a/n: This chapter starts out a little tense but it ends on a pretty happy note. Um, chapter count changed due to writing explosion in chapter 22 which is now two chapters. So, total chapter count will be 24ish. Anyway do enjoy and I should have the next two chapters up tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or any of it's lovely characters
Mr. Thorne made record time back to Grantham Manor. The Doctor held Rose close to him the whole time, whispering encouragements to her as he gently nudged his way into her mind to try and assess her condition. Rory was in full doctor mode himself, taking her pulse, trying to assess her temperature and looking for any other injuries while Amy looked on in fear. Finally, Amy snapped out of her worried state and began ordering Mr. Thorne to, "make haste and don't stop for anyone or anything."
Arriving at the Manor, Mr. Thorne immediately noticed something was off. He bounded out of the car and opened the door for his passengers and then turned to the house, surprised no one had come out to greet them.
"Doctor, something's not right," he said as he looked at the semi dark house.
The Doctor looked over at the manor and knew Mr. Thorne was correct. He directed a serious look at Rory. "Rory, Amy, stay with Rose. If I'm not back in ten minutes, take her to your clinic, Rory."
"What do you mean if we don't hear from you?" Amy demanded and peeked out the carriage door toward the house. "If something's wrong, you can't go in there alone!"
Rory looked at the Doctor and nodded his head. "Amy, the Doctor's right. Shut the carriage door now," Rory commanded her in a tone of voice he had never used with her before.
Amy just stared at him as realization hit. The Doctor and Rory thought this was a trap and someone was in the house intent upon doing them harm. She looked down at Rose who gasped and whispered, "Doctor." Amy reached a decision. "Mr. Thorne, you will go with the Doctor. If need be, I'll operate this contraption."
Charles Thorne looked at the Duchess as if she was mad. "My lady, this is not…"
"Don't my lady me!" Amy retorted. Do as I say! Now go!" she commanded and pointed toward where the Doctor was at the front entrance to the manor. Charles Thorne knew when he was beaten and knew not many people attempted to contradict the Duchess when she commanded them to do something with that look in her eyes. He nodded and ran up next to the Doctor who looked at him with an irritated expression.
"Did I not tell you to take my wife and friends out of here if something goes wrong?" he whispered harshly.
Charles nodded. "Yes sir, but the Duchess has other ideas and she's a bit scarier than you," Charles responded, looking over his shoulder and wincing as he watched Amy in the front seat of the carriage touching the controls.
The Doctor looked over and winced as well and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"All right, just stay close!"
They inched into the dimly lit house and immediately noticed it had been ransacked. Furniture was tipped over, cushions ripped open, paintings ripped from the wall and there were even some holes in the walls. Charles was stunned. The Doctor stood rigid and still as if waiting for something. He cocked his head to the side, pulled out his sonic, put it on torch mode and then slowly continued into the house.
The Doctor's first thought was Torchwood. They knew that he and Rose would be at the ball and away from the house, but as he observed closer, he wasn't so sure that was a correct assumption and then it really hit him. "Charles, is there a full moon out this evening," he whispered.
Charles stilled and then walked over to the window. "Yes, sir," he breathed, trembling slightly but determined not to leave the Doctor to face whatever this was or what they would find. Fear coursed through Charles, for the other servants who had been in the house that night as well as anger that anyone dared come here to attack Mr. and Mrs. Tardis. A new resolve infused him with courage. The Tardis were like family to him and this was not just their home, but home to all the servants as well. He would defend it with his life if need be. He stood up tall and strong, his rebellious eyes flashing his decision to stand firm and looked at the Doctor.
The Doctor felt the first trickle of fear as Charles confirmed his gut instinct about the phase of the moon. He breathed in deeply and tapped into his Time Lord senses. He stretched out with his mind and tried to get a sense of the house. He opened his eyes and saw that Charles was looking at him with a new found courage and determination. A new timeline flared around Charles and the Doctor smiled. The boy he had met at the docks oh so many months ago with so much potential was changing right before his eyes. Charles had made a choice. Although proud of the young man who stood before him, ready to defend those he loved, the Doctor felt responsibility for him as well. He wouldn't allow such a brilliant young man to sacrifice his life and potential to be so much more over Torchwood's or the wolves' lust for power.
