Rose stood at the waters edge, small stones clenched tight in her hand. Every so often she would throw one of them into the river, watching the splash and then the ripples. Once the waters had returned to calm glass again, she would repeat the action. Absent mindedly she kicked at the grass with her foot while she waited for the water to still again. Owler came up behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder at him, saying nothing, then looking back at the river. She lifted her hand, a flat smooth stone gripped tight in her fingers. Owler reached out and covered her hand with his, bringing her arm back down to her side.
"I'm sorry Rose."
She turned and looked at him. "It's not your fault." She said flatly. "You weren't to know."
"Come eat, the fish is cooked."
Rose looked over to where Owler had cooked two fresh caught fat green fish, while she had stood sulking. "Smells good." She admitted.
"It is good." He smiled and tugged at her hand. Rose reluctantly followed, dropping the stones to the ground.
They sat down next to the fire and Owler handed Rose a large thick waxy green leaf, the size of a dinner plate, on which was her fish, not green anymore but bright yellow. She looked at it. Just a fish she thought. Not worms. Then she put a little into her mouth, and chewed.
Owler watched her carefully as he also began to eat. "Good.?" He asked.
"Hmmm... good." She smiled at him, then frowned slightly, realising something. "Funny though... it tastes like chicken."
"It is a Kua Jut fish - it tastes different to everyone. Its flavour depends on who eats it." Owler explained. "To you it tastes like chicken. But to me it tastes of Gatt Mahgg."
"What's Gatt Mahgg.?" Rose asked.
"It is a sea snake that grows bigger than a man. It has a mouth that sucks in it's prey, holding it in its stomach where it is slowly digested. It takes weeks sometimes. Then it throws up the bones."
"Remind me never to go swimming around here." Rose said pulling a face.
"Rose.?"
"Mmm.?" She said, her mouth full of fish.
"What is chicken.?"
Ibroc picked up his basket of fish, pulling its strap over his head and around his shoulder. His heavy load secure, he looked at the Doctor who proudly carried one fat green fish in his hand.
"And you doubted my abilities." The Doctor said, waving the fish in triumph at his friend.
"I live and learn Doctor." Ibroc said humbly.
"And remember." The Doctor said tapping his nose with one finger and giving a sly wink. "Top secret."
Ibroc smiled as they set off on the walk back to the village. "I hope that Rose is feeling better by the time we return."
"Oh she is." The Doctor said quietly, then shot a sudden grin at Ibroc, hoping that his old friend would be taken in by his cheery manner. "You don't know her like I know her." He said, then wished with both his hearts that he hadn't. It had hurt him to say the words. Actual pain had torn into him with teeth and claws, as he realised he didn't know Rose at all, not anymore. Maybe he never had.
The day moved on slowly, the sun moving through it's arc in the jade sky above, until its light grew pale and sleepy. Yet by their camp fire Owler and Rose were hardly aware, as they talked as friends, learning more about eachother with every question.
"So, where's your Mum then.?" Rose asked. "Your Mother I mean." She corrected when she saw Owlers frown.
Owler shifted uncomfortably where he sat. "She's dead."
"Oh." Rose looked up trying to think of what next to say, something that would make it better somehow. But there wasn't anything.
"I was a child, I barely remember her." Owler said.
Rose looked at him, knowing from the sadness in his eyes that he remembered more that he admitted to. "My Dad died." She said softly, wanting Owler to know that he wasn't alone in grief. "I didn't really know him. I remember him though." She smiled warmly as thoughts of Pete Tyler filled her head. "The Doctor helped me... "
"My Father told me about the Doctor when I was a child. He said he was a good man, a man to be trusted."
"He is." Rose murmured.
"Is that why you love him.?"
Rose stared at Owler, knowing that it was an unfair question given her present situation. "I think I loved him before I knew him. Funny, I just met him, this stranger and it was like... I trusted him. Next thing is I'm leaving everything I know behind me, to be with him. He saved my life just by taking hold of my hand."
Owler reached across and gently stroked Roses cheek. "Then why don't you want to tell him what is in your heart.?" His hand fell away.
"But I do.!" She said, surprised by her own words. She gave a slow warm smile, as she realised that it was true. Telling the Doctor how she felt about him was exactly what she wanted to do. She'd been afraid too long already. This was her chance to finally admit her feelings, and she was wasting it away hiding from him. She scambled to her feet, grinning. "Owler, I want to go back to the village. Right now.!"
Owler got up, standing infront of her. "Are you sure.?"
Rose grinned, moving to hug Owler tight in her arms. "Yes.!" She laughed.
