Rose felt the cold cut her skin as she fought for footing on the hillside. She felt her pound, a thumping within her that radiated as she sought control. Through the rush of adrenaline Rose felt like laughing. It was utter madness. She was running through the moor past fog and mist holding the Doctor's hand. That wild spark within her flared to life. Was it still behind them? She barely got a glimpse of whatever it was from the corner of her eye as they shot off. There was an impression of bulk, rippling muscles, poised to strike.
"Doctor, we can't do this forever," she panted. "It's not really all that productive."
"I realize that," he said craning his head back towards their pursuer. He gave her a manic grin. "Of course, he can't either." The Doctor frowned, looking behind them once again. Rose mimicked him, straining her neck. There was nothing behind them but swirling fog. His feet slowed as his frown deepened into a scowl, cursing softly. "Rose, did you know that in late 2007, the scientists discovered what they thought was the Earth's oldest animal? A clam called Ming. It was alive since Shakespeare's time. Of course to study it, they had to kill it. But all in the name of scientific progress of course."
"That's horrible, Doctor." The fog just seemed to roll in around them. Rose blinked her eyes to focus on the movement within the mist. The muscles of her legs burned as she slowed. "And you think that whatever was on that ship is here on Earth for a study session?"
"I've a feeling that the Earth holds more than a few unique forms of life. One Rose Tyler being among them."
"Oh," Rose said faintly. The knot of unease grew within her. "Well, that's not good."
"And judging by the very large, rather cumbersome creature designed to surprise us and give chase when we came to explore aforementioned ship..."
"No." The fog seemed to grow thicker. "That doesn't make sense. The last few times we were here, it was no where near the ship."
"Ah, if one was looking for a unique humanoid creature--say a creature that is one of a kind in the universe. A humanoid that was curious about alien technology... They might--" The Doctor gripped her hand tightly.
"Set a trap... Doctor, I'm not the only one of the kind humanoid here," Rose gasped as the swirling fog surrounded them further. Her eyes watered as the gas surrounded them. Blessedly, she did not feel the ground when she lost consciousness. Of course, she thought bleakly, whatever came next might just hurt a wee bit more.
The Cardiff headquarters of Torchwood was the antithesis of Torchwood's London headquarters from its basement location to the quality of the staff. There were white lab coats involved, but Jack's group certainly did not jump to follow his orders blindly. The group was made up of young, brilliant people, but he sensed a dark edge to them. As if they had seen battle, too.
The Doctor wondered idly about the Torchwood that employed Rose. Did she sit across from earnest scientists in lab coats or grim protectors of the Earth? Sitting in the conference room, surrounded by metal, glass, and the most advance technologies of the 21st century it seemed as if they were part of some mad scientific organization. Keeping the world safe by any means necessary. The thought chilled the Doctor to his core.
He hoped that Jack would be able to keep his promise about Torchwood. Presently, young Dr. Harper was clenching his fists. He stilled the movement, sliding his hands under the desk.
"Who the hell do you think you are, Doctor? You can't just open the Rift." Owen spoke quietly. His face was a bit pale and carefully blank. Jack reached out and touched his shoulder quietly. Owen winced almost imperceptivity, but did not pull away from his touch.
"That's not what he wants to do, Owen. The Doctor is not the enemy, no matter what the Torchwood Archives say. He's saved this planet numerous times--including stopping the Cybermen a few years back." The Doctor noticed the well-tailored gentleman suck his breath at the mention of Cybermen.He must have lost someone during the invasion. "UNIT can vouch for him. He's worked with them for years."
"Ah! UNIT." The Doctor grinned fondly before turning to Owen. "I don't believe I said that I wanted to open the rift up. Mind you, if I did want to do such a mad thing, I'm sure I could figure out a way to make it work if push came to shove. I am not suggesting that we open the Rift." And truly if he wanted to do so, he could do it without their permission.
"I'm looking at away of... well, predicting its actions a bit more. I need to study the data that Torchwood has been gathering. As brilliant as you lot are, I do have a few years on you." He nodded at Gwen's raised eyebrow, answering her silent question, Even Jack?
"Doctor, the Rift has never been stable. Abaddon was set loose when the Rift was opened a few months ago and all hell broke loose. Literally," Toshiko said matter-of-factly. "There isn't a clear pattern. And it's been even more erratic since Abaddon's fall."
"We had a bit of trouble a few months back. A time jumper manipulated my people into opening the rift up. A creature he called Abaddon, son of the Beast, came out."
The Doctor blinked. He knew that name. A dark part of his mind shied away from the memory of the impossible planet that almost killed them both. Ah, Rose. It's always dangerous with me. What woman in their right mind would want to live like that?
"Wait a tick. Abaddon? Son of the Beast?"
