Not sure where this is going. But I think I'm starting to see the end. Not how long it'll take, but that's a good sign, right? Actually, I'm looking forward to writing the end...;-D

Mentions to all those who so kindly bothered to review...

Becsy Lexi: Well, here you go – here' some more. :D Thanks very much for reviewing and read on to find out how Rose is doing now...

Jessie Wings: Yup, Rose needs some help on the memory front. I'm glad that you're able to handle the Doctor/Rose stuff. But I don't think I've put too much in here...

VisionGurl: Denial. I know it so well. I've just blocked all the bad parts of PoTW from my mind, but remembered all the good ones...;)

Starlite: And yes, hopefully there will be some shippiness. I have it all planned out... PoTW is one of the most depressing things I have ever seen. It's so goddamn sad. Sorry, lost control for a bit there - am returning to denial...

GinnyGin: That wasn't a cliffhanger. Not really. But this this chapter's a bit random, I'm afraid. Ok, I've seen DVDs out in HMV, WHSmith, Virgin etc. But they only have about three episodes each and are around £13. Don't think you can get the last few episodes yet, though. BUT, in November, a boxset is coming out. It will, however, be expensive. Does that help? You could go check on Amazon as well. Hope you like this chapter...

earthdrago: I haven't taken too long, have I? And I think I've finally worked out what the Doctor needs to get. You, however, will have to wait to find all the answers to your questions. Sorry...

Laseri: Fridem is rather odd. Hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks for reviewing. :D

The Angel Of Hope: I love jealous Doctor too! That's why I'm trying to get as much out of the situation as I can... Mwahahaha. Hope this is soon enough for you. Thanks for reviewing!

Grimley Fieendish: Ok, I have never seen Android but I now intend to look it up. You have me intrigued. But because I've never seen it, I don't think it's part of his plan. Sorry.

tulzdavampslayer: What will they do, indeed..? Hope you enjoy this chapter. :D

Princess Jennifer: Hey, if you enjoy ranting, rant away. I don't mind at all. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

sora's-evil-twin.the-Bad-Wolf: I'm wondering the same thing, actually. Lol. I am touched that you risked motion sickness, in order to review. Thank you very much. And don't worry, no ladybirds were harmed in the writing of this story...

Disclaimer: Not mine and never will be. sniff

"Can you dance?" asked Rose, standing up suddenly - and slightly unsteadily - from the table, "Do you have music?"

"Of course," said Fridem smoothly.

He got up and fiddled with something in the corner of the room. Soon, the room was filled with the smooth sounds of a slow and sensual song. It throbbed through the air, inviting the listener to sway in time the music and forget everything else.

"Oh no," pouted Rose, "I want a fast song. I don't want a slow one."

Fridem ignored her, and approached her in the middle of the floor.

"Shall we?" he asked, opening his arms so she could step into them and drape herself over him.

As they swayed rhythmically and silently to the music, Rose reflected that Fridem was holding her rather too tightly. She wondered briefly what it would be like to dance like this with the Doctor. To be this close and this still with him. Well, not still exactly. But a moment away from frantic activity.

It was nice with Fridem. But that was all. Nice. Nothing special. Still, whatever she'd been given seemed to completely outweigh that thought, if the way she was clinging to the alien was anything to go by.

"I bet your Time Lord friend wouldn't like this," said Fridem, softly as he held her tighter still.

"Time Lord?" asked Rose, vaguely.

This slow song was taking a long time. She wondered if the next one would be fast. She'd prefer a fast one. Slow dancing with the Fridem guy was getting a little boring.

"Yes," prompted Fridem, "The alien you're with. The Time Lord."

He swung her out, slightly violently. Almost as if he was trying to get her to give him the right answer. Whatever he was trying to do, it only served to make Rose feel dizzy. And slightly sick.

"I'm sorry," said Rose, forcing the words. She couldn't quite remember why, but there was a reason she distrusted this man. "I don't know what you're taking about."

"Your friend," repeated Fridem. He slowed them down even further and looked into her eyes. "Maybe more than a friend," he murmured, inaudibly.

But not quite inaudibly. Rose's eyes widened.

Fridem laughed coolly. "It must be difficult being in that position. Between a simple companion and... something more. Frustrating for you. The Doctor doesn't know what he has."

Rose frowned as the hand that had been on the small of her back sank even lower.

"But I suppose, being a Time Lord..."

He swung Rose out again, simultaneously asking, "Where does he take you, Rose?"

