Love Don't Roam (Reprise)

by kartronthepegasus

The battle of Canary Wharf is over and the Doctor and Rose get to stay together. But as new threats and old enemies continue to attack them the couple find out how hard forever really is. Also, as strange events begin to affect Rose the Doctor must figure out what's happening to his precious girl with the help of new and old friends alike.

9. The Lazarus Experiment

Love Don't Roam (Reprise)

Disclaimer- I own nothing from Doctor Who. Everything belongs to BBC and I am merely borrowing the characters and episodes for fun. I claim no ownership and make no profit.

Hello beautiful people! I want to thank everyone for sticking with me this long and for all of your support. It means so much to me and really helps to inspire me to keep writing. I'm glad people seem to be enjoying this story and the changes I've made in regards to the setting and characters.

Nothing really big happens in this chapter, at least not anything that didn't happen basically in the cannon version. Only minor differences this time aside from the whole Rose being there and everything. Biggest difference is how Rose gets to the party considering last time I made my way too similar to mltrefry's way - so again, sorry about that.

I still really don't like Martha's mother's behaviour in this episode though I can understand where she's coming from at the same time. So, I may be a little harsh with her this time around, but that's just because I don't like her.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter and please let me know what you think.

---

3.06- The Lazarus Experiment

Rose jolts awake in a cold sweat with the sound of drums chasing her into consciousness and looks around the room. She sighs in relief when she realizes that she is still in her room inside the TARDIS and that she is safe.

Bringing her hand up to cover her eyes she sighs in relief but then notices the bracelet she is wearing. Rose stares at it blankly for several long minutes before shaking her head and climbing out of bed, heading to the bathroom so she can get ready to the 'day'.

She takes a decently timed shower and quickly dries her hair before dressing in a pair of worn jeans and a navy blue long sleeve shirt that says 'I don't give a sip' before she puts on her shoes and heads out the door.

First, she heads to the kitchen so she can fill her empty stomach and have a nice cuppa - taking her time to enjoy every bite of her omlet. Once that task is done she rinses her dishes and places them in the sink to clean later before she heads off to the console room in search of the Doctor.

Just as she knew she would, Rose finds the Doctor tinkering away underneath the console and shakes her head affectionately as she approaches, leaning over the grate that he has disappeared under.

"Hello." she greets.

For once he doesn't bonk his head as the Doctor comes out and smiles up at her as he stands at his full height, "Hello."

A fond smile crosses Rose's face as she reaches out to run her fingers through the Doctor's wild hair, noticing the way he leans into her fingers. She does her damnedest to fight down a blush as she clears her throat.

"So, where are we taking Martha today?" she questions, her voice slightly more breathy than she intended - she just hopes the Doctor doesn't pick up on that fact.

He tilts his head as he opens his eyes to stare at her once more - having closed his eyes during the time Rose started stroking his hair, "Where we - I - promised; back home." Rose actually blinks in surprise and the Doctor quickly catches onto that - if he catch her earlier tone he gives no indication of it, "There have been too many close calls and we did say it was only supposed to be one trip, we just-"

"Extended the definition?" Rose offers, her smile a little wobbly as a pain courses through her heart.

The Doctor reaches up and takes Rose's hand from his hair and brings it down to his cheek. His precious girl blinks at him before her entire face turns a nice shade of cherry red when he turns his head to kiss her palm, smiling up at her gently.

"Exactly, but now we're taking her back home and the two of us will continue to search the stars just like always. Fulfill my promise and then, off we go!"

His big, manic grin is infectious and with a laugh Rose smiles back, leaning forward to rest her forehead against his.

There moment is interrupted however, and though he hides it well, the Doctor is not pleased with that in the slightest.

"Off we go where?" Martha questions as she walks into the room, only hearing the tail end of that conversation since the TARDIS once again kept rearranging the rooms on her. She doesn't get why the ship keeps doing that to her in the first place.

The medical student has to stamp down her jealousy when she notices the moment she just walked in on and how close Rose and the Doctor are - once again that annoying voice at the back of her mind that she's been trying so desperately to ignore suggesting that maybe the relationship between her friends is more serious and less one-sided than she thinks - and she quickly bites her lips to keep any biting remark at bay.

The Doctor climbs out of the grating back up on top of it and smiles at the medical student as he helps Rose to her feet, keeping one hand around her waist once she stands up. He doesn't seem to notice the effect his smile has on their companion and Rose has to suppress the need to roll her eyes at the Doctor's obliviousness.

Honestly, how can someone be so brilliant yet so clueless at the same time?

"Good, you're here." the Doctor exclaims merrily. "Off we go!"

He then starts his dance around the TARDIS with Rose flipping a few of the switches with praising smiles from the Doctor before the TARDIS starts the bumpy ride back to Earth. The two at the console hold on tightly while Martha clings to the railing for dear life since the Doctor never gave her a moment to come any closer.

Soon enough the TARDIS lands with her usual thump and Martha, having only the railing to hold onto, nearly tumbles to the floor while the other two stumble a little bit but are otherwise alright. The medical student glares at the Doctor as he flicks the hand brake but her anger evaporates as he turns to her with a smile.

"There we go. Perfect landing." the Doctor says, glaring at Rose slightly when the blonde giggles, "Which isn't easy in such a tight spot."

Martha smiles at him, "You should be used to tight spots by now."

Rose groans as the Doctor smiles at Martha's pun, but he never returns his gaze to Martha, whose heart silent cries out for his attention but she never voices the words that so desperately want to leave her lips.

"Where are we?" she asks instead.

At this, the Doctor does finally look at Martha once more, a tentative smile upon his face, "The end of the line. No place like it."

Martha smiles widely and Rose can feel her heart breaking as she realizes the medical student hadn't understood the Doctor's words. She thinks she's getting another adventure as she races to the door to be the first to see the new place the Doctor has brought them. The Doctor offers his hand to Rose and she takes it as they follow the medical student outside.

---

The smile instantly falls from Martha's face as she steps out of the TARDIS into a very familiar room and she feels her heart give a painful lurch as she takes in the mundane surroundings that were once so important to her.

"Home..." she breathes, hearing the Doctor and Rose coming up behind her. "You took me home?" She turns back to face the Doctor, seeing that he's looking around her home - only seems fair since he let her stay in his.

"In fact, the morning after we left, so you've only been gone about twelve hours." the Doctor explains with a shrug, "No time at all, really."

"Not like twelve months." Rose says with a slightly teasing tone.

The Doctor turns a heated and embarrassed look on his blonde partner, "That was one time! One! Are you ever going to let that go!?"

"Nope." Rose replies with a smile as she pops the 'p' the same way the Doctor does.

"But... all the stuff we've done..." Martha whispers, bringing the couple's attention back to her, the levity once again gone as they are brought back to the reality of what's happening before them. "Shakespeare, the Face of Boe... the Irratus bug, New New York, Old New York?"

"Yup, all in one night... relatively speaking. Everything should be as it was." the Doctor says as he once again starts looking around Martha's home. Part of him still can't understand how humans can live in such places but it makes them happy, so who's he to judge? "Books, CDs... laundry..."

Martha, realizing what the Doctor has spotted, swiftly throws a towel over the drying rack of her undergarments and nervously looks at anything but the Doctor as he face darkens in a blush. She notices the sympathetic look Rose is giving her and that reassures her slightly.

The Doctor clears his throat, "So, back where you were, as promised."

"This is it?" Martha all but pleads, she can't believe that the Doctor is just going to drop her off and leave, act as if none of their adventures ever happened. As if, after everything they've done, Martha can just go back to the mundane existence she lived before. She thought she had finally proven that she is just as capable as Rose and that she wants to stay on the TARDIS as well, but apparently she had been wrong.

Or... maybe the Doctor is scared of whatever is developing between them and is trying to run away from it? He has proven time again that he is fearless when it comes to saving the day but when it comes to things like emotions he is completely clueless. So maybe that's what's happening here?

But, if it is truly the ladder of the two, how can Martha convince him otherwise? How can she convince him to give her a shot when he's already dead set in this decision to leave her here? And how can she do this without hurting Rose too much - she isn't naïve enough to believe that the blonde won't get hurt by what's happening between Martha and the Doctor, but she doesn't want to hurt Rose the same way her father hurt her mother.

Martha's train of thought is interrupted when Rose comes forward and wraps her arms around her in a hug that the medical student takes a few moments to return.

"Goodbye Martha." Rose says sincerely. She will miss the medical student, even if things haven't always been smooth sailing between them, "Thank you, for everything. You saved us a couple of times and I will never forget that fact."

"...Yeah..." the dark skinned woman returns. Her heart is screaming in protest. She once again wonders what Rose had done to earn her place and why the other girl isn't making a plea for her to stay with them.

"We should probably..." the Doctor starts as Rose pulls away from Martha and returns to his side. He trails off awkwardly - never really liking saying goodbye to his friends, which is normally why they never see him again after he leaves.

Before Martha can say anything in reply her phone rings and she glares at it as if it personally insulted her by performing its purpose. A moment later the machine beeps.

"Hi, I'm out. Leave a message." Martha's recorded voice says.

"I'm sorry." the medical student says quietly.

"Martha, are you there?" comes a female voice the Doctor remembers from when they picked Martha up, "Pick it up, will you?"

"It's mum... It'll wait." Martha dismisses.

This nonchalant response makes anger flare in Rose and she fights her hardest to keep it locked inside her. Having just lost her own mother and remembering their tearful goodbye at Bad Wolf Bay, it angers Rose to her very core that Martha - whose mother is still very much here - is not appreciating her own mother and acting like everything is okay, like she hadn't almost been killed or lost multiple times and that she could lose her mother tomorrow or something. She wants to reach forward and shake some sense into the medical student but knows it's not her place to do so. Martha needs to realize for herself how valuable her time with her mother really is.

"Alright then, pretend you're out if you like." Mrs. Jones says in an annoyed voice, "I was only calling to say your sister's on the TV. On the news of all things. Just thought you might be interested."

Martha's eyes widen at her mother's words and she quickly grabs the remote and turns on the TV. She instantly spots her sister standing on a stage with some other people, near an old man that the news is saying is Professor Lazarus.

A burning feeling starts under Rose's skin and she can hear the sound of a drum beating within the back of her mind but she pushes all of that away as she focuses on the news broadcast. Her instincts and the fact that the TARDIS brought them back in time to hear that phone call tell Rose there is something important that they need to know.

"The details are top secret." the professor says.

Martha tilts her head in confusion, "How could Tish end up on the news?"

"Don't think that's the important thing here." Rose grumbles as she stays focused on the broadcast.

"Tonight, I will demonstrate a device which will redefine our world." Lazarus continues.

Martha crosses her arms and rolls her eyes, "She's got a new job. PR for some research lab."

"Probably his, since she's on the stage with 'im." Rose points out.

"With the push of a single button, I will change what it means to be human."

The reports on TV start trying to ask the professor questions but Martha turns off the TV and focuses on the Doctor once more, clearly not seeing anything wrong with what just happened. The Doctor doesn't either, but Rose did.

