Character/Pairing: Ten/Rose
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The BBC owns all, I am merely borrowing.
Spoilers: Through Season Three.

Stepping out of the study, they found that the room had been moved beside the kitchen.

"Right where it belongs," Rose said, squeezing the Doctor's hand.

He smiled and led her into the console room, reaching to turn a dial on the column that looked suspiciously like a bottle cap. "Shields," he murmured as an explanation. He paused at the door, palm flat against the wooden paneling. "Ready?"

Rose nodded and together they stepped out. The TARDIS was completely encircled by Guardians, all standing with arms crossed. Mickey took a similar position beside the ship, trying to look equally intimidating. The Doctor smiled and waved enthusiastically, but Rose could feel his apprehension in the tight grip of his hand.

"Hello! Lovely seeing all of you again."

You are the man with the blue box.

"Yep. That's me!" His eyebrows drifted to the top of his forehead. "Oh, you're telepathic beings! How interesting. Bit of an obstacle when visiting Earth. Have you considered investing in a cerebral communicator? Definitely make it easier to blend in. Probably speed up the kidnapping process as well." He tugged lightly on his ear as he studied them. "Still, you're all rather...blue. Not sure you can write that off as a rare skin condition."

You have possession of the child.

"Sorry?"

The child. You have taken her.

"Oh!" the Doctor exclaimed in mock surprise. "You must mean my daughter. Thank you for keeping an eye on her. Wanders off constantly. Just like her mother."

You will return her to our custody.

"She's quite happy where she is, thank you," the Doctor replied briskly.

We would protect her. Keep her safe.

"Protect her? From what exactly?"

You have a reputation.

The Doctor's cheery demeanor instantly switched to one of confusion. "What?"

You are a dangerous influence. With us she will have better guidance.

"What?!"

Rose almost bit her tongue to keep from snickering. "Oh, I dunno, Doctor. They might be right." She gave him a serious look. "You do get into an awful lot of trouble."

"Oi! Susan turned out fine. A little rebellious, but I hardly think that that was my fault."

"'Cause you're not rebellious at all?" Rose teased and then frowned. "Wait, hold on, who's Susan?"

"Most of the time I'm just passing through. Trouble finds me, not the other way around. And I always have a plan ready."

"I thought you made it up as you went along."

"Honestly, Rose, whose side are you on?" He paused, scrutinizing her obvious attempt not to laugh. "You're winding me up, aren't you?"

Rose sniffed and said airily, "Wouldn't dream of it. I'm sure you'd make a very responsible parent. You might be late for everythin', but you'd certainly try."

It is how events must come to pass.

The Doctor whirled back. "Events? What events?"

We have seen it. What she must do.

"Nothing is certain. I know that better than anyone." His serious tone faded almost as soon as it appeared. "I bet you lot don't even have the proper authorization, do you?"

We need no authority.

"Right. Law unto yourselves, then? Benefits must be atrocious."

We will use force if necessary.

The threat shifted something imperceptible behind the Doctor's countenance and his expression darkened with the promise of consequences. "I think you've done enough threatening. You can't have her. That's it. No discussion." He hissed through clenched teeth, "We're leaving. I suggest you do the same."

The Guardians gave none of the usual signs of having witnessed the Doctor's displeasure. No arguing, yelling or descriptions of master plans. Not even a demonstration of superior firepower. They were entirely compliant as the Doctor stalked back to the TARDIS, Rose stumbling to keep up with his long stride. Mickey followed them inside, looking thoroughly confused.

"You two gonna keep me in the dark? Why'd they want her?"

"Oh, usual," Rose said mildly. "Conquer the world or somethin' like that." She rested her hands on her hips. "Doctor, why weren't they upset? I mean, they just let us go. Didn't try anythin'."

The Doctor shrugged and set the coordinates to pilot the TARDIS back to solid ground. "I was just that impressive."

"Doctor, I'm serious. That's...weird."

"We got lucky. Happens...oh, every millenia or so."

Rose had traveled with the Doctor long enough to know when he was flipping switches merely as a distraction. Her knowledge of the console remained limited, but she was positive that that particular set of switches related to the swimming pool. She reached over and caught his hand, stilling it against the console. "Doctor..."

Finally, he looked at her, saying carefully, "Rose, it's fine. We're safe. Nothing is going to happen."

"Oh, now you've jinxed it," she muttered.

"Mick--"

"I know, I know. You've restocked the kitchen. I checked last time. Didn't really look that way."

"That wasn't what I was going to say at all." The Doctor sniffed indignantly. "Honestly. And I definitely remember getting jam. So, somewhere I can drop you off?"

"Torchwood, I think. Better check in."

"Right." The Doctor leaned over the console, modifying the coordinates.

