Love Don't Roam (Reprise)
Disclaimer- I own nothing from Doctor Who, everything belongs to BBC. I am merely borrowing the characters and 'episodes' for fun, I make no profit from this.
Hello beautiful people! I want to apologize to everyone who was reading 'Love Don't Roam'. I was informed by mltrefry that I was accidentally copying her story 'Run With You' – which is amazing and I highly recommend it if you haven't read it. So, I removed the original story because I didn't want to cause problems and it was never my intention to copy someone else's story and claim it as my own.
Therefore, I am going to restart my series rewrite with heavy changes compared to the original so hopefully it will be more unique and not someone else's work masquerading as my own, because that's not what I'm here to do.
So, hopefully you all still enjoy this version and don't take too much issue with the changes I've made, it is all to suit my new idea (one that I hope hasn't been done before though I have read stories that have similar set up but none I've read have gone to where I'm planning to go - if so, I will credit that person, but I'm pretty sure this is different than anyone else's).
To re-iterate, this is a series rewrite of series 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. I will be going through them all while adding in my own episodes here and there so I can add some variety to the story. There will be some snippets with Nine and Twelve thrown in here as well.
To say again, Rose and the Doctor in my cannon have been in a romantic relationship since the episode 'The Satan Pit' but are still fairly new in their relationship. However, things will play out differently this time around than I first wrote it, though my end goal is still the same.
Once again, I am not a huge Martha Jones or River Song fan – and this time I'm even worse with Martha because I had a new twist on her character that I believe is more my own. So, I apologize to all their fans out there but I just don't like them.
I don't know if this version is better or worse than the previous but I am going to try because I don't want to give up on this series.
I hope you enjoy the rewrite of my series rewrite and please let me know what you think.
2.13- Doomsday
Dalek Sek turns its eye socket onto Rose and though they are not meant to feel, Rose can feel the rage rolling off the black Dalek in waves and swallows subtly past the lump in her throat.
"YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!" the Dalek shouted at her as it aims its weapon at the defenseless blonde.
Rose tenses but stands her ground – noticing from the corner of her eye how Mickey shifts slightly in front of her in an effort to protect her from the murderous copper-pot.
"Oh now, hold on, wait a minute!"
A voice cuts through the tension and Rose can feel her heart fluttering in her chest as all eyes turn to the door where the Doctor is standing with 3D specs on his face and an arrogant smile on his face. Rose's whole face lights up with joy at the sight of the Doctor and Mickey can't supress the subtle scoff that escapes his lips at the familiar scene despite the danger they are currently in.
"ALERT! ALERT! YOU ARE THE DOCTOR!" the lead Dalek shouts as all of them turn towards their oldest and greatest enemy.
"SENORS REPORT HE IS UNARMED!" another Dalek announces as the Doctor strides into the room, completely unfazed by the weapons pointed at him – only Rose noticing the rage that the Doctor is feeling at the fact that the Daleks had threatened her life.
"That's me." The Doctor remarks. "Always."
"THEN YOU ARE POWERLESS!"
"Not me. Never." The Time Lord denies as he comes to a stop beside Rose and turns his head towards her, eyes scanning her frame for any injuries. "How are you?"
Rose smiles faintly, feeling some of her fear just melt away now that the Doctor is here by her side once more. "Oh, same old, you know? Daleks threatening to destroy everything, the usual." She jokes lightly, noticing the way his eyes darken somewhat at her words though his lips do turn up slightly as well.
"Good." He says before his eyes move from her to the man standing beside her, "And Mickity McMickey! Good to see you!"
"And you, boss."
The two shake hands as if they are old friends – instead of the constant showboating both had done as they competed for Rose's affection, though they will both deny this ever happened in the first place. Rose smiles a little at the sight though she keeps an eye trained on their oppressors.
"SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WILL CEASE!" One Dalek shouts at the trio.
The Doctor sobers up and turns back to face them, a manic grin on his face and the oncoming storm brewing in his eyes.
"Oh, yes, hello." He replies as if he had forgotten the Daleks were even present.
"HOW DID YOU SURVIVE THE TIME WAR!?" Dalek Sek screeches at their enemy.
Any show of 'joy' completely evaporates as the Doctor stares right back at the creatures who helped end his race and Rose feels her heart break even more for her Time Lord, knowing how much the loss of his people weighs on his heart.
"By fighting. On the front line. I was there at the fall of Arcadia. Someday I may even come to terms with that." The Doctor says solemnly.
Mickey looks to Rose in confusion – this being the first he's ever heard of such things – but his friend just shakes her head and stays focused on the creatures before her, not wavering or allowing them to see the fear she truly feels.
"But you lot ran away!" the Doctor accuses as he points a finger at the Daleks before him.
"WE HAD TO SURVIVE!"
The Doctor looks around at the few Daleks that are surrounding the trio his eyes narrowing as he pulls the 3D specs from his nose and tucks them back into his pocket, staring them down with the full brunt of his gaze.
"The last four Daleks in existence. So what's so special about you?"
Rose, at that moment remembers something important and inches forward to take the Doctor's cuff in her grasp while still watching the creatures that have haunted her dreams many a nights.
"Doctor, they've got names." She breathes – but in the quiet of the room everyone (or thing) hears her perfectly, "I mean, Daleks don't have names, do they? One of them said they-"
"I AM DALEK THAY!" one Dalek announces.
"DALEK SEK!" the leader continues.
"DALEK JAST!"
"DALEK CAAN!"
Rose feels a burning in the back of her mind when the last Dalek announces his name and brings her fingers up to rub her temple as she bites her lips to keep in her hiss of pain. Both Mickey and the Doctor notice her reaction but they do nothing to draw attention to her.
"So that's it!" the Doctor continues, both rage and wonder filling him in a horrible mix of emotion within him as he stares at these Daleks. "At last! The Cult of Skaro. I thought you were just a legend."
Rose looks at the Doctor in confusion, "Who are they?"
"A secret order above and beyond the Emperor himself. Their job was to imagine, think as the enemy thinks. Even dared to have names. All to find new ways of killing."
Mickey, no longer able to keep quiet takes a small step forward to remind the Doctor of his presence, "But that thing, they said it was yours. I mean, Time Lords. They built it." He says as he points at the arc, "What does it do?"
The Doctor stares at the contraption in disinterest, not even recognizing it.
"Don't know. Never seen it before."
"But it's Time Lord!" Mickey protests.
He sees the withering glare Rose gives him and shrinks away from her slightly but doesn't back down from the Doctor.
"Both sides had secrets." The Doctor admits. "What is it? What have you done?"
"TIME LORD SCIENCE WILL RESORT DALEK SUPREMACY!" Dalek Sek declares, its words sending shivers down Rose's and Mickey's spines.
"What does that mean?!" the Doctor insists, "What sort of Time Lord science? What do you mean?"
"They said one touch from a time traveller will wake it up." Rose explains further, as confused as Mickey that the Doctor doesn't know what the device is or what it does – though she understands his reasoning.
The Doctor almost smiles smugly as he looks at his ancient foe, "Technology using the one thing a Dalek can't do. Touch." He waves his hand at them almost mockingly. "Sealed inside your casing. Not feeling anything ever, from birth to death, locked inside a cold metal cage. Completely alone. That explains your voice. No wonder you scream."