That professor just said he was going to change what it means to be human. That can't mean anything good and the TARDIS brought them to this moment for a reason - which probably means they are meant to stop whatever this Lazarus is cooking up. She looks to the Doctor to see if he caught that fact but he doesn't seem aware of it as he returns his attention to Martha.

"Sorry." the medical student apologizes with a weak smile, "You were saying we should...?"

The Doctor shakes his head to clear it and smiles at Martha, "Yes, yes we should." he agrees. "One trip is what we said."

"Yeah... I guess things just kind of escalated." Martha says dejectedly. She can't believe the Doctor is really leaving her behind.

"Doctor." Rose breathes, her voice barely a whisper. Her two companions don't seem to hear her over their 'sad' parting.

"Mmm... seems to happen to me a lot." the Doctor states simply.

"Thank you." Martha finally says, "For everything."

The Time Lord smiles at her, "It was my pleasure. Come along, Rose." He takes her hand in his, completely missing the devastated look on Martha's face as he pulls Rose inside the TARDIS with him.

"But Doctor!" Rose protests as he closes the door.

Martha steps back as she watches the TARDIS fade from view and once it is completely gone she looks around her home, lost. Tears start forming in her eyes and she can't stop the ache that's consuming her chest.

But then, she hears that magical noise again and when she turns around the TARDIS reappears. A smile lights up Martha's face as she watches the Doctor pop his head outside the TARDIS, hope bubbling up inside her chest.

He looks at her in disbelief as he points at the TV, "No, no, no, I'm sorry. Did he say he was going to change what it means to be human?"

Martha's smile grows even bigger, "He did."

---

"But Doctor!" Rose protests as he closes the door and heads up the ramp to the console. "Did you not hear what Professor Lazarus said?"

"Yeah, yeah, strange idea, that." he says in an absent tone as he sends them back to the vortex.

They both can clearly hear the protests of the TARDIS as she tries to fight what the Doctor is doing. This just cements for Rose even more that she is correct in her hypothesis and she crosses her arms as she glares at the Time Lord.

"What's wrong with you, now?" the Doctor grumbles as he glares at the rotor.

"Doctor!" shouts Rose as her eyebrow ticks in annoyance.

He seems to freeze on the spot and Rose thinks he's finally going to listen to her when he raise his head with a look of confusion on his face. "No, wait, hold on a minute." he says as he throws the lever to send them somewhere and then is racing down the ramp and past Rose once more.

The journey was so smooth that Rose didn't even notice they had moved and landed as he throws open the door and leans out.

"No, no, no, I'm sorry. Did he just say he's going to change what it means to be human?" the Doctor questions.

"He did." Martha says.

Rose groans as she tips her head back in annoyance as she stares at the ceiling helplessly, "Now he clues in." She sighs before following her Time Lord out of the TARDIS and back into Martha's apartment.

"How is he going to change what it means to be human?" the Doctor questions aloud as he starts pacing the small room, Martha watching him as if he hung the stars. "That is never good words to hear coming from anyone."

"Yeah, normally ends in disaster." Rose agrees as she watches. Her eyes shift to Martha, "Do you know where this demonstration's going to be held?"

Martha opens her mouth to answer when something occurs to her and she starts digging through the stack of mail on the table. After a few brief moments she pulls out a silver envelop and opens it, taking out the invitation inside.

"I forgot that Tish had sent this to me like a week ago." Martha explains as she holds up the invitation, "Wasn't originally going to go. But if it's something bad, we must, yeah?"

"This invitation will get us in without raising suspicion to, which is good. If this place is going to be filled with scientists it would be a bad idea to bring the TARDIS." the Doctor says, thinking back to the last few times he ended up inside a lab with the TARDIS and how bad those situations turned out.

"Looks like we get to go on one last adventure!" Martha declares happily.

"Except." Rose interrupts, drawing the two's attention. "The invitation is for Martha plus one, it won't get all three of us in." She can see the dread that forms on the Doctor's face as he realizes very quickly what Rose is pointing out. "Meaning it will just be the two of you."

"But Rose-"

She shakes her head, cutting off the Doctor's protests, "No, Doctor. You need to be there to stop whatever's happenin'. Martha needs to be there, because she's the one invited and you're not gettin' in without her. I can sit this one out, yeah? Martha can help you like she's been doin' all those times I couldn't help, she is brilliant after all."

"Rose..." Martha says in sympathy and guilt. She can't help the joy she's feeling at the thought of doing this whole thing with just her and the Doctor, at the two of them finally getting time to be alone - and maybe talk some things out. But at the same time, she is upset that she won't get to spend more time with Rose, and feels sorry for the other woman knowing how much she loves travelling with the Doctor - but that isn't a privilege for her alone.

The blonde smiles at Martha, though she logically understands and agrees with her choice, her heart denies it painfully as much as she tries to stop it. She then turns back to the Doctor and the two stare at each other's eyes, searching for the answers to their questions.

After what feels like an eternity the Doctor sighs and turns back to Martha, "The demonstration is tonight, right?"

"Yeah, and it's black tie."

The Doctor groans - not liking the idea of having to wear that stupid suit - and narrows his eyes at Rose when she giggles at his dismay.

"Then we'll come back tonight. Skip the day and the waiting - have always hated waiting, it's not any fun... anyways, we'll skip the day and come back for the event." the Doctor rambles as he starts heading back to the TARDIS, dragging Rose along with him.

Martha scrambles after them, "Right, I'll see you later then." she smiles at him, "And don't be late."

"When have I been late?" the Doctor asks with a cheeky grin. Rose gives him a pointed look, "Not a word, Miss Tyler." The two laugh and the Doctor smiles at Martha once more, "See you tonight."

Martha nods her head and with that the couple disappear back inside the TARDIS and the Doctor quickly sends them off to the vortex. He then spins around to face Rose, knowing they could spend months and months in here and still get back in time to stop Lazarus from whatever he's planning.

"Are you sure about this, Rose?" he asks with a somber expression on his face.

Rose gives him a weak but genuine smile, "I really don't like the thought of you going off to save the world without me, but it's happened before and it's not like we have any other option. You've saved the world without me before."

"But it doesn't feel right to do it now. I need you with me." the Doctor argues.

Rose blinks in surprise as her heart swells with joy, a blush painting her cheeks a nice shade of pink and a smile lights up her face as she reaches forward and places a gentle hand upon the Doctor's cheek that he quickly leans into.

"I am truly glad to hear that, but you still need to go and I if try to sneak in it will just cause problems. We need to think about the greater good, yeah? You told my mother that you have to make the hard decisions every day or innocent people pay the price, me sittin' on the sidelines this once is a small sacrifice in the bigger picture." she says, sounding far older than she is and just reminding the Doctor why he loves her so much.

He leans forward and greedily captures her lips with his own in a passionate kiss, swallowing Rose's gasp of surprise while wrapping his arms tightly around her small frame. Rose is quick to respond to the kiss and gives back just as much.

After a long kiss the two finally pull apart, with Rose gasping for breath and a healthy flush to her cheeks as the two smile at each other with laughter filling the air between them. Reluctantly the Doctor pulls away.

"I best go find that damned suit and get ready to meet Martha." he sighs.

Rose giggles and takes his hand in hers, leading him down the corridor, "I'll help you look."

They make it to the console room in record time - and though the Doctor keeps trying to delay things by showing off the many different outfits in his 'closet' - with Rose finding his suit in a few minutes as well, clearly the TARDIS is anxious for them to get things done.

The Doctor is behind a changing curtain at the moment getting ready while Rose sits on a stool nearby, waiting for him to finish.

"So, what will you be doing while Martha and I are off at this party?" the Doctor questions.

Rose thinks about it for a moment, "Probably curl up in our study with a nice book and read." she laughs as a realization dawns on her, "Been a long time since I last did that."

"Been too busy running." the Doctor says, glad to hear the joy in her voice even if he's still uncomfortable with leaving Rose behind. He really just wants to take the TARDIS to the event and deal with the situation with Rose at his side - consequences and Martha be damned - but he knows that Rose will never go along with it and will probably stay angry at him for some time after that because of it. So, now he has to grin and bare it while going on this 'mission' without his precious girl at his side. What Rose said is true, he's done stuff without her before, but she's his partner and it feels like he is going around with only one heart when she isn't by his side - and he knows from personal experience how troublesome and painful that is. "Are you sure, though?"

Rose rolls her eyes and decides to be bold and lean forward to kiss the Doctor on the lips to stop any further protest. She pulls away with her whole face red but a content smile upon her lips, "Yes, Doctor. Though I'd much rather go with you, I can sit this one out and once everything's settled we can go somewhere excitin' together."

A warm smile spreads across the Doctor's face as he rests his forehead against hers, "I promise, once this is all settled, we'll go anywhere you want. You name it and we'll go."

"Really?" Rose says, sounding as giddy as a child on Christmas morning and when the Doctor nods she squeals and throws her arms around his neck, "Thank you!"

"Anything for you, precious girl." he says into her hair.

"We should probably head out to meet with Martha, yeah?" Rose says reluctantly, grinning widely when she sees the pout on the Doctor's face.

The two walk back towards the console room holding hands when a thoughtful expression crosses Rose's face.

"It's goin' to be strange not havin' Martha on the TARDIS anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Rose shrugs, "Well, like you said, it was only supposed to be one trip but things escalated and she stayed longer... I've gotten used to having her around, havin' a friend on board. So it will be strange for her not to be here." She smiles up at the Doctor, "But it will be nice to go back to travellin', just the two of us."

"Hmmm." the Doctor hums uncommunicatively as he sends them back to Martha's apartment - the TARDIS making sure they get there at the right time since they need to be here for this event.

"Somethin' wrong?" Rose asks, concerned about his sudden silence.

Before the Doctor can answer though there is a knock at the door and the couple know there is only one person that could be. The Time Lord sighs dramatically - like he is heading towards his doom - and heads towards the door with Rose trailing after him, trying to stay as calm as possible. When he opens the door the Doctor finds Martha on the other side with her hair pushed back due to a black, sparkly headband, simple pearl earrings, a diamond necklace around her neck, a v-neck dress with no sleeves - showing off the butterfly tattoo on her right arm, with a slash tied around her waist and a bracelet on her right wrist to match the necklace. She smiles when she sees him.

"Doctor, you're here." she exclaims, practically dancing on her feet, "You ready to go?"

"Wouldn't be here if I wasn't." the Doctor returns cheekily. He turns back to Rose and once again wraps an arm around her waist to pull her in close and kiss her on the forehead. "I'll be back later."

"Don't do anythin' reckless, yeah?"

"I promise." He says quietly before heading to the door of the room, Martha trailing behind.

The medical student stops and waves at Rose, "Bye, see you later."

Without waiting for a reply Martha closes the door and Rose is left alone, a strange mix of loneliness and content with doing the right thing settling in her chest.

"Bye." she breathes.

Rose stands alone staring at the apartment door for a few minutes before she shakes her head to clear her troubled thoughts and then closing the TARDIS door. She stretches her arms above her head and then smiles up at the ceiling, "Looks like it's just me and you, huh, Old Girl?"

