I hum softly as I start to wake up, strong arms holding me close to a broad chest, I slowly open my eyes, a little confused for a moment before I remember what happened yesterday, I gently tighten my arms around the Doctor, glad he was still asleep, he needed all the rest he could get right now after that mess, I close my eyes again and nestle a little closer to him as he breaths softly.
I rest my ear to his chest, smiling more hearing and feeling both of his hearts working, beating softly in a rhythm of four beats, I tighten my arms around him a little more, remembering what the four beats would mean to him in his future.
'I wonder if I will ever get to that crisis...I don't think I want to meet The Master, but I suppose I don't really have a say in where I go' I frown a little 'but...when I do...maybe I'll be able to help him, explain to him what the drums mean and maybe help him not destroy himself...'
I'm shaken from my thoughts as the Doctor grumbles a little as he starts to wake up, pulling me closer and burying his face into my neck, I smile softly, sensing his mind coming back to consciousness.
"Good morning" I say softly, gently rubbing his back a little as he relaxes against me, blushing a bit as he kisses my neck softly, I giggle a bit and gently kiss the side of his head.
"You're still here..." he murmurs almost in disbelief, I nod softly.
"I told you I wouldn't go anywhere" I say softly, gently reaching up and cradling the back of his head "I can't leave you when you need me" I murmur.
He smiles a little and leans more into my touch, sending warmth and love through the connection, only making me smile more, I press my mind to his softly, sending him reassurance and happiness.
"Why don't we get up and grab some food?" I ask him softly, he sighs a bit "I don't want to move" he admits, I giggle a little.
"Then I guess we will both just starve" I joke softly, he chuckles a little, obviously much calmer than yesterday, much happier, he pulls his head back a little and softly kisses my forehead, I look up at him and pout a bit.
"No real kiss?" I pout, he smirks a little down at me.
"What will I get in return?" He asks, I huff softly.
"A kiss?" I ask, he smirks more and pretends to think on it for a moment before nodding and leaning down closer.
"Sounds like a deal" he murmurs before pressing his lips to mine, I smile and kiss back gently, closing my eyes and enjoying the kiss, pressing my mind to his as well, he presses back, the connection much stronger being so close.
I whine a little as he pulls back slowly, chuckling a little as he smiles down at me, the pain and heartbreak that I had seen in his eyes yesterday all but forgotten, only warmth and happiness in his gorgeous ice blue eyes now.
"I thought you wanted to get up and eat" he teases, I huff softly, trying to seem grumpy and hold back the smile tugging at my lips, he smirks more and gently pokes my side, I yelp and giggle, gently swatting away his hand.
"No cheating!" I grumble, but the smile wouldn't leave my face, he chuckles again and kisses the end of my nose before he pulls back and sits up slowly and stretches, I smile as I watch him, It was so strange to see him in something other than his usually leather jacket, but I kinda liked it, as he would say, it was very domestic.
I sit up as well and hop out of bed, stretching out with my arms above my head, groaning as my back and elbows pop before I yelp, the Doctor had snuck up behind me and he wraps his arms around my waist from behind, I giggle a little and lean back against him, smiling up at him softly.
"You're just a big teddy bear today aren't you" I tease softly, he smiles softly and nods, leaning down and resting his head on my shoulder gently, I reach up and gently stroke his cheek, he closes his eyes at my touch happily, my heart melting as I watch him.
I smile as I watch him "well then you're my big teddy bear" I say softly, gently kissing his forehead, his arms tightening a little around my waist "my Pooh bear" I joke softly, he groans.
"I am not Pooh bear" he grumbles "I'm at least Baloo from the Jungle Book" he says softly, I giggle more.
"Alright, just as long as you don't get that song stuck in my head" I warn.
"What song? You mean...Look for the bare necessities! The simple bare necessities!" He starts singing softly, I laugh and shake my head, moving both hands to cover my ears.
"NO! I don't want that stuck in my head for the next week!" I wail dramatically, he only laughs and kisses my cheek happily.
I jokingly glare up at him, slowly lowering my hands "you mister, are going to pay for that, I'm not sure how yet, but I'll think of something" I grumble, he smiles down at me innocently before he leans down, pulling me into a gentle kiss again before he lets me go and heads toward the closet.
"Alright Mowgli, lets get changed" he teases as I follow him, rolling my eyes but smiling more.
"I'm not Mowgli, I'm not that scrawny" I giggle a little as I start to look for an outfit, my back to him.
"No, but you are my best friend" he says happily, I blush a bit and glance back at him as he grabs his leather jacket and some clean clothes.
"You're my best friend too...you always have been" I say softly, turning back to my clothes and grabbing a soft yellow shirt and dark blue skinny-ish jeans, the Doctor heads out after grabbing his clothes, kissing my cheek as he goes, I smile softly after him before I follow him out, heading for the bathroom.
I quickly change and once I come back out the Doctor is changed as well, pulling on his boots and muttering a little to himself, I smile softly and grab my dark grey, almost black coat, with the red inner lining and pull it on before grabbing my boots and pulling those on as well, by the time I finish the Doctor was just sitting on the edge of the bed watching me.
I pause and look to him curiously, smiling a little "am I that interesting?" I tease softly, he smiles gently and stands, taking my hand and intertwining our fingers.
"You are very interesting, love" he says fondly, I blush a bit and look away, trying to hide it, he smirks a little before opening the door for me.
"Now, lets find some food before we do anything else" he says happily before gently pulling me out the door and down the hall, his hold on my hand firm but gentle, I smile softly and walk with him happily, glad to get a small rest between all of the insanity.
We soon find the kitchen and he shoos me over to the table to sit down, I giggle a little as I watch him "I can help you know" I hum, but he shakes his head.
"Last time you helped you nearly caught the kitchen on fire" he retorts, I snort a but in amusement.
"Ok, glad to see my culinary skills haven't gone anywhere" I joke softly and smile as I watch him bustle around the room.
He smirks at me "I tried to teach you to cook one time, nearly had the Tardis throw us out of the room" he chuckles, I smile more and look up to the ceiling.
"Sorry about that!" I call to her, getting an amused hum back as the Doctor continues to make us breakfast.
He soon joins me at the table with two plates of scrambled eggs and toast, I eat quickly and happily, grab to have a full stomach again, I glance up a little to see my pill bottle on the table in-front of me, I smile softly and gently pat the wall beside me before taking my meds quickly and finishing my food.