Rose can admit to herself that she doesn't like this side to the Doctor, the way he's mocking his enemy – even if they deserve it and so much worse – and wishes she could do something to help him, more than just staying with him that is, because it sometimes feels like her presence isn't enough to heal the hurt he is obviously feeling.
"THE DOCTOR WILL OPEN THE ARK!" Dalek Sek orders.
The Doctor laughs in a hysterically mocking way. "The Doctor will not."
"YOU HAVE NO WAY OF RESISTING!"
"Well, you have me there." The Doctor says as he walks around the room, his posture relaxed but Rose can see the tension just under the surface. "Although there is always this." He pulls the sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and holds it up for everyone to see.
"A SONIC PROBE!"
"That's screwdriver." The Doctor corrects in an annoyed voice.
His blonde companion rolls her eyes though she does smile in amusement, knowing how proud the Doctor is of his screwdriver and how attached he is to the device.
"IT IS HARMLESS!"
"Oh, yes. Harmless is just a word. That's why I like it! Doesn't kill, doesn't wound, doesn't maim. But I'll tell you what it does do. It very good at opening doors." With that said the Doctor points the sonic screwdriver at the door to the lab and the door slides open. An explosion sounds from the other side and in comes Jake and some of the Cybermen who open fire on their Dalek enemies.
The trio all quickly duck to avoid being caught in the crossfire of the two feuding sides.
"Delete! Delete! Delete!" the Cybermen 'shout' as they continue to fire at the Daleks, who are now returning fire.
From her spot on the floor, Rose isn't surprised when the Doctor moves closer to her and wraps an arm protectively around her to keep her from harm's way as he watches the scene unfolding around them. She also tries to look around but there is too much chaos around for her to focus on anything going on so she waits for a moment when the Doctor will tell her what to do – whether to run stay where she is since she has no idea what his plan is aside from rescuing her from the Daleks.
Some of the Cybermen's shots end up penetrating the Daleks' protective shells.
"ALERT! CASING IMPAIRED! CASING IMPAIRED!" one Dalek shouts as it continues to try and destroy the 'inferior' specimen that is currently doing more damage to them then the Daleks are doing to the Cybermen.
Seeing the moment the Doctor starts ushering Rose towards the door, "Rose! Get out!"
Doing as he said, Rose starts heading to the door as she tries to make herself as small a target as possible.
"FIRE POWER INSUFFICIENT! FIRE POWER INSUFFICIENT!" Dalek Sek cries.
As more shots start whipping over her head Rose stumbles and nearly falls to the floor but manages to catch herself. She is shocked beyond belief when Pete from the other universe – clearly since her own father is dead – comes from the side and helps get her to the door "Come on." He mumbles to her. Once she is at the door she turns around to check the progress of the Doctor and Mickey who are still inside the room amidst the chaos.
Mickey, not one to just sit down and do nothing dives for the gun he brought with him from the other universe and also starts firing at the Daleks as the Doctor also rushes for the door.
"Let's go, Mickey!" the Doctor calls over his shoulder.
"Daleks will be deleted! Delete! Delete!" the Cybermen say.
The Doctor finally makes it to the door and gives Rose's shoulder a comforting squeeze as the two smile at each other before Rose turns her attention back to her friend to see he is still firing at the Daleks with rage burning in his gaze as he tries to destroy them.
"Mickey! Come on!" Rose shouts desperately, afraid that something would happen to her friend if he stayed in the room for much longer.
"ADPET TO WEAPONRY!" the Dalek says.
"FIRE POWER RESTORED!" Dalek Sek says just as they start firing at the Cybermen, easily destroying them.
"Mickey!" Rose calls again.
Mickey looks between his enemies and Rose, debating with himself for a few precious moments before he finally starts moving towards the door.
"CYBERMEN PRIMARY TARGET!"
As the Dalek turns to shoot at the Cyberman it jostles Mickey who stumbles back and touches the Ark with his hand to steady himself. The metal 'burns' his hand and Mickey pulls it away quickly, seeing an imprint of his hand on the surface of the Ark. Remembering what his goal is, Mickey rushes to the door and is joined by Jake who pats his shoulder in relief.
Once everyone is safe outside the room the Doctor seals the door to allow his old foes to continue their battle without anyone else getting hurt.
The Time Lord turns to thee group eyeing them all thoughtfully, "Jake, check the stairwell." The man nods his head and takes off as the Doctor turns to the rest of the group. "The rest of you, come on."
The group all start running down the hall with the Doctor and Rose side by side as they always are. As they run down the hall Mickey moves closer to the Doctor's left side, "I just fell, I didn't mean it!" he defends.
The Doctor looks at him, "Mickey, without us, they'd have opened it by force. To do that, they'd have blown up the sun. You've done us a favour!" he reassures and much to everyone's surprise he kisses the man on the head, though he looks like he regretted that choice when he pulls back, "Now, run!"
Rose cringes slightly at the thought, subconsciously remembering her first real trip with the Doctor and how that whole event played out. She pushes those thoughts to the back of her mind. She reaches out to take the Doctor's hand in hers, which he squeezes reassuringly.
With that the group keep moving down the hall.
They continue to run down the corridors, weaving every which way until they come across two Cybermen pointing weapons at something that is out of sight to the group.
"You will be upgraded!" They declare.
"No, but you can't-"
Rose's heart stops dead in her chest at the sound of her mother's voice. Her mind flashing back to what happened to the Jackie of the alternate universe, bile rising in her throat at thought of that happening to her actual mother.
The Doctor squeezes her hand.
"PLEASE!"
Before anyone can react Pete Tyler shoots both Cybermen from behind, destroying them in an instant. His companions stare at him in awed confusion at the speed in which he defended the woman.
Jackie on the other hand squints through the smoke to see who her rescuer is. Then her eyes widen when she realizes who is before her.
"PETE!"
Rose watches with tears in her eyes as she watches her 'parents' meet. She leans into the Doctor for support which he gives by squeezing her hand tighter and kissing the top of her head.
Mickey feels a little out of place with the pairs. He kind of thought he was done being the third wheel or in this case the fifth wheel.
"Hello Jacks."
"I said there were ghosts." Jackie says in a whiny voice though Rose can see the hope shining in her eyes, "But that's not fair. Why him!?"
Pete smiles a bit at that. "I'm not a ghost."
"But you're dead." Jackie insists. "You died twenty years ago, Pete."
The Doctor reluctantly leaves Rose's side to tentatively step forward to explain the situation to Jackie.
"It's Pete from a different Universe. There are parallel worlds, Jackie. Every single decision we make creates a parallel existence, a different dimension where-"
"Oh, you can shut up." Jackie snaps, her gaze still locked on the only man she's ever loved.
And for once, the Doctor does just that. He knows how stubborn Jackie Tyler is, something her daughter has inherited, and he knows how much her slaps can hurt. So, stepping back to Rose's side he pulls his precious girl back to him, Rose instantly leaning into him.