She smiles tenderly, patting the console as she walks by, intent on going to the study as she told the Doctor she would. However, she just enters the hallway when a strange melody echoes around her - a melody Rose could swear she's heard before - and her head starts to feel heavy, much like it does when you start drifting off to sleep.

"What's goin' on?" Rose mumbles before the only thing she is aware of is darkness.

---

The Doctor and Martha walk up the stairs towards the building that houses Lazarus' laboratories and the Doctor starts fiddling with his bowtie once more while Martha is resisting the urge to reach out and lace her arm with his - reminding herself again and again that this isn't a date though she can't help but think that it is, despite the threat that they're clearly here to deal with.

"Oh, black tie..." the Doctor grumbles, giving up on his tie and shoving his hands back in his pockets. Secretly wishing that Rose was here once more to distract him from his displeasure simply by her presence alone, "Whenever I wear this, something bad always happens."

"It's not the outfit, that's just you." Martha teases, giving herself a mental pat on the back when she sees the slight upward twitch of the Doctor's lips. Overjoyed with the fact that she managed to make him smile and feel better about this if only minutely. "Anyway, I think it suits you." she gives him a once over and is very pleased with what she sees and clears her throat to hide her embarrassment, "In a James Bond kind of way."

The Doctor's whole face lights up and he gets a goofy grin on his face, "James Bond? Really?"

They pair are stopped at the door and Martha hands the man her invitation. He quickly finds her name on the list and gives the card back, allowing the pair inside. They follow the sounds of music and voices into a room that is clearly a reception area and look around at all the glitz and glamour.

In the center of the room is a circle dais with a human sized, frosted glass chamber in the center. Around the chamber are four posts that are arched towards the chamber at the top with a control panel nearby, obviously for the device. People are moving and standing around the dais as they greet each other and wait for the main event.

The Doctor takes everything in while at the same time tries to figure out what the device is meant to do when a server walks by with a trail full of appetizers. His face lights up in another smile.

"Oh, look, they've got nibbles!" he announces childishly with his smile growing bigger, "I love nibbles."

Martha smiles fondly while shaking her head at the man by her side, all the while her heart is beating a mile a second. She feels like a teenage girl on her first date and realizes that it has been a long time since she has been out like this with someone she likes and who returns the feelings. She glances up at the Doctor through her lashes, trying to determine if he is just as nervous as she is, but he is too absorbed in everything around him - especially the nibbles - for her to even guess what he's feeling other than excitement at this new adventure.

"Hello." a familiar voice interrupts her thoughts and Martha whirls around to find her younger sister standing behind her, all dressed up like everyone else, and smile happily as she throws her arms around her in a fierce hug.

"Tish!" she greets, both overjoyed and relaxed at seeing her sister once more. The last time they had seen each other had been at Leo's party the night previous but to Martha it felt like a lifetime ago. She has changed so much in the short time she's spent with the Doctor that she feels kind of like a stranger to herself.

The two pull apart and Tish looks Martha over, smiling at her sister, "You look great." she then gestures to the room around them, "So, what do you think? Impressive, isn't it?"

"Very." Martha agrees as she takes in the room once more.

Tish gets a teasing smile as she pokes Martha in the side, "And two nights out in a row for you. That's dangerously close to a social life."

"If i keep this up, I'll end up in all the gossip columns." Martha jokes back, though it isn't as light as it normally would have been. Her mind is reeling with the realization that if she hadn't gone with the Doctor and Rose, this event would have been the 'best' thing to happen to her in a long time. Ignoring the whole going to the moon thing. She has no idea how to explain this to Tish and wonders idly how Rose ever managed to explain all of this to her mother when she first started travelling with the Doctor.

"You might, actually." Tish comments, drawing Martha back to the present, "You should keep an eye out for photographers... And mum, she's coming too. Even dragging Leo along with her."

Martha's eyes widen in shock, "Leo? In black tie? That I must see." That's when the medical student remembers who is standing beside her - and being oddly quite for himself - and who her sister is currently eyeing, "This is... um... The Doctor."

Having heard his name the Doctor turns around, nibbles in his hand and some in his mouth that he hastily tries to swallow as he smiles at Tish, "Hello."

"Is he with you?" Tish asks with a raised brow.

A dark flush stains Martha's cheeks, "Yeah."

Tish looks at the clipboard in her hand that Martha wonders how she didn't notice before, "But, he's not on the list. How did he get in?"

"He's my plus one." Martha says, a little insulted that her sister doesn't think she could have a date for this kind of thing. Like, honestly, he's standing right beside her for crying out loud!

"So," the Doctor interrupts, completely missing whatever is going on between the sisters, "This Lazarus, he's your boss?"

"Professor Lazarus, yes. I'm part of his executive staff." Tish answers with a little bit of pride in her voice.

"She's in the PR department." Martha states with a roll of her eyes.

The Doctor looks between the sisters completely confused. He's never understood family dynamics and he never wanted things to me domestic around him, which is why he was so hostile towards Mickey and Jackie before. They did however, eventually worm their ways into his hearts but that doesn't mean he understands whatever is going on here now.

"I'm the head of the PR department, actually."

Martha blinks in surprise, "You're joking."

"I put this whole thing together."

"So, do you know what the professor is going to be doing tonight?" the Doctor interrupts, having enough of this boring 'normal' stuff that the girls are talking about. "That looks like it might be a sonic micro field manipulator."

Tish actually groans as she looks at Martha with a fond exasperation that only a sibling could understand, "He's a science geek. I should have known. You always go for the science geeks."

Martha flushes even more in embarrassment.

"Science geek?" the Doctor questions, looking to Martha for answers, "What does that mean?"

"That you're obsessively enthusiastic about it."

"Oh... that's nice." the Doctor says with that goofy grin of his as he looks around the room. He suddenly does a double take that nearly knocks Martha over.

She grumbles and turns to see what suddenly got his attention and her jaw drops.

"...It can't be..."

"It is." the Doctor says just as softly as Martha had.

Tish looks at them confused as she tries to figure out what has the pair so shocked.

Martha on the other hand, can't believe her eyes. For there, standing on the other side of the room, is none other than Rose. In this moment, the medical student can't help but think of that scene in the Cinderella movie she watched as a kid as Rose searches around the crowded 'ballroom' for her 'prince' who of course has noticed her from across the room and is only seeing her amongst the hundreds of people.

The blond is in a dress a bit short than Martha's that is a colour almost the exact same shade as the TARDIS with tulle underneath the skirt to add a bit more volume to the slim little outfit. It has a black sash belt around her wait that is the same colour as the tulle and pinches the dress in enough to give Rose that perfect hourglass figure that all women covet without making it look like she's suffocating in the dress. The dress covers her entire front as it ties up with a black sash around her neck but leaves her shoulders, arms and back completely bare - Martha noticed this when Rose turned around in her obvious search for the Doctor - and has a slim tear drop opening, showing just the hint of cleavage at the front without looking trampy in anyway. There is also just a hint of sparkle or beads on the front of the dress, adding a bit of shine to the already luxurious fabric and Martha can just make out the chain from Rose's TARDIS key around her neck. She is wearing simple black wedged heels that give her that inch of height without being dangerous to walk in and she is wearing simple open fingered, black lace gloves. She has a slim strap black purse over her shoulder and her hair is pulled into a ponytail just to the right of her head with a gentle curl that frames her face perfectly.

She looks every bit the modern princess in this scenario and Martha can't help but feel as if she somehow lost to her friend, though she can't for the life of her figure out why.

"What's she doing here?" Martha asks, her mouth and throat suddenly very dry. "How'd she get in?"

"I haven't the slightest idea... Wait here." the Doctor murmurs distractedly as he hands Martha the two champagne flutes he had gotten at some point - that Martha hadn't noticed - and starts making his way over to Rose as if in some kind o trance.

Martha's eyes never leave them even as she feels Tish lean in to speak to her, "Who's that, then?"

"Rose... That's Rose."

"Yeah, but who is she?" Tish presses, watching as the Doctor and Rose hug, feeling anger boil inside her at the audacity of this man to be flirting with another woman when he came to this party with her sister. "To him? Who is she to him?"

"His girlfriend." Martha answers absently, trying in vain to ignore the ache in her chest.

"So, he came to this party with you, despite already having someone and you knew about her?!" Tish screeches, unable to believe this.

"No, no, no, it's not like that Tish." Martha denies. "The Doctor and I, we're friends. And, in fact, Rose is my friend too. I really like her."

Tish shakes her head, "Nope, not buying it. The way you look at him, he's way more than a friend to you. And the way he's treating you isn't fair."

"Tish." Martha pleads, begging her to understand and not cause a scene. Yes, things are complicated between the three of them, but she hadn't been lying when she said she liked Rose. She really does.

"What are you two talking about, then?" Francine's voice interrupts the brewing argument and the sisters turn to find their mother and brother behind them.

Tish scoffs and crosses her arms, "Martha's date."

---

"Invitation miss?"

Rose blinks, as if waking from a dream and looks around in confusion. She spots the man before her and notices the billfold in her hand - remembering now that she never gave it back to the Doctor after they left New York - and when she glances up she spots the name 'Lazarus Laboratories' on the building before her.

She scrambles to try to figure out how and when she got here but the last thing she remembers is entering the hallway on her way to the library. She doesn't even remember changing into the dress she is currently wearing. This all troubles her greatly and just adds more things to be concerned about on her ever growing list of things to be worried about.

"Miss?" the guard asks again.

"Oh." Rose stutters before holding up the billfold, noticing from the corner of her eye what it says. It takes everything in her not to turn it and stare at it in shock and confusion, "Here you are."

The guard looks down at his list, scowering it for her name and Rose has to hold back her sigh as she knows that she isn't going to be there. This just pushes the issue even more of why is she here in the first place!? How did she even get here!?

"You don't appear to be on the list, Miss Tyler." the guard says.

"Is that right, sorry for botherin' you." Rose replies in the calmest voice she can muster at the moment. Not wanting to make a scene the young woman turns to leave.

"Are you blind!?" a female voice calls out.

Rose turns back to the guard to find a woman around the same age as her with shoulder length brown curly hair tied in a neat ponytail and warm chocolate brown eyes. Her skin has a nice tan to it and she is wearing a lovely red dress that fits her perfectly and though a bit ld fashioned compared to most of the other dresses the women are wearing, makes her look gorgeous. Rose can't shake the feeling that she knows this woman even though this is the first time she's seen her - at least, Rose thinks it is... Time travel makes everything so much more difficult then it needs to be.

The young brunette leans over the guard and points to something on the list, "Right there! Rose Tyler of the Bad Wolf Corporation!" she is practically shouting, "Special guest of Harold Saxon!"

Who is Harold Saxon and why did he put Rose's name on the list? Better yet, how did he even know Rose would be coming here in the first place?!

The guard flushes in embarrassment, "Sorry about that, Miss Tyler."

"It's alright." Rose says in a steady voice. "Honest mistake."

"Please go right in. And have a good night." the guard rushes to says.

"Thank you."

