Domestics and Divisions

Thanks for the reviews! Hope you enjoy and I need lots of review love as I had a flamer on AS Levels and Aliens. Boo hoo. It's made me very upset. Hehe.

Disclaimer: Nothing you might recognise belongs to me- a lot of AoG dialogue in this chapter which obviously isn't mine.

Part Four: My Baby

"Hello, Doctor," Yvonne said amicably,

"What's going on?" he demanded harshly, his face a mask of rage, "What are those ghost things?"

"Oh, do you like them?" Yvonne beamed,

"Not particularly when they're terrifying the population and I don't know what they are!" the Doctor spat. He strode forwards, ignoring the armed guards, "Tell me what's going on, Yvonne!"

Yvonne's smile slipped slightly at his tone. "Stand down," she muttered to the guards. They did so and watched as their leader led the three visitors out of the room.

"So, what about these ghosts?" the Doctor demanded, a few minutes later when they had climbed several floors and appeared in a large white room with one completely blank wall facing them. Around the room were scattered Torchwood officials at desks and two levers stuck into the ground on either side of the rectangular room.

"Ah yes, the ghosts," Yvonne said, taking a seat at an empty desk in a small office that was behind a glass wall, embellished with the Torchwood logo. She invited the Doctor to take the empty seat opposite. Meanwhile, Jack slowly explored the room and Rose sat on the floor at the Doctor's feet, resting her head on his knee. She was suddenly feeling tired. He smiled and began to comb through her hair with his fingers as Yvonne continued speaking, "They're what you might call a side effect,"

"Of what?" the Doctor questioned immediately.

Yvonne let out a sigh, whether one of tiredness or frustration at being caught, the Doctor couldn't tell. "Do you remember the sphere?" she asked.

The Doctor nodded. They had taken the sphere away and plunged it into the void two years ago, with the Master inside. There was no way it could have come back without him knowing.

"Well, the sphere came through here back then," she continued, gesturing at the blank wall outside of the office, "It's a hole in the world. Not active at the moment. But when we fire particle engines at that exact spot, the breach opens up,"

"How did you even find it?" the Doctor asked intrigued,

"We were getting warning signs for years, a radar black spot," Yvonne explained, "So we built this place, Torchwood Tower. The breach was 600 feet above sea level. It was the only way to reach it. But it's only recently, since the whole Harold Saxon fiasco, that we've had the money and the man power to investigate it further,"

"Hoping we wouldn't come knocking?" the Doctor said coolly, "And deceiving poor Jack whenever he came checking up on you,"

"We knew you wouldn't let us proceed," Yvonne retorted,

"And you were right!" the Doctor exploded, leaping up and sending Rose sprawling to the floor. "Sorry, Rose," he apologised quickly, helping her up before facing the Torchwood leader once more, anger very apparent on his face. Rose held her breath in anticipation. The Doctor in a rage was always a spectacular sight- as long as you weren't the person on the end of it.

"So!" the Doctor shouted, "You find the breach, probe it, the Sphere comes through, six hundred feet above London, bam! It leaves a hole in the fabric of reality. And that hole, you think 'Oh, shall we leave this alone? Shall we back off? Should we play it safe?' Nah, you think 'Let's make it bigger!'"

"It's a massive source of energy!" Yvonne reciprocated loudly, "If we can harness that power, we need never depend on the Middle East again! Britain will be become truly independent." She looked at her watch before carelessly saying, "You can see for yourself, the next ghost shifts in two minutes,"

"Cancel it,"

"I don't think so," she replied coolly,

"I'm warning you. Cancel it," the Doctor growled, folding his arms. At Yvonne's second refusal, he let out a sigh and strode over to the glass wall. "Let me show you," he said, withdrawing the sonic screwdriver, aiming it at the glass and pressing a button. A crack appeared, quickly followed by several more. "Sphere comes through. But when it made the hole, it cracked the world around it. The entire surface of the dimension, splintered. And that's how the ghosts get through, that's how they get everywhere. They're bleeding through the fault lines. Walking from their world, across the void, and into yours." He demonstrated by making walking movements with two fingers. Rose let out a small grin before it faded at what happened next.

"With the human race hoping and wishing and helping them along," the Doctor continued, "But too many ghosts and…" The entire glass wall shattered and shards of glass fell to the carpeted floor with a resounding crash.

Yvonne swallowed, looking at the mess on the floor before glancing at the Doctor. She lifted her chin defiantly. "Well, in that case, we'll have to be more careful. Positions! Ghost shift in one minute,"

"Yvonne!" the Doctor said exasperated, "I am asking you, please don't do it,"

"Doctor, we're in control of the ghosts. The levers can open the breach but equally they can close it," she explained patiently.