Mickey, remembering how envious he was of the fact that Rose never looked at anyone but the Doctor can see how much the pair need each other, how their hearts belong to another. He feels a little guilty that he ever tried to split them up. By the Doctor' side is where Rose belongs. Together forever inside the TARDIS.
Pete smiles even more at Jackie.
"You look old." Jackie says after a pregnant pause.
"You don't." he answers easily.
"How can you be standing there?"
"Just got lucky. Lived my life." He smiles sadly for a moment. "You were left on your own. You didn't marry again, or…?"
She shook her head, tears now in her eyes, "There was never anyone else."
Rose releases a small giggle and the two males at her side share a smile as they watch Rose.
"Twenty years, though." Jackie continues. "Look at me – I never left that flat. Did nothing with myself."
"Brought her up." Pete returns while gesturing to the younger blonde woman. "Rose Tyler. That's not bad."
Rose blushes brightly and ducks her head. Both the Doctor and Mickey smile proudly at her.
"Yeah." Jackie whispers.
"In my world, it worked. All those daft little plans of mine. They worked. Made me rich."
"I don't care about that." Jackie denies, "How rich?"
A small laugh escapes Rose's lips at that. She knows her mother is just teasing but in some small part serious at the same time.
"Very."
"I don't care about that… How very?"
Pete laughs before becoming serious again. "Thing is though, Jacks, you're not… you're not my wife. I'm sorry, but you're not." he stumbles over his words. "I mean, we both…"
Jackie nods her head sadly but never takes her eyes off him.
"You know, it's just sort of…" he starts walking towards her, "Oh, come here!"
The two run towards each other, the tears finally leaking from Jackie's eyes. Once they meet, Pete sweeps her up in a bone crushing hug.
At that moment the Doctor pulls Rose towards him by the waist and claims her lips passionately with his not caring that Mickey is there watching them. He pulls away just as suddenly and turns back to address the group, still holding the dazed Rose's hand.
"We have to shift."
The group come across a door that leads into the large weapons room where the Doctor and Jackie had been shown through earlier that day, the one where the Doctor remembers where they had first met Yvonne when they first stepped into this whole disaster. Knowing now that this all was going to happen the Doctor wishes he could go back in time – and not create a paradox – and not come here in the first place, never get involved in this situation at all. But he knows that if he hadn't come there would be no one that could stop this invasion from happening and the human race would fall forever, thus changing all of the future.
The Doctor wrenches open the door and peers around the room at the battle raging inside between the Daleks – who are moving the Ark through the room – the Cybermen and what's left of the Torchwood soldiers. He scans the room for what he's searching for and once he spots the one crate the Doctor waits for the prefect moment to move through the chaos to get what he needs.
Rose notices the look in his eyes and tilts her head suspiciously, "You're not gonna-" she starts but never gets to finish her question because just as she thought he was going to do, the Doctor runs into the room amidst the gunfire. "Doctor!"
She winces every time a shot comes to close to him for comfort and anxiously awaits for him to do whatever it is for him to do.
As the Doctor searches through the crate a brunette woman draws Rose's attention. She is wearing a white lab coat and is hiding near some of the crates beside the one the Doctor is searching through with a gun clutched in her shaking hands – a gun which she is definitely not firing and seems so foreign in her grasp. She looks to be only a few years older than Rose herself and that confuses the blonde even more wondering why she is here in the first place.
Rose doesn't know what it was about this brunette woman that drew her attention to her, but a headache starts behind her eyes much like the one she felt when Dalek Caan had revealed his name to her. This confuses her because Rose has never been one to get chronic headaches and she can't figure out why she is suddenly getting them this intensely.
She is snapped from her musing when, much to her horror and sadness, the brunette scientist spots the Cyberman that has turned its sight onto the oblivious Doctor, and despite her fear she moves from her hiding place, managing to take it down with her weapon because it was not expecting her attack. However, a second later another one of the Cybermen spots this woman and shoots and kills her as well. She drops to the floor in a lifeless lump to the floor.
The second this woman's life is ended the headache stops and Rose just stares at the brunette with guilt and sadness. She couldn't understand why this woman risked her life to save the Doctor especially since Torchwood has declared the Doctor as their number one enemy and they have been treating him like a pariah since his arrival. So, she doesn't understand why this woman would save him at the cost of her own life.
She gave her life for a man supposedly her enemy, a man who she doesn't even know. A man who didn't even see her sacrifice.
Finally, the Doctor pulls two magna clamps from the crate and starts his dash back to the door, while using the clamps to deflect some of the shots aimed at him. Unfortunately, on his way back, the Doctor trips over a downed Cyberman and tumbles to the floor.
Rose moves to help him but Mickey catches her around the waist and holds her back, "Rose you can't!"
She continues to fight his hold as she watches her Time Lord struggle to his feet. "Come on, please!"
After a few minutes of fumbling to regain his footing the Doctor jumps to his feet with the clamps in hand as he rushes to the door once more. He safely makes it the few remaining feet before slipping out of the room and Rose closing the door behind him. The two share a meaningful look that none of their companions miss before the Doctor turns away from her. A second later he opens the door again with the 3D specs perched on his nose once again, trying to figure out what's happening.
"OVERRIDE ROOF MECHANISM!" Dalek Sek orders.
On que, as if by magic, the roof to the warehouse begins to peel open as the Daleks move to the center of the room with the Ark in the middle of their circle.
"ELEVATE!"
Rose, who has leaned into the door behind the Doctor watches this unfolding scene in confusion as the Ark and one of the Dalek's rise into the air and start heading through the now open roof.
"What are they doing? Why do they need to get outside?" she questions the Doctor.
The Doctor shakes his head, trying to think of the answer to this puzzle presented to him, "Time Lord science… What Time Lord science?" He pulls the 3D specs from his face, "What is it?"
Dalek Sek rises through the rook with the Ark while the other Daleks continue their assault on the lesser specimens in the warehouse.
The time travellers close the door and turn to face the rest of the group, worried looks on their faces. Just like they always do the couple start running down the hall with the others quickly giving chase.
"We've got to see what it's doing!" the Doctor explains over his shoulder as they run. "We've got to go back up! Come on! All of you! Top floor!"
"That's forty-five floors up! Believe me, I've done 'em all!" Jackie hollers back.
The Doctor doesn't comment but rolls his eyes in slight frustration.
They keep running towards the stairwell at the end of the hall, none noticing the lift doors sliding open.
"We could always take the lift." Jake says as he leans out of the door of the lift.
The group stop and turn to stare at him before the Doctor smiles and shuffles the group towards the lift.
When the lift reaches the top floor the Doctor dashes from it to the window of the office – dumping the magna clamps down on Yvonne's desk as he passes - with the others filing after him and Rose coming to his side so they can all see what is going on.
About ten feet from the window outside in the air is Dalek Sek with the Ark that is now spinning around at a rapid pace and every few seconds a Dalek comes shooting out one after the other.
The Doctor feels his stomach drop in horror and reaches for Rose who is already pressed into his side, as despondent as he is by this realization.
"Time Lord science…" he breathes in despair as the pieces finally fall into place for him. "It's bigger on the inside."
"Did the Time Lords put those Daleks in there? What for?" Mickey asks, trying to understand what is happening like the couple obviously have.