The brunette winks at Rose and then heads off in the opposite direction of everyone else and Rose watches her until she disappears around the corner. She desperately wants to follow the woman but something tells her that that isn't a good idea and she has more pressing things to attend to.

Stuffing the billfold back in her purse - she's assuming that's where she was carrying it until she pulled it out to show the guard - Rose hurries down the hallway into the reception, quickly getting overwhelmed by the large crowd of people that previously she never would have interacted with in the first place. She shakes those uncomfortable thoughts from her mind and continues to search desperately for the Doctor.

Normally, no matter how big the crowd she would be able to spot him instantly. Rose doesn't know if it is her growing panic or the feeling of uneasiness that is pooling deep in her but she can't seem to find him anywhere and that is just causing her to panic further in a vicious cycle that Rose can't begin to control.

Suddenly, a hand comes up to rest on Rose's shoulder and she squeaks in surprise, whirling around to find the Doctor standing before her with his hands raised to show he's not a threat to her and concern in his eyes, "Rose...?"

"Doctor." she breathes in relief as she moves closer to his warmth, his hands instantly coming to rest on her waist.

"You're supposed to be reading a book, Rose." the Doctor breathes as he leans down to rest his head atop of hers, "This isn't a book."

"I know that... I honestly don't know how I got 'ere." she states. Rose can feel as the Doctor stiffens and she waits for the question she knows is coming next.

"What do you mean? How did you get here, Rose?" he pauses a moment, "How did you get in here, anyways? There's a list."

Rose pulls away from the Doctor, just enough so she can look him in the eye - and he can see the clear fear there - as she reaches into her purse to pull out the billfold. "Last thing I remember, I was on my way to the library, like I said. But, next thing I knew, I was outside the building with this in my hand and all dressed up." she hands the billfold to the doctor and he glances down at what it says, his eyes widening at the words printed before him.

"...Bad Wolf..."

"Yeah, and Doctor," she waits until he's looking at her again, "Stranger still... I was on the list."

"What? How's that possible?! How could your name be on the list?!"

"I dunno ...I was apparently listed as a guest of someone named Harold Saxon... but I have no idea who that is or how he knew I would be here! I didn't even know that!"

"Calm down, Rose." the Doctor says as he moves his hand from her waist to rest on the crook of her neck, right over her pulse point. He uses his thumb to rub comforting circles into her skin, seeing as the tension drains from the blonde even if only slightly. "We'll figure this all out... we always do, yeah?"

"Yeah."

Though her smile is still a little shaky and Rose isn't completely calm yet, the two nod and head back over to where Martha and her family are - watching as the medical student moves forward to hug her mother like her life depends on it. Rose feels a slight ache in her chest at the sight.

---

"Mum!" Martha declares as she hugs her mother.

Francine, though baffled by the action, does return the hug, "Alright, what's the occasion?"

Martha pulls away, unable to look her mother in the eye, "What do you mean? I'm just pleased to see you, is all."

"You saw me last night."

Martha tenses, something that doesn't go unnoticed by her mother, and tries to keep herself as calm as possible.

"I know. I just miss you." the medical student says hurriedly, turning her focus on her brother. "You're looking good, Leo."

"Yeah... Thanks..." Leo says, watching the Doctor and Rose, "If he's your date, why's he with that other girl?"

"He's not my date, he's my friend! Can't people come to these things as friends!?"

Francine raises a brow at her daughter's tone, "You're defensive. Leo was merely asking a question. You've never brought a... date to one of these things before."

"Martha has a date?" the Doctor asks as he and Rose join the conversation.

"They mean you, Doctor." Rose points out.

The Doctor's eyes widen and he looks over the group as realization dawns, "Oh... Ooooooh. Yeah, no sorry. Not a date, we're just friends."

"Hmm." Francine mumbles as she eyes the Doctor before looking at Martha once more, "You disappeared last night."

Martha once again averts her gaze, "I just went home."

"On your own?" Francine presses, clearly not believing the Doctor or Martha with the whole 'just friends' thing. She also looks at Rose as if the younger woman is somehow beneath her, seeing the blonde as the same type of woman her husband left her for and that just causes her blood to boil. She is a little surprised when Rose meets her gaze head on with no guilt or shame in her eyes, like she isn't doing anything wrong - but that's not something Francine can just believe.

"These are friends of mine." Martha states after clearing her throat. "Rose Tyler and the Doctor."

Tish's eyes widen and she quickly looks at the gust list in her hands, the name ringing a bell for her and she wants to make sure she is remembering it right.

"Doctor what?" Francine asks carefully.

"No, it's just the Doctor. We've been doing some work together."

Rose can see instantly what Mrs. Jones thinks of that statement and she has to cringe slightly while trying not to sigh outright. Francine clearly thinks there is some kind of sexual relationship between the Doctor and her daughter and Martha's statement doesn't help in the slightest, nor does the Doctor's obliviousness to these kinds of situations - that is normally why she takes the human approach.

"It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. Jones." the Doctor says, not realizing the thin ice he's walking out on, "I've heard a lot about you."

Francine raises another brow as she stares at the Doctor incredulously - noticing from the corner of her eye the defeated look on Rose's face, "Have you now? What have you heard, then?"

Before the Doctor can open his mouth and dig himself a bigger hole, Rose decides to jump in, "We heard that you're a strong woman who has not let the fact that her husband hurt her in such a way, stop her from doing what is best for her children and keeps movin' forward despite the hardships and gossip surroundin' her. Though, since Martha has been helpin' us with work, we haven't had much time to talk."

"Work?" Francine questions, somewhat pacified by Rose's words, but still highly suspicious of these two strangers, "What work?"

"Well, I work for the Bad Wolf Corporation and the Doctor here, works for UNIT. We have been working together for a couple of years now, since both our 'companies' investigate strange happenings like what happened at the hospital the other day." Rose explains. She can see that some of the anger that Tish has been directing at the Doctor seems to have dissipated and she seems to truly see that maybe she misread the situation, though there is still wariness in her eyes, "That's where the Doctor and I met Martha, we were looking into the situation at the hospital when everything went crazy. Since then, Martha has been kind enough to answer our questions and help us understand what happened there."

"Exactly right. Your daughter is a brilliant woman, Mrs. Jones. You should be proud of her."

"I am." Francine says quietly, now not entirely sure what to make of the pair before her.

Tish on the other hand, is beginning to see that there is more to the situation than what she had hastily thought and now realizes that Martha hadn't lied to her. She is correct in her belief that Martha's feelings for the Doctor are deeper than just that of friends but now she can see that the Doctor isn't leading her sister on - or at least not intentionally - and that his feelings for the blonde at his side are genuine and returned. The Doctor really didn't come here with Martha as a date and Tish can see that he really does care for her sister, but only as a friend.

Before anymore conversation can continue Professor Lazarus steps out on the dais while tapping his glass to gain attention, bringing everyone's focus onto him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Professor Richard Lazarus and tonight I am going to perform a miracle. It is, I believe, the most important advance since Rutherford split the atom, the biggest leap since Armstrong stood on the moon. Tonight, you will watch and wonder. Tomorrow, you will wake to a world that will be forever changed."

As Lazarus gets in the chamber and a pair of scientists make sure everything is ready to go, Rose leans in closer to the Doctor.

"This isn't good. Is it?"

"Not in the slightest."

The scientists start the machine by pushing a big red button - talk about cliché - and everyone watches as the arched posts light up and start to oscillate before they start to rotate around the chamber Lazarus is currently standing inside. Things seem to be going smoothly until an alarm sounds.

"Something's wrong." the Doctor announces to his companions. "It's overloading."

At that moment the controls start sparking and smoking and the Doctor runs over with Rose right behind him, the sonic screwdriver already in hand. He starts moving it about, trying to get the system to power down.

"Somebody stop him!" an older woman shouts, glaring at the Doctor. "Get him away from those controls!"

"He's trying to help, lady! Can't you see something's wrong!" Rose snaps back, causing many people to hesitate when they had moved to try and stop the Doctor.

"If this thing goes up, it'll take the whole building with it." the Doctor challenges, "Is that what you want?"

Seeing that the Doctor isn't getting anywhere with those controls Rose reaches down and pulls on the thickest power cable she can find, yanking it free from the mess of controls. Just like that the machine powers down and a hush falls over the crowd.

Since no one else is moving, Martha rushes for the chamber.

"Get it open!" the Doctor shouts as he and Rose move away from the controls.

Martha throughs open the door to the chamber and as the smoke billows out a younger man than the one who entered the chamber comes stumbling out and looks at his hands in shock. The medical student looks to the Doctor for answers and can see the baffled look upon his face and the jaw dropped look on Rose.

The man spreads his arms wide - obviously grand-standing for the crowd - with a victorious smile on his face, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Richard Lazarus. I am seventy-six years old and I am reborn!"

The room erupts into wild applause and the woman who yelled at them looks overjoyed but Rose recognizes that look for what it is. That woman's eyes is filled with greed. Greed over the money they will get for this - though that isn't going to happen with the Doctor here - and over getting back her youth and beauty.

"Doctor, he just..."

"Yeah..."

Martha joins the pair, looking back and forth between where Lazarus is now greeting people to the Doctor, waiting for him to give one of his long winded explanations that he always seems to have at hand.

"It can't be the same guy." Martha denies in a shaky voice. "It's impossible. It has to be a trick."

"Oh, it's not a trick... I wish it were."

Martha looks at the Doctor in shock, "What just happened then?"

"He just changed what it means to be human." the Doctor says, ignoring Martha's jaw-dropped expression, while linking Rose's arm with his and heading over to have a word with the professor. He knows that he has to put a stop to this before things get anymore out of hand.

The woman from earlier chases away a few people who had been talking to Professor Lazarus, "Excuse me." she then turns to face him with a smug smile, "That was the most astonishing thing I've ever seen. Look at you."

Lazarus gets a smug grin of his own, "This is only the beginning. We're not just making history, we're shaping the future too."

"Think of the money we'll make." the woman continues, "People will sell their souls to be transformed like that. And I'll be first in line."

Rose rolls her eyes and has to hold herself back from marching forward and punching the woman in the face - both because it won't help them in this situation and because it will probably not knock any sense into the greedy woman. The young blonde raises a brow when Lazarus gasp, his whole body tense, before he grabs an entire tray from a passing waiter and starts shoveling the food into his mouth. His companion looks mortified by the display.

"Richard!" she scolds.

"I'm famished." he replies around a mouthful of food before gobbling more down.

"Energy deficit." the Doctor says as he and Rose - joined by Martha a moment later - stop behind the professor and draws the attention of the two, "Always happens with this kind of process."

Lazarus looks at the Doctor like he's insane, "You speak as if you see this everyday... Mister?"

"Doctor." the Time Lord answers in a very James Bond kind of way, remembering Martha's earlier words. He then focuses back on the topic at hand, "And well, no, not everyday, but I have some experience with this kind of transformation."

Rose rolls her eyes, "Understatement, that."

This earns her a glare from the Doctor, while he gives her hand a warning squeeze. She just smiles sweetly at him then looks back at the two people they are talking to.