I notice my meds are getting low and I start to get a bit worried before looking to the Doctor "um..." I pause, not even really sure how to ask, I pick up the bottle and look to him again to see him watching me curiously.
I nod to the bottle in my hand "I'm nearly out of my meds...is...is there someway to get more?" I ask nervously, he smiles and relaxes more, nodding.
"Of course, the Tardis keeps a supply of them on board for you, so you never have to worry about running out" he says, my eyes widen a little in surprise.
"Seriously? Where does she get them?" I ask and he shrugs softly.
"I honestly don't know, she has always just kept a bottle of it in our bathroom for you, and when ever it gets low she refills it" he says, I nod softly and smile more up at the ceiling.
"Thank you!" I say happily and she hums back warmly, I smile more and look back to the Doctor to see him smiling at me fondly.
I blush a little but smile before standing and taking our dishes to the sink before I start to clean them, he stands and follows me over.
"You do know the Tardis will do that for us" he says, I nod softly as I continue to clean "I know, but I like to do them sometimes, and its a way for me to thank her" I shrug a little, he chuckles softly and leans against the counter next to me, crossing his arms over his chest as he watches.
I start to hum a song softly as I work, too engrossed in cleaning to realize I wasn't just hearing coming from myself, and soon it gets loud enough for me to notice, I pause and frown before sighing softly and looking to the Doctor sadly, drying my hands off and rolling back down my sleeves.
"looks like I'm leaving, are you gonna be ok?" I ask him softly, he frowns but nods, gently taking my hands in his.
"I'll be fine, be careful Love" he says softly, I smile and nod, moving closer and standing on my tip toes, gently kissing him, he quickly reciprocates and gently wraps one arm around my waist to pull me closer, deepening the kiss a little before I pull back for air, smiling up at him gently, reaching up with my free hand and softly cupping his cheek.
"I love you, you be careful as well, and don't let Adam do anything stupid" I smile gently as the music gets louder and louder.
"I love you too" he murmurs softly before I close my eyes and all sensations of touch disappear but the ground beneath my feet, I sigh softly, leaving my eyes closed for a few moments before seeing what new tattoo I'd have now, I grimace a little to see the small outline of a Dalek eye stalk, the clock also changing as the minute hand moves to 3.
I pull my sleeve back down to cover it before I close the connection and close my eyes again, curious as to where I will end up now.
I open my eyes soon as I hear clothes being rustled and my eyes widen as I'm now standing directly behind the Auton as it slices into the back of the tent, finding Mr Ransome there laying on the bench, the Auton steps through the rip and Ransome looks horrified.
I make a split second decision and sprint forward, slamming into the plastic man, sending him to the floor, I stumble but manage to stay standing, I look to Ransome quickly "come on!" I yell and grab his arm, pulling him to his feet and we sprint out of the tent through the back, as we run through the woods I rack my brain for what was to come next.
I yelp as the Auton had given chase and was firing after us, I turn to Ransome quickly "take me to the factory" I say seriously, he looks terrified but I grab his shoulders to steady him.
"My friend will be there, we have to go now" I say seriously, he gulps before nodding shakily and he quickly leads me toward the factory as we continue to try and lose the Auton still after us.
We soon lose it thankfully and I keep us hidden in the forest along the outside of the factory as we wait for the UNIT vehicles to arrive, and when I hear them pulling up I smile and look to Ransome.
"Let's go, don't worry, they will keep you safe ok?" He nods nervously before following me out into the road, I sneak through the fence near the gate with him and we run up to the UNIT cars just as they pull to a stop, I smile softly seeing the Doctor helping Liz out of one, I quietly walk up behind them, being casual as I move to stand next to the Doctor.
"Seems like you could use another pair of eyes while here" I comment, causing both Liz and the Doctor to turn to me quickly, I smile at them softly as the Doctor looks surprised.
"My dear when did you arrive?" He asks curiously, I smile softly and nod to Ransome behind me.
"I arrived about 20 minutes ago, I managed to save Ransome from the mannequin that was sent to kill him, and we ran straight here to meet up with you all" I say happily, he smiles proudly at me and takes my hand softly, gently squeezing it before he looks to a few soldiers.
"Stay here with Mr Ransome and keep him safe and out of sight in the truck" he orders before we head inside, I greet Alistair happily and he smiles at me softly "I see you've decided to join us?" He half jokes, I nod softly "I wouldn't miss this if I can help it" I comment as we wander inside.
As we walk the Doctor looks down to me, his hand still holding mine "how long has it been since you were last here?" He asks curiously, I smile more up at him.
"It's barely been a day" I say happily, he smiles more and nods "good. That's good" he murmurs and continues on, looking around us curiously as we walk through the huge room that is full to the brim with large machines.
The Doctor lets go of my hand and lets me go first as we follow the other two up the stairs and into the more office like area of the plant, I smile at him gently before heading up and following close behind Liz, glancing past Alistair through the strange warbled glass of a door to see that man, the head of the Autons staring through it at the Brigadier, I smirk a little at how strange he is.
I keep my eyes on him as the Doctor comes up behind me, gently placing his hand on my lower back as the woman leading us around opens the door to the main office.
The man seems to sense my eyes and he looks to me, I smirk more at him and he furrows his brows just a little before disappearing.
I quietly follow the others into the office and move to stand back near the Doctor who is watching and leaning on a pole in the middle of the room, I stay quiet as they talk with Mr Hibbert about the story told to them by Ransome, not mentioning that he's alive.
I glance to the Doctor quietly, starting to get lost in thought as I do so 'I wonder if he has any feelings for me yet...I mean its obvious he cares for me, but do those feelings go deeper? Or am I simply another friend, a companion?' I frown a little at that, my heart sinking slightly and I look back up to the Doctor as I hear him asking the man.
"And can these mannequins actually move?" His arm wrapped around the pole he's leaning on a little.
"Well, they're flexible, of course. That's why we've captured the market" Mr Hibbert says before laughing a little "But I can assure you, they can't move on their own" he explains.
I stuff my hands into my pockets quietly, looking to the floor as Alistair says "so Ransome may have been simply making trouble?" He asks.
"I can't think of another explanation" Hibbert says, the Doctor watches him obviously not believing the man but he seems to play it off well, tapping his hand against the pole as he thinks for a moment before stepping away from it.
