'The thing about time travel,' Rose wrote in her journal, 'is it really screws with your body clock.'
She groaned as her stomach cramped again. She'd missed her period last month, whenever that was. Apparently her body was catching up.
Rose stood slowly from her desk. Her room seemed to spin slightly and she felt sick. Shaking like a leaf, she clambered into her bed and curled into a ball.
There was a knock at her door. "Rose? Rose! Get up lazy girl."
Rose huddled under her covers and ignored the voice. She heard the door open.
"Rose?"
"Go away," she moaned.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes," then groaned as her stomach cramped. "No," she corrected herself, close to crying.
The bed sagged slightly under the Doctor's weight. He eased the duvet down and looked at Rose. She shivered as the cool air washed over her sweat-slicked skin. She was very pale and looked utterly miserable.
"You sick?" he asked in gentle concern.
"Not exactly."
"Oh," he said.
"I'd really rather not go anywhere today," she told him plaintively.
"Sure, you just rest."
"Thanks," her voice was relieved. Then she gasped, went even paler and clutched at her abdomen.
The Doctor frowned and chewed his lip as he thought. "Hold on," he said suddenly. He leant over and kissed her temple. "Be right back."
Rose shivered and listened as the door shut. She huddled under her cover again. She was just drifting off to sleep went she heard the door again.
"Come out of there a minute, I have something for you."
The covers were tugged back.
"Cold," she protested. She blinked at him and at the half amused grin on his face. "S'not funny."
The grin faded. "I know," he said softly. "Come on, sit up love."
"Love?" She echoed as she eased herself up.
"Your mum calls you love all the time."
"That's cos she's my mum. You're an irritating alien male."
The Doctor held up a finger. "Ah ah, Rose. Be nice." He passed her a glass of a yellowy liquid. "Here, it'll help with the pain."
Rose stared at it suspiciously. "Looks like wee," she announced.
"Oh that's just darling," he moaned, looking pained. "It isn't, I assure you."
She took the glass and sipped it. It tasted like spiced apple juice. Her face brightened and she drank it. "S'not so bad," she admitted grudgingly.
"Okay, now am I that irritating?"
"Nah."
He held something out to her. Rose took it and examined the wrapping and, "Chocolate!" She launched herself at the Doctor, enveloping him in a huge hug. "Oh I love you."
"Really?" he said dryly.
Rose snuggled against his chest and unwrapped the chocolate. "Oh yeah," she said, taking a big bite. "S'nice." She looked at him. "Want some?"
The Doctor stared at her for a moment before his brain worked out what she meant. "Nah, you eat it." He unwound himself from her and shifted across her bed. Shedding his jacket as he was way too warm, he leant up against the headboard and reached for her.
Rose came to him unfalteringly. She curled up in his arms and sighed softly. "Hmm, this is nice. And my stomach's stopped hurting."
"Good," he said, stroking her hair. "Glad you're feeling better."
"Thanks to you," she murmured sleepily, the double beat under her cheek lulling her.
"Go to sleep."
"What about you?"
"I'm fine."
"Doctor?"
"Hmm?"
"Yes really."
The statement confused him until he remembered the relevant fragment of conversation. He jerked, looking down at her in disbelief. Her eyes were closed and her breathing deep and steady. The question died on his lips as he realised she was asleep. A slow smile crept across his face. 'Really.'
