A-Levels and Aliens
My, my, my! You lot are a bloodthirsty lot! You'll have to read on to discover what happens. Thanks for all the reviews and I hope you enjoy. By the way, I've started posting AS Levels and Aliens on Whofic just in case you're interested!
Disclaimer: Nothing you might recognise belongs to me
The Doctor stared at Rose.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
Rose nodded, her face determined. "I can't let them win. I need to get rid of them or they'll haunt me like they did earlier,"
"I understand," replied the Doctor, embracing her, "C'mon, let's go home,"
"It might be a good idea, yeah," Rose smirked, "As the bells about to ring…"
The Doctor jumped as the bell pealed shrilly above him and immediately the previously empty corridor began to fill quickly.
"Rose," he whispered, grasping her hand and interlinking their fingers, "Run!"
The duo ran the entire way back to the TARDIS; Rose giggling helplessly and the Doctor's long coat flying up behind them. Finally they reached their magnificent time ship and Rose collapsed onto the captain's chair, breathing heavily,
"Maybe… maybe I shouldn't have run so far!" she gasped, "Don't think my ribs are feeling very friendly towards me at the moment,"
"I'm sorry," said the Doctor, giving her a glass of water, which she sipped gratefully, "I'd forgotten they were still sore. You don't seem to complain anymore,"
"I don't need to," answered Rose, pulling his hand so he'd sit down next to her, "They're a lot better. It's only when I do something like run or laugh too hard that I notice,"
"You're a fast healer," the Doctor said, "Maybe the TARDIS is doing something." He pecked her on the cheek before continuing. "I think we better talk about the Ziola,"
"I'll go get Jack," Rose said, jumping up and scurrying down the warren of corridors to Jack's bedroom. She knocked and entered to discover her brother lying on his bed with his eyes closed and an open book lying next to his hand.
Feeling a smirk rise up on her lips, Rose ran over the floor and leapt onto Jack's stomach, making him sit up with a jump.
"Rose!" he yelled,
"Hey Jack," she grinned, "How are you?"
"Bruised now," he grumbled, with a smile, "You and the Doctor just got back?"
"Yup," Rose replied, adjusting herself and leaning into him. He put his arms around her and kissed her hair. "The Doctor wants to talk to us,"
"Oh no! Has he found out about our passionate love affair?" Jack joked,
"You wish!" Rose laughed before scrambling off him and pulling him to his feet. They walked quickly to the Control Room where they rejoined the Doctor on the captain's chair: Rose squeezed between her two men.
"What's your decision?" the Doctor asked, grasping her hand tightly.
Rose bit her lip, the fun of the previous few minutes being replaced by a serious atmosphere.
"I want to kill them," she said, quietly, "I want to kill them so badly. I want them to hurt like I did and know what it's like to be beyond terrified." She turned to face the Doctor, tears in her eyes. "But I can't," she whispered, "I can't do it, I can't murder them. And I can't let either of you two do it either."
The Doctor immediately pulled her into his arms, trying to convey mentally that it was OK. He felt tears on his neck and her deep breaths as she tried to compose herself.
"It would be genocide," she continued, after a few moments, "They said they were the only ones left,"
"There might well be more," said Jack, "After all, we thought the Daleks were all gone but some survived."
Rose felt the Doctor's grip on her hand tighten suddenly and she kissed his neck in reassurance. He smiled gratefully at her.
"What do you want to do then?" he asked,
"Exile them," Rose whispered, "Take them somewhere, where they can't hurt anyone else and make them stay there. Then I can get on with my life and they can carry on with theirs, without being a constant threat to everyone else,"
"Then that's what we'll do," said the Doctor, "Jack, do you agree?"
The ex-time agent nodded. "It's the best plan of action. Are we going now?"
The Doctor looked at Rose questioningly and she nodded her head, determined.
"Alright," he said, standing up and fiddling with the control panel, "Jack, do you still have those electronic wristbands?"
"Yup, I'll go get three pairs," he replied, striding off.
Rose stood up and wandered over next to the Doctor. He put his arm around her.
"Are you sure about doing this now? We won't think any less of you if you want to wait a while."
Rose slipped her arm around his waist. "I'm ready now, Doctor."
He nodded and kissed the top of her head before pulling a lever, making the TARDIS whirr into motion.
Rose stepped out of the TARDIS onto the grey street. She shivered as an icy wind blew through her thin sweater. It had been warm back in the Powell Estate but it wasn't here.
