A/N: As always, here's the update. Can't believe that's all the business. Enjoy!
"I swear it. There's something up. He looks so puzzled all of the time. Like he doesn't recognise us."
"I know it's weird 'eh?"
"What are we going to do?"
"I don't know. I've never seen him like this, and I'm the only one who's ever seen him even the slightest bit out of character. I'm going to solve it," Rose Tyler said.
The Doctor's peculiar behaviour had Rose puzzled and she didn't like seeing him like this. 'Remember, he saw you like this too. And he got you back to normal.' This only worried her more, because quite frankly she sucked at being the Doctor, and only the Doctor could get the Doctor back.
IOIOIOIOI'What happened? Did you really fight? Was it the Daleks? How did they do it?' these were the thoughts swimming madly around in the Doctor's head.
"Stop it! Leave me alone! Stop it I don't wanna talk about that! No!" The Doctor cried, clutching his head and writhing in the foetal position. "No! I won't tell you! NO!"
"Doctor? Is every thing all right? Oh my God! Doctor!" Rose cried as she entered his room. "What's wrong?"
"The Time War."
"What about the Time War Doctor?"
"They want it. The memory."
"Who do?"
"Memory feasters. Selgins."
"How do I stop it?"
"You can't."
"Okay… what can I do to help?"
"Sleeping Pills."
"Okay."
Rose then ran from the room to the medical bay to find the Doctor's sleeping pills. "Sleeping pills, sleeping pills, Sleeping pills!"
"Here."
"Thankyou. And Rose, I love you."
"Love you too Doctor. G'night."
IOIOIOIOI"It's Selgins. You heard of them?"
"Ooh yeah. Nasty little buggers. Found out it was those that the Time Agency used on me. Those two years," Jack explained.
"You never told me that? Why not? I thought we told each other everything!" Kel demanded.
Rose laughed, pat Jack on the back and went to go keep an eye on the Doctor.
"Kel, I told you, don't mention that sort of stuff around here. The Doc and Rose wouldn't let me hear the end of it if they found that out…"
That was all she heard. 'Mental note, talk to Jack about it later. Tease him. Bad.'
Entering the Doctor's room, Rose watched a seemingly peaceful Time Lord sleep. Kissing him gently on the forehead, she sipped at the coffee she'd prepared, took his hand and sat down, preparing for the long haul. It wasn't going to be an easy night.
True enough, after about twenty minutes the Doctor started moaning.
"Shh," Rose lulled.
"Don't make me go back, I don't want to."
"Doctor, you said I couldn't help. Unless there is something I can do, I'm doing all I can. Go back to sleep. I'm right here, everything will be all right."
"Promise."
"I promise Doctor."
They shared a brief kiss and then the Doctor rolled over and went back to sleep.
IOIOIOIOI
"This one's strong."
"Yes, but his resilience is wearing," the Selgins conversed. "We must get that memory."
"I know, and I will. I think I can hit a nerve. The blonde girl. They have romantic involvement."
"Good, make sure you do get it. I don't fancy living in a time vortex unable to fly through it for all eternity."
"Master, there is one more thing. Harkness. He's on board that thing."
"Ah yes, the Captain. Those memories, they were strong. Two years of his life. The Time Lord's is stronger. Now, go get him."
IOIOIOIOIWhen Rose awoke the next morning, the Doctor was gone. He'd left a note though. 'Gone to zero room.'
It was still early, so Rose didn't expect Jack and Kel to be awake yet. She padded down the hallway to a room the Doctor had marked 'Zero Room.'
"Doctor? You in here? Is everything okay?"
"Rose?"
Rose ran to follow the Doctor's voice when he stopped her.
"Don't. Stay there. I don't want you to see me. But I'll explain what's happening. I fought the Selgins all night. They're not an easy bunch to overcome, so naturally, if I did beat them, the after effects would be devastating. I'm regenerating. Trouble is, it's slower than usual due to the massive trauma I've been through. Should only be another five minutes though. You can see me then. Goodbye Rose."
Upon hearing all this, Rose stood there, open mouthed and worried. Regeneration. She hadn't even thought of it. New face, new personality. The minutes seemed to crawl by and Rose was on the verge of screaming when -
"It's done," and Estuary Cockney accent said.
Rose turned the corner and came face to face with a new man. Big brown hair, skinny, shorter, and he was very good looking. Plus, the Doctor's night clothes were hanging off him.
"Excuse me. I need time."
Rose ran out of the room, the tears streaming down her face. He was gone. And he wouldn't be coming back. It was when she was running aimlessly through the corridors that she barrelled into Jack.
"Rosie what's wrong?"
"The Doctor. Jack he's gone. I'm meant he's regenerated."
"Oh no. Is he all right? Are you all right?"
"It all happened so fast. I never even got to say goodbye. God I'm being selfish. He gave up his life for his people. They wanted the last memory of his people. I have to go apologise to him."
"Ros-" Jack was cut off by an indignant Kel.
"Let her deal with this. He's her husband, not yours, even if you want him to be."
"Kel… I never meant it like that. I – I like you Kel."
"Then why don't you show it some more? Stop worrying about your stupid image with these people. If they truly are your friends then they'll accept us."
Jack kissed her on the cheek then proceeded to tickle her madly.
IOIOIOIOI"Doctor? I'm sorry. Truly. You did what you had to do to save that memory. I get it now. I read about regeneration in the library ages ago. I just never expected it. You're still you. Always will be. I hope."
"Oh Rose, you have no idea what it means to hear you say that. I'm sorry you had to experience it that way."
Rose ran into his arms and embraced her new man. She took in his scent (Mint) and touch. Then, she kissed him gently. Yep, he still had it. And God was he cute.
There. That chapter's longer. A1000+ word chapter with someDoctor/RoseJack/Kel fluff thrown in.Hope you enjoyed it. I liked writing it. Maybe because the creative juices are flowing madly. I mean second chapter in one day. That's fantastic on my part, if I do say so myself. Please review!
