"In the time before time began, it was empty. It wasn't cold, nor was it hot, neither light nor dark. It wasn't anything, because nothing existed to define it. It simply was. Everything changes, however, and so it was with the emptiness. It learned rock and leaf and beating heart, rain and steel and the music of the wind. It knew life and death and bit by bit it slid into existence. Mostly, anyway. But as it learned of similarities, it learned also of differences. And it became aware. It learned and absorbed everything, saw the dichotomy of creation and evolution in all their confounding glory and pain. And just as any awareness is both light and dark, so did it split as well. The nothingness that was awareness changed yet again, becoming two sides of the same coin, benevolence and hatred intertwined.
"Eventually as planets and galaxies began to form, to spring into being, the new empty-no-longer space divided completely, becoming no longer the sum of its parts but two separate entities. One half lived on to foster the suns, the stars, the universes themselves. In time it became curious about the new concept of paradox, and so it sought to study it, to learn more, to become more. It was an ever-thirsting mentality and the need for new information led it to splinter reality to shards and to scatter those shards throughout newborn Time. The same exact starting point, in an infinite number of places simultaneously. And so were born what later beings would come to call "dimensions," "parallel worlds," "planes of existence." And the thirsty mind, having billions upon billions of new things to observe and learn from, was sated. And thus was created the Vortex.
"The other half thrived on blackness; discontent, greed, hatred. It saw the worlds its former otherself had brought into being and was envious. It had learned absolutely nothing of creation, but only seeds of destruction. Being thus unable to achieve a similar feat it grew more and more vicious and evil. It decided that, if it couldn't destroy the worlds, it would infect the space between them and thereby destroy the possibility of the paradox its otherself so desired. That was the birth of the Void, and for many times longer than anything living would ever be able to comprehend, it was the darkness awaiting the future travelers between realms.
"By this time there was life in the worlds, aware of itself and its surroundings. Billions of possibilities had been planted in the sowing of each galaxy, millions upon millions which were fruitful. The universes were teeming with life and that made the Vortex happy even as it angered the Void. It would be many many mortal lifetimes before beings were to take form and understand the concepts that existed. In time, they would "discover" things, not realizing that said things weren't new, only unknown to them. And after many thousands of these "discoveries", it happened. One bipedal species learned of the concept of interdimensional travel. And the Vortex was even happier.
"These beings, young and unaware as they were, had taken the first step to understanding the vastness of everything beyond themselves. They took this fresh knowledge, developed it, applied it, and in time learned to travel between the many lovely worlds the Vortex had birthed. The Void, however, had other ideas. It let things continue without hindrance until this race of beings believed it knew everything there was to know about their actions. And when they gave in to their arrogance, claimed their superiority, the darkness struck. It feasted upon them, pulling them deeper within itself, into the heart of the Void they'd been vain enough to believe they controlled.
"And so it went for an age or two. The Void devoured anything foolish enough to blunder past its boundaries, and the Vortex had no choice but to watch helplessly. It could not directly interfere, for that would mean destroying itself. For either side to actively thwart the other would be catastrophic as they truly were two halves of a whole, different though they may be. As such, what damaged one portion damaged the whole. It became a period of sadness for the Vortex - a sadness that nourished the Void. It seemed that nothing would be able to alter the situation. The Vortex slowly lost hope. But change will not be denied, and the pendulum swings both ways. Eventually there evolved a group of beings that surpassed any others by simple virtue of the fact that they could not only traverse the Void - that was nothing remarkable at this point. Almost every intelligent race knew of the Void and the dangers...and traveled anyway. No, the remarkable thing about these beings was their ability to pass from one world to another through the Void and remain unharmed.
"The Vortex was astonished. But the Vortex was crafty and let no astonishment show. This group seemed to be able to traverse the Void at will and never be touched by its dark, hungry core. As time evolved, so did these creatures. And at some point, certain elite of this already miraculous group became masters of Time itself. (that, however, is another story for another moment) And so they became the self-appointed guardians of travel, both between times and worlds. They had taken so much upon themselves that the Vortex, in gratitude, did what had never been done before or since and bestowed upon them a gift - the gift of long lives and multiple ones. You see, the dangers they faced every single day were extreme, and though they had evolved the abilities to mostly counterbalance the risks, the fact remained that they could not perform the duties that were so necessary to Time and Space if they were hindered by the normal lifespan of most beings.
"This was the status quo for many generations. They had devised a series of guidelines to follow for anyone attempting time or dimensional travel, a set of regulations designed specifically to avoid the Void whenever it was necessary to go through it. No one knew how they had been lucky enough to figure out these rules - not even the beings themselves, really. But it was so. And they learned that as long as they were alive, the Void was all but harmless. As such, for many ages creatures from all worlds could travel without the fear of arousing the wrathful hunger of the Void.