"That's not possible." Lazarus snaps, an arrogant smile gracing his face.

The Doctor, being who he is, smirks at the 'stupid ape' and his eyes grow dark as he literally stares down the man who is so arrogant to think he can cheat death and the natural order of things.

"Using hypersonic sound waves to create a state of resonance. That's inspired." he says with no warmth or awe in his voice.

"You understand the theory, then."

The Doctor rolls his eyes and tightens his grip on Rose's hand once more though this time it is to keep himself calm, "Enough to know that you couldn't have allowed for all the variables."

"No experiment is entirely without risk."

"Yes, but by ignorin' all risks and rushin' things you put more risks than necessary, and by trying to accomplish somethin' that you don't completely understand you are riskin' your very lives, plus the lives of others." Rose argues.

Lazarus glances at her and Rose can hardly suppress her shudder when Lazarus eyes her like a piece of meat. She doesn't resist her urge to move an inch behind the Doctor, feeling safer in his presence and less exposed to this horrible man's gaze.

"I do understand the technology and the science behind it, my dear." Lazarus says in that slimey and arrogant voice, obviously thinking himself a God among men.

"That thing nearly exploded!" the Doctor cuts in, some anger in his tone now. "You might as well have stepped into a blender!"

"You're not qualified to comment." the woman brushes off.

"Actually, he's the most qualified." Rose counters, raising a challenging brow.

"And who are you to make such a claim?"

"Rose Tyler, of Bad Wolf Corporation." Rose states, seeing some shock on the other woman's face and the lust that appears in Lazarus' eyes. She has to keep her face calm and bite her lip to swallow the bile that has risen in her mouth.

"You're Miss Tyler?" Lazarus questions.

"Hello." the blonde says with a small wave.

The Doctor, not liking the look Lazarus is giving his precious girl, steps a little closer and glares at the man, "If I hadn't stopped your machine, it would have exploded. Killing you and everyone in this building!"

Lazarus smiles at the Doctor as if he hadn't just spoken words that would have made any other person cower in fear, or he shouldn't be feeling shame or guilt at this very moment, "Then I thank you, Doctor. But that's a simple engineering issue. What happened inside the capsule was exactly what was supposed to happen. No more, no less."

Martha finally finds some footing in this conversation and glares at the professor, "You have no way of knowing that until you've run proper tests."

"Look at me." Lazarus states while gesturing to himself with a smug laugh, "You can see what happened. I am all the proof you need."

"This device will be properly certified before we operate commercially."

Martha's mouth drops open in shock while the Doctor and Rose just look disgusted with the display before them, "Commercially? You're joking. That'll cause chaos."

"Not chaos, change." Lazarus corrects. "A change for humanity to evolve, to improve."

"This isn't about improving. This is about you and your customers living a little longer."

"And linin' your pockets." Rose adds on bitterly.

"Not a little longer, Doctor. A lot longer. Perhaps indefinitely. And people pay to stop the effects of aging all the time, it is not my greed but their vanity that is to blame, Miss Tyler." Lazarus counters.

"Richard, we have things to discuss, upstairs." the woman says, attempting to pull Lazarus away but the professor never takes his eyes off Rose.

"Perhaps we may speak later, Miss Tyler?"

"I'll pass, thank you." Rose snipes, "Happily spoken for, me." She tightens her grip on the Doctor's arm and sees the way Lazarus glares at her Time Lord as if he is scum for having Rose at his side.

"Very well..." Lazarus says slowly. "Goodbye, Doctor. In a few years, you'll look back and laugh at how wrong you were."

Knowing that the Doctor - nor Rose for that matter - won't let him touch Rose, Lazarus reaches out and clasps Martha's hand in his and kisses the back of it before leaving with his partner in cry. Rose childishly sticks her tongue out after them causing Martha to giggle at such an action.

"I wanna smack 'im." Rose grumbles.

"Perhaps later Rose." the Doctor replies absently. "He is out of his depth. He has no idea of the damage he may have caused."

Martha looks at him curiously, "So, what do we do now?"

"Now? Well, this building is full of laboratories. I say we do our own tests."

"Lucky I've just collected a DNA sample, isn't it?" Martha says while holding up her hand with a smile.

The Doctor grins at her, "Oh, Martha Jones, you're a star."

With that the trio take off for one of the laboratories, completely unware of the eyes that watch them as they go.

---

"Are you sure it was a good idea not to tell them what was really going on?" the brunette woman who helped Rose get into the party asks her companion.

"Positive."

"But... with the risk this puts to Rose, wouldn't it have been better to keep her away from the danger?"

"We can't change their personal timeline, Sweetie." the other woman explains, "It could cause far worse consequences then what they will face now. Or completely change the 'future' we return to. Rose was here when they did it the first time, so Rose is here when they do it this time."

"This is all so complicated!" the brunette huffs in annoyance.

"Life of a time traveler, no one said it was easy."

---

"Hey Rose?" Martha asks from where she's leaning on a table nearby where the Doctor's working while the blonde is sitting on the counter beside him with her feet dangling above the floor.

"Yeah?"

"How did you know about the Bad Wolf Corporation?"

Rose lets out a little huff, "I didn't. Was already on the billfold when I showed it to the security guard. Didn't know the corporation exited in this time... only been to the future one- which was bad news mind you."

The Doctor tenses at the mention of that horrible place and everything that had happened there. He doesn't stop what he's doing but Rose can see the tension in his shoulders and carefully places her hand on his shoulder to give comfort to him without disturbing his work.

"So the TARDIS, being able to travel through time, knew about the Bad Wolf Corporation, then?" Martha tries to clarify."

Rose shrugs, not really having the answer herself. Luckily she's saved from having to answer anymore of those questions by the Doctor's shocked gasp.

"Amazing."

Both women turn to face him and see the strand of DNA on the computer screen beside him, his specs balanced on his nose.

"What?" Martha asks.

"Lazarus' DNA."

"We can see that, Doctor." Rose says with a roll of her eyes, "What 'bout his DNA?"

"Yeah, I can't see anything different." Martha adds.

"Look at it." the Time Lord snaps, almost as if he is speaking to a child.

At that very moment the DNA strand they are looking at on the screen shifts and looks different if only slightly compared to what they had just been staring at.

"Oh my God." the medical student gasps, "Did that just change?" she shakes her head as if to dispel some kind of dream, "But it can't have."

"But it did."

"It's impossible." Martha argues with the Doctor.

Rose chuckles, "After everything you've seen with us, you're still sayin' that?"

The two girls look at each other pointedly, neither backing down though in this moment, neither are really sure what they are fighting over.

"And that's two impossible things we've seen so far tonight." the Doctor cuts in, sensing the tension between his companions and not understanding what it is, but knowing he needs to shut it down right now. "Don't you love it when that happens?"

"Save for when it turns into somethin' terrible." Rose teases.

"That means Lazarus has changed his own molecular patterns." Martha states in horrified realization.

"Hypersonic sound waves to destabilize the cell structure, then a metagenic program to manipulate the coding in the protein strands. Basically, he hacked his own genes and instructed them to rejuvenate."

"Arrogant bastard is tryin' to cheat death but rushed the process, yeah?" Rose questions, always catching the subtle message behind the Doctor's words.

"Yeah."

"But they're still mutating now!" Martha points out, watching as the strand morphs once again on the monitor before them.

The Doctor sighs heavily as he tucks his glasses back in his pocket, "Because he missed something. Like Rose said, he rushed the process and thus missed something so basic that it's still changing now. Something in his DNA has been activated and won't let him stabilize. Something that's trying to change him."

"Change him into what?" the medical student breathes, feeling much like the victim in a cheesy horror movie at the moment, but knowing that the threat is very real. A threat to not only the three in this room but to all those people out there - including her family.

"Nothin' good." Rose scoffs.

The Doctor nods his agreement, "Don't know that for sure, but I think we need to find out."

"That woman said they were heading upstairs." Martha says.

"Let's go." the Doctor replies, taking Rose's hand in his and racing out of the laboratory with Martha following after the pair.

---

"Did you get her in?"

Both women jump in surprise as they turn to find the young brunette that sent them on this mission in the first place leaning against a fence just outside the laboratory, though down the street a ways so they won't be noticed.

The brunette woman who helped Rose glares at the young man, "Yeah, but why couldn't we just warn Rose about what is going to happen, so she has a chance to change it? Why send her in there when we already know how dangerous this all is for her?"

The man sighs, "Because, we can't change their personal timeline, no matter how much we may want to." he explains, sadness in his eyes, "You're right, it would be better if we warned Rose, told her of everything that is to come, but that would mean that in her efforts to prevent those events, Rose could make a far worse event occur that could change the future as we know. And not for the better."

"But-"

"Clara." he cuts off, "I know you just want to help them, that you care about them. So do I. But this is the way things have to be. Believe me, screwing with the timelines is never a good idea."

The brunette goes silent after that so the young man turns his focus on their blonde companion, "Is she wearing the bracelet?"

"Yes, she is."

"Good. That will help... If only a little."

---

The trio exit the lift into the large office and look around.

"This is his office, all right." Martha declares while looking at the many photos that cover the one wall.

"So, where is he?" the Doctor asks, annoyed that the man isn't here.

The medical student starts heading back to the lift, "Don't know. Let's try back at the reception."

The Doctor is following after Martha - still holding Rose's hand - but the blonde spots something from the corner of her eye and pulls away from the Doctor, walking towards the desk on the far side of the room near the windows.

"Rose, come on." Martha says from where she's holding the door open. "We have to find Lazarus."

"Hmm." Rose answers non-communicatively as she walks towards what looks like a skeletal leg, though she hopes she's wrong about that. When she gets around the desk and sees the husk of a body on the floor she lets out a strangled gasp, having to use the desk to support herself.

Travelling with the Doctor, Rose has seen her fair share of death, but never something like this. Bile rises in her throat and she has to avert her eyes just to keep it at bay.

"Doctor." she breathes.

The Time Lord comes rushing to her side with Martha on his tail. Once he spots what Rose has discovered he wraps an arm around her waist to support her while looking horrified at this death.

"Is that Lady Thaw?" Martha questions, barely able to stand the sight herself, turning her gaze to the Doctor just so she doesn't have to look at the grizzly sight.

"Used to be." the Doctor replies in a quiet tone, "Now it's just a shell. Had all the life drained out, like squeezing the juice out of an orange."

"There is a fruit I'll never be able to eat again." Rose comments as she leans more into the Doctor's warmth.

"Sorry." he mumbles in apology.

"Lazarus?" Martha guesses, brushing the Doctor's analogy from her mind - not needing that mental image much like Rose.

"Could be."

"So he's changed already?" the medical student presses.

"Not necessarily." the Doctor disagrees. "You saw the DNA. It was fluctuating. The process must demand energy. This might not have been enough."

"So he might do this again?!"

"Not if we stop him." Rose says before dragging the Doctor back to the lift, Martha following right after.

---

Getting off the lift, the trio start searching the crowd for the professor but see no sign of him.

"I can't see him." Martha says, her eyes scanning every face and every nook for the man.