But Rose never got to answer, because she was busy rushing behind a pot plant. And being violently sick.

"I'm sorry," gasped Rose. She staggered unsteadily to her feet. But while her legs felt slightly wobbly and her hand-eye co-ordination was probably a little out, her mind felt sharper. A lot sharper.

"Don't worry about it," reassured Fridem, as he took both her hands, presumably to lead her back into a dance.

"I think I've had enough of dancing, thanks," said Rose politely as she returned to the table. "I'm a bit tired. But you really are a wonderful dancer."

Fridem accepted her decision graciously and sat back down opposite her. She watched him warily as he refilled her wine glass. She would not be touching any more of the stuff. However, hopefully he would be. If she wasn't very much mistaken, he'd been drinking just as much as she had.

"So," she gushed, once he'd finished fussing with the wine, "You were telling me about your wonderful planet. You really kidnap humans from Earth for authenticity?"

"Yes. We pretend we're taking them on a road trip to somewhere. And they end up here."

"How... wonderful. How many do you have here at the moment?"

"Oh, I don't know. Not too many, actually. There have been a few nasty incidents, I'm afraid. It seems that some humans can't quite stomach all the alien variations of drugs." He smiled ruefully at her and shook his head, as if it was a sad, but very minor, event, "I'd say we have about ten here at the moment."

"Really? And they never suspect that they're not on Earth?" Rose watched him carefully, but opened her eyes wide, as if in admiration, "You manage to keep them that drugged up? You must have a very clever method, Mr Fridem,"

"Yes..." Fridem glanced at her oddly, a funny expression taking over his face. "I have..." He looked away and then back at her. There seemed to be something different and unidentifiable about his eyes.

"What is it?" murmured Rose in what she hoped was a seductive voice. She wasn't quite sure how well she pulled it off, though. It wasn't like she'd had a lot of practice. Mickey's idea of seduction had tended to be a takeaway in front of the TV and then an early night. She leaned forward and gently took Fridem's hand across the table, "Are you ok?"

He stared at her for a few seconds and then stood up so suddenly, Rose almost fell off her chair. But luckily, she managed to swing forward at the last moment and avert any chances of an embarrassing incident. Although, considering she'd already snorted, demanded a dance and then thrown up, she wasn't sure how else she could humiliate herself. Still, another opportunity would probably arise later.

Fridem took her both her hands in his and then kissed each one. Rose tried to keep a straight face, even though she was feeling slightly sick again.

"Come on," he said, his voice taking on the excitement of a small child, "I want to show you something."

"Um... ok," agreed Rose, as he led her quickly out of the room.

"So what's this?" asked Ben, as he held up yet another item lying on the floor of the control room.

"Nothing you'd understand," snapped the Doctor, disgustedly.

"Man, this place is far-out," exclaimed Ben for about the fifth time.

The Doctor rolled his eyes. Bringing Ben into the TARDIS had seemed like a good idea half and hour ago. He thought the whole bigger-on-the-inside-than-the-outside thing would have stunned him into silence for at least a little while. But instead it had just prompted a lot of boring questions.

Questions that Rose herself had asked, actually, but he was sure she had never been as irritating about it.

He continued drumming his fingers on the control panel as he leant against it. Rose was taking a long time. She'd said not to wait up, but that had been a joke. Hadn't it? It must have been.

"Hey, I say this as a friend," came an annoying voice from the corner, "You really need to relax."

"Really?" asked the Doctor, dryly.

"Definitely. You've got to stop worrying about Rose. She'll be fine, man."

The Doctor scowled and drew out the Sonic Screwdriver, thinking he'd make the alteration to the inside panel after all. But he hastily tucked it back inside his jacket when he noticed Ben's curious gaze.

"Don't worry," continued Ben, "She didn't even like Fridem in that way."

"And I suppose you're an expert," said the Doctor, somewhat heatedly.

"Well," Ben said modestly, completely missing the Doctor's sarcasm, "I could just tell. She was obviously putting it on."

The Doctor scowled harder and drummed his fingers more violently. Ben let out a shaky breath.

"You want to go somewhere? I know a groovy place down town. I think you'd like it there."

"You want to go somewhere?" asked the Doctor, suddenly standing upright, "How would you like to go to Earth?"

"Earth? Oh, no, you've been taking that stuff too. No, man, we're on Earth now."

"Nope," said the Doctor cheerfully, "I'm afraid there's something you need to know. Man."

Maybe this would shut the guy up.

