Journey Amongst the Stars

By Lumendea

Chapter Fourteen: Family of Blood: Shocks

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or any of the spinoff material and I gain no income off of this story, just the satisfaction of playing with the characters.

…

Rose struggled to stay aware. She was laid out on the examination table except that there was a machine that didn't look quite right next to it. Luke had the thing open, and K-9 was up on a counter beside him. Rose's ears were ringing now, and she could barely hear. The Mother's voice was starting to seep in. It was mocking her and promising pain. There was a sharp pain as the Mother tried to access her recent memories. Rose kept her defenses up as much as she could. Not having to stand was helping, but it was draining.

"He never said it was like this," Rose slurred.

"Who, honey?" Shireen asked gently. She was holding Rose's hand while Sharon did something just outside of her view.

"The Doctor," Rose groaned. "Never said that keeping my mind safe would feel this bad."

"It's probably the fault of what you're keeping yourself safe from," Shireen said very reasonably. "But keep fighting. We're going to take care of you. We're not going to let the Mother take you."

"What about the others?" Rose demanded.

"They're working on it," Mickey said. He was standing by the door, watching her with a worried frown. "Try not to worry. K-9 gave them a lot of information. We know their weaknesses."

He took her hand and squeezed it gently. Rose grabbed on tight. Tears gathered in her eyes, and she slammed them closed, trying to hide her fear. The pain was building behind her eyes. The Doctor had always been careful during their lessons, mindful of the weight of his mind when compared to hers, but the Mother didn't care. She was ramming against Rose's shields with the frantic attacks of something that knew that they were going to die.

"Rose, we're here," Luke said. He touched her arm, and she could hear the worry and determination in his voice. He sounded so much like his mother. "We're ready when you are."

"Just do it," Rose ordered. "Luke, you should go."

"I'm not leaving you."

"Luke, step back." Sharon's voice was firm, and Rose heard movement. Something cool and small was pressed against her head. Then another one and another. "Rose, just stay calm. Try to control your breathing. Hopefully, this won't hurt."

"Let me guess, electrical shocks," Rose muttered.

"Something like that," Shireen said across the room. "Focus on your shields. Do everything you can to keep the Mother out."

Rose regretted giving Alistair the watch. Her neck was empty without the weight. Just holding it and feeling the Doctor's mind would have helped. Mickey's grip was firm. A feminine hand took her other hand. Probably Sharon or Shireen. Inhaling slowly, Rose tried to relax her body. It was difficult; the pain was growing with each passing moment. Suddenly, a sharp jolt of pain rattled her jaw and made her hiss. Something shifted in her head. Rose wasn't sure if that was good or not. A hiss of pain escaped her. She tried to pull away, but the comforting hands suddenly were holding her in place. Someone grabbed her shoulders to keep her pressed down. More hands were on her legs as she started to kick.

"Hurts," Rose whimpered. "Hurts."

"I know, honey," Mickey said.

"The Family-"

"Let the Stewarts handle it," Shireen said firmly. Her tone left no room for argument.

"But, I-"

"Rose." It was Sharon right next to her. Rose forced open her eyes. When had she closed them? Her friend was leaning over her, a frown marring her features and her eyes burning intently. "Rose, the TARDIS brought you to this time. Of all the time periods and planets she could have chosen, she brought you to your friends. Let your friends help you. Let UNIT protect the Doctor. She brought you to us for a reason."

Stunned, Rose stared at her friend. People were moving in the small medical unit, but Sharon and Mickey were beside her. Her eyes jumped over to Luke, K-9, and Shireen who were studying what Rose was pretty sure was an image of her brain. They were here. It was hard to breathe. The grip of Mickey's hand became stronger.

"We're here," Mickey whispered. "We're here."

Nodding, Rose struggled to keep breathing. Another shock rippled along her side, and she twitched. She dropped her head back and closed her eyes tightly. The pounding against her shields was getting impossibly worse. Whatever plan K-9 and Luke had, she hoped that it worked fast.

…

Alistair stared out at the Family through his binoculars and resisted the urge to curse. It was strange being back in the thick of things. He'd been trying to stay at least semi-retired, but having a younger body again had made that difficult. At least he hadn't had many normal friends that he'd needed to cut contact with. Boredom came more easily when you were young and had the ability to do things. UNIT had been more than happy to call him back in beyond training sessions and lectures. At first, he'd been concerned about Kate, but she didn't mind him around at all. It was a surprise. A pleasant surprise, but a surprise none the less.

