Well, I don't think I've ever updated so fast before. But I'm getting all excited as I get nearer to the end.
I didn't really have a significant reason why I asked how you pronounced Fridem. I'm just a very weird person. Still, it was very interesting. Personally, I pronounce it Free-dem.
Mentions:
Princess Jennifer: Don't worry. The reviews can do weird things sometimes...I'm glad I've managed to achieve tension and provoke curiosity. Thanks for reviewing!
Becsy Lexi: That could be why the TARDIS is sending him shocks. Hopefully I'll be able to explain it more later. But not in this chapter... And I guess, gross as it is, Fridem must be used to sick. And also, I'm a very big fan of Rose/Doctor...
sora's-evil-twin.the-Bad-Wolf: Sorry you've been ill. I was ill before – that's why I took so long with the last update, actually. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
earthdrago: Hopefully, at least some of your questions will be answered here. This chapter didn't take too long, though. At least I don't think I did. And this is my favourite cliffhanger so far. Hehehe...
VisionGurl: All will be revealed... Thanks for reviewing!
GinnyGin: Hey, you can have Ben so long as I get the Doctor... I'm going to wait for the boxset too, but glad the info helped. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Laseri: Well here is the answer to questions about the room. Hope you like this update and thanks for reviewing!
The Angel Of Hope: Yeah, Fridem's a bit weird. He's not based on anyone I know, luckily. This soon enough for you? Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer: The BBC own it. Duh.
"So," began Rose, completely mesmerised by the single source of light, in the otherwise dark and bare room, "What is it? What does...what does it...?"
She lapsed off into silence, completely absorbed in watching the large, deep pink crystal that had been placed in the centre of the room on a wooden stand. Lit from underneath, up through the stand, the coloured light it emitted seemed to caress everything it touched, and noticeably warm it.
And now, as Rose stepped forward, so that she was completely bathed in the light, she realised that it was a very comfortable warmth. A friendly one, that wrapped itself around her and made her feel safe. As safe as she felt when the Doctor hugged her.
In fact, even though before, she would have claimed that being close to the Doctor was what made her feel most content; she was rapidly beginning to reconsider.
Rose stood there, eyes closed, arms outstretched, feeling like she never wanted to move again. The air around her pulsed with energy and was so relaxing; Rose could have fallen asleep then and there.
Actually, she was looking around for a nice spot to lie down in, when Fridem reached out and yanked her back.
Rose whimpered in displeasure a little, as she was pulled out of the light. She still felt calm and relaxed, but it just wasn't as strong as when she was closer to the centre.
She made to move forward again, but Fridem held onto her tightly.
"Here, put this on first," he instructed.
Wordlessly and without taking her eyes off the crystal, Rose took the proffered item and jammed it on her head.
She stood still for a few minutes, before slowing turning to face Fridem.
"Did I just put a tin foil hat on my head?" she asked, slightly dazed.
"Yes," confirmed Fridem, "It seems to be the most effective way of blocking out the signal. Only necessary when you're this close to it, though."
"You have got," said Rose, slowly, "to be kidding me. This is ridiculous, I don't really need it, do I?"
She moved as if to take the hat off, but Fridem quickly stopped her.
"I don't think that would be a good idea, Rose. Don't you want to learn about the crystal?"
"Well, yeah," pouted Rose, "but it would nice if I could do that without having to wear a stupid hat. I mean come on, this isn't some stupid film." Rose didn't mention that it was probably messing up her 'un-styled' styled hair.
He stared at her for a few minutes and after a short while, Rose blushed, realising how childish she'd sounded.
"Oh, alright," she said, giving in and trying to ignore the fact that she was wearing foil on her head, "What does it do?"
"Well, this crystal emits rays that conduct feelings of complete peace and harmony. Kind of like genuine peace vibes. When people are affected by it, they feel calm and no longer need to ask questions. Humans seem to be particularly susceptible to it, as well."
"That must be useful," said Rose, sarcastically, "Especially as far as your kidnapees are concerned."
"I must admit," Fridem said, modestly, "This crystal is one of the main causes of my success. Without it, there would probably be an outcry as the hippies realised where they were or decided to move on. The sad thing is, not everyone wants to stay a hippy forever," He looked down forlornly and then watched Rose, watching the crystal. "I've never shown anyone this before, you know."
"There's something I don't get," began Rose, trying to work it all out in her head, "If you consider being a hippy only a hobby, why are you so desperate to keep people here?"
"I like to think I'm bringing people happiness," he said defensively.
"But, there is also money." He added slowly, when she continued staring at him pointedly, "Freedom happens to be the number one retailer of hippy clothing. And then there's the health food – organic does not come cheaply. It is," he said, beaming at her, "a rather excellent venture."
"But doesn't that go against the whole hippy concept?" burst out Rose, "This whole thing is based on money!"
"Well, yeah," said Fridem, looking at Rose like she was stupid, "You can't get through life with just your long hair and unwashed feet, you know. Everything costs money now."
Rose made a small noise of disgust and Fridem looked hurt.
"It's not just me," he said, in a wounded voice, "It's everyone and everything. I'm just trying to get by with the cards I've been dealt."
Rose looked at his offended face and sighed. She was starting to suspect that Fridem was not very stable, mentally. And considering she was the first person he'd ever actually shown the crystal to, pissing him off would probably not be a wise move.
"It's just," she said, gently, trying not to annoy him further, in any way, "It's not very fair on the people who don't realise what's going on, is it? I mean, what about all the humans you've actually gone and kidnapped to bring here? I don't know who you've been talking to, but kidnapping isn't actually considered normal."
Fridem snorted. "They're only humans, Rose."
Rose looked at him, incredulously.