"He looked like the devil incarnate. Except sort of Godzilla size," Owen interjected. "Abaddon killed whatever was unlucky enough to be under his shadow. Cardiff was devastated. We were manipulated into opening the rift. We all fell for Bilis Manger's tricks. All of us except for Jack."
"Well, that's interesting. Since there wasn't a handy beast-sucking black hole about, what did you do to stop him?" He ignored Jack as he mouthed beast-sucking black hole.
"Jack stopped him. Jack let Abaddon absorb as much of his life energy as he wanted," Gwen said quietly. "The Rift was sealed and death reversed. He was dead for days afterwards. We thought he was gone forever."
The Doctor stared at Jack, who shrugged, cheeks ruddy. "What? It wasn't as if I don't have enough life energy. Look, the Doctor is not an evil alien. He's certainly no son of the Beast or a Bilis Manger. Let's think of him as an exchange student here to study the Rift. The Doctor has saved this world countless of times."
"Ok, let's say that, Jack. All for what purpose, Doctor?" Toshiko asked grimly.
"Your people are so suspicious, Jack. Mind you, that's not a bad thing. The fact is something IS missing from this universe--or rather someone. Her name is Rose Tyler. She's trapped in an alternate Earth. Has been since the Battle of Canary Warf. And she doesn't belong there. She's found something, working for the Torchwood on the other side. And she's not... an ordinary human. Not any longer. And someone on other side may know it."
He watched as Toshiko quickly began to type into her database, pulling up information on Rose. A picture came up, her hair on the longer side, hands in the pockets of a pink hoodie. Her eyes sparkled with life in the image, her mobile mouth poised on a grin, as if she was about to laugh at some great joke.
"Rose Marion Tyler was barely out of her teens when she died. She'd disappeared for over a year before reappearing in the London Branch the day of the Cyberman invasion." Ianto pursed his lips, remembering the chaos and terror of that day, but otherwise kept his expression blank.
"She was listed as the Doctor's companion. She disappeared in at the Battle of Canary Warf. No body was found, but... truthfully, there were dozens of body parts left from, um, the conversion process. Not all of them could be identified," Toshiko summarized the files.
Jack stared at the image, his voice shaking a little. "She saved both worlds. Rose sacrificed herself to help seal the crack between the parallel Earths. Fortunately, she survived." He remembered dancing with her for the first time. She had been so young, truly. He had agreed with the Doctor when he sent her away from Satellite 5 when the Daleks invaded. She had been nineteen then. Nineteen. Lifetimes ago for him.
"And why is it important for her to get back to this Earth? It sounds like she's fine on this alternate world." Owen asked. His eyes flashed with a something like anger. "We've learned that it isn't wise to play with the Rift. You haven't answered that question, Doctor."
The Doctor sighed and began again, holding on to his patience. Of course they were not just going to jump in and let him do what he wanted. That would be too simple. "Rose Tyler works for Torchwood on the alternate Earth. The London branch. She has come into contact with a device that enhances telepathic signal strength. One that can destroy worlds if used incorrectly." He paused, letting them take that bit of information in.
"Somehow it fell into her hands, allowing her to project into this universe. But something doesn't feel right. Manipulating time and space is one thing, but to do so across universes... It is territory that has been forbidden." By my people, he thought. "And while I admire your protectiveness over the Rift, Dr. Harper, I have a myriad of reasons, including preserving the stability of each dimension. Rose Tyler is the key to something. And I fear that the longer she is in the wrong side of the wall between universes, the greater the threat. Think of the Rift as a river held back by a dam.
"It runs through worlds, universes, dimensions. Releasing creatures and objects in its wake when the pressure becomes too much. If it is too unstable, it could flood all of the worlds with too much power. And Rose is tilting the balance on the other side. And if the pressure becomes too great, I fear for all the interconnected worlds. And of course there is the second scenario."
"What would that be, Doctor?" asked Gwen.
"Ah, well... That would be some being has discovered the power building behind the imbalance. And figured out that if they manipulate it, it may give those powers beyond imagination. Well, human imagination. And perhaps many extraterrestrial creatures' thought processes. And that kind of power can drive one mad."
It was a dream. Not the kind that lead to her Doctor. A nightmare lurking in the darkness. She was not alone. The walls were cold behind her. Rough, as if it were a solid wall of sand. The dark surface of it absorbed all of the light. Rose pressed her back against the wall, keeping her eyes focused on the darkness around her.
She tensed as she saw movement within the swirling cloak of night. A figure materialized. Tall and whipcord lean. His face was covered, masked. But his eyes... they seem to glow within. They were dark as the night that swirled behind him. Rose kept her eyes locked to his as he drew closer. She couldn't move.
Rose felt its breath on her neck, but she didn't close her eyes. She held herself still, taking calming breaths.
"Bad Wolf," Rose whispered, tracing the words embossed on the wall behind her with her fingers.
