Floating

"We're on the rift," Ross said. The Doctor glanced up just before Artron energy burst from Rose's body. It flew back into every piece of the TARDIS, and once it was gone, color began returning to her cheeks. It was only two minutes later when her eyes blinked open.

"Ow," she muttered, scrunching up her face. "What happened?"

"We got home," the Doctor told her. "We're on the rift."

"Oh. Where's Mickey?"

The Doctor frowned down at her. "He stayed behind."

Rose let out a short, disappointed breath. She'd nearly forgotten that her friend would leave them in that universe. "His gran must be alive. He loved her so much, I think he'd have done anything for her… where are we?"

"The rift." Ross answered. He leaned against the railing nearby with his arms crossed over his chest, watching her. "It'll be about a day or so before the TARDIS is ready for another trip."

"How're you feeling?" the Doctor asked. "After holding so much Artron energy within you, I was worried you'd regenerate."

"I'm… fine," she said quietly. "You said we're on the rift. What year?"

"Hm…" Ross turned to glance at the screen. "2007."

"In that case, I'm going to go see Jack," she decided. The Doctor looked at her in alarm when she pulled herself to her feet and followed her toward the door.

"Rose, you need to rest! We don't even know how weak you might be with the aggressive influx and removal of the Artron energy!"

"And if I pass out, I'm sure Jack will take very good care of me," she replied. She slipped past him and stepped out of the TARDIS. When he didn't immediately follow her, she turned to make her way toward Torchwood, but found Jack already waiting for her. She offered him a smile and grabbed his hand within her own. "Did I tell you I'd be here?"

"Nah, I just heard you get here. Special visit?" he wondered as he guided her toward Torchwood. She shrugged lightly.

"We just got back from Pete's World," she explained quietly. "I miss him. He almost died this time; he fell and I had to save him."

The door to the TARDIS opened and closed again, and the couple looked back as Ross jogged over. When he reached them, he took up a spot on Rose's other side. "The Doctor's resetting the rooms, and he's not in a friendly mood."

"Why would he be?" Rose made a face. "The Cybermen are horrible. Pissed him off to see someone else make them. Aside from that, I got hurt and immediately went to see Jack. It wasn't on purpose, but I doubt that made him happy."

"Why did you leave right away?" the Time Lord asked her curiously. She gave a small shrug.

"Honestly? I can't handle him hovering and being worried right now. I need to talk to someone who understands what I just went through, and right now, he's not that person. Jack is."

A phone ringing cut off their conversation. Jack cursed and reached down to look at it. When he saw the caller ID, he excused himself and stepped away.

"You've told me a lot," Ross reminded her. She considered him.

"I suppose I have."

Jack walked back over and kissed the side of her head hard. "I gotta go, Rosie."

"Anything I can help with?" she wondered, but he just shook his head at her.

"Aside from the fact that the Doctor would kill me, you need to rest. You did a lot. No more running for a bit, got it?"

She made a face at him that was nearly a pout. "Jack, the Doctor's gonna keep us going slow for long enough. Let me have some fun first."

"No," he said firmly. He wrapped her up in a hug and kissed the top of her head this time. When he tried to pull away, she tightened her arms around him, making him laugh. "Rosie, c'mon."

"No."

Jack shook his head fondly and peeled her arms off of him. He took a step back and out of her reach before he spoke again. "After you've gotten a decent amount of sleep, come get me. I'll go on a trip with you guys, okay?"

Her eyes lit up excitedly. "Really?"

"I swear on the barrage balloon," he winked at her. "Now go get some food and some rest. Doctor's orders."

With a small laugh, Rose nodded and finally let him jog back toward the Torchwood building. Left with Ross, she took his arm when he offered it to her, and the pair continued on the walk.

"You were raised on this planet," he said thoughtfully. She glanced at him and waited for him to make his point. "It isn't very advanced."

"Not this one," she agreed. "Pete's World is. They're a level eight planet. I learned a lot about the universe there."

"How different is it, being human versus Time Lady? We're told humans are…" he paused as he tried to think of a good analogy. "If we are beings, they are not."

Rose rolled her eyes. "I'm well aware what the Time Lords think of humans. The Doctor has ranted at length about the subject. But to answer your question, being human is difficult. It's not as magical, and it's essentially struggling to live. Human society is absolute shite, too."

"Is that why you ran away?"