"Charles, you don't have to come any further," he said softly.
Charles walked over and stood by the Doctor. "No sir, I don't, but I want to. This is my home too. The others may need help and you have to tend to Mrs. Tardis."
The Doctor nodded and they walked carefully through the house. The Doctor was fairly certain the intruders were gone not having found what they were looking for and the doctor knew exactly what they wanted. What disturbed him was how they knew the items were here. A memory of being chased from the cemetery flared in his mind and he quickly assessed this possibility. As he walked with Charles, he became more and more certain Rory would also find his home in shambles as well. They, whoever they were, knew that he and Rory and had found something.
After canvassing the first floor, they went to the back of the house where they heard some scuffling. Both men broke out into a sweat as they approached the servants quarters. Charles had picked up a heavy cast iron skillet and held it at the ready in case they were attacked. He stood on one side of the door while the Doctor stood on the other. The Doctor thrust open the door to find Carson lying on the floor with Anna kneeling next to him holding a coat rack in a defensive position.
"Carson, Anna," the Doctor breathed.
"Oh Dr. Tardis, Anna called out, dropping the coat rack. It was terrible! These men dressed all in black broke in and attacked us. They locked the staff in the laundry building outside and assaulted Mr. Carson here. They kept demanding to know about any vaults or hiding places and then locked us in here saying they'd be back. Doctor, we…we heard a wolf howl," she said, trembling and breaking down into tears next to Carson who looked up at them with blood running down his face."
"I am sorry, sir. I fear for the others. Please sir, I will see to Anna if you would be so kind as to locate the others."
Anna stopped crying and began dabbing at Carson's wound with a handkerchief. "Mr. Carson, do not be foolish. You must rest and recover." She looked up at the Doctor. "Please sir, Mr. Carson is right, the others…."
"I'll find them, Dr. Tardis," Charles volunteered. "You go see to your Missus."
Anna looked up and raised a hand to her mouth. "Mrs. Tardis?" she asked in fear.
"She's fine, Anna. Everyone's going to be fine. Stay here for now. I'll fetch Dr. Williams and he'll see to Carson," the Doctor assured her in a calm voice and then nodded toward Charles.
The Doctor quickly stomped through house, livid that his home, his family had been attacked. That was the last straw. Just as he had told the Bransens, there would be no more second chances. He found Amy about to take off in the carriage and stopped her. They quickly moved Rose inside and laid her on some cushions in the parlour. The servants ran into the house and gasped when they saw Rose laying on the floor. Charles rounded them up, armed them with fireplace pokers, coat racks and anything else he could find to serve as a weapon and began directing them to inspect the upper floors of the house while sending one of the stable boys into town for help.
Mrs. Patmore went to the kitchen to boil water for tea tsking the whole way about Rose's state. The Doctor asked Rory to check on Carson. Rory looked at the Doctor with concern. "Are you sure you'll be all right here? She needs medical attention."
The Doctor looked into Rory's compassionate eyes and calmed down a little. He smiled slightly at his friend. "I'll be all right, Rory. Amy will help me if I need anything. Please see to Carson and anyone else who might be injured. Rose will be fine. She has to be," he murmured and looked down at her. Rose seemed to be wincing less and was holding onto the Doctor's hands. She opened her eyes and looked at Rory.
"I'm fine. Please take care of Carson," she whispered and looked up at the Doctor who caressed her face. Rory looked over at Amy who nodded her head at him and he took off running followed by one of the maids.
"Rose," whispered the Doctor and placed his fingers on her temple. He ever so gently brushed her mind and felt not only for her but the baby while Amy sat by fidgeting with worry. Eventually, he smiled and pulled out of her mind. He shushed Rose when she tried to speak. "Rest. You need to rest. You've suffered a shock and you felt a few premature labor pains. They've stopped now but you need to take it easy."