"Do they mean something to you?" he growled. Rose did not reply. Her mind seemed to be far away. "What does 'Bad Wolf' mean?" She felt something surge within her.
"You smell of time," he whispered against her skin. She felt his fingers run up her arms, nails lightly scratching her skin. Like lightning, he grasped her, fingers digging into the flesh of her upper arms brutally. Rose could feel the wetness as blood seeped down her arms. "You are the key."
"Doctor," she whispered before she felt the pain burst and the darkness claimed her again.
Something was humming within her. Beyond the thumping sound of her heart, the sound seeped into her consciousness. Rose didn't open her eyes. She kept her breathing smooth, willing herself to project an air of slumber. The air was warm. The cold, damp earth that had broken her fall was gone. Beneath her was a warm bed. The kind you sank into, surrounding you with warmth. She strained her ears, searching for any clue to her whereabouts.
"Please, Ms. Tyler, you can stop pretending that you are still asleep. As admirable your ability to slow your heart is, I'm afraid that it spiked when you first woke up," spoke a warm female voice. "And your Doctor friend is getting anxious about your lack of consciousness. Come now, open your eyes. I don't plan on hurting you. Even if I tried to kill you, I hardly think it would work considering your spectacular ability to regenerate. Quite a gift that is."
Rose opened her eyes. A woman in shimmering robes leaned against the wall, studying her. Her dark eyes weren't quite... human. The irises were onyx. So deep and dark, she felt as if she were falling into them. And much too large for comfort. Her dark hair fell in careless waves around her face and down her back.
The woman reached back, her movements graceful and controlled. She slid her hand down the wall behind her. The opaque metal became translucent revealing the Doctor on the other side. He stared grimly at the woman before shooting Rose a warning look. The tall lady casually tucked a lock of hair behind her ear revealing the pointed shape, the tip at the same angle as her tilted eyes. No, not human at all. Rose wondered desperately if the Doctor could hear her behind the wall. As if he could read her mind, he shook his head.
"I'm sorry," Rose said softly. "We haven't been properly introduced. What with you kidnapping us and all." She sat up gingerly, taking inventory of herself and the room. The wall was solid, activated through touch, but was it only tuned into her touch?
"Please, call me Clotho. And perhaps I'm here to help you."
"Perhaps?" Actually, that doesn't sound promising. Rose got to her feet, fighting the urge to sway. The lightheaded feeling faded quickly as she got her footing. She touched the wall behind her, keeping out of arm reach of the woman. They changed color, but did not reveal an exit. The shocking pink turned deep red. Clotho raised her eyebrow.
"You don't have to fear me, Rose."
"That's easy for you to say, Clotho... I mean, you drugged us. Not exactly creating bridges of trust, you know? I wake up in a room with no doors or windows with a woman who says 'perhaps' making a statement offering aid seem more of a threat than anything."
"Oh." Clotho pursed her lips then smiled. "I'm not sure if I can be of any help, really. But I'm shielding you, and your Doctor friend. You see, I'm not the only one who was drawn to Earth recently." With another touch, she unsealed the room. The Doctor held out his palm. Clotho rolled her eyes. Her graceful fingers reaching into her skirts then dropping his screwdriver in the Doctor's open palm. "You are always so arrogant, Doctor."
"Antheline gas was a bit heavy handed, Clotho," the Doctor was practically growling.
"I kept it contained. Better you fall into my hands than those of the Other and you know it."
"Doctor, you know this woman? Is she a Time Lor-Lady?"
"No, she isn't a Time Lady. But Clotho's people have poked about Earth for millennia. She is of Seelie."
"Seelie?" Rose stared hard at Clotho who stared back passively. "As in fairy?"
"The people of Seelie have great strength and telepathic powers and as well as a gift for healing. And usually stay close to the home world. Of course, a few enjoyed interfering in things best left alone on developing planets..."
Clotho frowned. "You're one to talk, Doctor. Humans were so cute then. They called us gods. But now, they're at the point in evolution when creatures get so touchy! No more staring in awe at their betters."
"If by better, you mean more technologically advanced, then yes. Humans are a bit more skeptical."
"And much too quick to draw their weapons! But I digress. I apologize for frightening you, but your power is like a beacon. The perfect bait for Kalos. He will not be able to resist."
"I see. You set a trap for me because you noticed my power bleeding into the universe. One that might have killed me in a more permanent way. Just so you can use me as bait?" Rose's voice began calm and understanding, but ended with more than a touch of anger.
Clotho shrugged her elegant shoulders. "I know your greatest desire. You help me and I shall help you. Balance."
Rose clenched her teeth to stop herself from the flood of expletives that were sure to pour out if she opened her mouth only to feel the blood in her face drain when Clotho turned her dark, dark eyes to her and asked, "Did he come to you? Did you dream of him? He is coming."