Disclaimer: This is not mine. I repeat, Doctor Who and any other related characters are not mine.

Well, exams be damned, here's the next chapter. I am full up with all the reviews. Thanks so myuch to everyone. Much thanks as ever to Hudine who is my most fab beta.

Chapter 4: Bugger the Bigger Picture

Rose growled when she felt a hand on her ass and spun around, grabbing the arm of the offender, twisting it mercilessly.

"Back off mate, unless you want your arm broken." The customer cringed in pain and backed off when she released his arm. Rose continued clearing the tables and returned to the bar where Ray was grinning at her.

"You sure showed him. Used to it are you?"

She shrugged and gave him a small smile. "Girl's gotta take care of herself."

"Lot's a bad guys out there."

"Yup" And bad aliens, bad robots, bad plasma storms, bad gas ghosts.

"You know," mused Ray coming up behind her, placing his hands on her waist. "I don't blame the guy."

Rose rolled her eyes and shook him off, flicking her towel at him. She had become used to Rays forwardness over the weeks and viewed him as fairly harmless.

"Give off. I've got work to do and I know how you are about docking pay."

He looked scandalised. "Why Rose, would I ever do that to you?"

"Would and have."

"The glasses were broken."

"Only because I got caught in a punch up."

Ray just grinned and moved into the back rooms to retrieve more alcohol. Helena slipped out from the kitchen and Rose shot her a sideways glance. "You're late. Again."

Helena looked about for Ray. "I know, but I'm working on getting another job. Sorry."

Rose smiled. "No worries. We're not to busy anyway."

"Yeah I noticed."

Rose continued cleaning down the bar when she heard Helena let out a low whistle and she grinned to herself. The girl was an unashamed flirt and went after most males, no matter what they looked like.

"Hello tall, dark and handsome. Haven't seen him around before." Rose just shook her head and didn't look up until the new arrival spoke.

"It would be fantastic if I could get a drink around here you know."

Rose spun around and looked, surprised, at the grinning Doctor. Helena was quickly moving towards him but Rose got there first, a grin on her face as she set a glass in front of him.

"What's your poison?"

"Oh, I have a vague recollection of having some fun with tequila."

Rose grinned and punched him in the shoulder. "You are never going to let me live that down, are you?"

He shook his head. "I'm never going to let you near a karaoke machine either."

Rose smiled and shook her head, blushing slightly. "Never again. So, what do you want?"

"I was just out for a walk, decided to check up on you. Also, a pint wouldn't go amiss."

She nodded and turned to the draft tap. Helena was standing beside her, tapping her foot, an expectant look on her face.

"Oh sorry. Helena, this is David, My house mate. David, this is Helena."

'David' held out his hand and shook it. "The famous Helena. I'll be dead before I hear the last of you."

Helena smiled and then looked across the room. "Uh oh, Bernie's back and he looks thirsty."

Rose frowned. "Tell him he's not welcome after last night. Tell him to shove off. You need a hand?"

"Nah, I'm grand." Helena ducked under the bar and headed down the back of the smoky bar.

The Doctor raised an eyebrow at her. "David?"

"You needed a name. It was the first that came to my head."

"I'm just glad it wasn't Mickey."

"I was tempted."

He flicked a peanut (or the planets equivalent) at her and she dodged it, laughing a little.

"So, why are you really here?"

"I went for a walk."

"Uh huh."

He sighed and she looked at him curiously. "I had to get away from the TARDIS. She just won't straighten up."

She grabbed his hand briefly from across the bar. "Don't worry. You'll figure it out. If it's before I'm fifty is another matter."

"Oy, I'm brilliant I am. I'll get it fixed."

"That's the spirit."

Rose waved goodbye to the Doctor as he slipped out of the bar, heading back to work on the TARDIS. Helena sidled up to her.

"So that was your man, eh? Why didn't you tell me he was gorgeous?"

Rose sighed at her friend and took the order of a patron. "I told you, he's not 'my man'. We're just friends. And I'd hardly say gorgeous. Did you see the size of his ears?"

"Hah, sound to me like you're trying to give yourself a reason not to like him."

"Listen, it just… it just isn't like that with us."

"Alright, then I can have ago then."

