Chapter 27

Rose frowned as she slowly woke up, not sure what was going on. She was laying down so she was definitely not strapped in to the seat on the rocket. And someone was holding her hand really tight like, but it was a hand that fit her own perfectly so she knew right away it was the Doctor. She smiled with relief and opened her eyes, looking around curiously to see she'd been carried into the TARDIS infirmiry. The familiar little machine here, there, and everywhere were beeping and clicking but she turned her attention away from that and to the hand holding on tightly to her own.

With surprise she found him slumped on the edge of the exam table, holding onto her desperately while his arm pillowed his head. He was sleeping. More than a surprise, really. He wasn't due for a proper sleep for another day but then again, he was always exaggerating how much sleep he did and didn't need, all of it to suit him at the time.

His normally tosseled locks were a complete rat's nest, so he'd definitely been worrying himself sick over something. On reflex her free hand shot to her middle, relieved to feel the familiar bump even if there were several things hooked up to her middle. She sighed softly and relaxed back onto the pillow under her head, "Everything's all right." She turned her head to the side to see him studying the hand he still held tightly, "I triple checked and even had TARDIS run a few of her own scans. Tip top shape and all that..."

Yet she knew something was bothering him. Stroking his hand with her thumb, "So what's wrong?"

His eyes jerked up to meet her's, uncontrolled fear held within them, "I lost all semblance of control, Rose, and it nearly-..." He jerked back from her, letting go of her hand to finger and tug at his hair as he leaped to his feet and paced. If he pulled much harder he'd rip the hair out, "I'm so bloody stupid! A time storm. I called time to me, ripping it out of the living to harness it and with the bond there was no control. Fed right to you, it did. It could have killed you. The baby. Could've ripped time to pieces and shredded the universe. Moron. Idiot! I-..."

Sometimes, the most effective way to shut up his jibbering gob was to kiss him and that's exactly what she was doing, having pulled off the things on her belly and slid soundlessly off the table. And like a good Timelord he quieted down and relaxed against her, giving the control over to her since she knew exactly how to handle him. Her finger moved in soothing patterns through his hair, calming down his riotous hair as she calmed him. Firmly she brought his right hand to press against her pregnancy swell between their two bodies and he inched closer to her. Breaking the kiss to stare into his lovely brown eyes, filled with uncertainty, "Doctor, we talked about this now I want you to repeat after me: Rose is always right." He barked a laugh and looked away but she caught his chin and pulled him back around, "Come on, then. Repeat it."

He raised an eyebrow, feeling silly but dutifully followed her command, "Rose is always right."

She nodded firmly, "That's right. And since I'm always right I'm gonna tell you exactly what I think. I think you're getting too caught up in the might haves and not paying attention to what is."

Shaking his head, "But-..."

Holding up an imperious finger, "What'm I, Doctor?"

With a grumble he looked away, realizing he was well and truly caught. The stubborn set of her jaw told him she wasn't going to let this go. And since his body was screaming at him for a brief kip, sleeping would be a must tonight. And he really didn't want to sleep by himself since he tended not to have nightmares in Rose's presence so he had no choice but to play along, "Always right."

Nodding again, "Exactly. Now, we're fine, right?" Sullenly he nodded, "Good. And TARDIS, she's still good?" A smaller nod, "And what about Dien and James and the others? They alright?"

Huffing, stepping away, "Alright!"

She snagged his tie and yanked him back around to face her, "Doctor, you're gonna listen to me properly or I'm gonna find some duct tape and strap you in till I've had my full say." She was serious and he caught that, snapping to attention since he was not going to test her resolve, "Now, you did something to mess up, right?" He slowly nodded, looking down as guilt and self recrimination filled him. She just shrugged casually, "Welcome to... well I was going to say humanity but...ah, got it. Welcome to reality, Doctor, cause we all screw up. Remember me over here, the girl who almost destroyed the earth and you cause I was trying to save me dad."

Shaking his head quickly, "That wasn't your fault, Rose. I didn't explain myself well enough-..."

She hid her face in her hands. Instead of giving him something to compare he was heaping that blame of that on himself as well. There was just no winning with him, "Doctor-..."

"No, Rose, you're not responsible. You're just a human. Didn't know. Couldn't have known. That was my fault-..."

"STOP." His jaw actually clicked as it closed, staring at her with wide eyes, startled with just a tinge of fear held deep in the brown depths. She pulled in a deep breath to calm down. Speaking quietly, "Doctor..." She shook her head to herself, not sure she could ever reach him about this. Sighing, "Alright, fine then. Everything's your fault."

He nodded before jerking with a frown as what she said penetrated, "Wait, what?"

Nodding more firmly, "You're older than me and a Timelord and I'm just a stupid little ape so everything's your fault."

He frowned more deeply, concentrating entirely on the middle statement, "You're not stupid Rose."

