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He Who Sins

Chapter Twenty-Six

Days later…

Rose was still chained to the wall, her hair stuck to her head from the grease that now dripped from her hair – sometimes she was hot, sometimes she was cold – sometimes she just didn't care. Around her feet cold vomit pooled, she barely clung onto consciousness as she hung there day after day in her endless night. Food never came – nor did water, her life and the lives of her unborn children were totally in the hands of someone else…someone who seemed certain that they shouldn't live.

The Doctor walked into the flat as the sun was rising, Jackie jumped up from the kitchen table, her hands wrapped around a mug of untouched tea. Her blonde hair was flattened and she huddled into her dressing gown as bags hung under her eyes. She looked up at the Doctor hopefully

'Any luck?' she asked. He shook his head. He had returned from another endless trip searching for her, he'd been to every star of every galaxy and he still hadn't found her. Dark stubble now clung to his chin – he had no time to shave, his hair was matted and his glasses hung off his nose shielding his bloodshot eyes. His suit was crumpled and dirty, his hands clenched effortlessly in frustration as he returned from another hopeless search. He fell into a chair beside Jackie and crossed off another place from his list. He was running out of places to search, places they could have taken her – soon he would have nothing left. Jackie watched him as he picked up the list and crossed of name after name, his head dropped into his hands as he stifled another yawn

'You should get some sleep' she said quietly as she looked into her mug of tea. The Doctor looked up at her and shook his head

'How can I sleep when I know she's out there, waiting for me?' he asked her. Jackie shook her head

'Being in this state isn't helping her though' she told him

'It's better than losing myself in dreams that just make reality hurt more' he muttered. Jackie placed her hand on his and looked up at him

'What would she want you to do?' Jackie asked wisely. The Doctor felt his heart swell as he imagined Rose standing beside him, placing her arm on his shoulder and looking down into his eyes as she whispered to him before leading him to their room.

'Sleep' he admitted. Jackie nodded

'Then listen to her' she told him 'follow your heart'

'My heart is telling me to go out there and search every galaxy for her' he told Jackie desperately. Jackie led the Doctor to Rose's old room and pushed him towards the bed

'Sleep Doctor – we'll find her in the morning'. The Doctor nodded and closed the door, he lent his head against the door knowing how far away she was; Jackie leant her head against the door and let a single tear stream down her face, she knew there was a strong chance she would never see her daughter again.

The Doctor fell into Rose's bed, snuggling in their warmth trying to starve off the cold that was gnawing at his soul. The bed still smelt of her and soon he found himself sound asleep with his arms tightly wrapped around a pillow…but in his mind it was Rose he was holding, it was Rose he was lying with, it was Rose he was kissing. The Doctor let himself fall into dreams searching for those last moments of happiness he could find with her…even if they were just in his dreams.

Rose finished vomiting – her hands reached down to her stomach where her stilled babies rested, she couldn't reach them and nor could she feel them. She let out a chortled sob as she slowly gave into the darkness that clawed out of every corner of the room.

Rose was lying in the Doctors arms, his face was pressed to her neck smothering her in soft kisses, their hands were interlocked. Rose looked up at the Doctor and smiled

'I love you' she whispered. He kissed her softly on the mouth

'I should think so' he murmured 'I love you too'. Rose grined at him and met his mouth ready for his fiery kisses – only they never came, Rose felt like she was flying, her eyes flew open. Her hands reached out to the Doctor but darkness was separating them, the Doctor reached his hands out

'Hold on Rose' he shouted, she could feel herself slipping as she was pulled away from him – he was becoming a dot on the horizon

'I'll never let go, I promise' he whispered as he faded before her. Rose screamed and her hands fell to her belly – only there were no babies there, there never had been – she was alone in the darkness forever.

'Rose!' the Doctor shouted as he rolled over in his restless slumber. Jackie was gently tapping him as she tried to rouse him

'Rose' he whispered as he held his hand out, Jackie took his hand and tugged on it – a faint smile passed over the Doctors face

'I'll never let go, I promise' he whispered. Jackie choked on a cry as the Doctor squeezed her hand, she couldn't bear to wake him up and slam him back into the harsh reality of what was happening – but she didn't have a choice. She tapped him harder until he awoke, he glanced around hopefully

'Rose?' he dared to ask. Jackie stood before him and shook her head, he closed his eyes and saw her in his mind – he knew he didn't have long left…soon it would all be over.

Rose opened her eyes – she was screaming, she glanced round to be met by a pair of eyes staring out of the darkness…eyes of pure gold.

'Doctor?' she squeaked daring to hope – the voice behind the eyes didn't reply, it only moved closer.