"Yes, well, I think we've seen all we can possibly see here" he says, stepping up to stand between the Brigadier and Liz as they were both seated, I look up and watch him quietly, smiling a little at the sway of his cape.
"I'm sorry if we've been a nuisance" he says to Hibbert, being polite as ever, Mr Hibbert stands and says "not at all. I'll see you out" they all stand now and he walks us out to the hallway, the Brigadier thanking him before we head back down to the cars quietly, no one wanting to speak inside the factory in case we'd be overheard.
I smile a little in relief when we come out to the trucks and Ransome is still inside safe, but definitely looking nervous, I hop into the back to sit next to him, getting a bit of an odd look from the Doctor but he brushes it off as I smile gently at Ransome.
"How are you feeling? I know this is all a little traumatizing" I say softly as the truck gets moving, he nods nervously as he keeps his eyes on the factory.
"You'll be safe now, you will be kept safe in UNIT HQ until we deal with the mannequins alright?" I ask and he finally looks to me and nods softly.
"How come you've changed your clothes before coming to find me?" He asks confused, obviously trying to focus on something less scary, I smile a little and shrug a bit "I needed to change" I say softy "can't go running around in the forest in a long dress, I'd get stuck on everything" I play it off softly and he nods, relaxing a little and we converse quietly as we are driven back.
Once we arrive I go with Ransome to his new room, to help him settle in a little and so he didn't feel so caged in, I tell him he can ask anyone if he needs anything before I return to the laboratory, quietly closing the door behind myself as I hear Alistair and Liz talking.
I smile softly as the Doctor had hooked up that meteorite to the brain wave scanner and he calls the others over to see the readings, I quietly follow, staying a few feet back to watch, I didn't really have the knowledge to help so I wanted to stay out of their way so as to not slow them all down.
"It measures mental activity. It's fascinating, isn't it?" The Doctor asks the room, I nod a little.
"You mean there's some form of intelligence inside that globe?" Liz asks disbelievingly.
"Yes. You know, it's as I suspected. This globe is only a container. I wonder whether we can communicate with it" he wonders curiously before the intercom buzzes loudly, I gasp and jump a bit, forgetting about it, the Doctor and Liz look back to me concerned, causing me to blush a little.
"Sorry...wasn't expecting such a harsh noise" I brush it off quickly and smile softly, Liz nods and they both glance to the Brigadier as he calls General Scobie.
I wander away and toward the Tardis, wondering what I should do for now, I didn't have anything else I could do besides sit and stare at the poor scientists while they worked and I didn't want to make them uncomfortable by staring, I jump a little as something small explodes behind me, I turn quickly to see the machine Liz was using to look for the frequency of the orb had burst into flames.
I blush again as the Doctor looks toward me worriedly, I look away again and look up at the Tardis for a few moments as I think before I get an idea, I could maybe do some work around the HQ, even if its just cleaning work, I'm going to be bored out of my mind as the geniuses work so I'll need something to do, I gently lay my hand on the wood, smiling a little at the warmth there before I hear the others heading for the door.
I look up curiously to see the Doctor coming up to me, smiling softly.
"Bored, my dear?" He asks softly, I nod a little and smile softly "very, I was going to ask the Brigadier if there is anything I can help with around here" I say softly, he nods softly.
"Well, first would you join us to go see the waxworks?" He asks, I smile a little and nod.
"I'd love to, though I will warn you, those kinds of things do freak me out a little" I warn a bit and he chuckles softly.
"After being followed by a plastic mannequin I'd be surprised if it weren't a little frightening to you" he says and offers me his arm, I smile and softly wrap my hand around the crook of his elbow before we head out, him grabbing his cape on the way.
As we enter the large room with other visitors, I shiver a little at the dead look of many of the mannequins eyes, I stay close to the Doctor and Liz as they look around.
"Well, I think this is the right room" the Doctor says as he walks around, looking curiously around us, I nod softly as we follow after him.
"Liz?" He asks as he keeps his eyes on the dummies "what?" She asks.
"Do you recognize any of these people?" He asks, she nods "yes, of course. I think all that group are top civil servants" she says, nodding to the group in front of us.
"That's odd..." she murmurs as she looks around, we all stop and I look to her as the Doctor says "hmm?" And looks to her curiously.
"They're all government types. There are no astronauts, famous personalities, you know, people like that" she says curiously, I nod a little and move out of the way as a woman gently moves past us quickly.
I quietly wander over towards some of the mannequins, already knowing what the Doctor and the curator of the place were going to say, I wander over to General Scobie's statue, sighing softly as I look up at it, knowing it was the real General Scobie.
'I wonder if he can still hear and see and feel...? That would be odd though, I suppose suspended animation is what's being used here, either that or mind control, both are within the Autons range of power and technology...I wonder if the Autons can feel, like really feel if something touches their plastic skin...'
I'm soon brought out of my thoughts as the Doctor and Liz come over to see the statue in front of me, I smile at them softly and the Doctor steps up and looks closer at Scobie curiously.
"What are you doing Doctor?" Liz asks nervously, glancing around us at the people, afraid he would be seen and get into trouble, I gently lay my hand on her arm to stop her before she try's to get him down again, I smile at her gently.
"Don't worry, he does this all the time, and very rarely gets into real trouble, he's charismatic enough that most people just happily talk with him and seem to forget hes doing something he shouldn't" I tell her in a whisper, she looks to me curiously.
"You seem to know him so well, how is that?" She asks softly "I know you travel with him, but you act as if you've known him your whole life, and his whole life, but if what they all say is to be believed, he's much older than any human" she says softly, I nod a little, glancing back to the Doctor as he looks at Scobies watch.
"I can explain later" I tell her softly before the Doctor steps down off the stage like platform, scratching the side of his head as he looks to us.
"Liz, Rose, if you were making a model of someone, would you put a wristwatch on it?" He asks, I glance to Liz as she answers.
"Well, I might do, if it had to look really authentic" she says, looking to said watch.
"Yes, would you go to the trouble of winding it up and keeping it at the correct time?" He asks "I think we had better have a word with Lethbridge-Stewart" he says before leading us out of the room and down to a hall with a few phones, I stay back near the door back into the main hall, quietly listening to everything on the other side, wondering if I'd hear anything useful while the Doctor calls UNIT HQ.
I glance back at the other two only to meet eyes with the Doctor, I smile softly at him and come over toward them "we staying until they close?" I ask softly, he nods and smiles a little.