"As will happen, though, the pendulum swung back, and a race was introduced that would have made the Void proud had it had any hand in its creation. However, it was no heart so dark that brought these creatures into being. No, instead it was the curious vanity of the guardians. Yes - the very ones who protected the entirety of the Vortex's creations had themselves created the antithesis of all they stood for. Their reasons have been lost or forgotten in the winds of years, but the fact of their new race cannot be denied.
"Once more, the story of the evolution of this race and its inevitable clash with its makers is a story for another time. All that needs stated here is that the creation eventually turned on the hands that had given it life. The battle would be later known as the Time War, but to those who lived it, who watched its inception with eyes of denial, it was known first as The Mistake. It was bloody and harsh as wars will be, and there were many casualties on both sides. And the sole survivor had to watch as, in order to save all of Time and Space and the Vortex from this Mistake, he destroyed not only the enemy but his own people as well. His story is long and varied, but at this point he saw himself not as the one who preempted the reign of terror the Mistake would have caused, but only as the orphan who had to watch himself kill everything he'd ever loved.
"Being the only one of his kind, to sole remnant of the race that had held the Void at bay, he could not do it alone. So from that last moment of his people, he forbade himself from traveling through the Void, knowing that - as only one person - he lacked the power on his own to control it, to keep it blind and deaf to the travelers within its bounds. In short time, the few other races remaining that had survived the Time War with the knowledge of how it could be accomplished had unofficially banned Void travel. And Time marched on. And eventually the Void simply slept, as there was no one to wake it up and begin its cycle of destruction again."
"Until us," murmured Pete, the first sound from the group that had been held spellbound by the Doctor's voice for the duration of the story. ""We were responsible for waking it up, weren't we?" The Doctor simply nodded, and the group sat in quiet for a while, no one willing to break it, lost in their own thoughts. In fact, it was Bastian that spoke first, and then not until long moments had passed.
"So how did you guys beat it?" For a moment it seemed like no one would answer, but then Rose, snuggling closer into the Doctor's arms, began to talk.
"It was so cold. I didn't know what I was doing - I just kind of closed my eyes and drifted. I thought about perhaps asking the Tardis, but she still was weak from both journeys through the Void. So I just...drifted. And then I felt it." She seemed to shudder, and the Doctor pulled her closer, resting his chin gently on the top of her head. Finally she could go on.
"It was like...like...imagine a black hole of just...emptiness and meanness and everything wrong...it just pulled everything in, drained anything positive or good and seemed to just...swallow it. I know it doesn't make sense, but there really isn't any way to describe it that I know. It was horrifying. I got the impression of age beyond anything I could ever describe. And I felt Bad Wolf come to the surface, take up the challenge.
"I don't even know how I did what I did, but somehow I knew I was the only thing between it and the physical world, and I couldn't bear thinking of what would happen if it got through, so I just...I guess I kinda stood between it and the rest of the worlds and such."
"You blocked it? Rose, you coulda been killed or swallowed or something!" Jackie's voice was shrill and harsh with worry, but Rose's reply was serenity itself.
"Well, Mum, it was either that or have it destroy everything - the world, the people, you, everyone here." She watched Ellie for a moment where she was leaning on Bastian's knee playing with a flower. "Would you rather I had saved myself and condemned everyone and everything everywhere to death?"
The cold rationality shocked everyone present. She had changed, she realized. She hoped it was for the better. But the truth was there, in her words, in her expressions. She had willingly and knowingly placed the lives of everyone she knew and everyone she didn't know above her own. And whereas she knew she would make the same choice again, she knew so much more now, was aware of so many things than she'd ever known existed. In the face of the knowledge of all of eternity, even having only been suspended in it for such a brief time - with all that, how could she help but be changed by it?
Around her she saw/felt the mixed reactions to what she had said. Her mother, after the initial shock, fairly glowed with pride. Mickey too seemed proud, if reserved, and Rose acknowledged the fact that though the two of them would always be good friends, they would never regain the closeness they'd once shared, back when things were simple. She silently wished him luck with the Lacey person her mum had so cleverly mentioned "just in passing." From Martha she felt a sense of almost awe, a strong feeling of respect, and that warmed her. More than anyone, Rose knew how easy it was to get attached to the Doctor in short notice. She had been prepared for Martha to be jealous, even spiteful, so it was a pleasant surprise that they'd gotten along as well as they had. In fact, the two had begun a friendship of sorts, and Rose respected the other woman just as much as she was thought of so highly. She thought again of the feelings beneath the surface that Martha hadn't needed to confess. Rose really was a bit shocked that the other woman didn't seem resentful. And in that second she took in how close Martha and Jack were sitting, how easily Bastian had repositioned himself to lay his head on her knee, and a light went on. Maybe she shouldn't be so shocked at the lack of negativity after all - it seemed Martha was well on her way to a meaningful bond with a man very obviously besotted with her.
She was happy for them, and for the kids as well. Bastian was such a delight, always curious, always willing to learn. And Ellie? That eager little spitfire was nothing short of absolutely amazing. Jumping into the Void as she had, to relay the message from the Tardis that ultimately saved them all - how? Rose's mind whirled. Humans weren't designed to be able to do that. She herself only had the ability from her bond with the Vortex - and at two years old! Rose was enchanted with her energy, her personality. If she were to ever have a little girl, she would hope that her child could be half as incredible. And that thought inevitably led her back to the Doctor.