The question startled her slightly, enough that she stopped walking and looked at him. He seemed genuinely curious, and he stared at her intently. "No. I was prepared to live my life like everyone else here. I ran away because I had something to run from, and nowhere on Earth was far enough. Besides, the Doctor… he's charming, Ross. There's a reason he keeps convincing people to come along with him, risk their lives with him. He's a fairytale come alive."

Ross was quiet after that. They reached the pier where there were some chippies, and he made her sit so he could order for them. As he stood, waiting for their food, he considered her again.

So, she'd only joined the Doctor because she'd been running. The idea only enforced his current theory. The only issue with it, really, was that Rose and the Doctor shared a bond. That was slightly frustrating, if he was being honest. Not because it existed, but because breaking it again would be so dangerous to her. Anyone that did so would have to take extreme care, and it would take days or weeks to rip it apart without killing her. It would be like torture to them both.

But it was possible.

He figured he should be completely clear with her. It was something he'd noticed that she appreciated, transparency. With that in mind, he grabbed their food from the counter and brought it over to her and sat.

"Jack," Ross said, gaining her attention that had promptly gone to her chips. She looked at him curiously. "Is an interesting man."

She let out a huff of air and rolled her eyes. "Don't let him seduce you, Ross. He's not one to stick around."

"He sticks around you."

Rose set down her chips and shrugged. "It's a complicated situation, and a long story."

"You're aware he cares for you," he assumed. "Not in a friendly way."

"Yes, of course I am. Why?"

Ross hesitated in his surprise. He'd assumed she wasn't aware, but suddenly it seemed their dynamic was clearer to her than he'd originally believed. "He is in love with you."

"Yes. And?"

He stared at her, stumped. She made a face at him.

"Jack and I have an understanding, Ross. I know exactly how he feels for me, and he knows just how I feel for him. Thing is, we're not meant to be together for a lot of reasons. One of those reasons being that he's got a team here he needs to take care of, and I both can't and don't want to stay on Earth."

He nodded slowly. "The reason I bring it up is because… you are a goddess-,"

"Ross, I swear to god-,"

"Listen to me," he requested. She stopped and glared at him, but let him continue. "You are the Goddess of Time, Arkytior. There is a story about you, and you've already fulfilled one of the most important parts."

"And what is that?" she asked, irritated, though something he'd said stuck out to her in a very annoying way.

"You came to Gallifrey in the time of need. The darkest hour, you were - or will be - there."

Rose's eyes narrowed slightly. She couldn't really deny that. "If you've got a point, get to it quick or I'll make sure you're bald for the rest of your regenerations."

Ross's lips twitched upward. "The rest of your tale describes your life. It speaks of the power you hold, especially on Gallifrey, and we've seen that. When we were there before the Time War, Artron energy was drawn to you. The power you held was nearly limitless. You're said to roam Gallifrey throughout time, splitting people from existence when they commit horrible crimes against time or the people of time - Time Lords."

She scrunched up her nose. "I'd rather not babysit a bunch of stupid old beaurocrats."

"It elaborates and speaks of a Time Lord, a child of Gallifrey, who you stole from the war," he continued, getting to what he really wanted to speak with her about. "Someone who you bring along, someone who you spend your very long life with. Your bond mate."

Rose's eyebrows shot up. Did he mean the Doctor?

"Rose, it's me." She had to resist the urge to make a face at him, but she couldn't keep the shock from showing. "Think about it. You took me from the beginning of the war, and you brought me with you. I'm on the first half of my regenerations, as well."

"Ross," she shook her head, feeling tense. "I have a bond with the Doctor."

"He took you," he began to argue. "He took you from Earth. You took me from Gallifrey."

"Rose?" she nearly jumped at the sudden and concerned inquiry from the Doctor. "What is it?"

"I'm safe, but I need you to come get me from the chippy. Just hurry."

"And bonds can be broken-,"

"No," she said sharply and loudly enough that a few heads turned. She lowered her voice and leaned forward, frowning at him. "Ross, it could kill me if it's broken again. My bond with the Doctor is permanent. I'm sorry, I know you- you worshipped the goddess or something and I'm sure this is a dream, but I can't be with you. You're a great friend and I'd love you to keep traveling with us, but we aren't going to be together."

The door slammed open and Rose relaxed slightly as the Doctor hurried over. After glancing at them cautiously, he dropped himself in a chair and grabbed one of her chips. "Well, I'm starved."

With the presence of the other man, Ross abruptly dropped the subject and sat back in his chair. Rose took in a deep breath and did her best to stop thinking about it as the Doctor started talking and filling up the silence with facts about the TARDIS and how she would have handled multiverse travel before the time war.