"Yes, we must find some place to hide until then" he says, I nod again softly and glance to the door to make sure we weren't being heard.
"I'm sure that will be easy, most people wouldn't want to break into a mannequins show room" I say softly, shrugging and moving back toward the door before my arm is gently grabbed, I pause and turn back to the Doctor now gently holding onto my arm, he looks to Liz and she nods and heads back to the main room, the Doctor doesn't speaks until she's gone.
"Rose, I'd like you to return to UNIT HQ" he says softly, I frown a little.
"What? Why?" I ask confused, looking up at him, only now finally stopping a little to realize just how tall he is, towering over my meager 5 foot 3 on a good day, at 6 foot 2 inches, he sighs softly, gently moving his hand down to take mine.
"Because, my dear, this could be dangerous, and I wouldn't want you getting injured" he says, I raise my eyebrow a little at him.
"Doctor, anywhere I go is dangerous, that's never stopped me before, and I don't want to leave you here, both of you" I say before smiling a little "anyways, I don't think you'd be able to survive for very long having to hide and be quiet in one place for too long" I say softly, only really half jokingly, but he shakes his head seriously.
"I will be perfectly fine, I want you to go home and stay in the Tardis, she is always very good at protecting you" he says, I frown a little, gently tightening my hold on his hand.
"I...I wanted to stay with you, maybe help in some way if I could" I say softly but he shakes his head again "I will call for someone to come and get you, please just obey" he says a bit annoyed, I frown more and slowly nod.
"Ok...I'll go wait outside...please be careful" I say softly, letting go of his hand and quickly leaving the hallway before he could say anything else, I silently pass Liz, she watches me leave a bit confused but I stay silent, angry at him for sending me away.
I quietly wait outside the building, staying near the wall as I watch the street quietly 'why didn't he want me to stay...? Oh...I guess I couldn't really be of any help in any way' I frown sadly 'guess that makes sense...I need to do some research, maybe look into the books in the library, see if there is some way of helping without giving them all the answers, then maybe I could actually be useful here'
It's not long before a UNIT car drives up and I hop in and am driven back to the HQ, I quietly head into the lab only to freeze seeing the plastic General Scobie confiscating the orb, I frown nervously and Munro looks over at me nervously as well.
I move to stay out of the way as the General turns to leave, but when he sees me he pauses and narrows his eyes.
"Miss, may I have a word?" He asks, I stuff my hands into my pockets nervously, glancing to Munro again before nodding, I follow him out of the room, the other soldiers following us with the orb in its box, he gestures for the soldiers to go on before he suddenly grabs my arm harshly and glares down at me, I wince as he grips the still bruised skin.
"You are coming with me" he says in a low dangerous voice, I gulp and look up at him with wide eyes "why...?" I ask hesitantly.
"You were the one seen saving that weasel Ransome" he grumbles before he drags me out of the building and into his car, ordering his soldiers to keep a gun on me so I couldnt escape, the men look confused but are too afraid to say anything so I now have a gun in my arm as I sit in the back of the car, being driven away from UNIT, the only one knowing I was last seen with Scobie being Munro.
I look out the windows nervously, my heart racing now as we get farther and farther away, the building soon out of our sight, I sigh before glaring at the back of Scobies head.
"You do know you wont get away with all of this" I snap grumpily, he glances back at me with an emotionless face.
"I think you're mistaken, we have already taken over much of the government, your world is coming to an end as you know it" he boasts, I smirk more.
"that's where you're wrong, on multiple accounts, this is not my world, and you will be stopped, you always will be stopped, this world is protected by many, and you are sorely mistaken if you think the humans will go down without a fight" I say seriously, he looks at me more now.
"You are not human?" I pause before shrugging "I honestly don't know anymore, but everything I have said is true" I say seriously, only for him to wave me off.
"Fanciful child" he grumbles, I glare at the back of his head again at that and just stay quiet now, knowing I couldn't do much to escape at the moment, in fear of being shot, though the soldiers did look a bit nervous now of how me and their boss had spoken.
I glance outside soon to see us pulling up to the plastics factory, I groan softly as we stop and I'm pulled out, Scobie orders his men to wait by the car before he grabs my arm harshly again and shoves me inside, I try to get his hand off of me and glare at him angrily.
"You know, I don't think the real Scobie is such an asshat" I snap, he only shoves me forward again until we reach the main control room of the Autons, the row of mannequins along one wall and the large creature machine thing in the middle of the room, I grimace a little and groan again as Channing comes into view, glaring down at me.
"So you are the one who saved Ransome from my Auton?" He asks, I cross my arms as Scobie leaves the room, probably to go and grab the orb from the car.
"Like I'm going to cooperate with you" I snap as I glare at him "you wouldnt be having this much trouble if you decided to colonize another planet, an unoccupied planet, but no, you decide to go for the small guys, you do realize that sort of makes you all cowards right?" I ask, smirking as he glowers at me.
"Shut up girl, you know nothing of us" he says angrily, I smirk more as I watch him, he circles me a few times slowly as he looks me up and down.
"I know more than you would believe actually, I mean its not every day a Nestene consciousness decides to invade the planet" I say, he instantly stops and glares at me more.
"Then you are smarter than you look, but that will not stop us, your friends at UNIT will soon be destroyed, and then the world will fall to us" he smirks, I roll my eyes a bit.
"I think we will keep you alive, for now, you will make good bait, and when we find out all you know, you will be disposed of" he says before I hear movement behind me, I glance around to see one of the Autons coming over, I sigh and look to Channing again.
"I'm curious, before I'm carted off, that body you have, was it modeled or stolen from someone here on earth? Or is it just how you imagined yourself?" I ask curiously "I mean you even have a human name, you must have stolen it, did you kill the original Channing?" I ask, he watches me as the Autons hand flips down to show the gun before pressing it into my back.
"Very perceptive...very well, I will answer your question this once, I have taken the image of a man from a town not far from here, he is dead" he answers, I frown a little and sigh, shaking my head sadly.
"Must all of you aliens just go around killing anyone and everyone you see?" I ask sadly, he watches me for a moment before walking away silently, I shake my head and am lead away by the Auton, finding myself in a small storage room with nothing inside but a few boxes of doll wigs, I glare after the Auton as it leaves, locking me inside, I smirk a little and go to the door, waiting and listening but not hearing anything on the other side I pull out my wallet.
