KITG: sorry for the wait for this chap. I became part of the Summer Solstice Fic Exchange on Time&chips. For which I was challenged to write a Doctor Who Story containing Angst, Death and drama. Unfortunately I could not post this on FanFiction because of it's NC-17 rating. For the Fact it dealt with rape. If you would like to read this fic called "The Puppet Master" it can be found on www(.)Whofic(.)com. My pen name on there is KITG22.

Guardian to Gallifrey Chapter 9

"Doctor…?" All three turned to the weak female voice that came from the bed. The Doctor was there in an instant, grasping her hand as an anchor for them both. Jack and Galen looking over each of his shoulders. Galen to the right and Jack to the left.

"I'm here Rose" the Doctor cupped her cheek with his free hand.

"What happened? Did we win?" she asked, voice broken and harsh.

"Yeah we did. What do you remember?"

"Them hurting me" she began to cry as her memories resurfaced "then being in the tower again. You were there Jack, and we were going to wait for you Doctor.." her face screwed up in concentration and confusion as she could remember no more after that. "That's all I can remember"

"It's okay, don't worry about it sweetheart. How do you feel?" Jack asked softly, his handsome smile putting her at ease.

"Bit sore. But okay I guess" she replied, then she saw Galen " Galen! You're awake!" she reached out a hand to him. He came forward and clasp it in his own.

"Yeah, woke up not too long ago. Seems I missed all the fun" he gave one of his rare smiles. Though since traveling with the Doctor after being a slave for so long. The smiles were slowly becoming less rare.

"Wouldn't call it fun.." She replied, eyes downcast.

"No…neither would I" Galen stroked her hair in comfort, and then looked to the Doctor before speaking. "We're going to let you get some rest. I know how annoying I can be"

"No you're not"

"Yes I am"

"No you're not" her voice now sounding a little annoyed. The Doctor hid his smile, as he knew where this was leading

"See?" he looked smug. "So me and Jack are going for a walk" He kissed Rose on her forehead then placed a hand on the Doctors shoulder which the Doctor placed his own hand upon for a moment in thanks. Then Galen made for the door, Jack went over to Rose and also kissed on her forehead.

"See you later sweet heart" then followed Galen from the room with one last wave.

Rose and the Doctor sat in silence a moment, only the sounds of the various medical equipment ticking over accompanied by the rhythmic sighs of air that was their breath disturbed the quiet room.

"I'm sorry Rose." The Doctors voice finally broke the silence between them,

"Sorry? For what?" Rose asked confused.

"For getting you into this. For what the Bursar did, for how my people treated you" he sighed, as the anger at himself lay just below the surface.

"But that wasn't your fault. You didn't know they were going to do that to me" Rose tried to defend him as always.

"No Rose, I knew their nature. Why do you think I travel the universe? Not because I thought they were gone. But because I always traveled. I couldn't stand their no-interference laws when we could help. We could stop the aliens invading without the races even knowing we were there but still they did nothing. So I stole the TARDIS…."

"You stole the TARDIS?" Rose exclaimed with a giggle.

"Oi, I'll have you know I saved her. She was old even then. They were going to decommission her. They would have taken her from the shell of the TARDIS and place her into the Matrix so her knowledge could be accessed. Be she wouldn't be free." He smiled thinking back when he had taken the old girl. Bonding almost instantly, feeling her joy at not having to return to the Matrix

"Matrix? Like the movie?" Rose asked.

"Hardly, The Matrix is like….well like a huge super computer that holds the knowledge of us and various things in the universe. All TARDISes come from this. And return when they become obsolete. Our TARDIS is a type-40. All TARDISes are connected to the Matrix, so they can search for any information they might need." He explained. Not noticing he had said 'Our' TARDIS.

"So you traveled?" she prompted for him to continue the story. He had never opened up like this. She supposed having his world back had taken some of the darkness from him. Though the way his people acted couldn't have helped

"Yeah, I left this place. And have been traveling ever since. I came back when the war started. Romana called me. We used to be friends." He looked out the window sadly. Only to look back at Rose when she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I think you still are Doctor. And you are not to blame. You are not responsible for the actions of your race. Just like I'm not responsible for mine. As long as you act like you, and not how some other dictates, then….it's not your fault" she smiled at him, the bright smile that lit up the room and he found his hearts missing a beat. How could this young human be able to hold back the darkness? And show him how he was carrying too much blame on his shoulders. Then the image of her, open to the air, gutted like a fish made him take a firm grip on her hand.

"I don't deserve you Rose Tyler. Not after this. I should have stayed with you, protected you" Rose tugged on his hand and he looked up to see had made a space for him on the bed. The bed had been the size of a double bed anyway, with her form looking so small in the center. When she had been unconscious he had been so afraid, her looking so small, so broken. So he did not think twice about laying on the bed beside her. She snuggled up to him, resting her head on his chest so she could hear the double beat of his hearts.

"You can't protect me all the time Doctor. We both know this. I knew it when I joined you. I have told you before. I wouldn't change it for the world." She felt his arms tighten around her as the hug conveyed the gratitude he felt for her. Then his hand was on her chin, angling her face so they could lock eyes.

