Chapter Four – Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me

The Doctor and Rose came to a breathless halt and leaned against the alley wall, gasping, Rose clutching her side.

"What was that all about?" There was an accusing tone to the Doctor's voice.

"All what?"

"All those people chasing us, that man yelling 'stop thief', the canopy over his booth going up in flames…"

"Just because I happened to drop a lit match, and just because the canopy happened to catch fire, doesn't mean…"

"And then you just happened to grab my arm and yell 'run for it'…"

Rose straightened and punched his shoulder playfully. "C'mon, Doctor. It's not a proper outing for us unless we're running for our lives at some point. I mean, I have to keep up the tradition, right?"

"We don't have a tradition. I haven't even met you yet, remember?" But he was smiling through the frown, as if he couldn't manage to be angry with her for very long. Rose laughed, feeling suddenly and completely happy.

"So where is it?" The Doctor was still trying to look severe, but he wasn't succeeding.

"What?"

"The data crystal. The one you stole."

"Borrowed."

"Whatever. Where is it? Because we really should return it…"

Rose gave him a cheeky grin. "It's down my front."

"Er…what?"

"Down my front. In my bra."

The Doctor swallowed, but manfully kept his gaze from dipping any lower. "Ah, right. Well…hand it over."

She shook her head. "No. So unless you plan to fish it out yourself…"

He looked faintly alarmed at the suggestion, and hastily put both hands behind his back.

"Didn't think so," Rose said. Her grin faded abruptly, and she bit her lip. "Look Doctor, I know you don't know me from Adam – hmm, funny story there actually… Anyway, for all you know I could be some insane fire-starting kleptomaniac you've been dragging around the universe. Or will. But…" Her gaze lowered as she marshalled her thoughts. "But I do have a good reason. I can't tell you what it is because I don't want to screw up Time. Been there, done that, got the residual trauma. Just know that I…I really need to keep this crystal. Just for a while."

"You promise?" he asked.

"Promise what?"

"That you're not an insane fire-starting kleptomaniac?"

Rose's smile returned. "Cross my heart and hope to die." She made a cross over her chest, and this time he did look, but then his gaze went back to hers.

"All right," he said softly. "I believe you Rose Tyler." He gave her a rueful grin. "I just hope you realize I'll never be able to show my face here again." He shook his head, then turned and walked deeper into the alley.

Tears pricked her eyes as she followed him. No, you never will.

Rose was tired, thirsty, and her feet ached, but none of that seemed important. What mattered was that she was sitting beside the Doctor on a hill outside the city, watching the orange sky turn pink and gold. What did sore feet matter when she was watching the sunset on Gallifrey?

They had spent the rest of the afternoon hiding out in a library – vast, echoing, and slightly dull – had grabbed a quick meal afterwards – bland yet filling – and had visited some old school friends of the Doctor's. Or rather, the Doctor had met with them while Rose had wandered through a nearby park. Several more flowers and a couple of weeds had vanished inside her bag.

Rose cast the Doctor a sideways look. He was sitting on the slope of the hill, his arms resting on his knees, staring unblinkingly into the distance. He had been quiet ever since meeting his friends. Uncharacteristically so. Or maybe this version of the Doctor was prone to long, gloomy silences. Rose leaned over and bumped his shoulder with hers. He started, then looked at her.

"Penny for them?"

"If you have a penny left after all the shopping you've done, I'd be very surprised."

"I'll have to owe you." Rose paused, then asked: "Didn't your visit go well?"

"It was fine."

"But?"

The Doctor looked at her. "But the news wasn't exactly good."

"Oh?" A pang went through her. She hadn't brought him here to cause him sorrow.

"There are factions on the move in the universe, apparently. Elements aligning. Undercurrents. My people are…nervous, I suppose you would say. It takes a lot to make them nervous."

Rose looked away. Was it so near then? She gazed at the city before her, painted gold by the dying sun. How much time did Gallifrey have left? And, if the Time War was that close…

"Doctor, which one are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean which one? How many of you have there been?"

"Ah. Eight. I'm the eighth me."

Eight. That was one before nine. Two before ten. Rose turned her head and met the gaze of the man who would very shortly be forced to destroy his home and his people, in order to save the universe.

"You know what this reminds me of?" His voice was quiet.

"What?"

"Late summer, 1939. I was in England that August. Somerset, I think. I remember sitting on a hillside much like this, and I remember the same feeling. The knowledge that something was coming. Something bad."

"The calm before the storm," Rose whispered.

He nodded. "You know what's going to happen, don't you?"

She swallowed. "Not all of it. Not the details. I…I wish I could tell you. I want to."

"But?"

"But I'm afraid of making it worse. Afraid what might happen if…"

He looked away. The last rays of the sun were vanishing behind the horizon, and suddenly she could bear it no longer. She had to tell him.

"Doctor…"

"No, Rose. You're right not to tell me. It's better I don't know. Besides, I already know from meeting you that I'll survive whatever's coming. That's the important thing, right?" His tone was lighter now, as if he were trying to cheer himself up, as well as her. Rose could feel her heart breaking inside her.

"Doctor…"

"Shh." Tentatively, he put his arm around her shoulders. When she didn't object, he pulled her a little closer toward him. Trying desperately not to cry, Rose leaned her head against his shoulder. Together, they watched the sun disappear in silence.