook his head fiercely.
"I do it!"
"Okay. You're so little and cute, I hope my first offspring is just like you!"
"Tank A'bella."
He waited until she closed the door the pulled out his sonic. Rose was close, he was following her bio readings on his sonic screw-driver and she had to be in one of those rooms. He washed his hands and came back out, secreting away the sonic to a bigger on the inside pocket.
"I see new ones peas?"
"Sure. Gosh you're polite-hey maybe your new mama will be one of them!" She tugged him along by the hand, thinking him only shy when he refused to set foot past the doorway.
"I've only got one more but she's the best." Arabella promised.
"She pity?"
"The prettiest, wait till you see her hair!" She opened the door and poked her head in.
"Rose? I have a visitor for you to cheer you up."
Hearing the name of his beloved companion, the doctor ran past Arabella to the groggy and half awake girl.
"Wose? I doctor, it doctor! Ma wose!"
So this chapter is all done. I'm so sorry about the late updates this week, I had a terrible stomach bug and
could barely hold a pen let alone type up an update. However I'm on the mend and hopefully will
be able to update If you give a time lord a toddler and The war within as well. Love to all my followers
and if you all aren't too annoyed with me any reviews would be welcome. Also, got a couple people giving feedback and it
looks like a teen 11/Clara story will be in the works soon! (plot being they were accidentally turned into teenagers and now
are turning the TARDIS into one big snog box while Vastra, Jenny and strax try to babysit and fix them) see ya next week!