"Stay with me?" he pleaded in a small whisper. And Rose's heart stopped, was he asking what she thought he was asking? So Rose gave the only reply she could ever give him.

"Always" then his lips were upon hers, soft and full of emotion. And she knew that what she had said was right. She wasn't sure how she knew. But she would be with him always. Until the end of his days, not hers.

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Jack followed Galen outside and into the sunlight, in the height of the day the sun more of a pale red. Around the Time Lords went about their business, some still giving filthy looks at Galen but he ignored them.

"Why do to take that Galen?" Jack suddenly asked as they came upon the market place

"Take what?" he looked at Jack; shocked to her the anger in the young mans voice.

"That, how they look at you! You saved them and they look at you as if you are not worth anything."

"Jack, don't judge the race by those you have met. They believe what the council tells them. For the council has looked after Gallifrey well for so long, they have no reason to question it. But the trouble with Time Lords is they tend to stagnate. With the council gone. Perhaps they will start thinking for themselves." Galen continued to walk on, just enjoying the day. For he knew now he would not stay, and he also knew they would be leaving soon. Once the Doctor was finished with Romana.

"So what you going to do Galen?" Jack seemed nervous…which was unlike him.

"Okay Jack. Spit it out, what's wrong with you?" Galen stopped to face the human before that usually was bright and confident. Now he seemed as nervous as someone on there first date.

"Galen….I've…look I've been all over the place. And been with a lot of people. Some I can remember. Other's I can't, I haven't told you about some of my past. Was never sure why I opened up so much to the Doctor and Rose," Galen smiled at this.

"Yeah, they can do that to you"

"I've lost two years of my life Galen. The Time Agency took them from me and I don't know why. So I can't be sure when I say this. But….." he seemed to faltered, "I've never felt…home anywhere, or felt a strong connection with anyone"

"Jack, you going soft?" Galen looked at him, with some understanding.

"No…it's just when they did that deep mind scan on you and.."

"You don't want to get involved with me Jack. I am far to broken for anyone" Jack looked up shocked at this. Galen had moved a few steps away, looking to the Tower in the distance.

"Maybe I can fix you" jack replied slyly, only to receive a slight disgusted look. "Sorry, can't help it sometimes"

"I can't be fixed Jack. I'm not something you can glue back together. I am not worth your time Jack" he replied sadly his hood hiding the expressions on his face. Jack walked up, placing his hand on Galen's shoulder.

"Please let me try" Galen looked down at him, could he open himself once more? He had never been given the chance to love. His life lived for him by the oath he made so long ago. He growled low, his heart telling him to take the leap of faith. His mind reminding him of all the hurt and betrayal.

"No Jack, you have no idea how close I am to the edge. How I long to end the life that is not mine, at lest then I would have the choice. But still I am bound by the symbol of my people. But now not bound by a race, or a lord. But a mere human child who I will outlive yet the promise will remain. So I have to keep my promise not to end my life!" he moved from the comforting touch of Jacks hand.

"Galen…" Jack tried again.

"Jack. Just……let me get used to this. I have wanted to end this for so long. It will take me time to want to live" with that Galen walked from Jack. He watched him a moment, before with a sigh Jack ran to catch up.

"Do I have a hope?" Jack asked quietly.

"There is always hope" Galen whispered back. With a small smile Jack and Galen continued their walk. Jack realised they were heading to the Panapticon to where the President no doubt resided.

"Where are we going Galen?" Though Jack could guess their destination.

"I need to speak with the president" he replied darkly

They walked through the grand hallways, other muttering things just on the edge of Jack's hearing. But from the look on Galen's face he could hear all. He looked down at Jack, seeing the man giving dark looks at all the Murmuring Time Lords. Even if Jack could not hear what they were saying, he could tell it was not good.

"They are saying I should be punished for Destroying Rassilon's tomb, never mind that it's now fixed. Um…some are whispering about the Doctor….and some are talking about what to have for dinner" he finished with a smile a Jack.

"You should tell them…" Jack was righteous anger for Galen. He took a step forward to tell all of Galen. Of what he had done for them, but he felt a restraining hand on his shoulder and turned to look at the gold eyes that lay in the darkness of his hood.

"No Jack. They will believe what they will, and in truth I do not care what they believe, what they think. Those I do care already know the truth, the Doctor, Rose, You, and my Lord Rassilon. The rest are of no importance to me. If they think they can wound me with their whispers they are sadly mistaken. I have been shouted at by my own race, shouts of betrayal and murder. These little whispers mean nothing to me" the Dark glint in his eyes flickered into being then fled the light.

They entered the chamber of the council, all chairs empty bar the form of Romana sat in the president chair. She looked so small for a change, her beliefs now broken. Romana looked up as they entered, eyes locking on the Guardian.

"Come to admonish me Guardian?" She asked quietly.

"Hardly, My lady. I actually came to see if you are all right" Romana's head shot up shocked, the Guardian had every right to rave, to turn his back on them all. And from the look on the humans face, he thought the same

"But…why Guardian?"