I grab out my small tool card again and start to dismantle the door handle, but as I drop a screw I hear movement outside, I quickly stuff the things into my pocket and jump away from the door, the same Auton as before opens the door, seemingly looking me over for a few moments before closing it again, I sigh softly.
'Ok, so I'm being watched as well, just great...' I look around the room for any possible way out, but there are no other doors or windows, leaving me in a simple concrete block room with a single light inside.
I sit down on one of the boxes and rub my face tiredly, even after getting some rest back with 9, I'm still exhausted after everything, especially after the constant running down in Van Stattens underground prison.
I close my eyes and nearly accidentally open the connection but I stop myself quickly, realizing that may be a huge mistake 'I just need to wait until tomorrow when they come to storm the place...but that will take too long...' I stand and start to pace as I think, getting lost in thought, trying to devise a plan to stop the slaughter tomorrow and escape without getting anyone hurt.
But as the time goes on my exhaustion gets the best of me and I sit down on the floor with my back to the wall farthest from the door before I slowly drift off.
It felt like only moments but I'm soon shaken awake by shaky hands, I open my eyes tiredly, confused at who would wake me only to see Mr Hibbert infront of me, his hair a mess and his eyes wide with worry and fear behind his glasses, I frown before I sit up straighter.
"You...you have to run" he says shakily, standing and grabbing a metal pole from the room "I have to stop him" he rambles before leaving the room, I jump to my feet and run after him, grabbing his arm as we get out into the hallway.
"Mr Hibbert, please, come with me, you can't stop him alone and you'll only die trying, come with me and we can help you, at UNIT" I plead softly.
"I...I must...I must stop him...I must stop Channing" he says incoherently, I shake my head and grab his arm and quickly pull him the other way, away from the offices "just trust me, please, I can help you, my friends can help as well" I plead, keeping him close to me as we go, he doesn't really try to pull away, still probably struggling mentally on the hold Channing has over his mind.
"Come on, it's going to be ok" I say softly as I keep pulling him around the abandoned factory, I stop and quickly pull us into a small corner of the room behind some machinery as I hear an Auton pacing down the corridor between machines, I cover Mr Hibbert mouth as he was still rambling a little, hoping it didnt hear us, it seems to pause before continuing on slowly, I watch it go nervously.
My heart racing as I watch it walk past a set of stairs before my eyes widen and I smile widely seeing the Doctor and Liz behind the stairs, the Doctor quickly holds out a small metal radio dish connected to a wire out toward the mannequin and it twitches for a moment before falling to the floor, the connection to the host Nestene cut off, I sigh in relief and smile.
"Well, there we are, my dear Liz. Who said we got the wrong frequency" he says proudly, I giggle a little and grab Hibberts arm and pull him after me as I come down the hallway toward them.
"Always so cocky Doctor, it's like you think your a genius or something" I joke softly, they both look round to us quickly, Liz looks relieved and smiles but to my surprise the Doctor drops the equipment he's holding and races to me, scooping me up into a tight hug, I yelp in surprise and slowly wrap my arms around him a bit confused.
"Doctor...?" I murmur, his arms wrapped protectively around me, holding me close to him with his face hidden from my view.
"Where have you been? Did you run off?" He asks softly, so softly I almost don't hear him at first, I sigh softly and shake my head, tightening my arms around his middle under his cloak.
"No, the fake Scobie was in the lab when I arrived and he recognized me from when I saved Ransome so he kidnapped me and they wanted to use me as bait to get you here" I murmur softly, he then pulls back, his hands on my waist as he looks me up and down quickly, seeming to be looking for injuries, I smile a little at his concern, moving my hands to grip his upper arms gently, trying to ignore where his hands rested.
"I'm alright, they didn't do anything but glare and grab my arm" I say softly, he meets my eyes and I frown a little seeing the overwhelming concern and fear there.
"Doctor, really, I'm ok" I say softly.
He seems to realize where his hands are and that there were others in the room, he quickly lets me go and stands back a little, clearing his throat "yes, good, I was worried when we returned and you weren't there" he says before he glances past my shoulder.
I turn my head to see Hibbert looking nervous and still clutching that metal pipe, I sigh softly and move to stand next to him, gently grabbing the pipe from him and making him let go of it "it's alright, Hibbert is fighting the mental hold on him, he was going to go try and confront Channing but I stopped him, so he's a bit of a mess..." I explain softly, Liz watches curiously from behind the Doctor now.
I find a corner and move him to it, looking Hibbert in the eyes seriously "stay here, we will be back in a few minutes to get you, please don't make a sound" I say softly, he slowly nods and sits down with his back to a machine.
I return to Liz and the Doctor and nod ahead "lets go stop this mess" I say and they both nod, the Doctor taking the lead quickly, I frown hearing the gunshots outside but I try and push the thought away for now.
As we walk Liz looks at me and smirks a little, I look to her curiously and she nods to the Doctor before whispering "he was very worried about you, wouldn't sleep or eat" she whispers softly, I smile a little and shake my head.
"He doesn't sleep or eat anyways, I'm sure he couldn't have been that worried" I whisper back, she gives me an 'are you serious?' Face but I shrug a little and continue on after the Time Lord.
We soon make it back to the control room, me and Liz quietly stopping in the doorway, she kneels down and starts to mess with the machine she and the Doctor had made for messing with the Autons.
I watch her quietly for a moment before looking back up to watch as the Doctor casually walks up behind Channing, his hands in his pockets as the man slowly turns to see the alien staring down at him, I smirk a little, using the metal pole I still held as a sort of cane, leaning on it a little.
Channing looks away again "you're too late" he says seriously.
"On this planet, there is a saying that it is never too late" The Doctor retorts before stepping around the man and looking at the large gross pulsating mass inside the glass chamber "good gracious. What on earth is this thing?" He asks.
"A life form perfectly adapted for survival and conquest on this planet" Channing states.
The Doctor points to it as he asks "is that what you look like on your own planet?"
"No, we have no individual identity"
"So this thing is a, sort of, collective brain, a nervous system?" The Doctor asks, walking around to stand behind Channing again.
"Humanly speaking, yes"
"Oh, but I'm not human. So if you live as a group, you can be destroyed as a group, surely?" He asks, though I knew all of this, I still wanted to listen, it was extremely entertaining to watch the Doctor work.
