A-Levels and Aliens

OK, is the divider line not working for other people or is it just me? Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Nothing you might recognise belongs to me

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It must have been her imagination, Rose decided afterwards. A trick of the light or something that caused Zoë's eyes to glow an eerie purple. It was nothing to worry about. But Rose decided to keep a watchful eye on her new friend in the future.

Just in case.

xxxxx

The following Saturday, Rose, Lauren and Kirsty invited Zoë out on the town. She happily accepted and they went to see a teatime performance at the cinema before hitting the clubs. Rose took them to one of her old haunts where she used to go with her old mates on a regular basis. She wondered suddenly where Shireen and Keisha were these days. She never saw them anymore, having lost touch.

"Anyone want a drink?" she said, once they had successfully gotten in,

"You got your 'psychic paper' then?" Kirsty asked, slyly.

Rose froze for a moment. "Oh shit! The Doctor has it!"

Her friends burst out laughing. "Hope he doesn't loose it!" cried Lauren,

"He won't," replied Rose, confidently, "C'mon; I'm in the mood to dance."

The four girls tripped onto the heaving dance floor and began to move to the music, dancing together and giggling as girls do on a night out,

After a few songs, Rose noticed that there were some lads eyeing them up from the other side of the crowded room.

"Heads up," she muttered, with a grin.

Upon seeing that they had been spotted, the lads followed them over to a booth along one wall.

"Hey, would any of you ladies care to dance?" one of them asked,

"Sure!" Zoë and Kirsty chorused together before taking two of the lad's outstretched hands and walking off. Lauren rolled her eyes at Rose and they both grinned before she left with the third guy.

"How about you?" the remaining lad asked her.

Rose looked up at him. He looked like he was in his early twenties and was tall and slim and had a cute face and dark hair, the same shade as Zoë's.

"I can't," she said, "I've got a boyfriend,"

"Oh," the young man replied before taking a seat next to her, "My name's Zach by the way,"

"Rose,"

"Pleased to meet you, Rose. So, is your boyfriend here tonight?"

"No," said Rose, regretfully, "He's…erm… out of the country,"

"That's a shame," replied Zach. He paused and then spoke again. "Come on, dance with me! I'm sure your boyfriend won't mind. Plus, he won't know anyway,"

"I can't…" Rose grimaced,

"Please?" pleaded Zach,

"Alright," she gave in, allowing him to pull her onto the dance floor. Looking around, she spotted her friends dancing with Zach's friends. Kirsty, in particular, was dancing very close to her partner.

Suddenly, the track came to an end and a much slower one started. Rose swallowed as Zach sidled closer to her, his hands resting on her hips and his hips moving hers. Rose endured it for a few minutes, wild thoughts chasing themselves around her head, primarily her wish that it was the Doctor she was dancing with, not Zach however nice he might seem and just how guilty she felt doing this, before gently pushing him away.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I can't do this,"

"It's OK," Zach sighed, "Can I buy you a drink?"

"I don't want to put you off having a good time," Rose said, apologetically,

"I can still have a good time chatting with you,"

"OK," Rose grinned, leading the way over to the bar.

xxxxx

The rest of the evening passed quickly. Rose and Zach chatted for a while, getting to know one another in between dancing to fast tracks and having a drink. Their friends dropped by from time to time to have a rest and join in the conversation before being whisked away onto the dance floor once more.

Finally at just gone midnight, they decided to call it a night and the eight of them stumbled outside the club into the biting November air. Rose said goodbye to her friends as they staggered away together as they all lived in the same area. She then turned to walk in the opposite direction, walking briskly because it was cold and dark. It was a few minutes before she heard her name being called.

"Hey Rose, wait up!"

Zach caught up with her and smiled. "Can I walk you home? You seem to be going my way,"

"If you want," Rose shrugged,

"OK." Zach took her arm and they continued walking down the road, chatting a little until they reached the Powell Estate.

"This is me," Rose said, stopping, "Thanks for walking me back,"

"It's no problem. So, are you going to be at the club again next Saturday? Me and my mates will be,"

"We might do, yeah," Rose nodded, "Right; I'm going to bed now. See you around,"

"Bye Rose." Zach dithered before suddenly darting forward and kissing her on the cheek.

Rose put her hand on her cheek as she watched him jog off.

Great, now she felt really guilty.

xxxxx

This is stupid.

Rose buried her face in her hands, sighing heavily. She was sitting in her room at her desk at ten o'clock on the following Wednesday night, trying to make sense of her History coursework. None of it seemed to make any sense and phrases in the textbook kept blurring and merging into one another. On top of that, she had a dull ache in her stomach that she'd had ever since the Doctor had gone but it seemed to be worse tonight. And then there was the sharp guilt in her gut that had been tearing at her for four days. Rubbing her eyes furiously, Rose stared at the paper in front of her, willing the answer to just appear. But it didn't. She let out a frustrated groan.

"Rose? Are you alright?" Jackie called, tapping on her door,

"Mmm."

Her mother opened the door and came and stood next to her. "How's the essay coming on?"

"It's not. Doesn't make sense," Rose muttered,

"Why don't you leave it until tomorrow then?"

"I can't. I need to get it done tonight to stay on track," Rose said, her voice frustrated,

"Sweetheart, just take a break,"

"I can't!" Rose yelled, suddenly cracking, "Just leave me alone!"