The Doctor sighed and Rose watched him anxiously, waiting for his next retort. He stared at Yvonne for a long while before simply saying, "OK."

Rose was flabbergasted, a look that was clearly represented on Yvonne's face. "Sorry?" she said,

"Never mind. As you were," the Doctor said, waving a hand carelessly,

"What? Is that it?" Yvonne said, her confusion evident,

"No, fair enough. I've said my bit. Don't mind me," the Doctor said, walking back over to Rose and perching on the desk. Rose sent him a curious look and he replied with a cheeky smile, "Any chance of a cup of tea?" he asked,

"Ghost shift in twenty seconds," a nameless Torchwood employee called out,

"Mmm, can't wait to see it!" the Doctor grinned, rubbing his hands,

"You can't stop us, Doctor," Yvonne said, authoritatively,

"No, absolutely not," he agreed, "Rose, come over here and watch the fireworks."

Rose did as he said, moving into his arms. He wrapped them around her waist, leaning his chin on her shoulder as they both listened to the employee counting down to the next ghost shift and watching Yvonne's face. Her expressions changed like a traffic light, going from confident to curious and then to uncertain where it stopped.

"Stop the shift!" she commanded sharply, "I said, stop!"

Rose felt the Doctor relax. "Thank you," he said softly,

"I suppose it makes sense to get as much intelligence as possible," Yvonne said with the air of trying to maintain her dignity,

"I'm glad to be of help," the Doctor nodded, "Trust me, Yvonne."

She nodded before quickly turning around, exiting the office, calling out "And someone clear up this glass!" as she went.

The Doctor lay silently in bed, watching Rose sleep beside him. He was worried about her. She didn't seem her normal bubbly self and he didn't know why. Usually, she told him all of her worries and shared every secret with him but she'd been closed off recently.

Checking that she was still fast asleep, he carefully untangled himself from her grip and padded out of the room. It was late at night and he knew Jack would probably have retired by now but there was a chance he was still awake. The Doctor knew Jack wasn't needing to sleep as much as he used to and this was another thing that was worrying him. He wondered if it was a side effect of what had happened to Jack two years ago when they had faced the Master and Jack had been killed and then had somehow come back to life. The Doctor still wasn't entirely sure about this new found power of Jack's and it hadn't happened but he had discovered that he felt slightly odd when Jack was around as if the ex-Time Agent was wrong somehow. He ignored it though. Jack was one of his closest friends whom he trusted entirely and he wasn't about to let an odd feeling stop that.

Upon reaching Jack's bedroom door, he knocked quietly and waited for the "come in," before he entered.

"What's up, Doc?" Jack asked from where he was stretched out on his bed. He moved his feet out of the way so the Doctor could sit down.

"Do you know what's wrong with Rose?" he asked after taking a seat, "I know something is but she's not saying anything."

Jack nodded. "I've noticed that as well. I asked her earlier and she said she was fine but then she said she wanted to talk to me about something so we're going to do that." Too late, Jack realised Rose had made him promise not to tell the Doctor.

The Time Lord frowned. He was wondering why Rose would go to Jack over him. Then he suddenly thought it might be something to do with him that she was worried about. "Can you chat to her ASAP," he requested, "I wish she would come to me but…"

Jack nodded solemnly. "We'll take a walk later on today,"

"Thanks," the Doctor said gratefully, "Do you have any idea what it could be about?"

Jack shook his head. He suspected that it was something to do with the Doctor but he wasn't about to say anything before he got the whole story from Rose.

The Doctor shrugged, worry creasing his forehead. "Make sure she knows she can talk to me about anything," he said, "I've told her enough times but you know…"

"Yeah," Jack said, "So, do you think that's the end of those freaky ghost things now?"

"Hopefully," his friend nodded, feeling glad for the change of conversation, "We'll keep an eye out but I think I managed to persuade Yvonne that they're bad news." He let out a heavy sigh. "I wish they'd just leave things they don't understand alone. It's fine that they want to study alien artefacts that fall to Earth or whatever but experimenting with a hole in the universe!? One day, they're gonna do irreparable damage and we're not going to be able to stop them."

"Yeah," Jack agreed, "What they need is sort of like a leader who's experienced in these kinds of things but other than us three, who is there?"

The Doctor shrugged. "I really don't know, Jack."

Rose took a deep breath before putting one satin slippered foot in front of her and starting her procession down the aisle to the sound of the organ, followed by two unseen bridesmaids. Ahead of her, she could see her family and the vicar waiting for her. The butterflies inside her stomach fluttered as her eyes passed over each before coming to rest on the Doctor who was standing, gazing at her. She returned his smile before reaching him and taking his outstretched hand.