Mickey pulled Rose aside, speaking to her quietly beside one of the coral struts. "Don't disappear just yet. Not without sayin' goodbye. Promise?"

"Promise. I wouldn't. Got lots to sort through first."

"Yeah. But he's always restless. Might drag you off first chance he gets."

"I know," she agreed. "I won't let 'im."

A sudden tremor shook the TARDIS and both Rose and Mickey latched onto the strut behind them.

The ship stilled and the Doctor announced, "Here we are then."

Rose gave Mickey a quick hug. "Come for tea tomorrow."

Mickey nodded and gave the Doctor a stern look, before slipping out of the ship.

"Lovely. Just us." The Doctor smiled but it didn't reach his eyes as he continued nonchalantly, "How's your head?"

"What?"

"Back there. You understood them."

"'Course I..."

"They were telepathic, Rose. You're not. Not really, anyway." He raised a hand to knead the muscles at the back of his neck. "Last time...well, you had a headache to say the least."

"S'not the same as last time."

"It's exactly the same," he said steadily. "Well, I'm not quite so overbearing. But, generally speaking, it was telepathy. Same exact modus operandi, if you will."

"No, it's not," Rose insisted, tilting her chin up stubbornly. "I've gotten better."

"Rose, you...you don't just...'get better', as it were. It's an ability you're born with. It's genetically inherited. You either have it or you don't. It doesn't spring up out of nowhere."

"I haven't always had it," Rose pointed out, her eyes narrowing. "And you never explained to me how I got the ability to begin with."

That silenced him. It was something he never ever wanted to talk about if he was honest. Not that he knew exactly what had happened on Satellite Five. "Infirmary," he finally said, walking away from the console and never looking back.

Rose did follow him, eventually. Mostly because she knew he would start pacing if she left him alone and that never turned out well. The time that he had managed to short circuit the lighting systems everywhere except one storage closet was something she would never forget. If she acquiesced to whatever tests he had in mind, maybe just maybe she could finally get a straight answer out of him.

When she arrived, the Doctor was on the verge of pacing, rocking back and forth on his heels and adjusting a monitor that certainly didn't need any calibrating. He didn't look up, just pointed toward the examination table at the center of the room and then rummaged through a cabinet. He emerged with a variety of apparatus and approached her. His fingers fluttered against her chest as he brushed past the collar of her shirt and placed a round instrument against her skin. He then picked up her hand and slid onto her wrist a bracelet with several small indicators. Returning his attention to the screen, he watched the blips as they wavered with regular frequency. He smacked the side of the monitor several times for good measure, but the results did not vary.

"Does that ever really help?" she asked.

"No," he admitted. "Not really."

"What is it?" She leaned forward, studying the rigid arch of his back. "Doctor, we need to talk about this. Finally. I mean, we've been avoiding this for..."

"I know."

"Why? Is it so bad?" Rose asked, not quite managing to conceal her apprehension.

"Could be." The Doctor sighed and turned around, the hint of fear in his eyes leaving Rose with an unsettled feeling. "I don't know. Rose, I don't...I just don't know."

She hopped off the table and took the two steps necessary to reach him, taking hold of his hands. "But that's impossible," she teased, trying to ease the obvious signs of worry in his brow.

"I should have paid closer attention. To you. Should have dragged you to the infirmary right away. But the regeneration wasn't ideal and I could barely think straight long enough to convince you it was really me." He gave her a sad smile. "And I even failed at that."

Rose opened her mouth to protest, but the Doctor kept going.

"I did, Rose. I should have explained the process to you long before it happened." He took a deep breath. "When I got better, my biggest priority was making a good impression on you. I was terrified you'd leave without giving me a chance." Suddenly bashful, he ducked his head and studied his trainers. "Besides, my memories were still a bit hazy. I was certain my previous incarnation had dealt with the situation properly. Well, the only way it could be dealt with really. But...I underestimated how stubborn you Tyler women are."

Rose swatted his arm and he leaned back in half-hearted avoidance. He stepped forward and pressed his palms against her back, bringing her close.

When he spoke again, his voice was barely audible. "It's still there, Rose. Just an itty bitty tiny piece of the vortex. And it's waiting. For what, I don't know." He exhaled slowly beside her ear. "If it ever manifests...I...well, I don't know if I'll be able to save you again." He turned his head to see the monitor. "It says your normal. Perfectly regular human. Well, who's traveled in time anyway."

Rose rested her fingertips against his chin and guided his focus back to her. "Maybe I am then. Maybe it's all right."

"No," he said, grimacing. "But there isn't anything I can do."

"Doctor, let it go. Just...for now." She slid her hands up to frame his face. "You're here. You made it through." Pressing a light kiss against his lips, she whispered, "That's enough." She pulled back and smiled, tongue darting out between her teeth. "Now, what's a girl gotta do for some dancin'?"