"He can't be far." the Doctor says as he starts leading Rose in a different direction than Martha, "Keep looking."

As Martha searches the crowd her brother suddenly appears at her side and though she does stop moving about she doesn't stop looking at the people around her.

"Hey, you alright, Martha?" he questions. He receives no answer so decides to press forward anyways, "I think mum wants to talk to you."

"Have you seen Lazarus anywhere?" Martha asks, not at all concerned with her mother at this moment.

Leo rolls his eyes, "Yeah, well, he was getting cozy with Tish a few minutes ago."

The youngest Jones is thrown off when his sister finally turns her attention to him, but her face is filled with fear. He doesn't understand why she would react in such a way.

"With Tish!?" she screeches, "Doctor!"

Having heard the terror in the medical student's voice the Doctor and Rose hurry to her side. Unfortunately, this is also the moment that Mrs. Jones catches up with them.

"Ah, Doctor. Miss Tyler." Francine starts.

"Where did they go?" the Doctor asks Leo, completely ignoring Francine - something she doesn't take to kindly to.

Leo raises a questioning brow, "Upstairs, I think. Why?"

He doesn't get a reply since the trio are already rushing back towards the lift, knowing that time is off the essence. Since Francine is unaware of this, she tries to follow them, not liking the way they are brushing her aside, nor the fact that her daughter is following these two strangers like a stray dog looking for scraps.

"Doctor, I'm speaking to you." she hisses.

"Not now, mum." Martha snaps, actually glaring at her mother before she hurries after her friends.

---

Once more climbing out of the lift into Lazarus' office Martha searches the empty room desperately for her little sister, panic and fear course through her veins as tears pool in her eyes.

"Where are they?" Martha asks aloud, just wanting to save her sister.

The Doctor thinks for a moment before pulling the sonic screwdriver from his pocket. "Fluctuating DNA will give off an energy signature. I might be able to pick it up."

He starts scanning the room and Martha literally starts bouncing on her feet as she waits for the Doctor to tell her where her sister and that monster are. The few seconds he spends scanning feel like an eternity for the medical student.

"Got him."

"Where?" Martha demands.

He points upwards and Martha tilts her head in confusion.

"But this is the top floor."

Both Rose and Martha look at each other as the answer comes to them at the same time. "The roof."

The trio race for the stairs that lead up to the roof, all praying that they're not too late to save the other Jones girl. They open the door to find Tish and Lazarus standing near the roof's edge staring out at the scenery before them, deep in conversation so they haven't noticed the trio's arrival.

"I find that nothing's ever exactly like you expect." Lazarus says. "There's always something to surprise you. Between the idea and the reality, between the motion and the act-"

"Falls the Shadow." the Doctor interrupts, finally drawing attention to himself and his companions.

Tish actually glares at Martha, like her sister has done something terribly wrong here and Rose has to suppress her desire to shout at the younger sister.

"So the mysterious Doctor knows his Elliot. I'm impressed." Lazarus says in a condescending voice.

"Martha, what are you doing here?" Tish snaps.

"Tish, get away from him."

"What?" the younger sister says, almost as if Martha has insulted her by saying such a thing and clearly missing the desperation in her sister's voice. "Don't tell me what to do."

"She's tryin' to help you." Rose replies, earning her a glare from Tish that Rose matches with one of her own.

The Doctor steps a little closer to Lazarus, keeping the focus on him and not the bickering sisters or Rose.

"I wouldn't have thought you had time for poetry, Lazarus, what with you being busy defying the laws of nature and all."

"You're right, Doctor." Lazarus states. "One lifetime's been too short for me to do everything I'd like. How much more will I get done in two or three or four?"

"Doesn't work like that." the Doctor snaps, disgusted with this man who's trying to play God, when so many good people had their lives cut short before they could accomplish what they desired in life. "Some people live more in twenty years than others do in eighty. It's not the time that matters, it's the person."

That is why the Doctor always is looking for new companions to travel with - aside from the whole being lonely thing of course - he wants to bring the best of the best with him and watch what they'll accomplish if he gives them the chance. Every single one of them have always gone above and beyond his expectations and he has loved every minute of it.

"But if it's the right person, what a gift that would be."

"Or what a curse. Look at what you've done to yourself."

Lazarus glares at the Doctor, "Who are you to judge me?"

Having enough of the fact that her sister still hasn't left Lazarus' side Martha moves forward and grabs her hand, tugging her behind her, "Over here, Tish."

The younger woman pulls her hand free and glares at her older sister, who turns around to face her. With her back to Lazarus, Tish doesn't see as the man starts to change.

"You have to spoil everything, don't you?" Tish snaps, "Every time I find someone nice, you have to go and find fault."

"Tish, he's a monster."

"I know the age thing is a bit freaky, but it works for Catherine Zeta-Jones." Tish argues.

"She means monster, as in literally, he's a monster." Rose points out as she steps away from the now changing man.

Tish turns to argue with Rose when she finally sees what's happening to Lazarus and gasps in fear. Her sister steps in front of her to shield her from the creature.

"What's that?" Tish gasps.

"RUN!" the Doctor yells while racing to the door with the three women in tow. He allows them through the door before him and sonics it shut just as Lazarus slams into it. They start racing down the stairs and Martha looks at her sister.

"Are you okay?" she asks.

"I was going to snog him." Tish admits, horrified by her own realization.

"Couldn't have known." Rose states.

Suddenly the lights flicker and a computerized voice speaks, "Security one. Security one. Security one."

They just make it back to the office when the lights go out and Martha looks around in confusion, "What's happening?"

"An intrusion." Tish explains, "It triggers a security lockdown. Kills most of the power. Stops the lifts, seals the exits."

"He must be breaking through that door." the Doctor declares.

Rose sighs, "Meaning everyone downstairs is in danger."

"The stairs, come on!" the Doctor orders while taking Rose's hand in his once more and the group start running down the stairs.

---

They're about half way down when they hear a loud crash high above them and it is followed by a growl. They all pause and gaze upward. Martha looks to the Doctor in fear.

"He's inside!"

"We haven't got much time." the Doctor says, then they all take off running again.

As they near the reception hall they can still hear the party going on full swing despite the lights being off. It appears that no one is concerned about this turn of events and are still enjoying themselves thoroughly. They enter the room and the Doctor looks around frantically, trying to plan everything out. He turns to Tish.

"Tish, is there another way out of here?" he questions.

The younger Jones nods her head, "There's an exit in the corner, but it'll be locked now."

Not even phased by this the Doctor pulls the sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and hands it to Rose, "Setting fifty-four. Hurry."

"Got it." Rose says as she runs to the door with the siblings following after her.

The Doctor runs up and stands on the dais, eyes panicked as he faces the crowd, "Listen to me!" he waits till they are all looking at him. "You people are in serious danger! You need to get out of here, right now!"

One woman in the crowd laughs, "Don't be ridiculous. The biggest danger here is choking on an olive."

At that moment there is a loud crash and everyone turns to see the mutant Lazarus up on the mezzanine, looking at the people below him like the are snacks - which to him, they are. The creature then jumps down, smashing a table in the process and people start running around screaming, heading to the door Rose is still trying to open.

Leo moves protectively in front of his mother, "Mum, get back!"

The creature's tail sends a table flying and it hit Leo in the head, knocking him to the ground.

"Leo!" Martha cries as she and Tish run over to help their family just as Rose gets the door open.

People start stampeding through the exit, knocking Rose to the ground and none of them care as they practically run over the poor girl in their haste to escape the monster. And though most people have started fleeing the room, now that the door is open, some people still linger in the room - too scared to even move.

Lazarus focuses on one of these people - the same woman who had mocked the Doctor when he tried to warn them. The creature leaps at her.

"No!" the Doctor shouts. "Get away from her!"

He is completely ignored by the creature as it uses its tail to suck the life out of her and the desiccated corpse falls to the floor.

Martha and Tish reach the mother and brother who are huddled on the floor and Martha quickly scans her brother over. They don't notice when Lazarus focuses on them since most of the people have left the room by now.

"Lazarus!" the Doctor calls, gaining the creature's attention. "Over here!"

"Martha." Francine whispers, pleading with her daughter to help her son.

"What's the point? You can't control it. The mutation's too strong. Killing those people won't help you. You're a fool! A vain old man who thought he could defy nature! Only nature got her own back, didn't she? You're a joke, Lazarus! A footnote in the history of nature!" the Doctor mocks.

His mocking has the desired effect as Lazarus roars and the Doctor spins on his heel, leading the creature back inside the building and away from everyone else.

Rose, who was finally able to get up off the floor, curses under her breath and moves to help the Jones family.

"What's the Doctor doing?" Tish asks.

"He's buyin' you lot time." Rose says as she joins them. "He's leadin' him away so he won't kill anyone else. We got to use the time he's given us well."

"Leo, look at me. Let's see your eyes." Martha instructs before coming to her conclusion, "He's got a concussion." She hurries over to an ice bucket and fills a napkin before coming back and placing it on the bump on her brother's head, "Mum, Tish, you'll need to help him down the stairs."

With that the group start making their way to the exit, following the few remaining stragglers.

---

The Doctor, having found a good place to hide among the pipes around him in this basement area, quickly ducks down in the shadows as he holds his breath, listening as the creature moves about trying to find him.

"It's no good, Doctor." Lazarus calls, "You can't stop me."

"Is that the same arrogance you had when you swore nothing had gone wrong with your device?"

"The arrogance is yours. You can't stand in the way of progress." Lazarus argues.

"You call feeding on innocent people progress? You're delusional!"

"It is a necessary sacrifice."

"That's not your decision to make." the Doctor states firmly.

---

The people are piling up against the glass doors to the exit with the guards outside attempting to open them with force, but nothing works. The Jones family and Rose finally join the group with Rose taking in the scene before her.

She hurries over to the security console nearby - siding over the top of it instead of walking all the way around - and starts looking at the many different controls. After studying everything she changes the setting on the sonic screwdriver and moves it over the controls.

A second later the lights flicker on and the doors slide open, the people all running outside much the same way they had when Rose unlocked the first door.

The blonde cringes a little bit - silently hoping that by turning on the power she didn't just make things worse for the Doctor. She waits until the last person is outside before she runs back down the corridor in search of the Doctor.

---

The lights flicker on in the basement as well and the Doctor flinches since he no longer has the shadows to give him cover.

"Peek-a-boo."

The Doctor looks up to find the creature hanging on the pipes above his head and smiles sheepishly while giving a small wave.

"Oh, hello." he says.

The creature tries to drop down on top of him but the Doctor dodges and runs down another corridor to escape the thing chasing him.

---

"Where's Rose?" Tish asks after they get Leo situated on the stairs.

Leo looks up at her through blurry eyes, "I think I saw her heading back inside."

"I've got to go back." Martha states and turns to head inside after her friends but her mother catches her arm.

"You can't!" Francine protests. "You saw what that thing did! It'll kill you!"

"I don't care. I have to go."

Francine glares at her daughter, "It's that Doctor, isn't it? That's why you've changed."

"For the better." Martha argues, surprising her mother.