She slumped down; resting her head on her folded arms as her shoulders shook from her silent sobs. She heard her Mum leave the room and felt even worse.

"Here," said a warm and gentle voice, a few minutes later.

Rose lifted her head to see Jackie holding out the 'phone. She heard a tinny voice coming from the ear piece so she took it. Her mother patted her on the shoulder and left her to it.

"Rose?"

"Hi Doctor," she said quietly, instantly recognising that voice,

"What's wrong, angel?" the Doctor asked, softly.

Rose felt tears pricking at her eyelids. "I dunno," she muttered,

"Bet you do."

Rose grunted.

"We're going to come home as soon as possible," the Doctor said, changing the subject, "We're just going to make one last stop and then we'll be together again. I really miss you,"

"Yeah," whispered Rose, her voice breaking,

"Is that what's making you feel so bad?" the Doctor asked,

"I guess,"

"And the rest. What else could make my fantastic and beautiful Rose who's constantly smiling and cheerful feel so low?"

"Coursework," Rose admitted, "I'm just finding it really difficult,"

"What's it on?"

"Golden Age of Spain," Rose said in disgust.

The Doctor laughed. "The minute I'm back, I'll go through it with you, I promise. I know that period really well, first hand experience. Made great friends with Ferdinand and Isabella!"

"Why am I not surprised?"

"So it that it or is there something else bothering you?"

Rose thought for a moment. There was the whole Zoë's glowing eyes business. Should she mention that to the Doctor or wait and see if it happened again? And then there was Zach…

"Me and my friends went to a club last Saturday and we chatted up by these lads…" she began haltingly,

"Right," said the Doctor, a slight edge to his voice,

"Yeah, and I met this guy called Zach and we danced and chatted for a bit and he walked me home and then he… he… he kissed me on my cheek," Rose confessed, "An' ever since, I've just felt so guilty even though it was nothing, just friendly an' all an' I told him I had a boyfriend even though I think you're much more than that an'…"

"Rose, calm down," interrupted the Doctor in a soothing voice, "Don't worry about it. You said it was just a friendly thing and I believe you. Besides, I'm not surprised this Zach's taken a shine to you. You're very beautiful."

Rose breathed out in pleasure and relief.

"Are you feeling better yet?"

"Yeah," she nodded, feeling as if her soul had been cleansed. "I guess it was all getting to me. Thanks,"

"No problem. Now, I want you to put away your work, drink the mug of tea that I've asked Jackie to make you and then go to bed. Stop worrying about everything and just relax or I'm gonna have to give you one of my special massages."

Rose shivered. "I like your special massages," she giggled, "Anyway; I will do as you say. Seriously, what would I do without you?"

Her love chuckled. "I'll see you soon, my angel. Hopefully, we'll be back in about a week your time if not sooner,"

"Great!" Rose said, feeling a lot happier, "Love you loads,"

"Love you more!" the Doctor teased.

Feeling much more cheerful, Rose hung up after saying their goodbyes and went into the living room.

"Thanks Mum," she said, giving Jackie a hug, "That was just what I needed,"

"Just what the Doctor ordered, eh?"

Rose groaned at her mother's terrible pun and took the offered cup of tea with a contented smile.

xxxxx

Saturday night arrived with a bang and before she knew it, Rose was meeting up with her friends and Zach plus his mates. They spent the evening in much the same way with the group dancing together to fast tracks and when a slow song came on, Rose trailing off to find a free booth and Zach either following her or finding someone else to dance with.

A couple of hours after they had arrived, Rose was sitting chatting to Zach when she noticed that Zoë seemed to have disappeared off the dance floor, complete with the lad she had been dancing with. Thinking that she was probably making out with the lad in a dark corner or something, Rose ignored it and took another sip of her drink.

A further ten minutes passed until Rose felt nature calling. She excused herself and slipped to the Ladies. Once she had relieved herself, Rose stood next to the open window in order to get some fresh air on her hot face. Suddenly, the sound of a petrified scream ripped through the cold night air, making Rose jump. She listened, her breath catching in her throat, and she then heard some frantic shouts.

"No! Get off me! I said no! Someone, please help me!"

Rose gasped suddenly as she recognised the voice. It was Zoë!

She sprinted as fast as her clunky high heels would allow her, out of the toilets, past a startled looking Zach and outside. She quickly located Zoë, who seemed to be struggling with a man. In an incredible moment of bravery and pure foolishness, Rose charged at the mysterious guy and head butted him.

"Leave her alone!" she screamed in rage.

Suddenly, Rose felt hands grab her arms and tug them behind her back, effectively trapping her. Twisting her head, Rose's eyes widened as she saw it was Zach who was holding her.

"Zach? What are you doing?"

"I'm so sorry, Rose," said Zoë, softly.

She turned her head back just in time to see Zoë's eyes glow purple once again and her attacker, who bore an uncanny resemblance to her, putting his arm around her waist, his eyes also glowing.

Then everything went black as Rose slipped into unconsciousness.

xxxxx

Aha and now the 'second' plot is beginning... I need names beginning with 'Z', particularly male names if you have any bright ideas!

Review please. Constructive criticism is gladly received