Chapter Fourteen

Ian gave him a wary look.

"Why?"

"Because I want to go first. I want to be the one to convert Rose. I want to make sure she feels no pain during it."

"I won't cause her any pain," Ian said. "No one feels any pain when I do it. I'm careful, Doctor. I've had almost two hundred years experience. I think I know what I'm doing."

"Nevertheless, I want to be the one to do it. She is my lover, not yours and if she's going to die and be reborn, I want her to be in my arms when it happens."

He leaned forward and looked him in the eyes.

"Besides, don't you want to taste my blood for yourself?" he said. "Alien blood, you know, aren't you curious about the flavor?"

He smirked when he saw the look of hunger on Ian's face.

"Come on, Ian. Take a taste of the old Time Lord and sample a time traveler," he said. "I'm sure it'll be an experience you won't forget."

Ian nodded.

"Yes, I want you, Doctor. I want your blood," he said. "I will give you Rose in exchange for that honor."

The Doctor smiled.

"Tuck in then," he said.

Ian paused and stared at him suspiciously, as the Doctor laid his head to the side and exposed his jugular vein.

"Well, what ya waiting for? Get to it!" the Doctor said.

"I'm just curious about this sudden change of heart, Doctor. Why are you so eager for me to convert you now? What are you planning?"

"What do you mean, what am I planning? I'm not planning anything, Ian. I'm tied up with nowhere to go, and you have a grip on Rose's mind. I'm not a patient person. I never have been. I'm tired of sitting here on this hard, cold floor listening to you go on and on. If my destiny is to become a vampire, then get on with it!"

Ian stared at him a moment more and then looked back over his shoulder.

"Rose, come here."

The Doctor looked at Rose who was walking towards them. Panic gripped his hearts.

"What are you doing now?" he said.

"I want Rose to witness this. I want her to see what it'll be like when you take her," he said.

Rose stopped behind him and stood motionless.

"No! Please, let her alone," the Doctor said. "Normally, I would ask you to release your hold on her mind, but not now. I don't want her to see us."

"Kneel."

Rose obeyed without question.

He turned back at the Doctor who was staring at him with hate.

"You bastard. You're doing this to torture us, aren't you?"

"Not at all. The blood ritual is a beautiful thing, Doctor. Besides, Rose should be a witness to your rebirth."

The Doctor's hearts stopped when he saw Ian close his eyes. He felt his hearts sink when Rose blinked her eyes and stared around confused.

"Doctor?"

"Rose! Run away! Get away from here now!"

Ian chuckled.

"She can't move, Doctor. I only withdrew from part of her mind. I'm still controlling her movements."

"What are you doing to the Doctor?" Rose said.

"He is going to go first."

Rose frowned at him. She mouthed, "Go where?" Then, her eyes widened and the Doctor's hearts sank as he watched realization set in.

"NO! You can't do this!" she said. "Don't hurt him. Take me instead!"

The Doctor's eyes shone with love.

Ian chuckled.

"How noble of you, my dear, but the Doctor volunteered to go first so I'm afraid you'll just have to wait your turn."

Ian lowered himself to the Doctor's neck. The Doctor kept his eyes on Rose and saw she was straining to get up off the floor and get to him.

"Doctor."

The Doctor gave her a loving smile.

"It's alright, Rose. I'll be fine, trust me," he said.

He winced when he felt Ian sink his fangs into his neck and then felt that area go numb as Ian began to feed.

"Oh God…" Rose said.

The Doctor gave her a brave smile.

"It doesn't hurt, Rose," he said. "Once I become a vampire, I'm going to be the one to convert you, so you have nothing to be afraid of."

Rose felt the tears began to fall, as she saw the Doctor began to weaken, and his eyelids begin to droop.

"I…love…you…Rose. Soon…it'll…all…be…over…and…we'll…be…together."

"Doctor, I love you too," Rose said.

She wept quietly when she saw the Doctor's breathing become more and more erratic. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to her, Ian finally stopped and leaned back up.

"You monster!" Rose said.

Ian looked back at her.

"I don't understand why everyone calls me a monster."

"Because you are! You killed him!"

"No, I didn't. It's true he's barely alive at this point, and if I let him alone, he would die, but I'm about to give him life, Rose. A life fuller than any he's ever had."

Turning from her, he ignored her and brought his wrist to his mouth. He bit down hard on his vein. Turning his bloodied wrist over, he brought it down on top of the Doctor's mouth. He smiled, as the blood dripped into his mouth.

"Drink, my Doctor. Live forever!"

"No, Doctor! Don't swallow! Spit it out!"

Ian smiled, and he watched the Doctor's Adam's apple bob up and down as he drank the blood.

"It's too late, my dear. He's already feeding on me."

Ignoring Rose's anguished wail, he pulled his wrist away and shifted his body, so Rose could see.

"Behold, my bride. The Doctor is becoming an immortal!" he said.

Rose shook her head in disbelief while she watched the Doctor's breathing become more and more erratic and finally cease

"Doctor, no."

After a moment, the Doctor opened his eyes and looked around.

"Hello."

"Hello, my immortal lover," Ian said. "Welcome to your new life."

The Doctor smiled. He rose slightly and met Ian's lips in a kiss while Rose sobbed. They stayed that way for a moment and then broke apart.

"I feel incredible. You're right. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I feel like I can do anything."

"I'm glad to hear you say that, my love," Ian said.

He untied the Doctor and looked over at Rose.

"And now, why don't you show Rose how wonderful being undead really is?"

The Doctor smiled and sat up.

"No, Doctor, don't do this."

"But Rose, there's nothing to be afraid of," the Doctor said. "I've never felt more alive in my life and now we can be together for all eternity."

Rose wept when he laid a hand against her cheek.

"I'll be gentle, I promise," he said. "I know instinctively what to do. You'll be safe with me."

He kissed her forehead.

"Trust me, Rose. You do trust me, don't you?"

Rose bit her lip and nodded.

The Doctor laid his head against her forehead.

"Good, I'm glad you trust me because you know what?" he said.

Rose swallowed the lump in her throat.

"W…what?"

The Doctor looked into her eyes and grinned.

"I'm not under Ian's control, and the sorry bastard is about to pay for what he's done."