"But, Doctor it's too early. The baby…"
"Will be fine," he finished for her. "Everything will be fine."
"You're a rubbish liar," she chastised him and then she looked toward a window, her face paling again. "The wolf is at the door," she said softly with an odd look in her eyes.
The Doctor's breath caught and he looked over at Amy who likewise was stunned. Amy snapped out of it. "Don't be silly. It's just us, the servants and a disarrayed home. The thieves who did this are gone. The Doctor's correct, everything is going to be fine," Amy reassured her in as confident a voice as she could. She looked over at the Doctor with uncertainty.
He nodded his head. "Course. Nothing to worry about."
Rose closed her eyes and opened them and looked at the Doctor. "They're all comin. All of them. The empire of the wolf and the lost soldier with his army. Don't trust any of 'em, especially the two faced man."
The Doctor stared at her in fear and realized, she was seeing events further down the timeline. She shouldn't be able to do that, but then, she was Rose. She ate impossible for breakfast. "Shhhh. Not to worry. I'm here and not going to let that happen. I promise. Now rest."
Amy shivered as Rose closed her eyes, sighed and fell asleep. "Doctor, what was that about," she asked, looking down at her sleeping friend.
"Nothing. It's nothing," he said with little conviction, his voice belying his concerns.
Soon, the servants had confirmed the upper floors were safe and the master bedroom was put back in enough order so the Doctor could move Rose upstairs. Rose seemed to stabilize as soon as they put her to bed. Rory insisted on bed rest for at least a week minimum and the Doctor agreed, although he was already feeling better about Rose's condition. That being said, he still wasn't going to sleep a wink that night and would continue to touch Rose's mind and keep tabs on her and the baby's conditions.
Amy and Rory decided to stay at the manor that night as well, not comfortable leaving the Doctor and Rose alone. Several people from town including the local police had arrived and spoken with the Doctor and the servants. The police were ultimately suspicious that nothing of value appeared to have been taken and quite nervous when the servants mentioned the wolf howl. Everyone who came to help was gone by sun up and the Doctor knew Torchwood would be calling soon.
The next day, the servants worked at reassembling the house, with the exception of Carson who was confined to bed on orders of Rory and the Doctor. He, of course objected, but the Doctor went to see him and assured him they would be fine and he wanted Carson healed before resuming his duties.
Rose awoke the next morning seemingly fine, but the Doctor, Rory and Amy all insisted she stay in bed and rest. Rose hated it. She hated it even more that this was all due to, as she called her, "that evil cow." Amy smiled at this as she sat and played cards with Rose. While Amy was seeing to Rose, and Rory was assisting servants who were injured in the attack, the Doctor slipped away to his secret laboratory. He assured everything was undisturbed and the baby Tardis was well and thriving. Everything depended on this small piece of coral growing into adulthood. She was the key that would allow Torchwood to get his family home.
While in his lab, he rang up Pete. "Pete, how's Malcolm coming on our project?" the Doctor asked, without any of his usual zeal.
"We're on schedule. Is everything all right?" Pete asked, noting the odd tone in the Doctor's voice.
The Doctor sighed. "Certain things are moving faster than expected," he said and then paused as a thought occurred to him. "You know don't you?"
"Know what?" Pete asked
"What happens here. It's in Torchwood records isn't it. And, you know you can't tell us or it would be bad," the Doctor said, almost tonelessly.
"I'm sorry," Pete said, in an anguished voice.
"It's not your fault. Just tell me one thing. Just one. Rose…" The Doctor tried to say the words but couldn't.
"I don't know. The records are a bit lacking on certain things," Pete responded.
"Right," the Doctor said, his voice filled with worry.
"That doesn't mean you don't get out of there. Doctor, I can't tell you what happens, but I have faith. I believe in you and Rose. If anyone can survive this and find their way home, it's you two."