"Very well." He said with reluctance. "But we must leave the land as we found it." He knealt down and began to clear away the remains of their meal. Frustrated and impatient, Rose joined him, better with two she though with a smile. She picked up his knife and pushed it into the belt of her jeans, then as Owler put out the small fire she took the clay dish to the river to wash it out. When she returned everything was done. She handed Owler the dish, and he put it into a small bag he carried over his shoulder. But she could tell he was troubled by something.
"What is it.?"
"What is your name.?" He asked, with his eyes fixed upon hers.
"You know my name it's..." She paused. "Mary." She could not prevent a smile from seizing possession of her lips.
"Where do you come from.?"
"The planet Krypton.!"
"How did you get here.?"
"Rode all the way on a pink elephant.!" With this Rose leapt at Owler, throwing her arms around his shoulders and laughing in delight.
Owler held her close, breathing in the scent of her, learning the softness of her cheek against his. Suddenly becoming aware of what she was doing, Rose let Owler go, and stepped back awkwardly.
"Sorry." She said. "Got caught up in the moment." A stray smile escaped her lips.
"You don't have to do this." Owler said hesitantly."The potions side effect has passed."
"Yeah I do." Rose said. "And it's better this way. Now I'll tell him for the right reasons. Not because I have to, but cos I want to."
Owler nodded slightly."We should go back now, it's getting dark."
Rose looked around. It was getting dark. "Have we really been here all day.?" She asked in surprise.
"Yes." Owler answered, setting off in the direction of the village.
"Bloody Hell." Rose said as she caught up with Owler and fell into step at his side. "The Doctor's gonna be furious."
By the time they arrived back in the village it had become much darker. The sky was now a midnight blue colour, freckeled with pin pricks of emerging star light. The air around them was still warm, and the sleepy breeze that gently kissed their faces was soft and sweet scented. They walked past tall wooden posts, the tops tarred with a sticky black residue that had been set fire, burning to light the night. From them occasional bursts of sparks would crack and fly up into the air, like a sudden firework display. The people who they passed, offered smiles, greetings and blessings of the Goddess. Rose accepted each one until her heart was full. She smiled at Owler, wondering if he knew how lucky he was, to have never know pain or war or cruelty, or any of the countless horrors other races practiced until they mastered. She loved this world. She felt warmth everywhere, in everything, in everyone. It really was a paradise she thought. A place of goodness.
There was a group of perhaps twenty or so people outside Ibrocs house, all talking, eating and drinking. Rose noticed Kyte was among them, and with a stir of jealousy she tried to catch sight of the Doctor, thinking that it was unusual for Kyte to have let him slip away from her. But try as she might, she couldn't see the Doctor anywhere in the crowd. She felt a touch at her shoulder, and spinning around, a smile flying to her lips she looked up into the eyes of, Ibroc. Her smile flickered then faded away with her hopes.
"Rose." He said softly. "Are you well.? When we returned to find you gone..."
"It is my fault Father." Owler interupted. "I should not have gone without leaving word."
"It's no-ones fault." Rose corrected, her eyes intent on Owler. Before her attention returned to Ibroc. "Owler made a potion to cure my head. You should be proud of him."
Owler stared at Rose wide eyed, surprised that she had spoken so. Then he cautiously looked to his father.
Ibrocs smile was warm, and his hand moved to sit on Owlers shoulder, as he looked deep into the boys eyes. "I am always proud of my son." He said. "And if he has the makings of a healer... then I am prouder still."
Sensing a father son bonding moment, Rose walked away, milling through the group of people, looking into face after face, knowing she had to find the Doctor eventually. Her hand was caught and she turned slightly, hoping again.
It was Owler. "I wanted to wish you luck." He said. "And to thank you for what you said."
Rose smiled. "Anytime." Then she sighed. "I can't see the Doctor anywhere, though."
"My Father say's he is inside the house"
Rose looked at the doorway, then back to Owler, unable to control her smile. She leant forward and kissed his cheek, then tried to go, but he still held her hand, holding her there.
"You're sure.?" He asked.
Rose smiled at him, touched by his concern. "More than I've ever been about anything." She said.
He let go her hand, and without looking back, Rose turned to run into the house.
Rose pushed back the curtain to her room, walking inside and smiling when she saw the Doctor. He was sitting on the floor, his head bowed, his back firmly against the wall, his legs drawn up slightly, long arms stretched out infront of him, hands at his knees. He did not look up.
Rose hesitated, the wind knocked out of her sails by this reactionless Doctor. "Don't be angry with me." She half teased. "Doctor.?" Then she sighed heavily, wondering how she had fallen so deeply in love with a man who could sulk like a two year old. But then she smiled, not caring, because she did love him. With all her heart. What else mattered.?