"I would be lying if I said I had much compassion left. But I think the Doctor will rant enough for the both of us. No, I was just curios as to what you will do now?" he asked, his gold eyes boring into hers. She knew then that it was not just the Guardian, but also the Time Vortex itself that wanted to know.

"I don't know. Should I reform the council after it fell so far?" she walked towards the Guardian to stand before him, her from small compared to his height. "Or should I rule alone?"

"You don't want to become a Pythia, I would not let you. I think you should reform the council. But instead of those with high background have a mix. The council is for all the people of Gallifrey. It's time they all had a voice in the council" he rested a hand on her shoulder.

"What of you Guardian? Now that you have fulfilled your oath..what will you do?" she asked him kindly. Grateful for his words of kindness.

"I don't know. I am not blind to what they think of me right now. So I cannot stay here. There is something inside me that has no place here. No place anywhere in fact" he seemed to think about that, as if he realised something. When he spoke next it was more to himself than to those in the room. "If I'm smart I would go far away. Far from anyone I care for. There may come a time I will hurt them if I don't leave.."

"Oh no. Don't think that!" Jack was there; hands on his face making him meet his eyes. "You will stay with us"

Galen looked at Jack's eyes. Seeing the conviction there and he knew he had lost the fight. There may come a day when he would not be able to hold the darkness at bay.

And that day he knew the Doctor would have to activate the chip inside his head and end his life.

"Perhaps I shall." He gave a half smile in the darkness of his hood.

"Guardian. I know I have no right to ask this of you. But will you continue the oath and watch over us?" Romana asked bowing before him in respect. But this ignited Jacks anger.

"Your right, you have no right to ask him that! After how you treated him!" how dare they? He could not get his head round it. " He sacrificed his world, his people for you!"

"Seems you have a guardian" Romana said with a small smile.

"Everyone needs a Guardian once in a while. Even me." He laid a restraining hand on Jacks shoulder. "I will watch over Gallifrey. But understand this," Galen's eyes became dark, his presence the full power he wielded. "I will only come if Gallifrey itself is in danger, not for the little things you get yourselves into. You must deal with them on your own; it is about time you took responsibility for your action. I answer to Rassilon and whatever president is in charge alone. I will not be a tool for the council"

"I understand. Thank you"

Galen started to walk towards the doorway. It was time to leave; he could see Jack could not understand his decision to keep protecting Gallifrey. But the truth of it was, it was all he knew. He had been doing it for so long he did not know what else to do, it was the constant, the comfort, the unchanging principle. So they left the chamber of Rassilon and walked back towards the medical wing.

"Galen…Wh" but Galen cut him off.

"I don't expect you to understand Jack. But I am happy to keep protecting Gallifrey. I cannot judge the people by the acts of a few. Besides, the Universe needs the Time Lords." The medical wing was before them, through the door was the Doctor and Rose.

"You're right, I don't understand. But you do what you have to." They both stopped short when they could see into the room. They grinned at each other to see the Doctor kissing Rose. "Bout time" Jack whispered to Galen. They both sneaked in, looking at them both. Then Jack and Galen got a wicked gleam in their eyes.

"Awwww. What a cute couple!" they both exclaimed. Nearly dissolving into a fit of giggles when the Doctor nearly catapulted off the bed.

"Well Rosie, glad to see you feeling better" Jack came up to her, to kiss her on the forehead again. She cuffed him playfully on his arm for calling her Rosie.

"Finally admitted it old friend?" Galen asked, leaning against the wall.

"I admit nothing" the Doctor replied, trying not to look embarrassed. "Where have you two been?"

"Oh you know, walked the market, enjoyed the view. Talked to Romana" that caught the Doctors attention.

"You talked to her?" Galen nodded in acknowledgement.

"She had the audacity to ask Galen to keep protecting Gallifrey" Jack almost snarled, the Doctor locked his blue eyes on Galen's golden gaze.

"What did you say?"

"I said I would" the Doctor was not sure how to feel about that. "You should have said no, should never come back her. Think I should leave and never return, after what they have done to Rose" he was getting angry again.

"No Doctor, you can't. Not just for me." Rose said from the bed. "You've just got your home back, you can't turn your back on it. They are your people."

"She is right old friend, be glad you can have your world back. You know what it felt like when you thought they were gone." They could tell Galen had dropped into a dark mood again. "Enjoy the world, if not the people"

"You're right. But I have had enough of this visit. Galen, Jack. Will you take Rose to the TARDIS? I need to have a chat with Romana"

"I want to stay with you" Rose reached out her hand towards him, which he took between his own.

"No Rose, I have to see her alone. And you're not well enough yet. You're body has had a shock and needs to rest. I want you safe" he caressed her cheek, his quick smile on his face.

"Okay" Galen came forward and gently lifted her from the bed, her weight nothing to him. She put her arm around his neck, while her other and was still grasped in the Doctors; she tugged his hand to bring him closer. He leaned forward to kiss her gently, a brief kiss of parting.

"I'll see you all back at the TARDIS" the Doctor turned and walked from the room towards the Panapticon.

TBC…..

KITG: Right, think one more chapter and Epilogue to go. Gah, I have the next fic with these four in my mind already. But one at a time: ) please R&R. See you in time:)