Rose shot her a look. "I don't think that's such a good idea."

Helena scowled. "And why not?"

Because he's an alien, because as soon as the TARDIS is fixed he'll be gone, because he's mine. Rose stopped her train of thought there. This was moving into dangerous territory.

"I just don't. He's a bit… emotionally fragile."

"Are you going to stop me if I try?"

She heaved a sigh. "No. He's old enough to make his own choices; I just don't want to see you shot down."

Helena frowned. "You think he won't like me? Nice to know. Some friend you are."

"Don't take it like that. It's just, I don't know, I've never seen him with any woman really. Well, maybe once. Jabe. She was nice." Once you got over the rudeness.

"What happened to her?"

Rose silent fell silent for a moment. She could still remember everything of that first trip through time and space. She could remember initial sense of wonder, the horror when the Doctor told her what was going to happen. The over whelming sadness as she watched bits of her planet float through the cold, empty space. The whole ordeal had been a nightmare and the inspiration for several. She shivered a little and turned back to her friend.

"She died."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Rose shook her head, strands of blonde hair falling from her bun. "Don't be. I didn't know her for long. A lot of people died that day. It was a long time ago."

Helena leant against the side of the bar. She was around death a lot and grief was not unfamiliar to anyone living in the city but the look on Rose's face seemed to hold a greater knowledge. A sense of something much bigger than the pointless conflict that took place here. She was fascinated.

"When was it?"

Rose was confused by all the questions but answered anyway. "Oh, over a year ago now. When I first started travelling with the Do… with David." She corrected herself quickly.

"You been with him that long?"

"Yeah. Just travelling with him, it's like… It's like nothing I can describe."

"Wow." A comfortable silence stretched between the two as Rose's words sank in. Helena was imagining what wonders they could have seen together while Rose was remember the good and bad times with fondness and a little sadness.

"Hey! Am I paying you two to sit around? Get to work."

They both jumped as Ray stuck his head around the bar.

"Was Bernie here again?"

Helena nodded. "I kicked him out."

"Good. That low life steps foot in my bar again, Rose I want you to give the what for. You got me?"

Rose saluted him. "Loud and clear boss."

It was late when Helena finished her shift but Rose still had three hours to go before she finished and Ray had to hold the fort on his own for the night. Helena grabbed her jacket and waved goodbye to Rose who waved back.

"See ya. Be careful."

Helena nodded and disappeared out the door. The bar was quiet and so, less smoky than usual. There were a few regulars sitting in the corner discussing the government in code so as not to be arrested for being sympathisers. Rose knew for a fact that they didn't sympathise with the Anaxine, but any talk of the government was closely monitored. Rose had generally opted out of any political conversations, not trusting herself to not say something compromising. The door opened and the men in the corner looked up as a woman,dressed to the nines, stepped inside, a small figure following her. Rose knew the woman. She was the 'Sweet Sue' Ray had mentioned on her first day. She knew her because Sue regularly visited Ray privately.

The woman walked up to the bar and Rose approached her. Sue wore thick eyeliner and a lot of dark red lipstick. Her hair was almost double the size of her head and had enough hairspray in it to keep the TARDIS steady.

"Hey Sue. What can I do for you?"

"Hey Hunny." Sue spoke to her, but her eyes were searching the back room and beyond.

"Say, is Ray around?"

"No. Sorry. He's out on business. I can leave a message if you want."

Sue shook her head, hair like a rock. "No. I need this taken care of now. Julie, c'mere."

The small figure that had entered with Sue came up behind her. It was now that Rose caught a look at the persons face. It was a young girl, no older than fifteen. Her face was bruised and swollen. Rose frowned and looked up a Sue.

"What happened?"

Sue sighed heavily. "You know, it's times like this I wish I wasn't in this business."

"Sue."

"She was beaten up by a client. Lar, to be specific."

Rose had heard stories about Lar. He was a major gangland influence, a drug dealer, a career criminal. Problem was, Lar was also a soldier.

"Julie refused to do some of the stuff he wanted to do and he beat her. Some of my boys managed to get him out but he's promised to come back for her. I need somewhere safe for her to stay, 'till she's better you understand."

Rose ran a hand through her hair tiredly. "Ray isn't going to be happy about this."