A hand slipped simultaneously into both of hers and she smiled at the Doctor and Jack who stood either side of her. Without saying a word, the trio set off at a steady pace.
As they got closer to the house, Rose felt her breath constrict in her throat as all the bad memories of just over a week ago came flooding back. As if he knew what she was thinking, the Doctor softly stroked his thumb over the back of her hand, instantly calming her and squeezed her hand.
They reached the front door and opened it using the sonic screwdriver before trooping in.
"Well, well, well. Look like we have company," came a voice.
They screwed up their eyes to peer through the darkness and saw Zach coming down the stairs in front of them.
"Oh and Rose!" he said, "How lovely to see you again,"
"Hi Zach," Rose replied amicably, "How are you?"
Zach waved his hand. "So-so, you?"
"I'm much better," she said, a dangerous glint now appearing in her eyes, "No thanks to you or your friends. Where are they anyway?"
"Right here," came Zed's voice from the shadows.
"Right, glad you're all here," said the Doctor, in a falsely bright voice, "We're taking you away,"
"Where to?" Zed asked, suspiciously, leading Zoë out into the middle of the room. Zach came and stood next to them.
"Some deserted planet millions of miles away from here," the Doctor said, "So you can continue with your lives without bothering us or anyone else. S'not fair to leave you cooped up in here. Mind you, you did do it to Rose,"
"What if we don't want to?" Zach sneered.
The Doctor's face darkened. "You don't have any choice. According to article twenty seven of the Shadow Proclamation, as your captors, it is our duty, with the absence of any sort of legal jury and court, to choose your punishment. And this is it. Now, if you will kindly put these on." He stalked towards them and quickly clipped on one of Jack's wristbands on each Ziola.
"What are they?" Zoë asked, speaking for the first time. Rose wasn't sure if she was imagining it or not but she thought she could hear a note of fear in her voice.
"Electronic wristbands," explained Jack, a wicked grin on his face, "If you move more than ten metres away from us, then you get fried!"
The Ziola shuddered nervously.
"Are we ready to go then?" the Doctor asked.
Zoë and Zach glanced at their leader.
He shrugged. "We don't really have any choice," Zed said, in an angry tone, "My great, great, great grandfather was at the making of the Shadow Proclamation. He swore that all Ziola forever would respect and follow it. I refuse to dishonour our ancestors."
The Doctor was surprised. He hadn't thought that the Ziola alien race had a shred of morality in them. He nodded and he and his companions turned and led the aliens out. Jack quickly went behind them to ensure they didn't do anything untoward. He didn't trust them.
Up the front of the strange procession, Rose walked next to the Doctor. She felt tense, a little scared but overall proud of herself. She had faced the Ziola and had stood tall.
"You alright?" muttered the Doctor.
She nodded with a smile as they reached the TARDIS. She unlocked the door and led the way in.
Inside, the TARDIS had thoughtfully provided three seats along one of the walls, which they directed the Ziola to. They sat down and glared at their captors.
"Nice ship," said Zed, reluctantly,
"Thanks," replied the Doctor, "Gets me from A to B…"
The lights flickered slightly as if in protest. The Doctor frowned while Rose giggled, burying her face into his shoulder.
"I apologise," he said, raising an eyebrow, "Our ship is the best in the entire universe and I am fortunate to ride in her."
The lights flickered again but this time it appeared pleased. Rose laughed again and patted the console before doing the same to the Doctor's head. He grimaced at her.
"Come on then," he said, "Let's get you to your new home,"
"Which is where?" asked Zach, irritably.
"Oh I don't know," the Doctor replied, bounding over to the console, "Let's see where the TARDIS wants to take you, hmm? Mind you, she is very attached to our lovely Rose here…"
Rose flushed with pleasure and the male Ziola frowned as they realised the implications of this. Zoë, however, looked like she was in pain.
"I really need the loo," she announced quietly, when she realised that Rose was staring questionably at her,
"Tough," Jack snapped, from where he was fiddling with the console,
"No, I'll take her," Rose sighed, a little confused at what she thought she'd just seen in Zoë's eyes. It couldn't be… remorse?
"Are you sure?" the Doctor asked, leaving the rest of his sentence hanging unsaid in the air. He didn't need to remind her that the last time she and Zoë had been together, she had definitely come off worse. She still had the broken ribs to prove it.
"Yes," Rose replied, beginning to feel a little annoyed at just how protective the Doctor suddenly was. She knew he meant well but she really didn't need him getting overprotective. "Gimme the wristband."
