After the squeeing and excitement (that I still haven't got over) of the CIN scene, I bring consolance to the avid 9 fans still protesting David's cute existence ("David? David Who?"). Another chapter... rather short, but as the good author says "Quality over quantity." Strangely dedicated to our new Doctor, Mr David Tenant, Species continues!
Also posted on Time and Chips.

Chapter 7

After Rose's collapse, the Doctor found himself more and more worried about her. Checking her room at night to see she was sleeping alright, scanning her for any sign of fever or cold, leafing through acres of useless text in vain. He wasn't even sure why he was researching anymore. After all, nothing like this had ever happened before. It was impossible, or should be.

And Rose was getting worse. Well, it wasn't obvious to Jack, but he saw it. Saw it when he entered the control room for something, late at night, and found her lounging around, wide-awake. When he had asked her why she wasn't sleeping, she had simply replied she didn't feel tired. After careful observation, he admitted to himself she couldn't be feeling tired – she didn't look it, despite her lowering amount of rest. It looked like another Gallifreyan trait was starting to come through.

Deep down, he was waiting. Part of him, the part that was coldly scientific, morbidly curious, wondered how well it would work. To what extent the Nanogenes would reproduce his anatomy. And, tinged with fear when he thought of the implications this would have on Rose. She didn't know half of what he was, she had no idea what she was heading for.

So he did something he probably shouldn't have done. Well, you know what they say – good intentions don't always have a good outcome, depending on your view…

"Rose, it's for your own good…"

"I thought you were on my side!" she cried, turning away from the Time Agent angrily.

"I am!" he retorted. "I am on your side, and I'm on his. You're on the same side, you just can't see it!"

"Ha!" she spat, gathering the covers from her bed, and then throwing them back to try to relieve her pent-up frustration. "Where is he?"

Jack backed away, trying to keep the conversation friendly as her eyes sparked.

"Where is he?" she hissed, hands on her hips.

"He's doing it for your own good!"

"By confining me to my room? Restricting my freedom? Taking away my choices?"

"Yes!" Jack yelled, matching her tone at last, inwardly marvelling at the change that had come over the woman.

"What on Earth is going on?" the Doctor asked, entering the room with a frown. Jack winced. Talk about bad timing.

"You!" Rose cried, turning her attention to the Time Lord with startling speed. "I've been looking for you!"

"Why?" the Doctor asked, puzzled and slightly worried at how much she resembled Jackie at that moment.

"Why?" she repeated, "Well, maybe because I'm to be confined to bed? Maybe because you're stoppin' me live?"

"I just thought that it'd be better for you," he consoled, but Rose wasn't having any of it.

"Well it's not, so you can both just leave me alone!"

"Rose, Rose," the Doctor cajoled. "Listen to me. I understand you're worried, but there's nothing you can do. You'd be much safer in bed, in case anything happens."

"Wherever I am, I'm changing anyway. Stayin' in bed all day isn't gonna change that."

"What if you collapse again, and you fall and hurt yourself? Or something else happens?"

"What if I collapse in bed – and you're not there? How does it make any difference? And, while we're at it," her anger steeled her resolve, "what if we shouldn't be stoppin' this?"

The Doctor froze, feeling icy water fall down his spine to rest uncomfortably in his gut.

"Rose, you're turning into something you're not." He said slowly. "That's not normal – it's not good." He pondered seriously if the change was starting to affect her mind. It was possible, anything was possible. They were in a country without a map, a flashlight or a tent. And a complete lack of anyone else around at all.

"He's got a point, Rose." Jack said quietly, but that, combined with the slightly odd look the other man was giving her only fuelled her ire.

"And you're on his side too!" she paused, realising her angered words were getting her nowhere. "It's not hurtin' me, it's not gonna kill me, you said that yourself. Maybe this is what's meant to happen. You told me you're the last of the Time Lords," She quietened, "I don't want you to feel alone anymore. If me sacrificin' my humanity is what it takes, then so be it."

"You'd do that for me?" the Doctor asked quietly, shocked.

"Yes." Rose replied simply. "And I'm gonna do it, no matter what."

"But I don't need you to do that. I won't let you." He said firmly, taking her shoulders. Her eyes blazed as she pulled away.

"Then take me home."