"It's a prison ship…"
Rose swallows past the lump in her throat, "How many Daleks?"
"…Millions…"
She looks at him in disbelief.
Pete watches the Daleks and Cybermen declare open warfare on each other and start trying to kill each other, killing innocent people caught in the middle of their war, shaking his head in disgust. He walks away from the window back to the center of the room, closer to the bridge that separates the two universes.
"I'm sorry, but you've had it." He says in a cold voice. "This world is gonna crash and burn. There's nothing we can do. We're going home. Jacks, take this. You're coming with us."
He tosses her one of the yellow buttons they use to cross the void without hesitation. After she catches it she stares at it for a heartbeat before looking at him incredulously.
"But they're destroying the city!" she cries in enraged despair.
Pete smiles at her affectionately, "I forgot you argue."
He puts the button around her neck and quickly puts his own around his neck.
"It's not just London, it's the whole world." He explains as softly as he can as he takes her face in his hands, "But there's another world just waiting for you, Jacks. And it's safe." He shifts his gaze to the Doctor, staring the Time Lord down with serious intent in his gaze. "As long as the Doctor closes the breach… Doctor?"
The Doctor slowly moves away from the window with Rose still by his side and the 3D specs perched on his nose again. The manic grin he usually sports firmly planted on his face.
"Oh, I'm ready." He answers confidently as he gestures to everything around him. "I've got the equipment right here. Thank you Torchwood."
Rose smiles affectionately as the Doctor runs to the computer terminal and starts typing furiously.
"Slam it down and close off both universes."
"Reboot systems." A computerized voice says.
Shaking her head Rose moves closer to the Doctor, trying to understand what he's thinking and not liking the feeling that she is so in the dark at this moment.
"But we can't just leave… What about the Daleks? And the Cybermen?" she presses.
The Doctor stands up straight and smiles at Rose, "They're part of the problem. And that makes them part of the solution. Oh yes!"
Rose lets out a somewhat nervous laugh, not sure if she likes where the Doctor is going with this. He has always had a way of making one believe he is going one way when in fact he is going a completely different way altogether. Rose wants to believe she's gotten pretty good at figuring out his plans but the Doctor being who he is, he is still able to throw her through a loop. But still remembering what happened the last time they were in a situation like this Rose stays wary of the man she loves so dearly.
However, Rose also trusts the Doctor knows what he's doing, like he's always done.
To the outside members of the group, the Doctor looks excited and bouncy – like the version of him most of them know, but Rose knows better. Under his manic front he is terrified and is trying his best to not let the fear get the best of him – trying his best to remain strong for his precious girl and those who were counting on him.
"Well?!" he asks excitedly, gesturing to the specs on his face, "Isn't anyone going to ask? What is it with the glasses?"
Smiling, despite the situation and knowing her que when given to her – because the Doctor is a showman as much as anything else, and Rose steps closer with a small smile on her face, "What is it with the glasses?"
"I can see!That's what!" he exclaims, some genuine joy and excitement slipping past the manic mask he's wearing. "Cause we've two separate worlds, but in between the two separate worlds we've got the void."
Rose nods her head, understanding the explanation so far, while the others are somewhat confused but don't say anything.
"That's where the Daleks were hiding. And the Cybermen travelled through the void to get here. And you lot – one world to another, via the void." He pauses a moment to mull over his words. "Oh! I like that. Via the void!"
Rose laughs slightly at his childlike excitement but doesn't say anything.
The Doctor takes the specs of his face and puts them on Rose instead, "Look!"
She blinks a few times to focus her gaze and watches the Doctor as he moves in front of her revealing weird green and red particles dancing around him.
"I've been through it." The Doctor continues, moving around a bit more to make the particles more obvious to Rose. "Do you see?"
Rose reaches out her hand to try and touch the particles. She looks a little strange to the others since they don't know what the two are talking about but Rose doesn't care. After a few moments of her trying to touch the particles the Doctor reaches up to take her hand in his and interlocks their fingers.
Jackie raises a questioning brow at this, not sure what this means though she does has her suspicions, she bites her tongue for this one time – knowing her daughter is no longer a child.
"Reboot in three minutes." The computer chimes at that moment.
The Doctor smiles at Rose, "Void stuff."
Rose stops to think for a moment, "Like… um… Background radiation?"
"That's it!" the Doctor announces happily as he hugs Rose, "Now look at the others."
He moves to stand slightly behind Rose with a hand placed on her shoulder.
She does as he asked and looks at the group standing before them, seeing the particles floating around them just like the Doctor save for her mother.
The Doctor points right at Jackie, "The only one who hasn't been through the void; your mother." He says, "First time she's looked normal in her life."
"Oi!" Jackie snaps back clearly irritated with his comment.
Ignoring the domestics that he hates so much, the Doctor rushes into the breach area one more with Rose following after him – taking off the 3D spec as she follows – and the rest of the chase them.
"The Daleks lived inside the void. They're bristling with it." He explains to the audience with him "Cybermen – all of them. I just open the void and reverse! The void stuff gets sucked back inside."
"Pulling them all in!" Rose exclaims as she finally understand everything.
"Pulling them all in!" the Doctor repeats as he beams proudly at her.
"Sorry…" Mickey interrupts as he steps forward, drawing the pair's attention to him. "What's the void?"
Blinking once since he's not expecting the question from the other man – because he had almost forgotten he was here since he was so wrapped up in Rose and their usual dynamics – the Doctor clears his throat, "The dead space." He replies but notices that the confusion remains on Mickey's face. "Some people call it Hell."
Mickey smirks and loops his transport button around his neck and turns to smile at Jake, "So… you're sending the Daleks and Cybermen to hell." Mickey says proudly. "Man, I told you he was good."
No one notices the dazed look on Rose's face as she sort of zones out of the conversation, trying to work out what she just heard and the conflicting emotions inside her.
"But… it's like you said…" she starts hesitantly a frown on her face. Everyone turns their attention back to her. "We've all got void stuff…" she looks at her own hand, remembering the particles that had been dancing around her own hand when she had reached for the Doctor, "Me too, cause we went to that parallel world…"
The Doctor moves to stand before her with regret and heartbreak in his eyes, taking her hand in his once more.
"We're all contaminated. We'll get pulled in." she whispers as she looks at him.
"That's why you've got to go." The Doctor says past the lump in his throat.
Rose feels her heart breaking and stares at him completely horror struck. After everything they've been through she couldn't understand how the Doctor could suggest that she leave him.
"Reboot in two minutes."
"…No…" Rose denies with a shake of her head.
"Back to Pete's world. Hey! We should call it that; Pete's world." The Doctor says as he gets sidetracked for the moment. Shaking his head he turns back to Rose with a serious expression on his face. "I'm opening the void, but only on this side. You'll be safe on that side."
Rose continues to stare at him uncomprehendingly. After everything they've been through and the relationship they have now plus the promise she made to him she can't believe that he would try to send her away… again. He couldn't do this; they needed each other.
"And then you close it? For good?" Pete clarifies.
The Doctor never takes his eyes off of Rose as the woman processes what his words, as he answers the other man, "The breach itself is soaked with void stuff. In the end it'll close itself. And that's it. Kaput!"