"Does Jackie know?" the Doctor asked.
Pete sighed and leaned over his desk, staring at the dark wood. "Yes. She knows not to say anything to Rose. Is Rose all right?"
The Doctor stared across the room, remembering his last words with Jackie before she left. The thought that she knew they were about to face something bad and he was sure it was based on Pete's tone of voice, almost made him sick. No mother should have to bear such a burden. "Rose is fine. We had a bit of a confrontation with the Bransens and the house was ransacked. I'm sure it's no coincidence. The Bransens are connected to the wolves. I'm sure of it. This is going to come to a head and soon."
Pete felt sick. He knew exactly what the Doctor was describing. He wanted them away from this now. "Doctor, Malcolm is working as fast as he can. Jacks hasn't let up on them. You know how she is," Pete tried to joke.
The Doctor smiled slightly. Jackie Tyler was her own fearsome beast and one which it was best to not to cross. "Yeah. Try to keep her from hurting Malcolm too much. We need him. He's quite something, Pete. You're lucky to have him."
"Doctor, you can save Malcolm yourself when you're home," Pete assured him.
"Thanks, Pete. I'll talk to you when Malcolm's ready," the Doctor responded.
"Until then, Doctor," Pete said and rang off. He sat back in his chair and stared in contemplation. He let out a heavy sigh and looked up heavenward. "Please, just bring them home safe," he murmured.
dwdwdwdwdwdwdwdw
As they all suspected, Torchwood came calling the afternoon after the ball. Mr. Bates served in place of Carson and informed the Doctor of their visitor. The Doctor was upstairs with Rose, Amy and Rory at the time and immediately, his face darkened.
"Doctor, don't. It's not worth it," Rose warned, worried that he would lose his temper.
The Doctor stood up, clenching his fists. Rory also stood and looked just as angry. The two men looked at each other and nodded as if in agreement to what would happen next.
Amy stood up abruptly. "Both of you stop it this instant!" she ordered, almost stamping her foot in aggravation. She would not tolerate the men putting their pride and anger ahead of Rose's well being. "I insist that you handle yourselves with decorum. None of us like that arrogant man but we must deal with him whether we like it or not. I won't stand here while you go down there and incite some feud with Torchwood. Enough turmoil has happened already. Do I make myself clear?" Amy asked with arms crossed and giving them her haughtiest aristocratic glare.
The Doctor rolled his eyes while Rory raised an eyebrow at her. Rory did love it when she was strong and feisty. Finally, seeing Rose's angry Tyler glare," the Doctor agreed and both men left the room.
"Honestly, what are we to do with them?" Amy huffed, settling herself down once more to pour tea for she and Rose.
Rose, who was feeling much better since the incident at the ball, looked at her with a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Well Amy, I could make some suggestions," she said with her trademark Tyler grin that showed a hint of the tip of her tongue.
"Rose!" Amy exclaimed but grinned back at her.
"What?" Rose responded, laughing. She and Amy enjoyed more girl talk, but the reality was they were both trying very hard to not think about the Doctor and Rory facing off against Sir James.
dwdwdwdwdwdwdwdw
The Doctor and Rory entered the parlour which was still in a disheveled condition and found Sir. James standing by a window observing the disarray.
"Dr. Tardis, Dr. Williams," he acknowledged with an edge to his voice and a slight incline of his head.
"Sir James," the Doctor acknowledged, while Rory stood stoically beside him, glaring at Sir James.
"Please accept my heartfelt regrets on the grievous and vicious attack afflicted against Mrs. Tardis. I understand that after a most troubling evening, you arrived home only to find your house in quite a state and your servants injured and traumatized. The local constable has informed Torchwood that this incident has disturbing signs reminiscent of certain unpleasant times in recent history."
The Doctor listened to Sir James with little emotion, but when Sir James used flowery words to describe what happened to Rose and his home, he'd heard enough.
"Sir James, as much as I appreciate your concerns, why are you here?" the Doctor asked directly and stared at Sir James.