Of all the people gathered with her, he was the only one that understood. He'd taken her hand and run with her across galaxies. Was it any wonder she'd fallen so hopelessly in love with him? He hadn't repeated his words from the void - she would never ask him to. But he knew she was his, had been since the beginning. He knew she would move heaven and earth to be with him - had, in fact, done just that, as the three suns slowly dropping beneath the horizon could attest to. Just as she knew he was happy she had, as his arms around her, holding as though he'd never let her go again, could attest to. She leaned her head back against his chest, comforted by the dual pulse that was so alien and yet so very right, giving her the strength and support to continue.
"It was so hard. The Void and I seemed evenly matched, but I tired quicker." A grin spread across her face as the tilted her head to look at the Doctor. "Guess it's 'cause I'm just a stupid ape, eh?" She was prepared for joking, but neither she nor anyone else present was expecting the quiet vehemence that accompanied the steel hardness of his expression.
"I don't ever want to hear you say that again. My former self was a prat." His coffee gaze locked with hers, speaking volumes back and forth, and neither realized how long they'd been sitting there until Pete discreetly cleared his throat. They snapped their heads around to look in different directions as a faint blush worked it's way over Rose's neck and the Doctor's expression faded to just sheepish. Ellie giggled at the two of them.
"You like each other!" she exclaimed with the fervor and excitement only the young or the young-at-heart can manage. Everyone, Rose and the Doctor included, laughed at that. Ellie scampered over and, to the shock of everyone present, plopped herself down on the Doctor's lap. He felt his throat tighten at the completely trusting expression on her features.
"What's the blue box called?"
"She's the Tardis."
"Tardis..." Ellie spoke the word, tasting it and testing it out. "Tardis says she's feeling much better and you should know..." she paused, face taking on a slightly blank expression. Rose realized with no small amount of shock that the girl was actually talking to the Tardis.. "She says that the worlds need to be put back soon, so as not to...mess things up," she finished proudly, happy to have gotten the message right. The pronouncement had the intended effect of sobering everyone present. It had been an eventful vacation, but things did have to go back to normal. However, Rose's mind wasn't on the future, but rather on the mystery of how the girl did what she did.
"Doctor, I didn't think humans could actually converse with the Tardis?" Quick as a blink, all conversation stopped. Jackie all but bounced to her feet.
"Well, I suppose I'd better go start dinner. Pete, Mickey, some help please?" Just as quickly Jack stood, calling both kids over to him.
"It's time these two get washed up for dinner, and I know Bastian has some homework he needs to do." Bastian, being the intelligent boy he was, simply nodded rather than pointing out the fact that it was holidays. Martha stood as well, smiling at Rose before accompanying Jack and the little ones into the house. And just like that, it was only the Doctor and Rose on the beach, all alone, the waves whispering quietly in the background.
"Well that was odd. What's that all about?" In answer he stood and held out his hand to her.
"Walk with me?" And as she had so many times before, she slid her hand into his and trusted him. They walked side-by-side down the beach in silence for a while, and when he stopped and turned to her she realized they were at the exact spot they'd said goodbye at so many months ago. Which meant whatever he was going to tell her was important. Very important.
"It's true," he began. "Humans can't talk to the Tardis. Only one race could - my people."
"Then, how..?"
"Ellie is only half human. The other half is Gallifreyan."
"But...you're the last of your kind! How...wait...is she..?" Rose couldn't finish, though she knew what he was going to say, felt the slow burn of emotion as his eyes confirmed before his words did. How could she have been so blind?
"Yes, Ellie is my daughter. Sort of." As much as it hurt him to do so, he knew he had to shut up, to let her work through it all, and the look on her face broke his hearts all over again. Her beautiful eyes filled with unshed tears; despair and betrayal marked that beloved face like a tattoo of anguish. He could see she wanted him to take it back, to deny what even she knew, and he wondered how long it would take for her to compute herself as the other half of Ellie's parentage. The one thing he didn't expect was for her to sob once and dash away from him. He stared after her rapidly retreating form in shock, standing there helplessly as for the first time ever, his Rose left him.
What are you doing?! his mind screamed at him. Go after her, man! With sudden resolve he rushed after her, pushing himself to catch up - Rassilon, she's fast, he thought proudly - and then finally he was closing, closing, his hand on her arm, abrupt stop, spinning her around so she slammed into his chest, his arms around her, his hands on the back of her head, his lips over hers - finally! - and then all of the world was Rose, all of existence was her scent, the feel of her skin, the silky hair trapped beneath his fingers, the slight struggle as she attempted to break free and then the sweet sweet moment that she gave in, and then she was kissing him back and nothing mattered but the feel of Rose, warm and right and bringing him home, a home he hadn't felt in a very long time.