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"What're you doing home?" Jackie asked finally. Rose glanced up from her closet, where she was searching for something. Jackie sat on her bed quietly, waiting. "Not that I'm not grateful, but you don't visit much anymore, Rose."

Rose dropped the blanket she was holding back in the box. "I'm sorry, Mum. I'm trying, but it's hard."

"So what is it, then? What's so bad you had to come home?"

Rose hesitated. "I saw Dad."

Jackie's eyes sharpened on her daughter. "That's impossible, Rose, he's-,"

"I know," she interrupted. "I know, Mum, but- it was different. There are other universes, and we ended up in one where Dad's still alive."

"Don't joke, that's impossible!"

"I look nothing like I used to," Rose reminded her. "I am an entirely different person physically. I'm not even human anymore, and you think an alternate universe is impossible?"

Jackie pursed her lips. "Well, what do you mean you met him? Were you in the past?"

Rose shook her head and got to her feet. She walked over to the bed and sat next to Jackie facing the closet. "It was 2007. He did it, Mum. He was so rich. His stupid plans worked. There was this big house, and he worked for a man named Lumic. It was bad, though. There were these things called Cyberman and his wife, his version of you, she died."

"I died?" she asked in horror, eyes widening. Rose shook her head.

"Not you, Mum. She was- it was different. But Dad, he- we went after her to see if we could save her, but it was too late. We were taken to Lumic, and… none of us died, but Dad almost did. I hurt myself saving him. The Doctor isn't too happy with me for that."

"I don't understand. You got hurt?" Jackie asked her. She looked over her daughter as if she would suddenly notice something she hadn't seen before, but found nothing.

"I'm alright now," Rose assured her. She paused and tried to think of a way to explain it. "Think of it like this. The TARDIS and I, we're the only two things in the universe that can hold a sort of energy within us safely. The TARDIS got hurt by going to the other universe, so that left all of that energy to sit in me until the TARDIS was okay again. Thing is, it was too much for me. The more I used it, the worse off I was. So when I saved Dad, I passed out."

"Well, are you okay now?"

Rose shrugged lightly. "I just need to take it easy for a few days and then I'll be fine. It's just… I miss him, Mum."

Jackie was quiet for a minute before she spoke again, this time sounding more vulnerable. "Couldn't you have brought him home?"

"Not really. They need to rebuild their world, and he's going to lead that. He'll take over something called Torchwood and deal with all of the alien threats from now on. He's going to do a lot of good, Mum."

"But does he know? If he knew I'm alive- if he knew you're his daughter-,"

"But I'm not," Rose interrupted. Her hearts ached at the words as she spoke them. "He didn't have a daughter. He had a dog named Rose. He's not ours, Mum, and that's why I'm…"

"Oh, sweetie," Jackie muttered. She pulled her daughter into a hug, and Rose accepted it willingly. She once more felt the grief of losing Pete, and the anxiety over whether or not she'd end up in his world soon.

They stayed like that for a long time, just hugging and even crying a little bit before Jackie demanded they stay for dinner. Rose was forced to call the Doctor and Ross back, and they both came somewhat grudgingly.

After dinner, Ross excused himself and Rose got the feeling he was vaguely upset with her. They hadn't spoken since she'd firmly told him no, and they'd both let the Doctor do all the talking. Once Jackie made her way to her bedroom, the Doctor leaned back against the couch they sat on and looked at her. "You've had an eventful day."

"Mm."

"Lots of emotions."

"Yup."

"Wanna talk about it?"

Rose sighed and dropped her head on his shoulder. She found his hand and held it within her own, and he rubbed the back of hers with his thumb. "I was talking to Mum about Pete earlier. We're okay, just sad."

"And Ross?"

She quieted. How could she explain to him that Ross had gotten it completely wrong? She was absolutely certain that if she was that goddess - and to her complete frustration, it was looking more and more like she was - then the partner spoken of was the Doctor. She already loved him completely, and they shared a practice bond. Beyond that, she could feel something from him. The issue was, she didn't think he was ready to talk about it, so how was she supposed to explain her conversation with Ross?

"Rose," he said softly. "What happened?"

"It was nothing," she lied. He stared down at her and despite her head resting on his shoulder, she could feel the stare. "Just nothing I think we need to talk about right now."

"Whatever happened, it scared you. I think that's important enough to discuss."

She let out a small, frustrated puff of air. "He was telling me more about the goddess."

