Chapter Twenty-One

Finally, it was time for the four rebels to leave, so they could set the plan into motion. Each had a black rucksack filled with grenades and sticks of TNT. The Doctor and Tom stood by the TARDIS hugging them and saying their goodbyes.

"Be careful, guys, the sun is starting to set and that should provide some cover, but don't underestimate the lizards or their bounty hunter goons. You are armed as well, I take it."

They nodded and showed them the gun that was tucked into the waistband of their trousers.

"Good, don't hesitate to use it. We've lost enough people in this fight without you four ending up in Antarctica," he said. "And if you see the others, get them involved too, cause as much havoc as you can, so the lizards will stay busy."

"And once you're finished, come back here. Don't try to come and help us," the Doctor added. "We'll be all right on our own."

The four rebels nodded.

"Good luck," Tom said.

The four wished them good luck, then with one last look at them, they turned and headed out the door. When the door closed, Tom looked at the Doctor.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Doctor, if things get out of control, we might need their help."

"No, we'll be fine, trust me, I've battled a lot more with a lot less," he said.

He opened the TARDIS door.

"I need to check up on Rose, can you stay by the door and keep an eye on things? And, when you hear the first explosions, let me know, alright?"

Tom nodded. The Doctor patted him on the shoulder and went inside.

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Rose opened her eyes. She heard a soft beeping coming from the box above her. Briefly, she wondered what it was before struggling to sit up. Once she had finished sitting up in bed, the beeping stopped. She brought her knees up towards her chest and looked around.

"Am I done?" Rose asked the TARDIS.

She smiled when the TARDIS rumbled affectionately. She certainly felt better, felt like a weight had been lifted from her mind that had been there for years. She felt refreshed and rejuvenated, and now she longed to find the Doctor, so she could tell him she was ready to rejoin the fight.

She rose from the bed and teetered unsteadily for a moment before she found her balance. She reached up to her temples, felt the sticky pads that connected the wires, pulled them off, and laid them back on the bed. She started towards the door and stopped short when she realized she couldn't see it. It took her a moment to remember that the TARDIS had the ability to move walls and rooms around, and close up doors.

"The Doctor asked you to do this, didn't he?" she said, glancing up at the ceiling.

The TARDIS rumbled a confirmation.

He was concerned you might get hurt when he took the TARDIS into the processing center, the TARDIS thought to her.

"Are we in the processing center now?"

The TARDIS grunted out a no.

"I gotta find the Doctor then," Rose said, walking towards the door. "Please open the door again."

There is no need to find the Doctor. He is right outside the door.

The moment she heard the TARDIS think that to her, the door appeared, and she could see the Doctor's stunned expression, as he stared at her. The shock was quickly replaced by joy, and the Doctor sprinted into the room. Rose ran to him, and grunted when the Doctor caught her in a tight hug.

"Oi, not so tight, I wanna be able to breathe, yeah?" Rose teased. "I don't have a bypass system like you do."

The Doctor let go, but only slightly.

"Oh, angel, you're healed, at last," he sighed, as he laid his head on her shoulder.

"Am I?" Rose wondered aloud.

The Doctor let go a bit more, so he could look at her face.

The TARDIS wouldn't have woken you up if it wasn't finished," he said, running his hand down the back of her head.

He frowned.

"Why do you ask? Don't you feel any different?" he asked.

Rose smiled.

"Yeah, I do, actually. I feel at peace. I don't have tormented thoughts like I used to. My mind feels free."

The Doctor looked like he was over the moon at hearing that. He cupped his face with her hands.

"I'm glad to hear you say that, my Rose," he said. "All I want is for you to be healed, and let go of what was done to you."

Rose nodded. As she looked at him, she suddenly was hesitant to voice her request to fight at his side. She didn't know if the Doctor would let her, so soon after being healed, but she had to try. She didn't want to stay in the TARDIS feeling useless while everyone else put their lives on the line. She took a deep breath, while the Doctor studied her face.

"Doctor, I…"

She hesitated.

"Yes, Rose?"

She swallowed hard.

"I…I want to go back to the battle."

She groaned inwardly when she saw the look on the Doctor's face. She could have sworn she just told him his puppy died.

"Rose, no."

"Please, Doctor, I'm better now. I want to help you."

"Rose, you just woke up. You can't just go right back out. Do you want to damage your mind again?"

Rose sighed.

"Doctor, I want to be a part of this battle. I don't want to sit it out. I love you, and I don't want to see you fight this war alone. I won't go berserk again, I promise. I'm better. I'm healed."

She laid her hand on the side of his face.

"Please, my Doctor, let me fight."

The Doctor put his hand against hers and closed her eyes.

"I want you to ease into this, angel," he said. "So, I will allow you to help, but I forbid you to fight this battle. We are taking the TARDIS into the processing center, and Tom and I will do the fighting. However, we are planning to put the prisoners in the TARDIS and bring them back here to the headquarters. That's where you come in. You can help make them comfortable and calm them down. I'm sure they'll be confused coming in here and seeing the interior, not to mention they'll be in shock from all that's happened. Do that for me this time, and afterwards, you can join in the battles. It's just that you need to still rest even though your brain is healed. Your brain needs to get used to the modifications, and it will take a little time to do that. Will you honor my request and just assist?"

Rose nodded.

"Yes. You're right, I think it's better if I do help with the prisoners. It's just that I'm so worried about you and Tom fighting on your own."

"We'll be alright, I promise," the Doctor said. "We'll be careful. Besides, at this very moment, the other rebels are setting off explosives and giving the Kajorans something to do. Hopefully, that will thin out the ones left at the processing center, and we can be in and out before they know what hit them."

He kissed her forehead.

"Now, why don't you come with me and keep me company, while I input the coordinates for the processing center."

Rose nodded. She took the Doctor's hand in hers, and he gave it a squeeze, as he led her out of the med bay.