"I know, but I've tried everywhere else and he owes me. Several times."

"Fine. Leave her here. I'll take care of her."

"Thanks Rose. You're a good kid."

"Yeah. But I swear Sue, if this looses me my job…"

"It won't . I'll make sure of that."

Julie cringed behind Rose as Ray slammed his hand down on the table.

"I want her out of here. You think I want Lar's attention here? I don't want him pedalling his wares to my customers."

"I know but look at her. What was I supposed to do. Besides, Sue said you owed her."

"Not this much I don't. Now listen, your shift is over. You take her with you and I don't want to see her again."

Rose crossed her arms. "Fine, just let me get her cleaned up and see if I can organise something for her."

"Fine. Just get her outta here."

Ray slammed the door behind him and Julie flinched again. Rose knelt down beside the girl, dabbing some disinfectant on her split lip.

"You ignore him. He's just scared."

"Thanks."

It was the first word the girl had uttered since Rose had met her and she smiled.

"Don't think of it. How old are you Julie?"

"I'll be fifteen in a few months."

"That's so young."

"My parents were killed. It was either work with Sue, or go to the orphanage. At least with Sue you make good money and the beds are comfortable."

Rose stared at the young girl sitting in front of her. It was a warped view of the world but, Rose realised as she looked out the dirty widow, it was disturbingly accurate.

"Here" she handed an ice pack to the girl. "Hold that against your cheek. I'll be back in a sec and then we'll go."

Rose moved into the hall and picked up the phone, dialling a number.

"Yeah, what?"

"Nice to hear you haven't changed your traditional greeting."

"Rose. How're you doing?"

"I'm ok C'trina. I need a favour."

Rose and her land lady had gained a grudging respect for each other over the last two months, which had grown into an even more grudging friendship. More than once Rose had dragged C'trina's boyfriend, Vaslav, back to his house. C'trina had helped Rose gain the respect of the neighbourhood gangs and Rose had helped C'trina fix her central heating. It was a tit for tat friendship that suited the pair fine.

"Straight to the point. Must be serious."

"Sue brought a girl to me today. She's pretty beat up and needs a place to stay. I was wondering…"

"Whoa, is this the girl Lar's looking for?"

"News travels fast."

"When he's on the rampage, everyone hears about it fast."

"Could you put her up, just until I can find away to get her out of the city. No one will think of looking for her at yours."

"Nuh uh. No way."

"Please. She's only fourteen C'trina. She deserves a chance. Not to be hunted down by apsycho."

"… Fine."

"Thanks. We'll be there soon."

Rose helped Julie into her coat and the girl pulled the hood down low, covering her face. They walked quickly through the dark streets, Rose taking the girl through the network of back streets so as to avoid attention. She helped her scale the wall of C'trina's back garden and hopped over after her. She rapped on the back door and C'trina opened it, pulling the pair in quickly. Julie took down her hood and whatever C'trina was about to say was forgotten.

"… I'm C'trina sweetie. There's a bed in the attic for you. I'll be up in a few with some food. Don't look out the windows, kay?"

The girl nodded and turned. "Thanks. I'm Julie by the way."

"Sure Julie. I'll be up in a few minutes."

Julie nodded and disappeared up a ladder. C'trina looked at Rose with a shocked look on her face.

"Sandretta, that girl looks like she's been through hell."

"Probably has. Her parents are dead, hence working for Sue."

"That woman is a vulture."

Rose shook her head tiredly and walked to the front door. "I owe you one."

"Hunny, you owe me one hundred."

Rose laughed and started down the street towards her house. Some of the gang that seemed to haut the corners of the neighbourhood got quiet as she approached and one of the stepped forwards.

"Rose, babe. Still avoiding me."

"Not now Andreus. I am not in the mood."

Andreus, a tall guy with olive skin and a wicked smile grabbed her waist and pulled her against him.

"Come on. Hot girl like you, powerful man like me. We could be dynamite."

She pulled out of his grasp and stepped back. "Not a chance in hell. Back off."

Andreus laughed and moved back to join his 'posse'. "You just wait babe. You'll be wanting me yet."

Rose closed the door behind her and collapsed on the couch which was right beside the TARDIS. The Doctor stuck his head out and Rose rolled her head to look at him.