"So, we are being direct. Good," he acknowledged in his lilting Scottish accent and paced a few steps with his hands clasped behind his back and turned toward Rory and the Doctor. "I meant what I said. I am quite sorry that Mrs. Tardis came to any harm. I would not have put her in jeopardy."
"Wouldn't put her in jeopardy? What exactly have you been doing then?" the Doctor snipped.
Sir James stood rigid. "Torchwood was around you tonight whether or not you realized it. We did not anticipate the Bransen woman would take such public and aggressive actions much less attack Mrs. Tardis. I would never put her in direct physical danger and have only ever asked her for information. I understand your anger and if directing it at me helps you to vent your frustrations… Well, I shall endeavor to ignore your caustic comments."
"Now then, I understand the Duchess and Dr. Williams spent the night here to assist you with Mrs. Tardis. The criminals that vandalized the manor also struck at the Duchess and Dr. Williams' homes along with Dr. Williams' clinic."
"What!" Rory shouted.
"Rest assured, Dr. Williams, Torchwood is taking this all very seriously. We will apprehend the criminals and justice will be served."
"Justice!" Rory shouted. "What could you know about justice! You treat Amy like a criminal. She's done nothing wrong unlike other parties who seem to roam about the city free to coerce and threaten innocent people and foment plans to subvert the government and subjugate the masses. Tell me Sir James, how is Torchwood seeing justice with such things happening without consequences!" Rory demanded hotly.
The Doctor watched Rory passionately, chastise Sir James. Again, the Doctor felt something click into place around Rory. He was so much more than a physician. There was something about him that screamed he had an unusual destiny. It frustrated him that he couldn't pin this down. Time was flowing oddly around Rory and Amy, especially as they both grew into their courage and set aside their fear of societal prejudice.
Sir James was not amused at Rory's accusations. "Dr. Williams, despite your erroneous assertions, Torchwood is not imprisoning the Duchess as a criminal. She has been under protective custody."
"Is that so? Then tell me Sir James, why doesn't she know this?" Rory asked.
The Doctor raised his eyebrows at this. "I must agree with Rory on this one. You've got a funny way of keeping the Duchess safe. Interrogating her, always inspecting her home, keeping her away from everyone and maybe even perpetuating some half truths about her loyalty to the realm."
Sir James was becoming annoyed and it was apparent at the way he was looking at the Doctor and Rory.
"Torchwood does not answer to you. If I were you gentlemen, I would be concerning myself more with the present. For instance, why would your homes be vandalized in this manner? To an observant man, it might appear like someone was looking for something."
"Really. And tell me Sir James, what would they be looking for," the Doctor asked, his face giving nothing away.
"You tell me, Doctor," Sir James retorted, staring at him hard.
The Doctor shrugged. "Don't know. I'm just a college professor. What could I possibly have other than a few baubles in this house," the Doctor shot back.
"Don't play coy with me," Sir James snapped and began pacing. "You and I know you are not just some college professor. Don't presume that I am oblivious to the circumstances of your and your wife's arrival here or any of your activities hence forth."
The Doctor felt his anger and resentment of Torchwood bubbling just below the surface and glared at Sir James. "And don't you presume, Sir James or whoever the hell you are, that I am not aware that you are not who you appear to be. You have secrets, Sir James and one might presume, dangerous secrets. You hold a great deal of authority here. How do I know it wasn't you who ransacked my home?"
There was a brief standoff between Sir James and the Doctor with Rory looking back forth between them. Finally, Sir James sighed. "If Torchwood wanted something from your home, we would not arrive in the dead of night while you and your wife were away. That is not how we do things. I ask you again sir, what were they looking for?"
Rory knew the Doctor wasn't going to budge and he feared what Sir James would do to Amy. So, he made a decision. "We found the Duke's hiding place," Rory spit out.
"Rory!" the Doctor said with aggravation.
Sir James smiled triumphantly. "Did you now. And, if I may ask, how did you find this place and where exactly is it?"