Climbing stairs in such a short skirt was not at all easy. She was glad Fridem was ahead of her, he probably would have been scarred for life if he'd been behind. Although, thinking about it, she didn't think he'd have minded too much.

"Is this, like, a tower or something?" joked Rose, slightly out of breath.

"Something like that," answered Fridem, seriously, "Nearly there."

Rose stopped patiently behind him as he scrabbled about with something – possibly a key. Rose couldn't quite see, but it looked like they had reached the top of the staircase and were standing outside a door. If they were, it would be the third locked door they had come across. Clearly, Fridem didn't want anyone looking at... whatever he was going to show her.

With a final click, Fridem swung the wooden door open and he led her through into a dark and tiny corridor which was more like a porch or vestibule. With yet another door at the end of it.

"Well," remarked Rose, "You really don't want any visitors up here. You guard this thing almost as closely as Mickey guarded his playstation. Never did let me on it," she added, slightly bitterly.

"Playstation?" asked Fridem, looking up from the door to stare at her curiously.

"Oh, nothing."

"Here we are," announced Fridem, in an excited whisper. "I can't have anyone walking in up here. I haven't shown anyone this in a long time. Not since... Oh, never mind,"

He stood back and slowly swung open the door.

"Wow," Rose breathed out in wonder, as she was bathed in a deep pink light, "I can see why you'd want to keep this safe."

The Doctor glanced over at the slumped figure in the corner. His piece of news had certainly worked as far as shutting Ben up was concerned. The only thing was, the Doctor was now unsure which was worse; the devastated and confused man in the corner, or the inquisitive and talkative one.

"Come on," said the Doctor, attempting a cheerful tone, but not quite succeeding, "It's not that bad, is it?"

Ben stared at him bleakly.

"Ok, maybe it is..."

Ben continued staring at him, his eyes large and little-boy like. Completely lost.

"Alright, I'll buy you a drink. Or a joint. Not sure which you'd prefer, but come on..."

The Doctor walked over to Ben and pulled him slowly to his feet. He could do with a drink himself. He didn't know what Rose was doing or why she was taking so long, but it wasn't at all funny. He didn't like to think about all the things she could be doing. Even though that was exactly what he had been doing the whole time since she'd left. Thinking about her and Fridem.

"We can go get you nice and high. Then you'll feel better," And less likely to have Rose angry at me for making you upset, he added silently.

"Shall we go to the place I mentioned before?" asked Ben, weakly.

"Yeah, that'd be great."

He led Ben slowly over to the TARDIS door. He opened it and let the slightly shocked man pass through. The Doctor had to admit, even though he'd been very subdued, he'd taken it very well. There had been no hysterics, no angry outburst; just quiet – albeit depressed – acceptance. Which was rather impressive, considering the man had just found out the planet he'd been living on for the past few years wasn't Earth at all.

And even though this could have been a redeeming factor in the Doctor's eyes, it only served to make him slightly more against Ben. Because someone like Ben was going to be very dangerous to have in the same area as Rose. If, of course, she hadn't already been won over by Fridem.

Ben stood patiently beside the Doctor in the cool, night air as the alien quickly turned to lock up his beloved TARDIS.

"So even though it's an alien ship, you still lock it with a key?" he asked, curiously.

"Yeah," answered the Doctor, slightly defensive, "There's no reason why not."

Relief that Ben seemed to have recovered was quickly turning into irritation. Rose had never asked this many questions. Or, if she had, she had done it in a much more acceptable way.

"Ok, so let's g-" The Doctor withdrew his arm quickly as the shock shot into his hand. He reached out and touched the blue phone box again, quickly regretting it, as another, sudden shock passed through his hand.

"That's strange," he said, as he easily unlocked the door and stepped inside. He backed out and relocked it. Another shock passed through him as he touched the side.

"What's wrong?" asked Ben, watching the Doctor anxiously.

"I can get in and out, but she's still sending me shocks," mused the Doctor, more to himself than to Ben. "Unless..." He looked up quickly as a sudden thought struck him.

He turned and quickly began striding off.

"Hey," Ben called after him, as he hurried to keep up, "Where are you going? My place is that way."

"Change of plan," answered the Doctor, without slowing down.

There was something strange going on, and he was sure it wasn't at all good.

Another chapter. Not sure what to make of this one, though. What do you think...?

Oh, and just out of curiosity, because I'm a very weird person – how do you pronounce Fridem? Do you pronounce it like Free-dem or Fri-dem?

Like I said, I'm a very weird person.