The Doctor nodded, not saying anything as he gave the correct band to Rose, who slipped it onto her own wrist. She then closed the gap between them and kissed him briefly on the lips.
"Still love you," she whispered, in his ear, knowing that he'd seen her emotions in her eyes.
He smiled before kissing her back. "I'm sorry," he murmured, "I'll try to tone it down a little,"
"S'OK," Rose said, "Let's talk it over later, yeah?"
The Doctor nodded and gave her a squeeze before she beckoned to Zoë and the two girls left the control room for the depths of the TARDIS.
"Here you are," Rose muttered, "I'll wait for you outside,"
"OK," Zoë paused and seemed to be about to say something else before changing her mind and going into the bathroom.
Rose chewed her lip in thought. What was up with Zoë?
A few minutes later, Zoë came out again and the two girls walked silently back up the corridor.
"Rose?"
She looked behind her to see Zoë just standing in the middle of the corridor.
"What?" she asked.
Zoë seemed to be struggling with herself. "Rose, I…I apologise for my treatment of you."
Rose's mouth hung open. Was this really happening?
"It wasn't my fault. Zed made me do it!" she continued,
"Yeah, right," Rose snorted, "Why don't I believe you, Zoë?"
"I'm telling the truth!" the Ziola cried, "I had to follow orders- Zed's orders! He's my leader. I had to do it. I didn't want to as the time we were friends did mean something to me!"
Rose frowned, unsure of what to say.
"Please believe me!" Zoë begged.
Rose just stared at her. "C'mon," she said at last, "We're gonna be there soon and it's safest to sit during landing." She turned on her heel and made straight for the control room and the Doctor. She slid under his arm and held tightly onto him, needing his reassurance as well as using him as an anchor for the landing. He simply kissed the top of her head and held her closer to him.
"Hold on tight," he warned, with a grin.
The TARDIS began to shake and threw its occupants around. It was certainly one of the worst landings that Rose had ever experienced but she suspected that it was done purposefully, as a punishment for the Ziola.
When they finally settled, only she and the Doctor were still standing upright, clinging onto one another and the console. The Ziola were flat out on the metal grating and Captain Jack was half on and half off the captain's chair. Rose burst out laughing and he glared at her.
"It's not funny!" he said, his lips twitching,
"Yes it is!" she giggled, before looking up at her Doctor's face, "Are we here?"
He nodded and pulled her over to the door.
"Where are we?" Rose asked, pushing it open and gazing out at a grassy field. It would have looked exactly the same as Earth except for the fact that the sky was a very pale purple.
"This is Zoasis," answered the Doctor, "This is…"
"You bought us home!" Zoë cried, from behind them, "We thought we'd never be able to return."
The Doctor smiled as Zed and Zach slowly stepped out, wondrous expressions on their faces. They looked at the Doctor.
"How?"
"You planet survived the Time War," he explained, "But I'm afraid that as far as I know, you are the only Ziola here."
Their faces dropped slightly.
"It is as we expected," Zed said, "There may be more of our race on other planets and maybe they can one day find their way home,"
"And if they do, you must promise not to revert back to your old ways of terrorising the universe," said the Doctor, sternly, "I have bought you home despite your atrocious treatment of my Rose and you owe us. If you break your promise, I will come down on you harder than a ton of bricks and you will regret it. Do I have your word?"
Zoë nodded immediately and Zach glanced at Zed before doing the same.
"As leader of the Ziola, you have my word," Zed said, quietly,
"Great!" said the Doctor, the seriousness of the past few minutes forgotten. He collected the electronic wristbands back in. "We'll be off then. Bye!"
"Good luck with it," said Rose, nodding at Zoë in particular. She couldn't forgive them for their actions but she was willing to be pleasant. She never had to see them again, after all.
Jack glared at them in warning as his goodbye before the TARDIS trio returned back to their time ship.
Once inside, the Doctor immediately set them back on course to the Earth. He hoped they hadn't been away too long. The ancient engines groaned into action and he turned around to discover Rose clutching a rail, looking a little dazed. He swiftly walked over and pulled her into his arms. She buried her face into his neck and let their closeness and his natural scent soothe her.
"They're gone," she whispered, "I'm never gonna have to deal with them again,"
"Yup," the Doctor replied, beckoning the watching Jack over. He walked up to them and wrapped his arms around Rose from behind so she was sandwiched between the two men.
"You OK?" he whispered.
Rose sighed and took one of Jack's hands in her own. "I'll survive."
Review please. Constructive criticism is gladly received