"We've been working with Amy for weeks, trying to help her remember anything the Duke might have told her that could be important or have some significance to the wolves. We came up with a list of places the Duke mentioned before he became infected. The Doctor and I started paying visits to some of these places. I can tell you where they are, provided you leave Amy out of all of this. She's to be freed of further restrictions by Torchwood."
Sir James watched the Doctor glare and begin tugging at his hair. He turned back to Rory. "I think that there's more to this story. Now then Dr. Williams, what did you find?"
Rory swallowed hard and looked at the Doctor. The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Fine, we found some notes from Amy's evil wolfy husband. And, you're gonna be kicking yourself Sir James. You really are," the Doctor taunted.
"Enlighten me, Doctor," Sir James demanded, once again annoyed.
"It's right under your nose. Has been all along. They want the meteor. They just don't know it," the Doctor explained.
Sir James eyes lit up. "The observatory."
"Yep, that's how the parasites arrived on Earth. If I were you, I'd start examining it and I'd run over there quickly before they figure it out."
"And these notes? I don't suppose you would still have them in your possession?" Sir James asked, his eyes narrowing on the Doctor.
"I might have them. Somewhere," the Doctor acknowledged flippantly. "I suppose I could put my hands on them and perhaps deliver them to you, if you want," the Doctor suggested almost casually.
"Aye. I think that might be best. I wouldn't want for Mrs. Tardis to suffer anymore traumatic events. Don't you agree?" Sir James suggested with his typical slightly threatening demeanor.
"No, we wouldn't and as a matter of fact, I prefer that Torchwood refrains from entering my house again or contacting my wife. Are we agreed," the Doctor asked, aggressively.
Sir James smiled and nodded his head. "But, of course. I'm certain with the upcoming birth, she will be quite occupied and unable to provide us with further assistance."
The Doctor hated hearing Sir James talk about his child. It worried him tremendously. "Very well, I shall see to it that the notes are delivered to you. Thank you for enquiring about Rose. I'm sure you are quite busy given that my servants seem to feel there was a wolf at my house last night. That is Torchwood's purpose is it not? To protect us from werewolves and similar threats?" the Doctor asked sarcastically.
"Never fear, Doctor. I will see to it that this great country is protected from any threats from outside the realm," Sir James said ominously."
"I'm sure you will," the Doctor responded, with an almost bitter quality to his voice.
As they reached the door, the men paused. "I don't suppose you're going to tell me who you really are, are you?" the Doctor asked Sir James as the two men faced off one final time.
Sir James smiled. "London is a sanctuary for many lost travelers is it not? Many, like you and Mrs. Tardis, are far from home. Tis a place of great mystery and great purpose. I'm sure you can see that, Doctor. Many an old soldier chooses to lose himself among the masses and perhaps find a new purpose."
"And is that what you are? An old soldier?" the Doctor asked, really staring at Sir James now, trying to weed his way through whatever was shielding him from the Doctor's Time Lord senses.
"We are all soldiers, Doctor. We just fight different wars. Good day to you, gentlemen." he said mysteriously and left.
After he was gone Rory looked at the Doctor. "What was that about?"
"That was about who he is not," the Doctor answered absently, while staring at the closed door.
"And that means what exactly?" Rory asked as they turned to rejoin Amy and Rose.
"Let's put it this way, Rory. 'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'"
"Shakespeare, Act I, Scene V," Rory answered.
The Doctor grinned and slapped him on the back. "Well, done Rory! Shakespeare, brilliant man, smelled terrible but still brilliant!"
Rory just stared at him opened mouthed.
dwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdw
After Sir James' visit, Rory and Amy stayed two more days. Rose seemed to bounce back but was frustrated with Rory's and the Doctor's orders for continued bed rest. When Amy and Rory left, their relationship had changed. Being at Grantham Manor with the Doctor and Rose and away from the constant ever watchful eyes of Torchwood and the disapproval of society, had given them the time to relax, flirt and grow ever closer.