"Hunny, I'm home."

"You look like hell."

"I feel like hell."

"Bad day?"

"One of the worst."

"Even worse than the time we got stuck in the room with the man eating blob?"

"Even worse than that."

He disappeared into the TARDIS again, just to emerge with a bottle of red wine and two glasses. He landed himself beside her and handed her a glass, pouring the wine.

"Tell me all about it."

"Hah. Now this really is domestic."

"Shut it."

The Doctor shook his head at his friend.

"You shouldn't be getting yourself involved in these situations. You're just drawing attention and what if this Lar guy comes after you?"

Rose gripped his hand gently. "I can take care of myself. But you should have seen her Doctor. She was only fourteen. Working as a prostitute. She was so beat up. I couldn't just leave her to be found by that mad man."

He sighed. "I know. You're too nice for your own good."

"Hmm." Rose had closed her eyes and her head was resting on his shoulder.

"Alright." He hauled her off the sofa. "Come on. Bed."

He pushed her through the door of the TARDIS and the two made the familiar journey down the corridors to the Doctors bedroom. Rose changed into a tank top and pair of boxers and crawled under the covers, burying herself in the mound of pillows.

"I've missed this bed." She murmured sleepily.

"Well" He lay down beside her and pulled her close. "If you bothered to come here at night you wouldn't miss it."

"It's a damn long way from the front door to here."

"Just try and make the trip more often." He spoke into her hair quietly.

"Is that a request?"

"Sure. Why not. Just shut up and go to sleep."

She already was.

Rose rolled over and stretched. It had been a long time since she had had such a good sleep. The Doctor murmured something in his sleep and pulled her back towards him. She glanced at her watch, a battered old thing she had bought from a customer at the bar and jumped up.

"Shit."

The Doctor shot up in bed. "What?"

"I'm late."

He groaned and fell back against the head board. "You woke me for that?"

"Watch it or you'll be getting a thump. You may be able to work when you want but I'm gonna get docked pay for this which means less food for you."

"Well then I'd get moving then if I were you."

She threw a shoe at his head. "Oi! What?"

She shook her head in exasperation and darted out the door, shouting a hurried good bye from down the corridor. The Doctor sat back in bed again and stared at the ceiling, hand unconsciously wandering over the warm mattress where Rose had been lying.

Rose ducked under the bar muttering and apology to Ray as she darted past.

"Well, I never say I'd live to see the day. Rose Tyler. Late."

She scowled at him. "Ha ha. Very funny."

"You know I'm going to have to dock you pay for this."

She sighed. "Come on Ray. After all I've done for you?"

He came right up to her, leaning in. "You could do more for me."

"Fine, dock my pay."

He laughed and moved away from her. "Alright. I'll let you off just this once. You're lucky you're pretty."

She smiled at him. "Would you have hired me other wise?"

"Good point."

It had been a fairly busy day at 'Rays Place' with many patrons from a bar across town migrating there. The other one had been blown up. Rose shook her head sadly as she heard people talking about friends they had lost in the blast. Talk of death was almost blasé in the city. The fear, tension and sorrow were always present, but it was a sad fact that these people had gotten used to death and destruction. It was a permanent part of their lives. Rose was no stranger to death but the situation here still held a horror for her that seemed lost on locals.

The day was beginning to wind down, many of the customers going home for dinner, to see their families and get some reassurance. Rose was stuck here for another shift. She grinned at the thought of the Doctor waiting for her when she did eventually get home. He seemed to have come out of his brooding completely now and, while still absorbed with fixing the TARDIS, he was back to his old joking self. Rose had decided this was a good thing when she had come home to actual dinner one evening. Nine hundred years made a man no slouch in the kitchen, she had found out quickly.

She grinned to herself again and turned to return to the bar, but instead collided with a wall of muscle. She bounced off the mans chest and took a step back, looking up at the hulking figure. Fear curdled in the pit of her stomach. She didn't know for sure, but she had a guess that this extremely large and imposing man was Lar. She could see Ray looking around nervously from the bar. She caught his eye and the name he mouthed to her confirmed her suspicions. She looked up at him and pasted on a fake smile.