"He was buying us time, Martha. That's what Rose said. Time for you to get out too." Tish argues.

Martha shakes her head, "I'm not leaving them. They're my friends." with that she turns and runs back inside before anyone can stop her.

"Martha!" Francine shouts after her.

---

The Doctor runs into one of the science labs and starts taking apart one of the light switches. Once he finishes that he turns on the flames of a Bunsen burner, snuffing out the flame. He just removes the glass fitting of another burner when he has to duck down behind a different bench as the door opens. He counts in his head to make sure that the room has enough time to fill with gas.

"More hide and seek, Doctor?" Lazarus taunts, "How disappointing. Why don't you come out and face me?"

The Doctor lets out a humourless laugh, trying to buy more time, while he turns on more gas - making his way towards the other door, "Have you looked in the mirror lately? Why would I want to face that, hm?"

With that said the Doctor runs out the door and hits the light switch on his way. He is barely a few feet away from the door when the laboratory explodes behind him. The Doctor doesn't stop running however.

He just rounds one of the corners and collides with Martha, catching her arms to keep her from falling.

"What are you doing here?" he questions a bit more harshly then he intended but he didn't expect her to come back.

"I came to help you." Martha replies simply.

"How did you...?"

"I heard the explosion. I guessed it was you." She looks around, "Where's Rose?"

"What do you mean, where's Rose?!"

"She came back in here to help you too. Left before I did."

Before either of them can say anything else they hear a loud crash behind them and turn to see Lazarus come out of the lab, smashing through the railing in his attempt to get to them. The Doctor takes Martha's hand in his - and despite the situation the medical student can't stop the blush that colours her cheeks nor the joy that forms in her chest at the action.

"Talk later, run now." the Doctor says as they race away from the creature.

---

Rose having heard the explosion and much like Martha figuring it was the Doctor rounds the corner to see Lazarus chasing her Time Lord and friend down the hall, away from her. She thinks quickly and pulls the sonic screwdriver out of her purse where she had placed it for safe keeping. Rose fumbles with the settings for a few moments before she finally switches it to the same setting the Doctor had used to alert the Daleks of his presence in New York.

Lazarus freezes in his tracks as the Doctor and Martha keep running - unaware that the creature isn't chasing them anymore - and turns slowly to face Rose. He gets an eerie smile on his face as he spots her.

"Uh-oh." Rose mumbles. She had been planning this but now that the creature's focus on her Rose realizes what she just did. Clenching her hand tightly around the sonic screwdriver Rose spins around and starts running back the way she came, hearing the crashing as the monstrous creature follows after her.

She screams as he crashes through the wall instead of coming all the way around the corner in his pursuit of her.

Now that he is actually chasing her, Rose realizes that she hadn't thought beyond getting the creature's focus on her.

---

Martha and the Doctor get down the stairs to the floor below when they finally notice that Lazarus is no longer chasing them and stop in confusion.

"Where's he gone?" Martha asks. "Why isn't he chasing us anymore?"

They hear a crash upstairs and the Doctor runs to the railing to see what is going on. His hearts literally stop in his chest when he spots who the beast is now after.

"ROSE!" he shouts.

He watches as she just barely manages to dodge when Lazarus swings his tail out to try and catch her and Rose turns down a different hall to try and get some space between her and the creature.

Martha has now joined him at the railing and she looks at the Doctor helplessly, "What's she doing, then?"

"Being a distraction." the Doctor snarls. "Come on."

He runs down the hall with Martha trailing after him. He hears as she curses behind him and then a strange clattering noise but doesn't bother checking on that as he is determined to save his precious girl. The Doctor knows with the changes that Rose has been going through and the Huon particles in her body would be enough energy to stabilize Lazarus but he'd be stuck as this creature, unable to ever change back. He's not going to let that happen.

He turns around a corner and pushes himself to run even after as he hears another crash and a scream from Rose. Praying to every deity and God he can think of the Doctor goes to head up the stairs just as Rose comes running down and she slams hard into his chest, obviously not expecting him to be there.

"Rose!"

"Doctor!"

They cry at the same time. Their reunion is cut short as they see Lazarus at the top of the stairs. Joining hands as they always do - Rose secretly passing the screwdriver back as they do. The two continue down the stairs, hearing Martha squeak as she hurries after them just as Lazarus starts his pursuit again.

"You were supposed to escape, Miss Tyler!" the Doctor scolds.

"And leave you alone?" Rose returns hotly, "Not happenin'!" She glances over her shoulder to see how close Lazarus is to them, "Besides, thought you might need your screwdriver back, yeah?"

"Good point."

The trio stop when they find themselves back in the reception area and the Doctor tries to figure out what to do next.

"What now?" Martha asks. "We've just gone around in a circle."

"Noticed that thanks."

"Rude." Rose snipes.

"Sorry." the Doctor replies, not sounding sorry in the least. "We can't lead him outside." He spots the capsule and opens the door. "Come on, get in."

The girls do so without argument and the Doctor climbs in after them, once he's sure Lazarus is coming and closes the door. The three are squished together with barely enough room to breathe.

"Brilliant idea, this."

"Not now, Rose."

"Are we hiding?" the medical student questions.

"No, he knows we're in here." the Doctor says, "But this is his masterpiece. I'm betting that he won't destroy it, not even to get to us."

"Big gamble, that." Rose returns.

"And we're trapped now." Martha adds.

"Well, yeah, that's a slight problem." the Doctor says, ignoring Rose's comment altogether since if he's wrong he just jeopardized all their lives for nothing.

"You mean you don't have a plan?" the medical student snaps.

The Doctor rolls his eyes, "Yes, the plan was to get inside here."

"Then what?"

Now he has the ability to looked ashamed, "Well, then I'd come up with another plan."

"I hate when you do this." Rose growls.

The Doctor shifts his arms and accidentally hits Rose in the side, to which she grunts in pain, "Sorry." It is such a tight fit for the three of them and the Doctor finally manages to get the screwdriver raised. "Here we are."

Martha raises a brow, "What're you going to do with that?"

"Improvise."

With that he carefully slides to the floor and opens the panel in the floor and starts working. Rose rolls her eyes and leans back against the wall to give him more room while Martha watches him work intently.

"I still don't understand where that thing came from." Martha finally speaks up. "Is it alien?"

"No. For once it's strictly human in origin." the Doctor answers seriously.

"Human?" Martha looks to Rose to see she is just as surprised as she is, "How can it be human?"

"Probably from dormant genes in Lazarus' DNA. The energy field in this thing must have reactivated them. And it looks like they're becoming dominant."

The medical student absorbs these words before tilting her head to the side, "So it's a throwback?"

"Some option that evolution rejected for you millions of years ago, but the potential is still there. Locked away in your genes, forgotten about until Lazarus unlocked them by mistake." the Doctor explains while still working away.

"It's like Pandora's box." Martha speculates.

"Exactly." the Doctor replies. This is when he notices something. He looks back and forth between Martha and Rose. "Where are your shoes?"

"Hard to run in heels, Doctor." Rose explains this time, "Ditched them awhile ago."

"Yeah, easier to run this way." the medical student continues, smiling at Rose who returns it.

Their moment of levity is cut short when the capsule suddenly lights up and starts humming with energy.

"Doctor, what's happening?"

"He turned the machine on, didn't he?" Rose guesses.

"I think he did, yeah."

Martha gasps, her eyes widening in shock, "And that's not good, is it?"

The Doctor sighs and starts working faster, "Well, I was hoping it would take him a little longer to work that out."

The humming noise gets louder but Rose hears a strange melody in her head and holds it in her hands as she feels a little funny.

"I don't want to hurry you, but-"

"I know, I know." the Doctor cuts the medical student off. "Nearly done. Just need a bit more time."

"Well, what're you doing?" Martha asks, her voice more panicked the longer he takes.

"I'm trying to set the capsule to reflect energy instead of receive it."

"Will that kill it?"

The Doctor growls, "When he transforms, He's three times his size. Cellular triplication. So he's spreading himself thin."

They hear as the arches start to rotate around the capsule.

"We're going to end up like him!" Martha screams in terror.

"Just one more!"

At that moment it like everything freezes in place around them. Martha blinks in surprise and looks at Rose who has her hands braced on the walls of the capsule. There is a strange gold glow around her hands.

"Do it now, Doctor." Rose says in that tone Martha remembers from the bug incident and she looks at Rose as if she's never seen her before.

The Doctor, taking the hint, quickly finishes what he was doing and the all hear the roar that Lazarus lets out and then the machine dies down.

Rose shakes her head and looks at Martha in confusion, seeing the questions on the medical student's face, "What?"

The Doctor opens the capsule door and steps out, both girls following him. Martha leans in closer to him, "How'd she do that, then? What was that?"

"Nothing you need to worry about, Martha." the Doctor says just as quietly as he watches Rose walk closer to the now human Lazarus. "Let's just say Rose is a bit more than human."

Realizing the thin ice she's walking on, Martha quickly changes subjects, "I thought we were going through the blender then."

"Really shouldn't take that longer just to reverse the polarity." the Doctor say, happy for the subject change, "I must be a bit out of practice."

"Or something else is going on." Rose adds from where she's standing.

"Oh God." Martha gasp as she sees the man on the floor, "He seems so human again. It's kind of pitiful."

"Eliot saw that, too. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper." the Doctor says solemnly.

Rose giggles from where she's standing and turns to smile at the Doctor, "That's not true. I was there. It was our first date."

The Doctor smiles tenderly at her, "That it was."

---

The trio walk down the stairs and watch as paramedics take Lazarus' body away, the Doctor and Rose holding hands like always.

"She's here!" Tish exclaims as the Jones family start to approach the trio. "Oh, she's all right." She runs right up and throws her arms around her sister, who easily returns the hug.

The Doctor smiles at Francine, apparently not seeing the murderous expression on her face, "Ah, Mrs. Jones. We still haven't finished our chat."

Francine slaps the Doctor hard across the face in a slap that Jackie would have been proud of.

Martha is mortified by the sight while Rose glares at the women.

Francine pulls her daughters away from the Doctor, who is rubbing his cheek in surprise.

"Keep away from my daughter." the mother hisses.

"Mum, what are you doing?" Martha growls as she pulls away from her mother.

The Doctor looks at Rose with a grumpy expression, "All of the mothers, every time. Another thing that didn't happen until you, Rose Tyler."

"You okay?" Rose asks as she caresses his cheek.

"It's nothing."

"He's dangerous." Francine insists, pleading with Martha to understand her. "They both are. I've been told things."

That catches Rose's attention and she glares harder at the woman.

Martha shakes her head in disbelief, "What are you talking about?"

"Look around you." Francine says as she gestures to the surroundings, "Nothing but death and destruction."

"That isn't his fault." Martha argues, angry at her mother for even suggesting such a thing. "He saved us, all of us!"

"And it was Tish who invited everyone to this thing in the first place. I'd say technically, it's her fault." Leo adds. His sister elbows him in the side and he just smiles at her.

"But, I've been told-" Francine starts to argue.