When they left, both were smiling and happy. Amy promised Rose she would be back to check on her. During this time, the Doctor arranged delivery to Torchwood of the Duke's notes they had found in the crypt. He scanned the paper with his sonic to be sure there was no other hidden message other the information about the meteor and it's chemical makeup. He was sure Sir James would know the significance of that. He also included the locations of the places he and Rory had searched in the hopes that Torchwood would be kept busy scouring these locations for anything they might think the Doctor and Rory missed.
Rose received many visitors during the weeks of her confinement. Katherine Donovan and her husband, Mrs. Finch, Mrs. Beecham and her cousin, Edith Vining along with many other acquaintances visited with her. Even a very apologetic Lady Rotchford visited who had expressed how horrified she and her husband had been by what had happened to Rose and who delivered a basket filled with tasty morsels, flowers and baby clothes. All of these visitors kept Rose occupied while the Doctor was finishing up his classes. He had been most hesitant to leave her, but the servants had assured him no one on the Doctor's black list would get through the doors. Mrs. Patmore, with skillet in hand, assured him she'd have strong words for any one who tried to "Come 'ere and upset my little lamb!" He had grinned at this, seeing touches of Jackie in Mrs. Patmore who had practically adopted Rose since the night of the ball.
Rose's delivery date was quickly approaching and the Doctor was relieved he had finished the semester and was able to be home with her. There had been one final incident with Henry Jones who had paid a visit to the Doctor as he was packing his office. He had apologized for any misunderstanding and wished the Doctor and Rose well with the birth of their child, assuring the Doctor that he would be here if either the Doctor or Rose needed anything. The Doctor very curtly thanked him and left abruptly. He was suspicious of everyone and from his perspective, no one could be trusted, especially not with Rose about to give birth.
The birth of their child happened in a manner very consistent with how the Doctor and Rose lived their lives. Everything started out like a normal walk in the garden and a picnic with Rory and Amy. There was laughter, the Doctor being doctory and verbally sparring with Amy and Rory while Rose giggled off to the side. An adventure was afoot as the Doctor discovered some allegedly non-existent beetle which led to a nest of such non-existent beetles. This of course, then led to a run for you lives when said nest became a swarm of angry beetles. Of course, for Rose, it was more like waddle for your life with the Doctor pulling her a long by the hand.
As the four of them made it back closer to the house, laughing and panting, Rose bent over as the dull ache in her back which had been nagging at her for a few hours became a sharp pain and as she felt moisture gushing under her skirts.
"Doctor!" she called out, as she grasped her side. "My water broke."
"What!" the Doctor shouted, his voice pitched an octave higher and his eyes wide. "But, but you can't! It's not time."
Rose looked up and glared at him. "The baby says it's time," she gritted out.
Rory immediately took Rose by the arm and led her over to a bench to rest through her contraction. "Amy, go tell Sarah it's time," he ordered calmly. He smiled at Rose. "It's going to be fine Rose. Just breath nice and easy," he said softly and began taking her pulse and placed his hand on her abdomen, trying to get a feel for the baby's position.
The Doctor knelt down beside her as she started practicing the breathing meditation method the Doctor had taught her. She looked into his eyes feeling fear and excitement. He held her hand and smiled at her. "I'm right here and I'm not gonna leave you," he thought to her. Daisy and another maid along with the ever stoic Carson soon arrived to help their lady upstairs to the master suite which had been prepared for the delivery.
Rose remained amazingly calm, insisting on walking through a good portion of her labor and leaning against walls breathing through each labor pain along with squeezing the Doctor's hand. The Doctor was not so calm. He was the complete opposite of calm and reacted in a very typical Doctory manor. He babbled. He babbled a lot about various never ending topics from the physics of zeppelin travel to the history of cheese making to complex mathematical theories. It was driving Rose and everyone else mad.
"Doctor, will you stop it all ready!" Rose snapped as she panted through another more intense labor pain.