"They're just standing them," Alistair muttered. "Watching us, but not making a move."

"The soldiers are setting up the perimeter. We have the gas," Kate said. "And the cages will be here any moment."

"I hope they are as strong as you think."

"They'll hold up," Kate said firmly. "I confirmed the strength with K-9 and Spock."

"Ah, did the computer have anything to add?"

"Technically the computer is only the interface," Kate corrected. There was a hint of amusement in her voice. "Spock is a Xylok. He didn't have any additional information. They are a rare species due to their aggression and short lifespans. Apparently, these four even managing to leave their planet is something of an achievement."

"One I could do without." Alistair glared at the Family as anger welled up inside of him. "Hunting the Doctor, really?"

"He's made himself human according to Rose so he must have been worried."

"At least he came to our time," Alistair said. He was sharply aware of the watch in his pocket. He didn't' understand it, but Rose's desire to hand it off when the Mother jumped into her certainly hinted at its importance. "I would have preferred him coming straight to us. We could have put him up as a scientist and kept him safe."

"You know that he needs some distance nowadays." Kate's tone was firm with an undercurrent of pity. Alistair didn't like the idea of anyone pitying his old friend. Sympathy was fine, but the Doctor would chafe under pity. "He hates the firearms and military titles now."

"Yes, I know. Doesn't mean that this blasted situation doesn't worry me. It's been difficult on Rose."

"She'll be alright. We know that. You've met-"

"Time can change, Kate. Me meeting a young Time Lord named after me doesn't guarantee anything. And their children can't come to help because that would just put them at risk and give the Family more targets." Alistair huffed and glared out at the unmoving figures. "The sooner we surround that lot in gas and get them into the cages, the happier I'll be."

"As well I."

"Any update on Rose?"

"They're working on some kind of electrical shock system." Kate shivered but didn't flinch. "Their goal is to disrupt the electrical signals of the parasite. The impression I got is that doing so will kill it."

"Let's hope so. Have you sent anyone to Cambridge?"

"Just two men, Ross and Higgins. I was going to send Smith as well, but he's needed here." Kate glanced his way. "Plainclothes only. I don't want to draw attention to him."

Alistair nodded in agreement. His daughter was right. While this all would have been easier if the Doctor had just come to them, he supposed that this wasn't the worst result. He felt for the four people they'd lost thus far, but Rose's fear and the very action that the Doctor had taken spoke to the very real danger of the Family.

"I wish they'd move," he grumbled.

"They're likely waiting for the fourth member," Kate answered. She shivered at her words. "So far, they've always stayed together. We're lucky that it went for Rose and not you."

"It's the mother. They seem to have gender preferences."

"Still, Dad."

Her hand touched his arm. For a moment, Alistair was tempted to remind her that they were on duty, but decided against it. They had control of the situation, and at this point, he doubted that a human display would lose him respect. Instead, Alistair nodded his understanding of her point. He wasn't sure about this mild telepathy that Thorn had developed, but he was certainly not that strange. Still, it made him think about that Eternal that had run from Rose. There was something odd about the girl.

His hand went into his pocket, and he touched the watch that Rose had given him to reassure himself that it was there. Perhaps, he should hand it off to a soldier and send them to London. But… if it was what he thought it might be then putting it into the hands of someone curious could spell disaster. Why the Doctor had chosen this method with an object that was so easily mislaid escaped Alistair.

He didn't understand the old boy's decision, and he didn't approve of the Doctor putting so much on Rose, but he was grateful that Rose trusted him so much. Still, it only reaffirmed in his mind that the TARDIS should have come to UNIT. Rose and the Doctor's human form could have been well protected. Then again, he had a sneaking suspicion that the Doctor wouldn't have minded if Rose had chosen to stay on Earth and never open the watch. It would have been a means to escape the memories that haunted him. But if the Doctor truly expected that outcome, then he didn't know Rose Tyler. It was a mess, and Alistair was uncertain what the Doctor's hopes regarding events had been.

"Dad, the cages are here." Relief filled Kate's voice, and Alistair turned slightly to watch the trucks roll up. Strapped to their backs were large clear boxes roughly 8 feet by 8 feet. The men rushed forward to lower the back ramp and start freeing them. He noted with a sharp eye that they were being slid off onto rolling carts. Good, they'd need the mobility. Small holes were on the side, and he frowned.

