"There we go," the Doctor muttered. Jack looked to the computer screen the Doctor was staring intently at.
"Map o' the TARDIS," the Doctor explained. He pointed. "That's the control room. Those two bright dots are me 'n' you. And Rose…." His eyes swept the entire map. He frowned and pushed a button several times, flipping through levels of the TARDIS. Finally he stopped when it cycled back to the main floor. "Rose is nowhere to be seen. Same with the zombies."
Jack moved closer to the screen. "So what does that mean?"
"Well…" the Doctor started. "I'm guessing the TARDIS can't read the zombies cuz they're dead and Rose…well. It either means she's dead or maybe the TARDIS can't read her cuz she's in the walls."
"We're going for the latter of those options, right?" Jack asked, staring at the screen. The Doctor glared at him.
"Yes Jack. We would prefer Rose be alive in the walls rather than dead."
The two men stared at the screen for a moment, trying to formulate a plan when something on the screen caught the Doctor's eye.
"Ha!" he exclaimed, pointing. "There she is! Her light's dimmer…that can't be good." Immediately he ran to the door. "Right. Jack, you stay here, keep two eyes on that map. If anything happens to either of us…"
Jack nodded. "Captain Jack Harkness to the rescue. Got'cha."
The Doctor smiled grimly, and then ran down the hall to find Rose.
XxXxX
The entire world seemed to be in a different dimension—life didn't seem a reality. Who was she? What was she doing? Ah, yes. She was following orders. There were two men somewhere around here and she was to dispose of them.
There, coming around the corner was one of the men. Tall, big ears, a somewhat hooked nose and wearing a black leather jacket. Somehow he seemed familiar, like she had known him in another life. No matter.
He was talking to her. "Rose?" Who was that? Was that her name? "Rose, are you all right? What happened to your eyes? Where are the zombies?"
Too many questions! Without any thought at all, she reached out towards him and clutched his neck hard. The man's eyes widened with shock and pain as her grip tightened. Frantically, he clawed at her hand, trying desperately to breath. But she wouldn't let him. Never again.
Finally the man's eyes rolled up to the back of his head. His body went limp and she let go. Her work here was finished. Now to find that other man.
XxXxX
Jack stood at the console, watching intently as the Doctor's dot came up to Rose's. Finally it stopped, just in front of her. His nerves jumping wildly, Jack watched as nothing seemed to be happening. Then the Doctor's dot started to blink. Jack swore and pulled his blaster out, running to the rescue.
XxXxX
There she was, striding slowly towards him like she owned the place. All right, she did live in the TARDIS, but since when did Rose walk like that?
"Rose?" Jack asked. There was something about her eyes…like they couldn't focus on any one thing. At the sound of his voice, she turned to look at him. Then he saw what was wrong. Her eyes were dimmed, filmed over like she was blind. Jack raised an eyebrow and backed up. Somehow he didn't think that was a good thing.
"Rose, where's the Doctor? Did the zombies get to him or…Rose?" he asked. She was advancing on him, like a predator advancing on its prey. And Jack really didn't like to be food. After a brief moment's pause, Jack bolted past Rose and sprinted down the hall to find the Doctor.
Soon he found him, crumpled on the ground in a heap, unconscious. Swearing softly, Jack shoved his blaster back where it belonged and rushed to his friend's side. He checked his pulse desperately and his eyes widened when he felt only one pulse. That could not be good.
Quickly he stood up and looked around him. Right next to him was a door. Without further thought, he threw it open and grabbed the Doctor, shoving him in. At that moment, Rose turned the corner towards him. As she approached, Jack's mind worked furiously.
"I don't know what's wrong with you," he told her, "but whatever it is, I'm not letting you near him…or me." With that, Jack stepped inside the room, slamming the door behind him. He heard Rose bellow a roar of rage and leaned his back hard against the door, determined not to let Rose in with her furious poundings. Finally, she gave up with an animal-like growl and walked away. When he could no longer hear her fading footsteps, Jack relaxed and took the opportunity to find out what room they were in. Praising his good luck, Jack grinned.
"Perfect. The infirmary."
A/N: I love reviewers and live for constructive criticism!