"But…" Rose says as she finally manages to find her voice again. "You're staying on this side…"
Mickey, now that he grasps the situation shakes his head in denial, "But you'll get pulled in." He points out as he tries to help his friend in the only way he can. Mickey knows that he can't stop the Doctor from making his decision but he will still at least voice his opinion.
The Doctor holds Rose's gaze for a moment longer before he moves back to Yvonne's desk. This time Rose doesn't follow him since it feels as if her feet are froze to the floor as she tries to process everything that's happening.
The Time Lord picks up the magna clamps from the desk and walks back to the group, "That's why I got these." He explains, trying not to look at his precious girl since his hearts are breaking just as much as hers is at that moment.
He knows it is the only way to protect her but it is killing him from the inside out to have to let her go.
"I'll just have to hold on tight. I've been doing it all my life." He jokes, though it falls flat to everyone's ears including his own.
"I'm supposed to go." Rose states.
The Doctor visibly flinches at her words. "Yeah."
"To another world, then it gets sealed off." She continues in a whispered breath, but gaining momentum with each word.
"Yeah."
It is obvious to everyone that the Doctor doesn't want to have this conversation, especially to Jackie and Mickey who have firsthand experience with the Doctor's avoidance of important conversations. But it is also obvious that Rose isn't going to let him avoid the conversation since it affects her as well.
They can all see how devastated the couple is with this conversation and the thought of being separated from each other considering neither are trying to hide it in the slightest.
"Forever." Rose says as she remembers her promise from not too long ago – feeling something roaring to life inside her like an inferno – after they started their relationship at Krop Tor. She lets out a humorous, almost dark chuckle. "That's not going to happen."
Before the Doctor can reply – or anyone else can voice their opinion on her statement – an explosion from either outside or somewhere else in Torchwood shakes the entire building and startles the group who look around in alarm.
Pete, a man of action, immediately starts prepping everything for their return to the other universe. "We haven't got time to argue. The plan works, we go." He points a demanding finger at Jackie and Rose, "You too. All of us."
All of Rose's despair turns into a burning rage as she rounds on her 'dad', glaring daggers at him, "No! I'm not leaving him!"
"I'm not going without you, Rose!" Jackie says just as adamantly, not wanting to hear any argument from her daughter.
"Oh my God!" Pete shouts in absolute frustration. In this moment he sounds very much like the husband and father he's denied himself of being all day. "We're going!"
"I've had twenty years without you, so button it! I'm not leaving her!" Jackie snaps as she matches Pete's glare with one of her own.
Rose thinks to herself that though what happened to Pete's Jackie was devastating these two seem better matched. Though he mother has always wanted to live the charmed life she has never forgotten or denied where she's from and has done everything in her power to raise Rose to be independent and to provide her with everything she needs, so she can hold her own and won't let someone walk all over her and will stand up for what she wants. Pete, unlike her father – who Rose will never say was a bad man – he's worked hard for what he has and after what happened with the Cybermen and losing his wife in such a horrific way he is far more assertive and compassionate while also a man who will fight for what he wants. They are equals in every way.
Shaking those thoughts from her mind Rose steps towards her mother and smiles at her tenderly, "Mum, you've got to go."
"No."
"Mum."
"Reboot in one minute." The computer reminds them of their deadline.
Rose takes a deep calming breath as she prepares to explain to her mother why she's not going to the parallel universe. "I've had a life with you for nineteen years. But then I met the Doctor… and all the things I've seen him do for me. For you. For all of us. For the whole stupid planet… and every planet out there. He does it alone mum."
Mickey sees the heartbreak in the Doctor's eyes as he stares at Rose and the meaningful look shared between Pete and the Time Lord.
"But not anymore." Rose states firmly. "Cause now he's got me."
The rest of her speech is cut off when the Doctor catches her around the waist and spins her around to face him, kissing her passionately on the lips. She is so thrown off by his sudden display of affection that she doesn't notice when he pulls the button from his pocket and places it between her hands.
After a minute he pulls away and stares at Pete who catches the hint.
"What are you –"
Rose is once again cut off by Pete pushing the button around his and Jackie's necks which sends the entire group to the parallel universe.
The Doctor takes in a shuddering breath as he stares at the spot where Rose was previously standing, his hearts breaking in his chest. To be without her is the worst thing for him but, he wants her safe, above everything else. He needs her to be safe. Even if it means to live without her forever. If letting her go and never seeing her again is the only way to keep her safe he will make that sacrifice.
Steeling himself once more the Doctor turns back to the computer gets to work saving the world again.
The whole group appear in the parallel universe and Jackie looks around in confused amazement while Rose takes a few stumbling steps as she realizes what the Doctor just did to her; again! She stares at the nearly empty room with hanging wires as if not seeing them at all, rage and betrayal burning through her blood.
Her eyes darken as she stares at the button the Doctor had forced into her hands. "Oh, no you don't." she growls bitterly. "He's not doing that to me again."
Just as she is about to hit the button Jackie catches her hand and glares at her, "You can't do that sweetheart! He sent you here to keep you safe! You can't go back to him, can't you understand that!?"
"I do understand that, mum." Rose replies evenly. She knows exactly why the Doctor sent her here, the reason same as the last time he had done this. "But I'm not staying here. I can't. If I stay in this world, I'll die. Not my body but my spirit. You know that'll happen. I can't live without the Doctor. I need to be with him, mum."
"No… Rose, it's dangerous being with him and he sent you here to keep you safe." Jackie continues to argue, desperate tears clouding her vision. "He wants you to live your life."
"Mum, I'm sorry but I have to go back."
"Then go babe." Mickey says with complete conviction.
Jackie's eyes widen in shock as she whirls around to face the young man she views as a member of the family, with betrayal written on her face. "Mickey!"
Rose smiles at him in surprise gratitude though she is saddened as she realizes this is his way of saying goodbye to her.
"He needs you, he's made that perfectly clear." Mickey continues. "And you love him. Have since the moment you met him, when he was all big ears and leather." She can see the sincerity in his eyes. "So go. You two belong together, have since the moment you met."
"Thank you." Rose whispers to her friend, a friend she had hurt so badly. She nods his head once with sadness in her eyes before she slams her hand down on the button and disappears from the room in a flash of light.
Jackie spins around to the spot where her daughter was once standing, "ROSE!"
"I think this is the on switch." Rose says as she reappears in the room.
The Doctor looks up from where he's working at the desk and stares in horror when he spots Rose standing in the room once more. Both fear and joy are warring inside his chest as he stares at his precious girl. She can't be here! She shouldn't be here! He sent her away for a reason and she just came back!
"Rose!?"
Marching forward he grabs her by the shoulders and leans down so he is perfectly eye level with her, "Once the breach closes that's it." He states adamantly. "You will never be able to see her again! Your own mother!"
Tears shine in Rose's eyes but she doesn't let them fall as she replies calmly, "I made my choice a long time ago, and I'm never going to leave you."
"…Rose-"
"'Sides, you grabbed two of those things!" Rose points out, talking about the magna clamps. "You knew I was coming back, yeah? Partners, you and I."
