Chapter 14

The doctor slowly became aware of pain, excruciating pain and a weight pinning him down, he struggled to open his eyes but stopped when the light caused the pain to intensify. Was he regenerating, had he regenerated he wondered in confusion, not remembering it ever hurting this much before. He lay there for what seemed like an eternity, willing himself to stop hurting, slowly the pain seemed to recede and he opened his eyes slightly, confusion at his surrounding, he lay there staring up at the strange ceiling above him. Where was he, what had happened he wondered

Slowly memories returned and he groaned trying to move, needing to know if Rose was ok; her voice ringing in his ears, he struggled to move his arm, concern growing when he couldn't lift it, confusion as to the weight on it, was he pinned by something. He slowly turned his head, pain shooting through his temple, causing him to close his eyes and groan again. As the pain receded he once more tried to turn his head, finally succeeding.

His first thought was fear, she was so pale and still but slowly her breath on his cheek filtered through the pain in his body and heart. Next came concern, shooting pain as he tried to move to check her over, was she hurt, was it serious, please don't let her be dying he begged silently.

His groan slowly roused Rose, and she flinched, scared to open her eyes, scared at what or who she would see

"Rose?" she heard him whisper, his voice gravely and barely more than a groan, "Rose" he called again "Wake up" he said groaning again as he tried to move

Rose's eyes shot open, and she stared stupidly at him.

"Doctor?" she said her eyes wide and scared "Your dead" she said stupidly

"I hope not" he said painfully "I always thought death wouldn't hurt this much" he tried to joke, groaning in pain "are you ok?" he asked her softly, looking at her for signs of injury, relived when she suddenly jumped up to her knees.

"You're not dead?" she asked dazedly looking at him intently

"If I am, this must be hell, cos I'm stuck with a really stupid version of my Rose" he muttered pushing himself up. "For the last bloody time I am not dead" he said "now will you help me up?" he demanded, pleased when she did as he asked, wincing when Rose threw her arms around him and kissed him desperately

"My Doctor" she whispered against his lips, relieved he was alive and still her Doctor

Neither would ever realise what a good thump to the chest could do.

The end