"The holes will be sealed," Kate assured him. "They'll allow us to pump in argon gas."

"Good. Now we have to get the Family into them."

"Rose might be able to help with that," Kate said. She shifted closer to him. "After all… they won't wait for their Mother forever."

"Unlikely." Alistair's grip around the watch tightened. It was cool to the touch and completely inanimate. He wished that he could have gotten a hint of advice from his old friend. "But I suspect they'll know that Rose is in control of the body if you're trying to set a trap."

"Maybe, but maybe not." Kate frowned. "They can see what we're doing. I don't like that."

"Yes, but we can keep an eye on them." Alistair studied the trio once again and noted that the remaining female seemed to be talking to the others. "Let's move quickly. I don't want them making plans of their own."

Kate nodded, and Alistair tried to remain optimistic. This wasn't the worst situation he'd ever been in. Far from it. He'd have trouble determining the worst, though mutiny against UNIT when aliens were telepathically taking over children was a strong contender. The memory of that event actually made him feel better. They'd been through worse, and they'd always managed to come out on the other side.

He eyed the cages and the Family thoughtfully. There was no clever way of doing this. They'd have to proceed with brute force if they were going to get the Family into their cages. For an instant, he felt something like pity, but it vanished quickly. They wouldn't be cruel about this. With the gas, they could make sure that the creatures couldn't take over other bodies and keep them isolated from potential hosts until their lifespan was exhausted. Straightening his shoulders, Alistair prepared himself for the next stage of the operation.

….

The shocks hadn't hurt badly at first, but now tears were gathered in Rose's eyes, and she was clenching her teeth tightly. Every so often, one of the jolts made her body tremble or a limb jump, but she was still in one place. The solid presence of Mickey beside her helped even as a whimper was torn from her throat.

"It's working," Mickey said. "The alien's presence is fading." His voice was gentle and anchored Rose back to reality. "Just a few more, Rose." His grip on her hand tightened.

A whimper escaped Rose as her body shuddered. Wasn't electroshock illegal or something? Probably was, for this reason. Then the pressure in her head was suddenly gone. There was no more banging on the shields. Instead, Rose heard a faint cry, and then there was silence. She could breathe again. It hurt, but it was a good sort of hurt.

Rose groaned and tried to lift her head. She couldn't. Everything was fuzzy. The banging in her head had stopped, and the pain was easing. Her whole body was weak, but there was a strange tingling across her skin. Mickey was still beside her, but his brown eyes were calmer now, and he was smiling a little.

"We got it!" Luke leaned over her, grinning like a loon. "The electricity worked! The alien signals are completely gone!"

Her godson's voice rattled in her head, adding to the stabbing pain, but the joyful tone helped reassure her. Rose's head fell back against the pillow, and she groaned. Closing her eyes, she did her best to push her other senses into working. Someone was beside her, checking her pulse and the steady beeping of machines continued.

"Easy, Luke." That was Mickey's voice. "We just shocked her. Give Rose a few minutes to recover."

Mickey was wonderful. Rose sighed in relief. The pain was beginning to clear a little, but she didn't dare lower the shields that she had locked in place. She thought it might be the first time that they'd held up when she wasn't conscious. The Doctor had said that eventually, that would happen, but today it seemed was the day for it.

"Pulse is good," Sharon said. "Rose, honey, can you hear us?" She nodded and heard a collective sigh of relief. "Does your head hurt?" Rose nodded again. "Okay, I'm leaving the sensors on a little longer. I want to make sure that you're okay."

Rose heard the rest of what was being said. They thought the alien was gone but weren't sure. That was fine; she wanted to be sure. Then she heard a hint of static and then a voice came through Mickey's radio calling him and others outside. Rose opened her eyes and started to sit up.

"No," Shireen said. Her friend suddenly appeared beside her. "No, you are staying here."

"But the Family-"

"You are in no condition to help," Sharon said. "Besides, there's only three now."

"That's not-"

"Rose," Shireen said firmly. "Let your friends take care of this. Just this once."

Defeated and unable to get up, Rose sighed and slumped back. She didn't need to look at her friends to know that they were smiling triumphantly. Outside, she heard shouting and something heavy being moved, but she couldn't see what was happening. Then Mickey came back inside and pressed something into Rose's hand before rushing back out. Rose's fingers tightened around the familiar shape of the pocket watch.