The Doctor stares at her completely stunned by her words and observation – the fact that she knew he would send her away as well. He knew she made the promise to stay with him – many have made the same promise in the past – but he never thought that Rose would give up her mother, her best mate and her chance at a normal family and life just to be with him. He thought no one would ever want to stay with him like that. He slowly releases her.
"So… what can I do to help?" she asks him.
"Systems rebooted. Open access." The computer prompts snapping the Doctor from his daze and he breaks his gaze with Rose to move to one of the two terminals while pointing at the other one.
"Those co-ordinates, set them all to six." He instructs.
Rose quickly moves over to the console and starts typing away at the keyboard. She tries her best to ignore the Doctor's watchful gaze as she works.
"And hurry up." He says almost angrily.
Rose leans over the computer and takes off the button so the Doctor can't pull the same trick twice. She throws a nervous glance at the Doctor, doubt beginning to bubble inside her. Had she misjudged him? Maybe he didn't just send her away to keep her safe, but because it was his way of telling her he didn't want to continue with the relationship they had started.
She knows it's wrong to doubt him this way, but the Doctor has made it quite clear that he doesn't do domestics and that he doesn't normally get this close to his companions. She is beginning to wonder if maybe he regrets starting the romantic relationship with her and that sending her away was his way of telling her that. Either way, she isn't going to leave him, even if he chooses to end their relationship she is staying with him; forever.
The readings on the screen pull her from her thoughts, "We've got Cybermen on the way up."
He runs across the room to stand at her side and looks at the screen, "How many floors down?"
"Just one."
The pair watch the screen briefly and are surprised when one Cyberman stops the advancing army at the top of the stairs and begins firing at them. Since there is no sound they have no idea why this Cyberman has turned against its kind but are grateful for it all the same.
Moving away quickly, the Doctor types on the command computer, "Levers operational."
The Doctor grins at Rose, giving her the first smile since she returned to him and relieving some of the doubt from her chest.
"That's more like it, bit of a smile!" she declares, "The old team."
The Doctor picks of the magna clamps and walks towards her, "Hope and Glory, Mutt and Jeff, Shiver and Shake!"
"Which one's Shiver?"
"Oh, I'm Shake." He says before dumping one of the clamps in her arms.
As he stares at her the Doctor swallows thickly. There is so much he needs to say to her, but knows that now is not the time. Once this is all over he will tell her everything he never has but first they have to stop the invasion.
They share a meaningful look before she nods, understanding him better than anyone else ever has.
Moving as one, they run to opposite sides of the room and press their magna clamps against the wall. They look at each other over their shoulders.
"Press the red button." The Doctor instructs.
Doing as he says they attach the clamps to the wall. They can see the Daleks heading for the building through the large window.
"When it starts, just hold on tight." The Doctor explains quickly, knowing that we're running out of time. "Shouldn't be too bad for us but the Daleks and the Cybermen are steeped with void stuff." He turns to look at her seriously, "Are you ready?"
They move to their assigned levers.
"Yes." She says before nodding at the window. "And so are they."
"Let's do it!"
They pushed the levers into the online position and sprint to the magna clamps, grabbing them tightly.
"Online."
At the moment, the windows smash open as the Daleks are sucked into the void, screaming as they pass the pair who are pulled off their feet but still hold desperately to their clamps. The white light and wind fill the room along with the screams of their enemies as they are all pulled back into the void.
Rose and the Doctor hold onto the clamp, trying to maintain their hold as the void tries to pull them in as well.
"The breach is open!" The Doctor exclaims excitedly, triumph in his voice as his plan comes together. "Into the void. Ha!"
Rose smiles at the Doctor who returns it as the wind continues to billow around them.
Just when they think everything is going to work out, that nothing can go wrong a sudden burst of sparks comes from Rose's lever as it slides into the offline position. Their smiles instantly fade as both look at the downed lever.
"Offline." The computer announces as if mocking them.
Rose releases the clamp with one hand to reach for the lever. "I've got to turn it on!"
"Be careful!" the Doctor shouts as fear stops his heart in his chest as he watches Rose.
The suction of the void begins to ease while Rose reaches for the lever while retaining her hold on the clamp but it is just out of her reach. Eventually she realizes she has no option and releases the clamp, falling into the lever.
She struggles with it as she tries to push the lever back into place, her feet sliding back against the slight suction that is still present within the room.
The Doctor watches helplessly as she struggles with the lever, his hearts in his throat and stomach. Dread begins to consume him.
Finally, with a great deal of effort she manages to get the lever back upright.
"Online and locked."
Now with the lever back in position the suction picks up instantly giving Rose no chance to get back to her clamp and only the lever to hold onto as the wind pulls her horizontal once more.
"Rose! Hold on!" The Doctor cries desperately as his hearts plummet as he watches her cling to the lever.
But the void continues to pull at her, making in next to impossible for Rose to hold onto the lever. She winces with the effort, letting out a painful cry as her body is strained beyond its limits.
"HOLD ON!" the Doctor cries, panic and terror now consuming him.
Rose moans in pain, her strength almost completely spent as she is down to her last few fingers. The Doctor stares at her in absolute horror as he reaches out to her helplessly, knowing there is nothing he can do to save her but knowing he can't lose her either.
With one last cry, Rose slips away from the lever and is pulled towards the void screaming in terror as she falls.
"ROSE!" the Doctor screams as he watches her fall away from him.
He always knew that one day he would lose her, he just never thought it would be like this. He always thought he would lose her to time or that she would choose to leave like everyone else did. But to lose her like this?
And watching her fall he realizes what an idiot he had been by fighting what was between them from the beginning. He had been an idiot to deny what he felt for her. Now he is going to lose her to the void, never to see her again. And there was so much he still has to tell her, most important of which is; he loves her. More than anything in the universe, he loves her and he never told her that. He'll never get the chance to tell her.
The two both continue to scream as Rose continues to fall towards the void, both trying to memorize the faces of the other for the last time they will see them.
She is mere feet away from the void when she gets a headache once more and the world seems to go black around her.
Suddenly, Rose hits the wall with a sickening thud and falls to the floor in a lump.
As the suction dies completely and the Doctor is standing firmly on his feet, he stares at Rose's limp form for a moment. His body reacts before his mind and he is sprinting across the room to her side as fast as his feet will carry him. He kneels beside her as he tries to process what just happened.
The void closed before Rose had fallen into it. According to his time sense Rose she had fallen into the void before it closed but somehow it happened the other way around. As much as that thought should trouble him the Doctor finds at this moment he doesn't much care. Rose is still here with him. She's still in the same universe as him.
He notices that she still hasn't moved and pulls the sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and uses it to scan her body. He finds that she has a cracked skull from the impact and runs it over the injury a few times to mend it as best he can here.
With that done Rose lets out a low groan and he looks at her in panic, "Rose?!" he calls gently.
He brushes his fingers gingerly over her cheek as he tempts to wake her, "R-Rose? Wake up, please?"
For a heart-wrenching moment there is no reply from her but Rose groans again and slowly opens her eyes. "Doc… tor?" she whispers.
"Rassilon." He breathes. "Thank Rassilon." The Doctor helps her into a sitting position and checks her for more injuries as she looks at him somewhat dazedly, "Are you alright?"