Shrugging, "Course I am. You're always right and you said I'm stupid so I must be." His mouth just dropped open, staring at her, "Yep. You're always alright and you don't need to sleep and you can handle your sugar..." The Doctor just continued to stare at her even as she continued her list and he felt a spike of telepathic amusement. Damn, even his ship was laughing at him at this point.

Taking a cue from her book, he found kissing her stopped her babbling as easily as it stopped his. Voice sulking as he pulled back, "Fine."

Raising an eyebrow at him, "Fine what?"

Sighing, speaking softly enough that the words were barely heard, "I'm allowed to make mistakes."

She nodded, stroking his temple gently. He shivered with each touch, feeling her love wrap around his psyche like a warm blanket, "Good. Now, anything or anyone still broke?"

Growling softly to himself that she still had no concept what he'd done, instead of arguing he slowly shook his head, then frowned, "That animal's dead."

Her brow furrowed, "What animal?"

Sighing softly, "Another of the abominal snowman's dogs." Strangely he felt no guilt from it.

Rose chuckled softly, shaking her head before grinning, "I think you're excused from that...it attacked you, right?" Nodding reluctantly, "See, there you go. So, no damage, that's a free pass. So, means you just let it go. We'll figure things out as they come now stop worryin' so much. Cause I'm tellin' ya right now you get some kind of Timelord ulcer from it and I'm not gonna feel sorry for ya."

His lip twitched quietly in amusement since there were no such things as ulcers for him, thank Rasilion, or he'd have given himself one a long time ago. And he knew she was right. She was Rose the Wise after all. But he was stubborn enough not to give himself permission to just let it go. Because he knew himself well enough to know if he let it go this time, the next time would catch him just as unawares and there really would be a next time if he didn't nip it this time, "No such thing."

She smirked at him, figuring as much, "Lucky for you."

Nodding rapidly with a fake grin, "Yep."

Giving him an equally as fake one, "Doctor, less you want me mad you'd better stop that."

Grin turning sugary and innocent, "Stop what, Rose?"

Poking his forehead, "You're thinking too much again, hiding your feelings and I'm not gonna let ya."

He sighed and let the mask slip, "You're not thinking enough, Rose."

Raising an eyebrow dangerously, "You saying I'm an idiot or something?"

His eyes widened as the full impact of how he'd spoken hit him. She would have to take what he said that way. He rapidly shook his head and backed up into the wall, "No! No, no, course you're not." He knew he should have shut his gob up but now he was in trouble and it hadn't even been intentional. Not that it ever was. He shot her a pathetic look with doeful eyes, not sure how to retreat that wouldn't get him into even more trouble if it involved talking.

She smirked at him again and he relaxed a little, "Alright. I'll let it go this time." He sighed in relief, "Now, is there anything clever you've got to do to TARDIS before we go?"

Probably not but that wasn't going to stop him from taking the out. Rubbing the back of his neck, "Maybe. Dunno." Quickly scratching the back of his head, "I'll take a look around the console, make sure she's flight worthy."

Nodding, knowing he wasn't going to let this go so deciding to get him distracted for now...she'd help him talk it out later, "Good. And I'll make sure Dien and the rest are in tip top form." She stopped short to stare at him, "You didn't just leave them did you?" Because for all she knew the TARDIS could be drifting in the vortex right now.

He wouldn't dream of doing something like that, knowing Rose would not be happy if she didn't get to say goodbye, "Nope. We're in the cargo bay right now."

Nodding again, "Alright then. And Doctor." He turned around, wary since he'd been so close to escaping, "You don't have ta constantly remind yourself you screwed up to remember not to do it again." He blinked. Then again, before his expression shifted to startled.

She tapped her temple lightly and he blushed, realizing he'd been transmitting all of that to her telepathically, "Er...uh, Rose? Um...hmph..." He settled for his subtle pout, completely gobsmacked that he was getting so careless with his thoughts. She just smiled and kissed his cheek and headed down the corridor for the console room.

***

Dien wiped her hands on her pants, grinning and slapping the metal grating over the engine. She felt the familiar presence over her shoulder and winked at James who'd been silently watching, "All better, now."

James' brow furrowed in worry, "Are you sure? We can't-..."

Kissing him smartly on the mouth, "Of course I am. It's me, remember?"

She moved to go around him and he yanked her back with a growl, "If you think I'm going to let you get away with teasing me again..."

She frowned at him, pulling back, "Teasing?"

His eyes flashed hotly, "Were promises made outside of the Bay or was that something I misunderstood?"

She grinned slyly, "I said you were mine, didn't I?" He nodded firmly and she tilted her head a little, "So that's it. You're mine. I'm yours. I think you humans call it married, right?" His jaw slowly dropped and she grinned mischievously, "Congratulations, James Hart." He scowled at her again since she'd vaguely mentioned something about switching last names once and she had the nerve to giggle at him, "Now, I would love to continue this conversation but I have no intention of mating in front of those two so go get the ship ready."

