Chapter 5

The Doctor stormed down the halls of the aliens' citadel. He had managed to create a diversion that had lured all off them to the central tower and then deadlocked them in. The only thing left to do was grab Rose get out.

The problem was finding her. The surveillance cameras were locked in the tower, so that was out, and he was left to a methodical search.

The Doctor opened yet another locked door, and gazed into the room, his eyebrow rising at the number of women that lay, sat, or stood in the small space.

"'lo" he said, moving back out of the doorway, "Any of you seen a blonde girl? About yea high?"

Several of the women nodded, whispering amongst themselves. As the Doctor twitched impatiently, one very pregnant woman stepped forward, "Are you Doctor?" she asked, her face nearly hidden by her dark hair.

He grinned, "That's me! You've seen Rose then?"

The woman turned and whispered before looking up at him again, "Your mate thought you were dead," she said softly, "She was very distraught."

His voice tightened, "Where is she?" he asked, fear appearing in his eyes.

"They took her to breed," the woman said.

Before the words were out of her mouth, the Doctor lunged forward, gripping her shoulders, "Which way? Where did they take her?" he demanded, forcing himself not to shout the words.

The woman paled at the fury in his eyes, but answered quickly, "Go left. The breeding rooms are four corridors down from here."

The Doctor released her and tore out of the room.

After a moment the dark haired woman turned and spoke with authority, "Let us not waste an opportunity, sisters." She led them in their escape.

-000-

The Doctor ran. Sprinting down the hallways, his twin hearts beating furiously, he slammed his feet to the ground, propelling himself faster. He had to be faster. He had wasted so much time. Too much time. If only he wasn't too late. If only…

He slowed to a stop, his eyes wide, searching the labyrinth of doors for any sign of which one hid his Rose.

"Doctor! Help me! Doctor!" Rose's voice echoed down the hall, almost confusing his senses. But he was a Time Lord. He ran down the corridor, tracing the last echoes of her terrified scream to the eighth door on the right.

As he ran those few short steps he didn't allow himself to think about what he would find behind the door. He didn't allow himself to wonder why Rose would call for help from someone she thought was dead.

It was only a breath between the time his fist clenched around the doorknob and found it locked to the time he had his sonic screwdriver in his hand. The lock clicked open in another breath. He slammed his shoulder into the door and flung it open, the harsh white light flooding the dim, pink-toned room. Pink fog wisped out the doorway as he stood there, frozen.

-000-

Even as she cried out his name, Rose knew he couldn't rescue her. The Doctor was dead and she was about to be raped. She could hear the staccato beat of her heart, drowning out the noises of the man above her. She willed it to stop, willed it to slow its beat, to linger in that soft in-between.

And then there was light.

The door slammed open with an abruptness that broke through her muddled thoughts, the harsh white light silhouetting the figure in the doorway with a full-body halo. The wide shoulders, the narrow waist, the perfectly formed ears; it was her Doctor, come to rescue her.

Rose closed her eyes, forcing herself not to wake from this dream. Her Doctor. She had died and now she was with her Doctor. He had even come to get her, to pull her out of this hell. To save her, like he always did.

-000-

The Doctor moved, striding forward and ripping the man off Rose. He threw the man into the wall, snarling in satisfaction as his head thunked wetly against the hard surface and he slid to the floor.

The Doctor assessed him to make sure he wouldn't rise, and his stomach clenched as he noted the position of the man's pants. He was almost afraid to turn and look at Rose, but Time Lords feared nothing. So he turned.

Once again, he stood frozen, his short fingernails stabbing into his palms. He was too late.

His precious Rose laid there, her eyes closed and face peaceful. Tear tracks stained her cheeks. Her shirt was pushed up, tangled around her neck. Her pants were pulled down around her ankles, her knees spread apart. Her hands were still above her head, the finger-shaped bruises already visible around her wrists.

His breath escaped with a whoosh and he felt like he had just been sucker punched. What had he done? With all his superior Time Lord knowledge, his cleaver ideas, he had left her to this. He'd sworn to protect her. She was just a child.

He dropped to his knees beside her; his rough, calloused fingers brushing over her soft cheek.

"Rose?" he whispered anxiously.

For one heart-rending moment she didn't respond, but then she turned her face towards him, pressing her cheek into his palm.

"Doctor," she sighed, her voice so softly sweet and trusting that it nearly broke him.

"I'm here Rose. You're safe now," he said, his voice almost cracking as he reassured her.

He stood and gently redressed her, his fingers absolutely steady as he fastened the buttons and smoothed her shirt.

She still hadn't opened her eyes, hadn't moved except where he had moved her.

"Rose, we need to go," he said softly, taking her hand in his.

She gripped his hand with surprising strength, but otherwise didn't move.

"Rose, open your eyes," the Doctor commanded, his voice stern but soft.

"I can't," Rose said, "You'll be dead if I wake up." Her eyes remained firmly closed. "I don't ever want to wake up."

"Oh, Rose," he muttered, his hand cupping her cheek once again, "You're not dreaming. I'm alive. It was a trick so that we could escape."

There was a long pause, and then her eyes cracked open. He smiled down at the beautiful brown eyes looking up at him in wonder.

"'lo," he said.

"Hi," she whispered. Then she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him close. Her silky hair feathered across his face as he grinned, his arms wrapping around her and lifting her from the bed.

"What do you say we go home?" the Doctor asked as he carried her from the room.

"Yes," she agreed, resting her head on his shoulder, "to the TARDIS."

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