"I… I think so…?" she whispers as she looks around the room. "What happened?"
"Dunno really. The void just closed before you fell in." the Doctor answers honestly.
"…Convenient…" Rose replies, not sure what to believe, still trying to figure out why she blacked out in the first place but decides to keep that information to herself.
The Doctor takes her hands in his and helps her to her feet. He notices instantly the dark bruise on her wrist – wondering how he missed it the first time – and gently waves the sonic over the injury, the blonde blinking and looking at her wrist as if it is foreign to her.
"Fractured. Should heal in a few weeks." He explains, Rose nodding in response. "I can heal it better once we're back on the TARDIS, your head too."
When he gets no reply the Doctor looks at Rose to see she is now staring at the white wall with sad eyes and a frown on her face.
"Rose?"
"Hmm?" she replies absently.
"You alright?"
"I'm never going to see her again." Rose whispers.
He brushes some strands of her hair from her face as his hearts break for her, "I'm sorry, Rose."
She shakes her head, "Not your fault. I made my choice… I just… I didn't even say goodbye to her…"
She turns to the wall and gently places her uninjured hand against the cold wall. She blinks in surprise when she feels some warmth beneath her hand.
The Doctor watches as Rose leans her cheek and palm flat against it, realizing she can probably feel her mother on the other side of the void in the few fleeting moments before the two sides are completely sealed off from each other. Jackie is most likely doing the same thing as Rose as the two savour the last contact they will ever have with each other.
After a few moments Rose pulls away from the wall and turns back to the Doctor with a blank look upon her face, "Let's go home… before the police show up to question us, yeah?"
"Of course." He agrees as the two start heading back to the TARDIS.
His hearts soar at the word Rose used to describe the TARDIS but also break a second later when he remembers what she just gave up to remain by his side. He knows that it was her choice but he can't stop the guilt he feels at the fact that she did it for him.
They find the TARDIS down in the warehouse where Yvonne had left it, looking a little worse for wear with all the burns on her but otherwise alright.
The Doctor quickly unlocks the door and moves aside to allow Rose entrance before him. Once they're both inside the Doctor locks the door and hurries over to the console, sending them into the void as he always does. When he turns back around Rose is still standing by the doors with a dazed look on her face and staring at nothing in particular.
"Rose?" he calls gently as he walks back towards her.
She doesn't answer him as he continues to walk back to her and this concerns him even more.
"Rose, are you alright?"
Once again she doesn't answer him but when the Doctor stops before him and reaches out to take her hands in his Rose slaps him across the face in a way that would make her mother proud, her eyes ablaze with rage and dark with grief.
"You sent me away!" she screams. "You sent me away again!"
"Rose…"
He knows that there is rage for his actions but that most of the reaction was stemming from her grief over her loss and the Doctor was willing to bear the full weight of her emotions if it would help her.
"I promised to stay with you and you decide at the first sign of trouble to send me away without talkin' to me!" she rants, tears leaking down her cheeks. "You were going to separate us forever and decided that it was best for me without considering what I wanted!"
"I'm sorry." He breathes.
She slams her fists against his chest over and over again but the Doctor does nothing but allow her to vent her anger because he knows it's what she needs at this moment.
"You sent me away! You sent me away! You sent me away!" she chants over and over again. This pattern continues for several minutes until all Rose does is break down in sobs and the Doctor catches her as she collapses to the ground, holding her firmly against his chest and carding his fingers through her arms.
"I'm sorry, Rose." He whispers against her hair. "I'm sorry."
She has just lost her entire family and best mate because of him – even if she says it was her decision. She had lost everything because he couldn't stop the invasion any other way. He couldn't stop the invasion because he couldn't let her go when he had the chance. He also forgot that Rose would fight her way back to him even if he sent her away, even if it was to keep her safe because that's what Rose has always done. He can't help but think she may leave him alone now when her shock wears off because of everything she's lost for him. He fears that all the love she feels for him will turn to hate because of what he's cost her.
Pushing that thought to the back of his mind the Doctor scoops the distraught girl up into his arms and carries her bridal style down the corridor. Under normal circumstances the Doctor would have brought her back to her room but after everything they've been through today and almost losing her to the void he can't bear to part with her. He needs to keep her as close as humanly possible.
Soon enough the TARDIS shows the Doctor the familiar blue door with the swirling designs upon it and pushes the door open with his butt, sending a wave of gratitude to the TARDIS for her help. He strolls over to the large bed in swift strides. Keeping Rose cradled to his chest the Doctor clearly the bed of all the scrolls, maps, star charts and books that he usually left there because he doesn't normally sleep, dumping them on the floor. After that's done the Doctor climbs into the bed and holds Rose close to him.
The blonde clings to him as she continues to sob.
Two weeks have passed since the battle and they had remained in the vortex for most of that time as the Doctor allowed Rose time to deal with her loss. He has been there as silent support and allows her the space she needs but letting her know he is there if she needs him.
However, today was different because Rose had come to him and asked her to take her somewhere, which he did without hesitation.
Rose is currently sitting quietly upon the barren tundra in the warm jacket the TARDIS had provided her with and just stares at the frozen waves before her – both mesmerised by their beauty and sadden by the loss she had suffered.
She doesn't regret her decision to stay by the Doctor's side, she will never leave him, just as she promised, but she does regret her parting with her mother. She hadn't even said goodbye, so focused on getting what she wanted and fighting for that, Rose hadn't realized that she was leaving without saying the two things she should have.
A single tear slides down her cheek as Rose continues to stare out at the landscape before her.
She is so lost in her thoughts that she doesn't hear when the Doctor comes up behind her and jumps in surprise when he wraps his arms around her to pull her to his chest, though she does relax almost immediately.
"Sorry." He mumbles into the hood of her jacket.
"It's alright." She returns just as faintly, giving his arms a gentle squeeze but never taking her eyes off the waves frozen in time.
He waits a few beats of silence before bringing up the reason he came to get her in the first place, "I have something for you."
Rose blinks and turns her head to look at him over her shoulder, "What?"
The Doctor shakes his head, "You have to come back to the TARDIS to find out."
Though not in the mood to play any of these types of games, Rose is curious as to what this is all about and takes his offered hand as she rises to her feet. After brushing off the 'dust' from her jacket she follows him back to the TARDIS and follows him inside, closing the door behind her.
Once she is inside the Doctor flips as switch on the TARDIS and the ship gives a small lurch as she moves but other than that gives no movement which raises Rose's confusion as she removes her jacket.
"Come here." He instructs as he moves around the console. Noticing that she still has her jacket looped over her arm the Doctor takes it from her. "Throw that away."
And just like that he discards the piece of fabric over one of the coral struts and grabs Rose's hand to lead her over to where he needs her to be. Once he has her there the Doctor smiles gently and puts comforting hands on her shoulders.
"What's going on?" she questions.
"I've been working on this for weeks. Didn't want to tell you until I was sure."
"Sure of what?"
"There's a small gap left in the universe… It's not enough to cross over but it is enough for you to say goodbye."
"What are you saying?" she presses, a little frustrated right now with his roundabout way of talking to her.