"Stop there." Rose cuts her off. The woman glares at Rose but the blonde isn't fazed by it in the slightest. "If it wasn't for the Doctor, you'd be dead. So would Tish for that matter, if we hadn't stopped Lazarus from getting her when they were alone." She sees the flicker of surprise in the mother's eyes but gives her no room to argue. "Now, you're free to believe what you like, no goin' to try and change your mind. However, if you are sayin' this is all the Doctor's fault because someone told you it was, then I take issue with that. The one at fault for all this is Lazarus and the people with him who cared more about youth and money. It's true, there is always danger where the Doctor goes, but he saves people, no matter what it costs him to do so. Don't go pointin' fingers when you don't know all the facts or only one side of the story." She can see that her words have hit a cord. "And don't just ignore your daughter's opinion. I get that you're doin' this to protect her, but you raised Martha to be smart and independent, don't disregard her words for the words of someone you just met tonight."

Rose just finishes speaking when there is a loud crash. She and the Doctor look at each other before they take off running. They get a bit of a ways down the street when they find the ambulance crashed there with desiccated bodies within.

"Lazarus, back from the dead." the Doctor growls. "Should have known, really."

"Where's he gone?" Martha asks as she joins the pair.

They both have no answer for that question. The Doctor pulls out the sonic screwdriver about to scan for the creature again when Tish joins them. The Doctor points at the building down the street, "That way. The church."

"Cathedral." Tish corrects. "It's Southwark Cathedral. He told me." The group run to the church.

---

The group enter the Cathedral and slowly make their way down the aisle where the see Lazarus, wrapped in a red blanket, kneeling at the front by the altar.

"Why would he come here?" Martha whispers.

"Where would you go if you were looking for sanctuary?" the Doctor returns.

"I came here before. A lifetime ago." Lazarus speaks, already aware of their presence - kind of hard not to be when there is no one else in the room aside from the five. "I thought I was going to die then. In fact, I was sure of it. I sat here, just a child, the sounds of planes and bombs outside."

"The Blitz."

Lazarus looks at the Doctor, "You've read about it."

"I was there."

The professor scoffs in disbelief, "You're too young."

"So are you."

Lazarus laughs but it is cut short when his body spasms and he curls in on himself, trying to block out the pain.

"In the morning, the fires had died, and I was still alive." Lazarus explains further, "I swore I would never face death like that again. So defenseless. I would arm myself, fight back, defeat it."

"That's what you were trying to do today?" the Doctor asks with no pity for the man before him.

"That's what I did today."

"What about the people who died?" the Doctor growls. He already knows he has to stop Lazarus, the man is too far gone for anything else, but he wants to see how twisted this man truly is, to understand him.

"They were nothing." Lazarus dismisses. "I changed the course of history."

"Any of them might have done that too. You think history's only made of equations? Facing death is a part of being human. You can't change that."

"No, Doctor." the professor argues, "Avoiding death, that's being human. It's our strongest impulse, to cling to life with every fiber of our being. I'm only doing what everyone before me has tried to do. I've simply been more successful."

The Doctor shakes his head and kneels down to Lazarus' level, "Look at yourself. You're mutating! You've no control over it. You call that a success?"

"I call it progress. I'm more now than I was. More than just an ordinary human."

"There's no such thing as an ordinary human." the Doctor states firmly. He thinks of the many humans he's met through his travels and the ones that have travelled with him over the years. All of them were extraordinary whether it was for good or bad reasons, they all were.

Lazarus convulses again.

Martha leans in close to the Doctor, "He's going to change again any minute."

"I know." the Doctor replies just as softly, "If I can get him up to the bell tower somehow, I've an idea that might work."

Martha glances up at the bell tower, "Up there."

Rose starts thinking of the best way to get the beast to follow her up there as she inches away from the group.

"You're so sentimental, Doctor." Lazarus says, having not heard their conversation. "Maybe you are older than you look."

"I'm old enough to know that a longer life isn't always a better one. In the end you just get tired. Tired of the struggle, tired of losing everyone that matters to you, tired of watching everything turn to dust. If you live long enough, Lazarus, the only certainty left is that you'll end up alone."

"That's a price worth paying." Lazarus states confidently.

"Is it?"

"I will feed soon."

The Doctor's face turns grim, "I won't let that happen."

"You've been unable to stop me so far."

"Leave 'im alone, Lazarus!" Rose shouts, drawing everyone's attention to her. "Why not chase after pray that will give you more of a challenge, yeah? He's old and bitter. Why not chase after someone young and fresh?"

"Rose!" the Doctor yells.

But it is too late. Lazarus roars as his body starts changing and Rose takes off up the stairs. When she glances over her shoulder she spots Martha and Tish behind her.

"What are you two doing?"

"Someone has to keep you alive!" Martha says at the same time Tish retorts, "Keep you out of trouble!"

"Best keep up then." Rose replies as she runs faster, entering the spiral staircase that leads them up to the tower.

They are half way up when they hear the loud crash behind them.

"Did you hear that?" Tish questions.

"He's changed again." Martha answers, "Keep moving. We've got to lead him up."

---

The Doctor is now in the transept of the Cathedral and searches for the girls in the shadows, desperate to find them.

"Where are they?" he asks himself, "Rose!?"

A moment later his precious girl appears in an opening in the clerestory, a cheeky smile on her face, "Bit busy at the moment. What can I do for you?"

"Take him to the top!" the Doctor shouts back. "The very top of the bell tower, do you understand?!"

"The very top." Rose returns.

"Rose!" Martha says as she races past with her sister in tow.

"Catch you in a bit." Rose says to the Doctor as she disappears from view once more.

"ROSE!" the Doctor shouts but she's already gone. He hurries over to the organ loft and pulls out the sonic screwdriver again. "Hypersonic sound waves. Inspired." he sits down at the organ and puts the sonic screwdriver in the power socket.

---

The girls exit at the top of the bell tower onto the very unsafe looking wooden walkway. They spread out the best they can and Tish looks around in fear.

"There's nowhere to go." she declares, "We're trapped."

Martha shakes her head, "This is where the Doctor said to bring him."

"All right, so we're not trapped, we're bait." Tish spits.

"Don't worry." Rose cuts in, "The Doctor has never failed me. I trust him. He knows what he's doing."

Tish blinks at the blonde and looks at her before looking to her sister, who nods her head in agreement with what the other woman has said.

At that moment Lazarus enters the confined space and grins wickedly at them, "Ladies."

"Stay behind me." Martha says to her sister, not even bothering to tell this to Rose since she knows that the blonde won't listen to her, "If he takes me or Rose, make a run for it. Head down the stairs. You should have enough time."

"But-"

"Just do it!" Martha snaps at her sister.

Lazarus, instead of going around the walk like the girls had, tries to climb over the gap in the middle right under the bell. The girls scream as they all start trying to dodge the creature's tail.

Rose, seeing that he's about to get Martha, pushes the medical student out of the way and gets hit in the side, sending her over the edge of the walkway. She just barely manages to grab hold of the edge, her purse slipping for her shoulder and falling to the ground far below.

"ROSE!" Martha screams but is unable to help as she dodges another attack.

Tish hurries over and grabs hold of Rose's arm, attempting to pull her up and leaving her completely vulnerable to Lazarus.

"Get away from them!" Martha shouts when she sees that Lazarus is looking at the two. His focus shifts to her.

---

The Doctor stretches his fingers out, "I hope it's good acoustic in here." he says before he starts playing.

He hears the screams and crashes above him and grinds his teeth in frustration.

"We need to turn this up to eleven."

---

The organ notes reverberate off the cathedral walls and the bell tower and the girls all cover their ears - well Rose can't given the fact that she's literally hanging on for dear life and she cries in pain at the noise.

Lazarus shrieks in pain and loses his footing, falling over the railing towards the floor below. His tail lashes out one final time and nicks Rose in the side, trying in vain to bring the blonde with him in the end.

Rose's one hand slips and Tish tries desperately to pull her up but isn't strong enough on her own. This is when Martha joins them and grabs Rose's other hand.

"Hold on." the medical student says, "We've got you."

With that the sisters work on pulling Rose back up to safety.

"Rose?" the Doctor calls from below them.

The girls pull Rose back onto the walkway and Rose slumps into Martha in relief as she tries to catch her breath.

"Rose!?"

"We're all right!" Martha calls back, seeing how Rose is unable to answer at the moment. "We're all okay!"

"Thank you." Rose mumbles.

"Of course. I wouldn't let you fall."

Tish smiles at the two, "It's your Doctor we should be thanking."

"Always thinks of something, he does." Rose says with a laugh, clambering to her feet. She offers a hand to both sisters and helps them up as well.

"He cut it a bit fine there, didn't he?" Tish asks.

"He always does." Martha answers this time as they follow Rose done the stairs. "It's more fun that way."

"Who is he?"

Rose smiles, "He's the Doctor. And he's amazing."

They get back to the main floor to find the Doctor there waiting for them and Rose runs forward without hesitation into his waiting arms. He picks her up and twirls her around once as he hugs her fiercely. They remain that way for a small eternity.

When they pull apart the Doctor holds up Rose's purse from where he retrieved it, "Looks like this time I'm picking up after you."

"Thank you." Rose says as she takes the offered item then steps aside to let the Doctor greet Martha.

The two friends hug and Tish can instantly see the difference between the two hugs. While he is relieved that Martha is unharmed, Tish can see that this the a hug one gives to a friend while the hug he gave Rose is a hug between lovers. She can also see that her sister doesn't seem to realize this for herself and her heart breaks a little more for her big sister. She really does love him but it's obvious the Doctor doesn't return those feelings.

Martha pulls away and smiles cheekily at the Doctor, "I didn't know you could play."

"Oh, well, you know, if you hang around with Beethoven, you're bound to pick up a few things." the Doctor replies.

"Especially about playing loud."

The Doctor leans closer to her, "Sorry?"

They all laugh at that.

---

Martha enters the TARDIS, prepared to say her goodbyes with a heavy heart. She notices that only the Doctor is in the console room.

"Where's Rose?"

"Just finishing getting ready. Let her sleep a bit longer today." He answers.

Martha nods her head in understanding, "I guess she needed the rest after yesterday."

"Something else that just kind of escalated then."

"I can see a pattern developing." Martha tries to joke but it falls flat even to her ears. "You should take more care in the future. And the past. And whatever other time period you find yourself in."

"It's good fun though, isn't it?" the Doctor says, remembering Rose's words from the other night and coming to a decision.

"Yeah." Martha says sadly, not wanting to give this up but knowing she has to.

"Then why don't you stay?"

Martha blinks and looks up at him. "Sorry?"

He pulls out a TARDIS key from his pocket and places it in Martha's hand, "Stay. You were always more than a passenger."

Martha stands there silently for a moment before her whole face breaks out in a smile, "Thank you!" she squeals as she throws her arms around him in a hug. Over joyed with the fact that she finally proved herself and that the Doctor's letting her stay.

"You're welcome."

The Doctor smiles as he hugs her back. However, something in the corner of his eye catches his attention and he glances over to spot Rose.

She has the most devastated look on her face that he has ever seen.