She moved forward and touched his fingers, only to have him jerk his hand away from her, as though she had burnt him. Startled she looked at him, confused, even a little afraid. What was wrong.? This was more than sulking. This was... anger.
He looked up then, meeting her eyes with his, except they weren't his. They had turned to the darkest grey, almost black, but worse than that, Rose could see he was barely able to look at her.
"Had fun today have you.?" It wasn't even his voice, not really.
She felt suddenly cold."What's that supposed to mean.?"
Saying nothing, the Doctor got to his feet and walked past her, out of the room. Alone, Rose turned to stare after him, but all she saw was the sway of the curtain as he left her. Snapping out of her daze she set off in pursuit, her temper rising.
He was standing in the main room, by the fire, his back to her, hands deep inside his jacket pockets as he watched the flames intently. Rose walked up to him.
"Is this something to do with Owler.?" She asked, touching his arm. "I know you don't much like him, but he's not that bad once you get to know him..."
He turned and looked at her. His face painted with surprise. "Oh.!" He said pointedly. "So that's what you've been doing...'getting to know him'."
Rose frowned, she didn't understand where this was coming from. "What the Hell's got into you.?"
"I should have expected as much." The Doctor said. "You being a friendly girl... new planet new boyfriend, is that the idea.?" He smiled as if he didn't care that he was being cruel.
He had to be cruel he thought, if he was, then she'd never look at him with soft sweet eyes again... maybe she'd even run home, if he hurt her enough. She'd sit at the kitchen table with Jackie and drink tea, and listen to her Mum tell her how she was better off out of it. Gadding about with an alien, putting herself in danger... when she could have a nice boy like Mickey. No contest really. He closed his eyes for the smallest of moments. He didn't want to do this, any of it, but he had to make her go. Then she wouldn't be there to see him crawl away to some dark corner of the universe and lick his wounds, until he forgot how much he loved her.
"Are you... are you calling me a slapper.?" Rose could hardley believe it.
"Fine looking boy like Owler, It's only natural you'd go all moon eyed over him."
"I do not go moon eyed.!" Rose protested.
"Do."
"Not.!"
"Do."
Rose crossed her arms and glared at him. The Doctor felt a cold shiver run the length of his spine, as for a second he caught sight of something flicker in Rose he hadn't ever seen before. Oh yes, he thought with no small degree of alarm, - she was definately her mothers daughter. He almost had her he thought, just one more push was all it would take.
"Let's see, first Mickey... well I doubt he was the first." He winked at her. "Then Adam... and now Owler. The notches on your bedpost are gonna make it look like it has woodworm if you keep this up." He leant in a little closer, seeing the begining of tears deep within her eyes. "You know, a girl can get a reputation... even in space."
She slapped him.
He felt the sting burn. But he didn't flicker, and he saw her first tear fall. He'd won. But he felt no pride in his victory. Her tears shining in her eyes tortured him more than he'd expected them to - and he had expected them to. But nothing like this.
Rose turned and ran from the house.
Outside she ran through people, bumped into arms and shoulders blindly, not caring, not thinking, all she wanted was to get away. She heard her name called out, but ignored it, instead brushing away her tears and running into the night, as it darkend around her.
Ibroc caught his sons arm, holding him back from giving chase. "Let her be." He said softly.
"She needs me.!" Owler said, pulling away slightly.Yet his fathers hold remained firm.
"No my son. Her heart is not yours."
Owler stared after Rose, who had already vanished into the darkness. "She ran from him." He said in confusion.
"Yet it is him she loves." Ibroc released Owlers arm, giving him the choice of what he should do next.
Owler looked toward the house, and then back to his father in silent acceptance. He nodded.
Ibroc handed Owler a green leaf, on which a bright yellow fish lay, still steaming from the fire. "Take the Doctors fish to him... it took him long enough to catch it, he should eat it."
Reluctantly Owler took the fish and began walking to the house.
"My Father thought you might be hungry Doctor, he asked me to bring you the fish you caught."
The Doctor turned and looked at Owler, taking the fish from him in silence, and putting a morsal into his mouth. He had expected Owler to go, but he didn't.
"Tell Ibroc thank you." He chewed on the fish, then frowned a little. "Cabbage.?"
Owler stared darkly at the Doctor.
The Doctor, having had more than enough of Owler, put the fish to one side and moved forward until they were face to face. Just as they had been that day in the Tree Temples. The more things change, the more they stay the same, he thought bleakly.
"Is there something I can help you with.?" He asked. "Because if there is, by all means ask away."
Owler remained silent.
"No.?" The Doctor said. "Cat got your tongue.? Well if you don't mind I think I'd like to be alone."