"You cannot destroy us" Channing states, raising his chin a little in a sort of self righteous way.
The Doctor watches the mans face closely for his reaction of what he was going to say "I destroyed your facsimile of Scobie. Therefore, I can destroy all of you"
Channing turns his head a little more towards the Time Lord, though keeping his eyes forward and not looking up at the Doctor.
"No one has the power to destroy us, not even you. We are indestructible" he says, looking up at the creature in the tank, I cant help but snort a little in amusement, Channing glances past the Doctor to see me there, leaning on the pipe and smirking at him, he glares at me dangerously.
I pick up the radio dish thing with the wire connected to the device in Liz's lap and bring it to the Doctor, handing it to him before returning to my spot, holding the pipe now resting on my shoulder as I watch them.
The Doctor turns back to the man and holds up the dish "so you see, Mr Channing, with this device, I can eliminate you" he says confidently, I kneel next to Liz and look the machine over, seeing if I could tell what would go wrong but nothing jumped out at me.
"No one can destroy the Nestene!" Channing says angrily before turning to the tank and twisting a knob on the side before running, I quickly stand and run forward as the top opens up, smoke and fog spewing out of it as the Doctor holds up the dish "switch on, Liz! Liz, switch on!" He yells but the device wasn't working.
The Doctor steps forward to try and mess with the controls on the side of the tank and just as I get close a tentacle reaches out and tries to grab him around the neck as he orders Liz to turn on the machine, I grab his cloak and shove him out of the way just in time, the tentacle just misses him and he stumbles forward away from the tank and I raise the pipe, starting to swing at the tentacles.
"Rose!" He yells as another tentacle swings out and grabs me by the neck, I quickly drop the pipe and move one arm between my neck and the tentacle, knowing it couldnt suffocate me now, I grab the tentacle and start to pull away from the tank, gasping and shaking a little with adrenaline, the Doctor rushes back over and tries to help get the tentacle off me, but the strength of the thing was impressive.
I growl a little in pain as the thing grabs my arm, wrapping its tentacles tightly around the bruised skin and it starts to pull me closer to the tank, soon I hear Liz shout "now!" And the Doctor raises the dish quickly toward the creature, one of his arms wrapped tightly around my waist to try and keep me back, and as soon as the loud whirring of the frequency hits the creature it starts to moan and groan in pain, the tentacles slowly going limp.
I shove its hold off me with the help of the Doctor and he catches me as I fall back against his chest, wrapping both his arms around me and pulling me a few feet back from the creature, both of us panting before he calls for Liz to shut off the device.
I shiver a little as the sound ends and the creature had gone completely still, my hands gripped the Doctor's arm shakily as I try to calm down from the sudden attack.
I sigh shakily and the Doctor turns me around quickly, gripping my shoulders as he looks me over seriously "let's get back to the Tardis, she can do some scans to make sure you're alright" he says quickly, I smile a little and sigh.
"I'm alright, a bit bruised but not bad" I explain, Liz comes over quickly, gently resting her hand on my arm as she also looks me over worriedly "are you sure? That thing was strong, it could have done more damage than you will notice right now, you could be in shock" she says quickly.
I shake my head a little "I'm really ok, I knew what I was getting into" I say and smile at them both a little though neither looked convinced.
We quickly leave to meet up with the Brigadier, finding Hibbert where we had left him before we return to UNIT HQ, once there I thank the Brigadier and Liz for their help before saying I was going to go shower and change, not wanting to stay in the clothes covered in dirt and what ever slime came from the tentacles as the thing died.
They both agree and say I should rest but as I step into the Tardis the Doctor follows me in, I look back at him curiously "do you need something?" I ask softly, he shakes his head and comes up to stand directly in front of me, so close I could feel his breath on my face as he looked down at me with worry and concern, I meet his eyes and smile a little.
"Will you let me do a scan to make sure you're really alright?" He asks, I sigh softly.
"Doctor, I really am alright, if you are really worried I can show you the bruise after my shower, that's really it" I try to reassure him but he doesn't look too convinced.
I hesitate before I reach out and gently take his hand, smiling up at him softly "I promise I'm ok" I say softly, gently squeezing his hand, his shoulders seem to relax just a little at that before he smiles softly "You, my dear, are going to be the death of me one day" he scolds softly, I smile more and shake my head.
"You do not need to worry about me, I seem to always find a way out, just as you do" I say softly only to be a bit surprised as he gently pulls my hand up, softly kissing it as he watches me.
"I certainly hope you do, I cannot lose you" he murmurs softly, I tilt my head just a bit as I watch him curiously, smiling fondly at him.
"And I couldn't survive without you there for me" I say softly, hesitating nervously before deciding to risk it and I lean up on my toes, gently kissing his cheek before letting his hand go and quickly heading off to my room, my cheeks hot and most likely bright red.
I quickly try and push my crush aside 'it's probably still years for him before he sees me like that, calm down' I think to myself before I get to my room, once inside I grab some clean clothes and hop in the shower, wincing seeing the huge purple and green bruise forming around my upper arm, I quickly clean up and get dressed before pulling my hair into a ponytail, to lazy to do anything else then I flop onto my bed face first.
Instantly I want to reach across the bed to find the Doctors pillow like I did in his future but I frown remembering its too early for that, I sigh softly and just lay there for a bit quietly, thinking everything over, so much insanity had happened so quietly, I almost missed my time in the hospital ward in the school where John would come to visit and check up on me every day.
I smile a little at that thought before I sit up, glancing around my room before I stand and stretch, wincing at the bruise before sighing, remembering I'd said I'd show the Doctor.
I grab my brothers black sweatshirt and wrap it around my waist before I head out, smiling a little as I stop in the doorway to the console room to see the Doctor looking over the console, seeming to be deep in thought 'he must be worried about what was broken besides the codes being changed'
I smile softly and lean against the doorway quietly, the Doctor had hung his cape up by the door leaving him in his velvet smoking jacket and ruffled shirt.
He stands staring at the console, one hand on his hip and the other on his chin as he thinks, I just watch him for some time quietly, I loved three in the show so much, he had always been the funny romantic and that had just made me fall in love with the character more and more, and he didn't seem very different in real life it seemed, and I couldn't help but faun over him a little.
It's not every day you get to meet your hero's and I couldn't help my love for him growing, and I wished so badly that I could tell him, show him how much I cared for him, but I knew that could be rather bad for his time stream, if he knew to early who knew what could happen...