The vicar smiled at them before beginning the service. Rose listened to each and every word he said; all the time being absolutely aware of the man next to her, firmly clasping her hand.

She held her breath as the vicar asked if there was anybody present who knew of a reason why the couple should not be married. There was a silence for a moment before the Doctor suddenly dropped her hand and loudly announced, "I do."

There was a collective gasp from the audience and Rose turned to face him, feeling numb.

"I don't want to marry you," he said plainly,

"Why?" Rose whispered, her lower lip starting to tremble,

"Oh, don't start crying on me again," the Doctor snapped, "I'm sick and tired of you constantly crying over everything! If something goes wrong or I refuse to do something, you cry! Grow a backbone for a change. Do you really think I want a constant cry baby for my companion, my lover?"

Rose was shocked into silence. He'd never spoken to her like that before and it was their wedding day…

Rose shot up in bed, breathing deeply as she recounted the dream. It had been so realistic… Did the Doctor really think she was a cry baby? What if he did? Was that why he didn't want to marry her? She let out a broken sob as her head fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face as all her worries and fears and confusion got to her.

The Doctor looked up suddenly in mid-conversation with Jack. The ex-time agent watched curiously as his eyes unfocused before he realised what was happening. The TARDIS was communicating with the Doctor again. Jack gave a start as his friend leapt up.

"Something's really wrong with Rose," he explained, already half way through the door.

Jack hurried to catch up with up. "The TARDIS told you?"

"Yup," the Doctor confirmed, striding down the corridor, "She said she's in tears." They reached the Doctor and Rose's bedroom and he pushed the door open to reveal Rose in the same position, sobs wracking her form. Jack watched from the door as the Doctor crawled over the bed and wrapped his arms around his lover from behind, kissing her shoulder and telling her that he was here for her. She shuffled around in his embrace, clutching onto his clothing as her sobs suddenly seemed to increase.

The Doctor glanced helplessly over at Jack, starting to comb his fingers through her hair in an attempt to calm her down.

"Baby, what's wrong?" he asked gently, hoping to reassure her with one of his latest pet-names for her.

Rose tightened her grip on him. It must really mean he thought she was a baby if he called her one! She felt a tissue being pressed into her hand, knowing just from the feel of the hand that it was Jacks'. She looked up at him gratefully and he smiled back before leaving the room. Rose turned her gaze to meet the Doctor's who was watching her thoughtfully, concern in his eyes. He smiled at her as well before taking the tissue and gently wiping her tears away. There was silence for a while, punctured by an occasional sob from Rose as she fought to get herself under control. Finally, she was ready.

"Do… do you think I'm a baby, Doctor?" she asked in a trembling voice.

He looked confused for a moment. "No," he denied, "Of course I don't. You're my baby; not a baby."

Rose smiled slightly at his admission before her expression grew solemn once more. "But I seem to cry a lot about stupid things and it's got to annoy you and wish I'd grow a backbone,"

"It doesn't," the Doctor said truthfully, "There's nothing wrong with crying, Rose. Sometimes you just need to have a good cry to sort out any crazy mixed up emotions inside you. It doesn't mean you're a coward or anything, OK?"

She nodded slowly. "And it doesn't make you regret asking me to travel with you?"

"Nope. Rose, this might sound weird but I like it when you cry. It gives me an extra excuse to cuddle you and make you happy again. And I like doing that," the Doctor smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Rose tightened her grip on him. "And… and you still love me even though I cry a lot?"

The Doctor answered with a firm kiss to her lips. "Rose, I will always love you," he whispered, "Even if you never stop crying, I'll never get tired of you. You've imprinted yourself on my hearts and nothing could ever remove you from them." He pressed another quick kiss to her lips before resting his forehead against hers, intently studying her eyes, "Is that what's been making you a bit distant lately? You don't think I love you anymore?"

She let out a sigh, not being able to tear her eyes away from his. "Sort of," she admitted, "But I can't tell you the full reason, Doctor, I just can't!"

"OK," he calmly accepted, stroking her hair, "But promise me one thing, Rose?"

"What?" she asked quietly,

"Tell Jack. I don't have to know if you really don't want me to but make sure he knows so one of us does just in case, alright? Don't keep it all in here," he said, tapping her on the forehead, "Or you'll get stressed out. Promise me that?"

Rose nodded. "I was going to tell him anyway," she admitted quietly, resting her head on his shoulder and letting out a yawn,

"Good," the Doctor nodded, "C'mon then. Let's go to bed."

Rose nodded sleepily as he quickly stripped down to his boxers and then crawled into bed with her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before allowing her to rest her head on his chest as she drifted off to sleep. The Doctor watched her, frowning slightly.

What had he done to make her think he didn't love her anymore?

Review please. Constructive criticism is gladly received