"Close your eyes and think of your mum."
Rose sighs and sends a pained look the Doctor's way, "Doctor, I really don't think-"
"Rose." He cuts off her protest. "Just trust me, yeah?"
Sighing once more, Rose closes her eyes and does what the Doctor has asked of her, thinking over the nineteen years she spent with her mother. She feels as the Doctor lets go of her shoulders but doesn't open her eyes as to figure out why he's done so.
She focuses on thoughts of her mother and everything that she wishes she could say to her. It feels like an eternity when in fact it's only a few minutes when Rose hears what sounds like waves crashing somewhere to her left.
"Rose?" her mum's voice breaks through her thoughts.
Rose's eyes snap open and she finds herself standing on a beach with her mother standing before her. Mickey and Pete are off to the side leaning against a jeep. The wind is blowing around them but Rose is untouched by it which is her reminder that she is still in the TARDIS and not on the beach with her mother.
"Hi." Rose whispers.
"Hello." Jackie returns. The two smile sadly at each other as Jackie moves closer. "Where are you?"
"Inside the TARDIS. There is a tiny gap left in the universe which we're using to send this projection." She laughs a little.
"What's that mean?" Jackie asks, though there are more important things to be talking about right now.
"We're just a projection, not really here." The Doctor answers from his spot – out of sight of the mother and his voice like a whisper on the wind. "Takes a lot of power to do that… burning up a sun just to say goodbye."
Rose sees the heartbreak on her mother's face and how she tries to push it away in hope that this isn't what it seems to be.
"You look like a ghost." Jackie says, ignoring the part of this being Rose's goodbye. She can't imagine never seeing her daughter again.
Rose blinks and turns to look at the Doctor.
"Hold on." He says as he pulls his sonic screwdriver from his pocket and points it at the time rotor. Jackie takes another step closer as she reaches out to touch Rose.
"Can I -?" she asks.
Rose glances at the Doctor who shakes his head and the blonde turns to her mother. "I'm still just an image mum… No touch."
Jackie lets out a sob and Rose wants desperately to reach out to her but knows there is nothing she can do. Also, if her hand were to just pass through her mum it would break her and she can't afford that.
"Can't you just come through properly?" Jackie questions.
The Doctor comes to stand next to Rose, making himself visible to Jackie.
"The whole thing would fracture, Jackie." He states sadly. "Two universes would collapse."
"I don't care."
"You know we can't, mum." Rose replies to her mother.
The Doctor looks around for a distraction. "Where are we? Where did the gap come through?"
"In bloody Norway."
"Norway. Right."
"About fifty miles out of Bergen." Jackie continues, her tone softer now, a note of defeat to it. "It's called Darlig Ulv Stranden."
"Dalek?!" both the Doctor and Rose question in alarm.
"Darlig." Jackie corrects. "It's Norwegian for bad." The two continue to look at her and Jackie lets out a sigh. "It translates to Bad Wolf Bay."
The pair show a knowing look at the irony of this but return their focus on Jackie a moment later.
"How long have we got?"
"About two minutes." The Doctor answers the distraught mother solemnly.
Another sob burst past Jackie's lips as tears leak from her eyes.
"I can't think of what to say!"
"Neither can I." Rose admits sadly, tears escaping from the corner of her eyes. She glances over a Pete and Mickey. "You still got them though. Mickey's taking care of you, yeah?"
Jackie nods, glancing over her shoulder at the two men before turning back to her daughter. "There's five of us now. Me, your dad, Mickey and his gram… and … and the baby."
"You're not?" Rose asks, her face lighting up with joy for her mother.
"Three months gone. More Tylers on the way." The woman says proudly with her hands on her stomach. "And this little one's going to hear all about their big sister, they are."
Rose looks away, "Not much to tell."
"You shut up now." Jackie snaps at her daughter. "Rose Tyler, you saved the universe, two of 'em in fact. And you have been doing that since you met 'im. But you were amazing long before that and this baby is going to know all about their big sister; Rose Tyler the Defender of the Earth."
"Mum…"
Jackie now turns her attention to the Doctor who is silently staring at Rose like she is the most important thing in the universe. She sees as the Time Lord takes her daughter's hand within his.
"And you best take care of her Doctor." She orders, "You're all she has now and she gave up her family for you so you better not send her away or abandon her on some distant planet never to see you again." Her glare turns dark, "Or I will tear my way through that void thingy to slap you into yer next face!"
The Doctor chuckles dryly. "I believe you could. I give you my word Jackie, I will never abandon Rose and do everything within my power to keep her safe."
"I'll hold you to that."
"You're officially dead back home." Rose says suddenly. "So am I, I suppose." Her mother raises a brow. "So many people died that day and you've gone missing, as have I. We're on a list for the dead."
"You're not going to correct that?" Jackie asks in confusion.
"There's nothing for me to go back to anymore without you and Mickey there." Rose explains truthfully. "The TARDIS is my home now."
They both know they're running out of time but neither can think of anything to say but both having so much.
"Am I ever going to see you again?" Jackie asks hopefully.
"You can't." Rose returns, effectively killing her mother's last hope. "I'm sorry, mum." She finally blurts out. "I'm sorry I left the way I did. I never said goodbye or that I love you, and I do, I do love you."
"Oh, sweetheart, I know." Jackie soothes, even as both begin to cry harder. "I love you too, so much. And I am so proud of you."
"Goodbye mum. I love you."
"I love you –"
The rest is cut off as the beach fades from view and the Doctor and Rose are once more inside the TARDIS.
Rose begins crying uncontrollably and the Doctor pulls her to his chest, rocking them gently as he lets her cry. A single tear slips from the Time Lord's eye as he morns the loss of Jackie Tyler. The two may not have been on the best of terms but he did care for the woman and is sadden by the fact that he'll never see her again. Sad for the fact that Rose will never see her own mother again.
The two remain in each other's embrace even as Rose's tears stop and she is no longer crying, just enjoying his presence.
Movement on the other side of the console draws the Doctor's attention and while still holding Rose he leans over to see a red haired woman in a wedding dress standing with her back to them, facing the door.
"What?" he asks in utter confusion.
Rose turns to see what he is staring at and the bride whips around at the sound of his voice. She lets out a yelp of surprise as she looks at the pair before her.
"What?!" the Doctor says again, his vast vocabulary failing him at the moment.
"Who are you?" the bride questions.
Rose looks down at the console before looking at the bride again, "But-"
"Where am I?!" the bride shouts at them.
"What?!" The Doctor says once again, his mind a complete blank as he tries to understand what is before him.
"What the hell is this place?!" the redhead continues, not caring about the couple's confusion.
"What?!"
"Well… This is new…" Rose says as she looks between the Doctor and their new guest.
Life with the Doctor is never boring.
AN: So, the first two chapters will be relatively the same as they were previously but with some tweaks to get it away from plagiarism and as I said, to fit my new idea but when Martha appears is when the real changes will kick in.
Once again I would like to apologize to everyone for having to restart the story but also to mltrefry for unintentionally stealing your story.
I will try to update this story more frequently so I can get back to the episode I was at when I pulled the original and so I can continue from there. Please stay with me.