"Hi. Can I get you anything?"

"I want that whore of mine. Where is she?"

"I'm sorry. I have no idea what you mean."

Lar caught her wrist in a painful grip and stopped her moving away.

"I know she was here last night. I know she left with one of the waitresses and I know it wasn't the one with the black hair."

Rose blanched. She hoped he hadn't hurt Helena, who hadn't shown her face yet today.

"I'm telling you, I don't know what your talking about."

Rose's head snapped back with the force of the blow. She hadn't even seen him raise his hand. His bulk belied his speed. He still held her wrist in a steel grip, preventing her from falling to the ground. She could taste the metallic hint of blood in her mouth and her head was spinning.

"Tell me where she is!"

The entire room was quiet, waiting to hear the girls reaction.

"I don't know."

Ray shook his head in disbelief as Rose received another blow and fell to the floor. She cried out as Lar grabbed her by the hair and lifted her head up.

"If I find her anywhere near you, you're a dead woman." He let her drop again and disappeared from the bar without a word. Ray helped her up and took her into the back room, sitting her down.

"Stubborn girl. Why'd ya not tell him?"

"She's only fourteen."

"So?"

"She deserved to be given a chance. Who am I to take that away at the price of a few bruises?"

"I think it might be more than a bruise or two. You're one of a kind you are."

If only you knew, she thought with a smirk and then grimaced at the pain in her face.

He sighed and shook his head again. "Come on. I'll take you to a hospital."

She shook her head and then put it between her knees as her stomach threatened to empty itself.

"No, just… just take me home. My friend, he's a doctor. He can fix me up. Cheaper."

"What ever you say. Listen, I'll give you the next three days off but only half pay. This was your own fault."

She waved him away and they both made their way out to his car.

She closed the front door quietly and collapsed on the couch. She wasn't quiet ready to face the Doctor yet. She had seen her face and it was not a pretty sight. Her scalp was still sore from where he had pulled her hair and she had an ugly black and purple bruise around her wrist. She heard movement from inside the TARDIS and the door opened.

"Rose is that… Lar?"

The last word came out as a growl as he took in her bruised face and the marks on her arm and wrist. She nodded slightly, not looking him in the eye. He sighed and sat down beside her.

"Are you ok?"

She nodded again and he stood. "Come on. Medlab."

She sat on the med lad bed as he took a quick scan of her face.

"Your cheek bone is fractured in two places. Give me a sec."

His voice was tense and quiet. She could tell he was angry. Not at her in particular, just at everything. After a while he would start to get angry at himself for not protecting her and she would have to sit him down and explain that it was not his fault, which she usually did even if it was his fault. He returned with some kind of device and she stared at her shoes.

"Leave the bruises."

"What?" he sounded incredulous.

"Leave them. It'll look odd when I go back to work if I don't have any. Leave them."

He nodded and got to work. She felt the pain in her face reduce significantly and he placed the regenerator down on a tray. She flinched slightly as he touched her face but did not pull away when he moved hers up to look at him.

"Are you ok?" His voice was soft this time, only concern and affection showing through.

She shook her head. "I was really scared."

He pulled her into a fierce hug and she hugged him back, stray tears leaking out onto his shoulder.

Later, they both lay on his bed. He was watching her, playing with her hair absently. She had her eyes closed though she was not asleep.

"Sorry." She muttered quietly hand blindly seeking his. He reached out at grabbed it possessively.

"For what?"

"Getting myself beat up over a fourteen year old girl with no future."

"Don't talk like that."

She opened her eyes and looked at him. He shuddered inwardly. There was a darkness there that had not been present when they had first met. He recognised it. It was inside him as well. The knowledge that everything isn't going to be okay, that not every one can be saved, that there is pure evil out there, you just haven't met it yet. Or in their case, met it too many times.

"But I'm right, aren't I?"

"Maybe. Can't tell. Maybe she'll get out of here."

"Or maybe he'll find her and kill her." She shut her eyes quickly again, attempting to quell the tears she could feel.

"Maybe. But you've stopped him doing that. Even if it is only for a while."

"I hardly looked at the bigger picture though, did I?"

"Bugger the bigger picture."

That got a smile out of her.

End chap.

Well? looks around expectantly