Owler almost turned to leave, almost, but at the last moment he changed his mind, instead lifting his head so that his yellow eyes blazed into the Doctors.
"She came to you and offered her heart.!" He said angrily. "How could you reject her.? How is it you care so little for her that you would make her run into the night blind with tears.?"
The Doctor could do nothing but stare wordlessly into Owlers face, as his mind tried to make sense of the words. But it made no sense. It was all wrong, that hadn't happened - Rose hadn't... His head lifted a little. Suddenly he was cold, as realisation hit him like an icy blast. A ragged breath escaped from his lungs and his stone hearts crumbled to dust.
"Rose..." He said softly, her name his own salvation, bringing him to life again.
"I would be glad of a love so fierce. If she wanted me... but she does not." Owler fixed the Doctor with a cold gaze."My Father tells me you are a wise man, but he is wrong. You are a fool."
At last understanding, the Doctor nodded. "Yes I am." He said. "I'm a bloody idiot."
Ibroc could not help but smile as he saw the Doctor run out from the house, his face lit with fevered determination, his sharp eyes searching the faces of the people around him. Seeing Ibroc, the Doctor seized his friends arms, holding him before him.
"Rose." He said, his features wild."Where is she.. have to find her..tell her." He looked up to the moon and grinned before staring back into his old friends face. "I've been a idiot. You were right... should have listened - you're always right." He grinned again, then sped off, stopping suddenly to look back to point at the house. "That boy... I'm starting to warm to him." Then he shot off again.
Ibroc stood where he was, smiling, patiently waiting. A second later the Doctor was back, still frantic.
"Which way.?" He asked, and Ibroc pointed in the other direction.
The Doctor grinned, and then was gone.
He hurried over soft grassy earth, through dark branches, and then came out into a dry barren area, the ground no longer grassy, but scattered with stone and wild parched weeds that struggled for life in a unloving soil. Even the trees were hungered and starved, looking like sarecrows, or haunted creatures from nightmares, casting shadows on the dark ground. The moon was his only light, and that it seemes was fleeting, as clouds passed over its face . Sometimes he could only glimpse a few feet infront of him. He thought that he had better slow his pace, as the stones underfoot moved like marbles, rolling and scattering away. After he'd walked into a tree for the third time, he cursed under his breath, wishing he'd brought a torch with him. He stopped, then smiled, pushing his hand into his jeans pocket and pulling out the sonic screwdriver. He fiddled with it for a second, then a sharp blue light hit him in the eye, as it came on suddenly. He squinted, half blinded for a second, then shone the bright blue light infront of him, taking cautious steps forward.
He heard a scream, and his blood ran cold. Rose. He began to run.
He stopped suddenly, his eyes wildly searching. His hands clutched at the branch of a dead tree that hung like a broken arm over a steep cliff edge. He couldn't see her. He closed his eyes for a second, absorbing the darkness, learning it. He heard a slight moan, soft and filled with pain. His eyes snapping open again and he scrambled desparetly down the cliff, clutching at rock and tufts of grass , whatever he could snatch at that would slow his rapid descent, into hell.
When he found her he fell to his knees beside her broken body. She lay like a childs disgarded doll, her eyes closed, her hair half covering her pale face, her lips flushed with a painted kiss. She was still and cold and lifeless.
The Doctor reached out and pushed back her hair from her face, sure that she would open her eyes then, and look at him. He felt a warmth at his fingertips, and saw them covered with rich dark blood, even her hair, where he had pushed it from her face, was matted with its redness. He groaned desparetly and drew her into his arms, hearing a noise as he did so, the sound of metal against stone. He looked at the ground, as the moon took pity on him, allowing him to see a knife blade covered with blood fall from where he had moved her. He did not have time to think, as the next thing was he heard her moan softly, no more than a breath. But a breath was life.
He put his hand to her wound, pressing down into it. He had to stop the bleeding. She made another sound, a cough and then a gasp of air from her lungs escaped between them. Her eyes rolled open and she stared into the darkness.
"Stay with me Rose.!" He urged, frantically willing her with all his being to please do as he asked for once - just this once. "Stay with me.!" He pulled her in close to him. His hands soaked in her blood, as he desparetly, uselessly tried to stop the bleeding.
Stay with him.? Rose thought. Stay with her Doctor. She felt cold.
He was rocking her gently in his arms and kissing her face, her eyes, her cheek, her unresponsive lips..., and was he crying.? Why was her Doctor crying.?
"Rose.? Rose.! Please stay with me.!"
She was so cold now, so very cold. But she didn't understand why.
The last thing she knew was the salt water taste of his tears, as they fell against her silent lips.