"Did you miss the part where I'm human?" she cried out.
"Oh, no," he said, quickly taking hold of her hand, "You're a special human. All the others are normal - boring. But you're a special human."
"You've only known me for one day," said Rose, raising her eyebrows at him.
"So? Anyway, you're with the Doctor. Of course you're special."
"Right," said Rose, not really listening any more.
She kept hold of his hand and led him nearer to the crystal. It really was impressive.
Although not quite as impressive as the fact that a tin foil hat was currently protecting her from its effects. Rose still hadn't got over that.
Looking at it more closely, Rose could see that it wasn't all that big. In fact, it was barely bigger than her fist. It was the light that made it look larger. Shining up from a rusty metal base, that was holding the crystal firmly in place.
"Hey," she said, turning to Fridem, "Do you know what it was the Doctor wanted from you?"
"Oh," answered Fridem, a rather triumphant look taking over his eyes, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I think I do."
"You think you do?" Rose asked, doubtfully.
"Well I wasn't too sure at first – but don't tell him that. Anyway, it doesn't matter now. He's not going to get it anyway."
"Excuse me?" Rose demanded, "What do you mean he's not going to get it? I thought that was the condition of me having dinner with you."
"Is that all this is to you?" Fridem accused her, in the same, wounded tone he'd used before, "A simple dinner in return for a useless object?"
"Uh, no..." answered Rose, doubtfully. Now she didn't merely suspect it – she was certain Fridem was suffering from a severe chemical imbalance. "Of course it isn't. I've had a wonderful time. I'm just a little bit upset, that's all."
"Why? Because the Doctor won't get the thing he needs?" Fridem was clearly confused.
"Maybe a little," admitted Rose.
"Well," said Fridem, airily, "I can't give it to him. I told you – I'm not entirely sure what he wants. So I can hardly give it to him, can I?"
"No, no," soothed Rose, distractedly.
She stared at the crystal. She had a very strong feeling that this was what the Doctor wanted. Which was pretty stupid, really, considering he'd never even given her so much as a hint about what he was looking for. How could she possibly know? But staring at the crystal, she was almost positive that it was what he wanted.
She was also positive that Fridem would never give it to him. And the Doctor would never be able to take it. The Sonic Screwdriver could probably have gone through all the locked doors, but it would have taken him a while. Besides, judging by the Doctor's behaviour before, he didn't seem that keen on breaking in and taking it by force.
Which meant it was up to Rose.
But there were other things she had to sort out as well.
"Mr Fridem," she said, timidly, "I'm really worried." She hoped she was pulling off the wide-and-dewy-eyed look.
"What are you worried about?" asked Fridem, slightly anxious.
"It's just," Rose looked at him and then away. "All the humans you've brought here. What if they want to have their own life? They can't if they're here, instead of on Earth."
Rose could actually feel tears welling up. Now, if she'd only managed to produce this kind of emotion in her drama lessons at school, she could have been a world famous actress by now.
Except then, she would never have met the Doctor.
"But they're happy here!" exclaimed Fridem, "I don't see the problem. They're calm and happy here, without having to worry about anything."
"But they're not calm out of their own free will. Maybe, if they weren't under the influence of your crystal, they'd make other decisions and choose other lives."
"Maybe so," said Fridem, grumpily, "But they're happy. I don't treat them badly."
"Of course you don't. But I can't help thinking that they'd be happier on Earth."
Fridem shrugged, indifferently, and stared at the crystal, darkly.
Rose slipped her hand onto his shoulder and rested it there.
"How about, you tell me who all the humans are and we take them back to Earth for you?"
Fridem stared at her. "You can't do that! I need them here for authenticity!"
"You won't need them anymore," Rose reassured him, "Peaceandlove already has such a huge reputation, you don't need cheap stunts like genuine hippies anymore. You'll still have crowds flocking here. Please? For me?"
Rose thought the 'for me' line was pushing it a little – it had worked on her when the Doctor used it, but it was possible that Fridem didn't feel that strongly about her. Still, it was worth a try.
"Fine," sighed Fridem, like a petulant child and begrudgingly told Rose the ten names.
Rose was just running them through her mind and praying she would remember them all, when they both heard a loud commotion coming from downstairs.
Fridem marched over to the door and stood listening in the little vestibule.
Rose, who was still standing in the middle of the room, could distinctly hear a rather Northern accent shouting, "Excuse me, coming through. I'm sorry, but your pathetic attempts to stop me will have to wait till later. I have things to do."
Rose grinned slightly. The Doctor had obviously grown tired of waiting, she thought to herself.
She shuffled herself over to the crystal, keeping watch on Fridem who was standing at the doorway. He seemed to be slightly on edge, but still rather reluctant to actually go down the stairs and face the Doctor himself.
Never taking her eyes off Fridem's back, Rose suddenly reached out with lightning speed and placed her hands over the crystal.
Praying it wouldn't make a noise – she never could tell on these alien planets - she attempted to tug it firmly from the metal base. But it wasn't going to move. Growing desperate, Rose rearranged her grip, pulled the crystal so the base came off with it and stuffed it inside her tin foil hat.
Then she quickly strode to Fridem's side and looked down the stairs with him.
"We should go down," she said to him, "We don't want them coming up here. We could go somewhere quieter..."
"You're right," said Fridem, turning to smirk at her. "Hey," he said, as he saw the rest of the room out of the corner of his eye, "What happened to the pink li-"
Acutely aware that Fridem was probably about to discover she had stolen his prized possession, Rose did the first thing that came into her head.
Oblivious to the footsteps approaching on the stairway, and the crystal clutched tightly in her hand, she kissed him.
Dun dun dun...
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