James glanced over her shoulder, seeing Rose grinning against the TARDIS and the back of a rapidly retreating Timelord who was no doubt blushing to his toes. Shaking his head and hissing at her, "You're evil."

Smiling brightly, "Thank you."

He just shook his head in disgust and turned on his heel, taking one step before letting his hand swing back. Dien yelped as his palm landed smartly on her ass and she glared at him even as he hastily departed. Rubbing and snarling to herself, "Ass."

"Yours...or he is?"

Still snarling, "Both."

Rose just shrugged casually, "All men are from time to time."

"Oi!"

Neither lady turned, nor were they surprised that the Doctor was eaves dropping from within the TARDIS, "Serves you right for poking your ear in then, don't it?"

"Timelord. Can hear a pin drop at thirty paces."

Rolling her eyes and whispering to herself, "Yeah...and still can't figure out how to fly TARDIS."

The Doctor's head suddenly popped out the TARDIS door, making Rose jump while he just raised an eyebrow at her, "TARDIS is ready to leave when you are." Then he grinned at his wife, "And I most certainly do know how to fly TARDIS, you're just not balanced enough not to fall over when she lands." Which pretty much verified that he might be able to hear that pin drop.

Rose half heartedly swiped at him while he just disappeared back inside with a chortle. Dien just snorted, "So, is everything good on your end then?"

Nodding slowly, distracted, "Yep. I've stabilized the fuel exchange and tweaked a few other things so... yeah."

Rose smiled, "Good. So...look, I'm no good at goodbyes so...take care."

"Rose." She turned, about to retreat back for the TARDIS and caught a thin, electronic pad, "There's some legends and other things on Timelords in there. It might help Doctor a bit." Rose frowned, mouth opening to question but Dien just smirked and shooed her into the blue box, "Don't ask. Just read it."

After a moment Rose grinned, "Bye, then."

Nodding at the other woman, repeating her words, "Take care." A moment later the blue doors closed behind Rose. Dien stepped back and stayed, watching as the blue ship slowly disappeared from the ship's storage bay. She grinned to herself. She was the only Alphgan to have ever seen a real TARDIS, much less been inside one.

James shook his head, priming the repaired engines and checking all the systems to make sure everything was ready to go. There were more than five thousand vessels within the sphere, some containing passengers and other containing cargo, not to mention space debris and soil samples. And most of them without a home to go back to. He was going to be the lead ship to show all the others a safe route out of the system. Those that didn't plan to return to their home systems he'd show them a path to Earth. Apparently from what the Doctor had said this giant sphere was a research pod from a race of people two Galaxies away that had gone extinct long ago. The pod had never been deactivated and had been free to collect specimens for a millennia now.

Dien sidled up next to him, rubbing her temple against his in greeting with a soft purr before retreating out of the cockpit and finding herself a seat. Oh yes, she was going to fulfill her promises and happy to do it. And for the time they had left they would be happy. As 'happily ever after's go, it sounded just fine to her.

James ignored the grins and whistles from his fellow crew members, keeping a straight face. He had a promise to keep with that woman later, and he intended to follow through on it, "Alright, everyone settle down. Let's go home." There were a chorus of cheers, everyone strapping themselves in for the journey to come.

***

The Doctor was staring hard at the console of the TARDIS, absently flipping a switch here or there for no particular reason. All along he'd been thinking how he needed to concentrate on Rose more to reassure her when it was he that needed that reassurance. Even now, she wasn't more than ten feet away and it was too far of a distance. But he refused to try to smother her with his blatant need to be close to her and resolutely stayed where he was.

Rose watched him silently, fingering the small electronic book Dien had given her as they'd traded spots. If she asked him if he was alright, he'd automatically respond that he was. 'Always alright' for this great lump. But he wasn't alright. And even if they were mated and as close as two people could be he still couldn't talk about some things. Her own emotionally challenged Timelord. Still, even if he couldn't talk about his feelings it didn't mean she couldn't do something about it.

He stiffened just a fraction as she came up to him and wrapped herself along his back, resting her chin on his shoulder and her arms around his waist. His thoughts were quiet just like the rest of him, a sure sign he was trying not to look needy...which was usually when he needed a bit of attention the most, "Why not just drift in the vortex for a bit?"

His jaw ticked as it tightened and he had to fight to get the words out. He kept his voice as steady as he could manage, trying to sound casual, "I believe I promised you a beach."

She smiled to herself before pulling him around to face her. He went easily enough, arms hanging loosely at his side, "And I think I promised you I'd help, yeah? I think right now you just need me to be here, like this, without you worryin' about anything else." He tried to hide it, but the stark hope in his eyes was all the answer she needed. He felt completely safe in the TARDIS, and she knew with absolute certainty no matter where they went he'd never feel as safe. Besides, having him all to herself for a while would be as much to her benefit as his. Definitely not a sacrifice. Taking his hands and tugging him, "So, come on...we can go take a dip in the tub and then stretch out like a couple of content cats." With a silly grin and a happy hum he followed after her.