I zone back in to realize the Doctor is looking to me, smiling a little to me, a deep blush flares up as I realize I'd been caught staring, I look down quickly "sorry..." I mumble, quickly turning and leaving the room as fast as I can, heading for the kitchen 'I need something to do to calm down...damn it! Stupid girl' I mentally scold myself angrily.
I make it to the kitchen and start making myself a cup of tea, my hands shaking slightly as I work, grabbing a large mug then a peppermint tea bag, tossing it into the mug as I try to relax, but it seems I misjudged the distance of the toss and the teabag nearly hit the floor, however the Doctor caught it just in time, I look over before blushing more, though I try to brush it off and smile a little sheepishly.
"Thank you...I'm not the best at...oh I don't know...something where you throw things..." I grumble softly, rubbing my forehead and grabbing the teapot as the Doctor sets the teabag into the mug, I try to keep my eyes down as I fill the mug with water.
"Do you want any?" I ask him, not looking up at him as I put a small amount of sugar into my tea.
"Rose" he says softly, I pause for a split second before continuing and setting the pot back on the stove.
"Hmm?" I hum casually, glad the blush had faded from my face.
"Are you sure you're alright?" He asks concerned, I smile a little and finally look up to him, nodding a little.
"I'm sure, just a bit...tired I guess" I say and shrug a little before grabbing my mug and moving it to the small table, he follows me and pulls my chair out for me, I smile softly and nod "thank you" I murmur before he sits across from me, leaning back in his chair as he seems to watch me closely.
I look down at my mug, holding it between my hands to warm them up a bit, and to focus on something else.
He's silent for a few moments before he sits up straight "may I look at your arm now?" He asks softly, I look up before nodding, moving my chair a little closer around the side of the table before holding my arm out toward him, pulling the sleeve up to my shoulder to show the nasty bruise to him, I grimace a little and sigh as he frowns, leaning closer and gently taking my arm into his hands.
I shiver slightly at his cool touch "does it hurt badly?" He asks softly, I shake my head "no, its only really a dull ache, the actual pain only hits if I put much pressure on it" I say softly, he nods and very gently strokes his finger over the bruise, I shiver again at the feeling, looking back to my mug to stop the blush from taking over again.
I sip at my tea, wincing a little as it burns my tongue but I say nothing as he continues to examine the marks.
"These are not new bruises..." he murmurs and I frown a little and look to him again, he raises his eyes to meet mine, his blue orbs full of concern.
"Rose, what happened to cause this in the first place? What happened?" He asks seriously, I shake my head a little.
"Nothing really, I was just grabbed by some guards" I say softly, he frowns more "what guards?" He asks.
I shake my head again "I cant say Doctor, it's in your future, I can't spoil it like that" I say softly and he frowns, shaking his head.
"Why didn't future me stop them from grabbing you?" He asks seriously, I sigh softly "because I arrived before you did, and...you were also held back by guards when you arrived" I say softly before smiling a little "but you don't need to worry, I've had far worse injuries just from slipping up stairs" I say and shrug, trying to laugh it off, to lighten the mood a little but he still looks concerned.
I sigh again before I set my mug down and gently take his hands in mine, looking him in the eyes seriously "Doctor, I'm not mortally wounded, I'm alright, its just a bruise, and it will heal in a week or so" I try to reassure him but his frown doesn't disappear as he watches me, sadness now creeping into his eyes.
"Rose, I think you need to stay in the Tardis for some time, to heal and rest, no matter where you end up, I want you to stay inside" he says softly, I frown a little and shake my head.
"Doctor you can't ask me to do that" I say seriously "it's too minor an injury to warrant it, and if you need my help I'm not going to hide away, my one purpose right now seems to be to help you when and where I can" I explain "and that's what I'm going to do, I want to help, and a bruise isn't going to stop me" I say softly.
"It may be just a bruise, but you said yourself you are tired, and with a bruise that bad you must let it heal and if you go out on more adventures you could be injured further" he says seriously.
My eyes widen a tiny bit as a realization hits me "this is because I was kidnapped isn't it...? You're becoming overprotective..." I murmur softly, he opens his mouth to retort before he gives up and sighs, lowering his head and nodding, keeping a tight hold on my hands.
"Yes, my dear...I was very worried for you, I didn't know where you could have been if you weren't at the factory...I even tried to use the Tardis to home in on you but she wouldn't cooperate" he says softly, I frown a little and gently squeeze his hands.
"Doctor, I'm alright, they didn't do anything but grab my arm and shove me in a broom closet" I say and smile a little, my heart fluttering a little at his concern and worry, I hesitate before I get off my chair and kneel down in front of him, smiling up at his tired worried face.
"Look at me, I'm alive and well, just a bit bruised and tired, my heart is beating and my mind is my own" I say softly, feeling him tighten his grip on my hands for a moment before he releases one, seeming to hesitate nervously for a moment before reaching up and gently cupping my cheek, I smile more and lean into his touch softly.
"See? I'm alive, mostly unharmed and safe now, and so is all of the world because you were able to stop the Nestene, just as you always do, that's why I had faith in you Doctor, I knew you'd defeat them, as you always do" I say softly, practically gushing about him to his face, though it was easy to disguise it right now as trying to reassure him.
"My dear...I never want to be so worried for you again" he murmurs "I don't want you in such danger, it was too much for me, I didn't know whether they let you live or they killed you, finding and saving you was my reason for defeating them, I had to find you" he says softly, butterflies filling my stomach at that.
I smile more up at him "and you did just that, you don't have to worry anymore, the Nestene won't come back for centuries, you can relax now, there are no threats to any of us at this moment" I say softly.
I gently take the Doctors hand from my face and smile gently as I stand, his eyes following me the whole way "now, do you want some tea? Or possibly toast? I think I can manage toast without burning the kitchen down" I say happily, gently dropping his hands and going to the stove to make sure their was enough water left.
But as I finish refilling the tea pot I can hear music softly swirling into life around me, I sigh softly, my shoulders slouching sadly and my head dropping.
"It seems I'm leaving already..." I murmur, hearing the Doctor stand up behind me when I had slouched a little, he comes over to me quickly before suddenly turning me around and pulling me into a tight hug, I wrap my arms around his chest tightly, burying my face into his chest "I didn't want to leave so soon...I wanted to stay with you for a while, wanted to help you" I murmur sadly.