The Doctor pulled back cautiously. "Rose-,"

"And some of it, yeah, we don't need to talk about now," she continued, interrupting him. She glanced up and he caught sight of her furrowed brow. "But something he said really got me, you know. Because I can ignore a lot of it, except he was right. There was something very specific that I did while I was on Gallifrey that- that no one else could do, and it lines up with her. Aside from that, Doctor, he told me her name."

The Doctor's face fell. "Rose-,"

"You hovered after the Game Station. I thought it was just Bad Wolf, but it wasn't, was it? You agree with him." Rose stared at him. She wasn't frustrated but rather worried. He gave her a small nod.

"I do."

Rose let out a small puff of frustrated air. "Doctor, tell me about it. I need to know more."

He shifted until they'd separated, and he looked at her seriously. "Not much is known about her, Rose, you have to understand that. We have only rumors to work off of, but there are some… key facts that we do know. I have a… notebook, a journal from someone I worked with during the war. I kept it, and towards the end, he wrote about Arkytior in hopes…"

Rose nodded quietly. "Do you have it in the TARDIS?"

"Actually," he said, shifting. He shoved his hand in his pocket and dug around for a moment before he pulled out an old, leather journal. As he flipped it open and handed it over, he spoke. "I kept it on me in the event… this happens."

Rose took it from him and read the words on the page. They were in Old High Gallifreyan and somewhat messy, but legible.

The Goddess of Time, Arkytior.

Tales of Arkytior have been told since the beginning of Time itself. There are only some key points to her story that everyone agrees upon, and they are as follows:

-Arkytior is the Goddess of Time

-Arkytior created the universe, the time vortex, and everything else in existence, including herself.

-Arkytior has been seen on Gallifrey punishing those that broke the laws of time or committed grievous crimes against the people of time (Time Lords).

-Arkytior has a bond mate that came from Gallifrey. It is rumored she stole him from Gallifrey.

-Arkytior's powers are most powerful on Gallifrey, but there is no place in our universe or any others that she cannot access her limitless power.

-Arkytior will appear to us in our most desperate of times and assist us.

There are many other rumors about our goddess, her powers, and her life. Many elders claim they have seen her before. We cannot be certain. All we can do is pray that our goddess will grace us with her presence soon. I cannot imagine a more desperate time for our world, and if there is… Goddess save us.

She dropped the journal in her lap as anxiety bubbled up in her. "Doctor… I'm human. I was a shop girl, I don't know how to be a goddess. I can do what we do, but being responsible for that- this man… he died, right?"

"He did," the Doctor confirmed quietly. "But that's not your fault, Rose."

"But he's right! I should help them. I should help everyone, and I'm not!"

"Because you understand why you can't," he reminded her. "You understand how time works, and what it can and can't take. It can't take you saving everyone - that's not how the universe works."

Rose shook her head at him. "Doctor, the Time War. If I supposedly hold Time Lords accountable for everything they do, then why did I let it happen?"

The Doctor looked at her, and she could feel his sadness vibrating through their bond. "Rose, listen to me. Bad Wolf or not, Arkytior or not, you are not responsible for the Time War. A lot of people are, but you are not one of them."

She quieted for a moment and closed the journal before her. "Doctor, how do I do this?"

He was silent as he considered the question. "I've been wondering the same thing. You being Arkytior, it suggests that you will return to Gallifrey many times, and I can't necessarily go with you. For now… we keep living our life. I have a feeling you'll know when you need to go back."

Rose nodded. "I don't… I don't like that you kept this from me. It's about me, Doctor, that's not your right."

"Rose, I wasn't even sure you were safe. The last thing you needed was for me to tell you that you're a goddess," he pointed out. "Besides, when Ross brings it up, you look at him like you want to toss him into the nearest sun."

She grimaced. "You may have a point. Next time, though, please just let me know. I can't handle secrets, Doctor. These things are important."

He nodded firmly at her and took her hand within his own again. "Do you have any other questions about her? I don't know if I can answer them, but I was raised learning about… you."

Rose shifted uncomfortably. "No, I… I don't think I want to deal with this more right now."

"In that case," he said. He pulled her over, and she let him. She settled her head back on his shoulder. "Get some sleep. We're leaving in a few hours."

"Yeah. Thank you, Doctor."

He didn't reply. He listened to her breathing as she slowly fell asleep lying against him and wondered just how he'd ever thought he could put distance between them. Eventually, he fell asleep as well, and the two of them stayed there until the morning when Jackie found them just where she'd left them the night before.

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