Amy who was dabbing Rose's forehead with a damp flannel, glared at him. "Do you want me to slap him, Rose? I'd be more than happy to end his annoying and unending prattle."
"Oi! I am not prattling. I'm helping to distract Rose from labor pains. Aren't I Rose?" he asked petulantly.
Rose, wearing only a shift and dressing gown, her hair damp from perspiration and suffering yet more labor pains squinted her eyes at him and may have muttered a few unpleasant things about his masculinity. Rory stepped in before Amy and Rose decided to commit bodily harm on the poor Doctor who Rory felt a little sorry for. Only a little sorry.
"Rose, I want to check on your progress if that's all right?" he asked kindly.
Rose nodded and situated herself so Rory could examine her. Amy stood by holding her hand while the Doctor and Rory assessed her condition. She heard the whir of the sonic and the two men mumbling to one another.
"Righty-O! the Doctor called out. I think it's just about time to have a baby!" he said way too excited.
By this time, Rose was not in the mood for anymore Doctory babble or exuberance. She was tired, trembling, in pain and just wanted this baby out of her. "Doctor, I swear I am gonna…." she started to say before gasping in pain.
The Doctor was immediately there for her. He was determined to help her through this and wanted to do as much as he could to relieve her pain. There was a deep well of guilt in him that he had done this to her, put her in a position to deliver their child in an era with little to no pain relief and in what some would consider barbaric conditions. As her labor continued, he tapped into her mind to try and alleviate some of the pain and bear some of it for her. He tried to logically process the science behind her labor to understand the pain of the her muscles contracting but all he could think of was "Blimey, that feels like a bad case of Utsetse parasites trying to burst out!"
Unfortunately, Rose was quite aware of his thoughts. "You think!" came the sarcastic thought she shot back at him.
"Sorry," he sheepishly thought back as he found himself breathing with her.
After what seemed to Rose like an eternity of intense labor pains and exactly two hours, forty-three minutes and thirty three point six seconds to him, Rose was pushing.
The Doctor found himself in a very intimate communion with Rose as he stayed with her telepathically, encouraging her to push, his own body reacting to the stress in hers. They were both drenched in perspiration as Rory commanded Rose to push. The Doctor soon realized, he didn't need to touch Rose to maintain this connection and found himself helping Rory as their child emerged. Tears welled in his eyes as he watched his son slip out of Rose.
"Rose," he croaked out. "It's a boy!" he said as the baby let out a wail.
Rory was grinning brightly as he began to finish up with Rose and help the Doctor clean up his son and watched in amazement as the Doctor used his sonic to cut the umbilical cord and assist with cleaning and healing Rose. There was a new found respect in Rory's eyes as he watched the miracles performed by the Doctor's sonic.
"I wanna see 'im," Rose cried out tearfully. Amy sat on the bed with Rose, tears falling down her face as she watched the Doctor bring the crying, wiggling baby, swathed in clean white linens over to Rose.
"Look at 'im," Rose said tearfully. "He's beautiful!"
The Doctor, grinning down at his family, raised his eyebrows at her comment. "Wellll, he is a bit red and wrinkly and he arrive in this world a bit…." he started to say, wrinkling his nose a bit before Amy smacked him.
Rose just smiled, glowing, happy and exhausted. "I don't care. He's beautiful and perfect and ours," she whispered tenderly.
The Doctor's face softened as he watched his Rose hold their child. Something inside of him changed right then and there. This was something he never thought he would have or even want. Being a father again frightened him, much less watching how Rose had suffered to carry his child, but this right here touched him and filled him with something warm and wonderful. This was home, the home he longed for ever since the Time War. No matter what happened or where they ended up, home would be with Rose and their family.
Along with this new found realization, also came a need to protect this happiness. Something was coming for them and it would be here soon. This dark thought seemed out of place in such a joyous moment, but it firmed his resolve and unleashed a darkness that lay hidden inside of him. Nothing would take this from him and anything that tried would meet the wrath of a Time Lord enraged.