His arms tighten around me gently "it will be alright, my dear" he murmurs softly, gently rubbing my back a little "remember what I said, I want you to rest, try and stay in the Tardis if you can, and no running about, your exhausted" he orders, I smile a little and shake my head, pressing closer to him gently.
"I'm not that tired...I'll promise I will be careful, and if I can I'll take a nap, alright?" I say, looking up at him, he's smiling down at me softly.
"If I have to put up with that I suppose I can't argue, as long as you do get some rest" he says softly, I nod and smile more.
"Then I promise I will do everything in my power to take a nap soon" I promise as the music gets louder.
He nods softly, reaching up and softly cupping my cheek again, I smile gently up at him "I'm gonna miss you, you be careful too ok? I don't want to reappear to you getting hurt or anything" I say softly, leaning into his touch as my vision starts to blur just a little at the edges.
He chuckles softly and leans down, gently kissing my forehead, I close my eyes at the sensation before everything goes silent, no teapot softly whistling in the background, no Doctor breathing or soft hum of the Tardis I loved so much, I drop my arms from the thin air that had been holding and frown sadly, opening my eyes to the blackness of the void yet again.
"I love you..." I whisper softly before shaking my head, I look down at the tattoos, the Nestene meteorite filling in fully now, and the clocks minute hand turning to 4, I wait a while quietly, wondering what was taking so long.
I rub my forehead a little and sigh, closing my eyes for the fifth time in hopes I'd be someplace else when I opened then, and it seemed fifth time was the charm as before I even open my eyes I can hear cars driving down the road beside me, I open my eyes and look around curiously, seeing it's actually a little sunny out today, I smile up at the grey clouds, the sun shining through them before I look around myself again, now more looking for where I am.
As I turn around my eyes widen seeing the large school in front of me, large glass doors in the front and I shiver a little, knowing exactly where I am "school reunion..." I say out loud softly, I grimace before moving toward the school quickly, seeing the children running about inside with the bell, I silently sneak in and watch the kids as they run past, I stiffen when I see none other than the headmaster, played in the show by the awesome Anthony Stewart Head.
I quickly hide as he turned to look down the hall I was in, I cover my mouth to silence my breaths, listening closely as he walks away, I relax a little and glance back toward the way he went, he was definitely not just an actor anymore, now the real Krillitanes were a threat.
'I need to find the Doctor...what was he teaching again? Shit...' I start to wander the school quickly, making sure to stay hidden from the teachers before I pass a door, glancing through the glass in every door I pass, I have to stop and smile widely seeing the Doctor happily teaching away to the kids sat at their desks, I have to stop myself from bursting in, glancing down at my clothes to realize I'm not exactly dressed as a teacher.
My camo joggers, black boots and dark blue t-shirt, and my black sweatshirt wrapped around my waist, I frown a little before I get an idea and I start to run down a few hallways, looking for something, as I nearly turn a corner I hear a humming behind me, I turn to find the closet I was looking for, I smile happily and run inside, beaming up at the gorgeous blue box infront of me, I pat her door as I get inside.
"Honey! I'm home!" I laugh, the Tardis humming happily at my greeting, I pat the console as I head to my room "always wanted to say that..."
I quickly change into a more work allowed outfit, black slacks, dress shoes and a white button up, I look through the jackets but none caught my eye so I just decided to go without one, I grab a Tardis blue bow tie and put it on with a little help from the Tardis before I roll up my sleeves and head back out, I pause as the console lights up to stop me, I look over curiously to see the Doctor's psychic paper sitting on the console, I smile and grab it for later if I'd need it, I pull my hair up into a tight high ponytail before thanking the Tardis and stepping out of the closet quietly, making sure to stay mostly hidden from any of the teachers.
I scoot past kids as they soon head off to lunch and I follow them to the lunch room, I smirk seeing Rose and the Doctor talking before she's told off and sent back to work, I glance up and see Mister Finch on a higher platform watching the teachers and students like a hawk.
I make sure to stay out of his sight and once he leaves I come in and move to casually sit down next to the Doctor, leaning back and crossing my arms as I look around us "seems a bit odd, human children knowing far too much, and strange lights being seen in the sky around the same time the new headmaster takes over" I comment softly.
Causing the Time Lord next to me to nearly jump out of his chair and look over to me, I smile softly at his sudden panic "I thought Time Lords were supposed to have better hearing and senses than humans" I tease as he beams at me, instantly moving to grab my hand happily, leaning closer to me.
"When did you get here?" He asks curiously, I shrug a little, gently squeezing his hand.
"Only about 25 minutes ago or so, I went and had to change, lounging comfy clothes aren't exactly something a teacher would wear, and I want to blend in" I say softly, he chuckles and shakes his head, still smiling widely.
"Rose, you are going to enjoy this one I think" he murmurs, I nod and smile more at him.
"And I know you are going to enjoy this one, I'll give you a hint, you're going to meet someone I can't meet until later" I say softly, he looks at me oddly and I smirk at him.
"What? That's it? That's the whole hint?" He pouts softly, I nod and giggle a little.
"Yup, now, you best finish your lunch, I'd better go before I'm spotted and the others realize I'm not supposed to be here, I'll be around, just be careful" I tell him softly, standing and glancing around to make sure no one was watching before softly kissing his cheek, he pouts playfully at me and I chuckle.
"We are in the middle of a school and I'm not supposed to be here, nothing more until later" I half tease before gently letting go of his hand and quickly exiting the room.
I wander the hall before finding my way back to the Tardis, realizing I should probably wait until nighttime rolls around, I wander inside and to mine and the Doctors room before flopping onto the bed, smiling as I grab his pillow happily before realizing I had time for a nap, I smile more and look to the ceiling.
"Sexy, can you wake me when the Doctor returns for his coat? I wanna be there for the adventure tonight" I call tiredly, hearing an affirmative hum before I flop my head onto the pillow and close my eyes, drifting off quickly to sleep.
Chapter 13!?!?
Honestly never thought I'd be able to write this much! But thank you all for reading and following/favoriting!
It makes my day knowing some people enjoy this :)
And thank you to Spiffygirl90 for your lovely review! I'm glad you like it!
I love you all with my whole heart and can't wait to see what you think of this chapter :)
Don't forget to stay hydrated!
~Rose~
