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He Who Sins
Chapter Twenty-Three: Black Holes of Revelations
Marilee appeared outside of the Powell Estate. Heads turned as she made her way through the concrete blocks – she had one thing on her mind – revenge. Her black cloak swirled around her, blowing in the evening winds, her hair flowed beside her and her deep golden eyes squinted in the sun light. She slowly climbed the stairs, wincing as the taunt skin moved around her burns; she didn't care – it was almost time. Marilee stopped outside of Jackie's apartment, in front of her sprawled Rose on the floor, her hand protectively pressed on top of her visible bump. Beside her the Doctor lay deep in slumber, he slowly snored as his body regained energy that he hadn't lost. Marilee laughed emptily to herself before she bent to retrieve Rose. She picked up her body and slung it over her shoulder, looking back at the Doctor she laughed as she began to walk away taking Rose with her – she didn't see the thin piece of paper fall from Rose's pocket.
The Doctor stirred hours later, he finally rumbled from his slumber that seemed eternal, he opened his heavy eyelids and looked ahead of him to where he remembered Rose lying before him, reaching out to him for help. He frantically crawled forwards to where she had lain – the spot was now empty, not a sign of her remained – just one scrap of paper. The Doctor picked up the paper and turned it over; it was a black and white scan of their babies. The Doctor felt his heart heave as he realised she wasn't there – that through his laziness he had allowed her to be taken. He sat up and lent his head back against the wall, he closed his eyes to the fear that threatened to consume him as he held the photograph of his children close to his chest – for all he knew this might be the last time he saw them.
All Rose knew was the darkness, and she welcomed it. She had a vague sense of fear as she felt herself being lifted and carried away, in her mind she saw the Doctor's eyelids fall shut as she reached out for him to save her – she knew it was over, this was the end. She felt her hands float to her belly as she thought of the tiny bits of the Doctor that now grew within her – she would have to stay safe – for them; she would have to keep them all safe until the Doctor found her. Despite everything, all their troubles and woes, her faith in him was as strong as ever, and she wasn't going to give up on him now – not now, not ever. So she allowed herself to rest for she knew fighting back was worthless; she didn't have the energy. She let this stranger carry her as she gathered strength, she knew they would stop soon and the Doctor wouldn't be far behind them – she knew he would save her, he always did.
Jackie walked up to the flat and saw the Doctor sitting on the landing, his head rested back against the wall and in his hand a lay a crumpled photograph. Jackie stared at him for a moment
'Doctor?' she asked warily. He opened his eyes and looked at her – they were filled with all the sadness of the world.
'Doctor?' she asked again as his eyes stared lifelessly at her
'Where's Rose?' she asked with a faint verge of panic being heard on her words. The Doctor shrugged
'I don't know'
'What do you mean you don't know?' she asked watching him. The Doctor stood up slowly
'She's gone' he stated sadly
'Left you or taken?' she asked watching him.
'Both' he admitted sadly. Jackie shook her head at him
'She wouldn't leave you – she loves you too much. She's carrying your children for Gods sake, she wouldn't just leave' she told him strongly. The Doctor closed his eyes and saw her eyes flicker in his minds eye
'What happened?' Jackie asked quietly as she pulled the Doctor through the door.
'I don't know' he said quietly
'What's that supposed to mean?' she asked. The Doctor shook his head
'I don't know what happened' he repeated. Jackie looked at him disbelieving
'What happened to her?' she asked again.
'I don't know!' he yelled before sinking his head into his hands. Jackie sat beside him and placed her arm on his shoulder as it shook
'I fell asleep' he whispered in disgust. 'We had an argument and I fell asleep. She fell to the floor…that's all I remember – then she was gone'
Jackie watched the Doctor and could feel the sadness ebbing from him
'Maybe she's gone for a walk' Jackie offered helplessly. The Doctor shook his head, his eyes were filled with pain and honestly, he held out the photo of his children and gave it to Jackie
'She wouldn't have left this behind' he told her sadly. Jackie took the photo of her two perfect grandchildren and let out a sob
'Oh Rose' she whispered 'They took my Rose'. The Doctor bit his lip
'I know'. Jackie looked at the photo and then at the Doctor
'Find her' she said. The Doctor shook his head
'I don't even know where to start looking' he admitted
'Like that matters' Jackie told him harshly. The Doctor looked up at her, his eyes were deeply honest.
'Jackie, something was happening to us – someone was hurting us. I don't know who, but Rose did…she tried to tell me…' he trailed off as he remembered her, then his voice hardened 'but they took her. They took my Rose because I wouldn't listen to her'
Jackie watched him as he tore himself apart.
'Doctor…it's not your fault' she feebly tried to comfort him. He looked sharply up at her
'But it is. Don't you see it? If I had listened…if I had cared – I would have the faintest clue of what was happening, but I don't… I don't have anything' he murmured as he dropped his head into his hands. Jackie looked at him and then at the photo
'Doctor, there is a woman out there counting on you, two babies depending on you, so get off your arse and stop feeling sorry for yourself and save my bloody daughter!' Jackie shouted at him. The Doctor listened to her words then stood up
'You're right' he murmured as he looked one more time at the photograph of his children
'For them' he murmured
'For her' Jackie agreed as the Doctor stalked into the kitchen – things were getting serious.