A Breath Away

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Previously, in Chapter Four:

"Hope they've got hot water. I could use a nice, steamy bath about now," Rose said, still staring at the fire. She jumped slightly when the Doctor began speaking, not realizing he'd moved to stand behind her.

"I'm sure they do."

She sighed, then went to one of the plush chairs facing the fireplace, sitting down abruptly.

"Rose?"

"Just tired. It's been a long day."

"That it has." The Time Lord walked over to the bed, grabbing some of the clothing set out. He then moved back, holding a night gown out to Rose. "I think this is for you to wear," he teased. "I also think a hot, relaxing bath and then sleep are just what the Doctor ordered," he said softly.

She stood slowly, taking the garment from him. "Thanks."

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Chapter Five:

The Calm Before the Storm

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The Doctor sat in front of the fire, reading a novel he'd found among the many books along the shelves when he suddenly paused, looking up over his glasses around the room. By his estimate, Rose had been in the bathroom well over an hour since he'd heard her cut off the water filling the tub. He'd heard the occasional swoosh of liquid as she bathed herself, but thinking back now, he hadn't heard movement in quite some time. Setting his book down on the carved oak table beside him, he stood, stretching slightly before moving toward the door which separated them.

He knocked lightly. "Rose?" Receiving no response, he knocked again, harder this time. "Rose?"

The Doctor tried the door handle, jiggling it open easily. But before bursting inside, he called loudly to her within the room one last time. "Rose!"

He heard the distinct sound of water splashing before she replied. "Yeah?"

"Did you fall asleep in there?"

"Yeah," she answered honestly. "Sorry. I'll be out in a minute."

"No rush. Just can't have you drowning, now can I?"

"Nope. Can't have that," she replied, and he could hear the amusement in her voice. He gently closed the door and walked back to the chair, picking up the book once more.

"Estelle brought you clothing for tomorrow. Something Lord Lupus' wife had when she was alive," he hollered at the door.

"Oh, lovely," Rose hollered back with sarcasm. "Just can't take us anywhere without me gettin' to wear somethin' weird, can you?"

"I thought you liked to play dress-up," he teased.

"Uh huh," she tutted.

OoO

Rose came out of the bathroom ten minutes later combing her damp hair, wearing the sleeveless floor-length nightgown he'd handed her earlier. She walked over to the clothes stretched over the chair opposite the Doctors, looking mildly miffed as her gaze landed on the pointy, high-heeled shoes. The Time Lord looked up at her casually over his glasses, then the book dropped quite suddenly from his fingers as he stood, his expression one of deep, sudden concern.

"Doctor? What's wrong?" Rose asked, instantly worried about the Time Lord and his abrupt focus on her.

"You. I didn't see it before because of your hair hanging down, but now ... I can't believe what an idiot I am for missing that," he said seriously as he stepped in front of her.

"See what?" she asked, eyes suddenly wide.

His hand reached up cautiously to her forehead, cupping her crown as he pushed a few strands away that Rose had missed with the ivory comb. "You're bruised."

"Well, with what happened to us, I'm sure you are, too. B'sides, they aren't hurtin' me." She held her arms out in front of her, inspecting the small contusions peppering her skin.

"Rose, I'm talking about the one at your hairline, not the ones on your arms," he stated, holding her face with one hand while gently palpating the injury with the other. Feeling no fractures beneath his knowledgeable touch, he continued to feel around the bruise, still cupping her chin with his free hand.

She turned her head sideways just a little, flinching from the Doctor's prodding digits. Glancing up at the large mirror over the fireplace, she saw the reason for his sudden worry. The bruise was at least three inches long on the right side of her face, starting at the hairline and working its way back into her hair.

"Wow, can't believe I didn't feel that," she whispered.

"Neither can I," the Doctor replied. "Which brings up the question of what other injuries you may have and aren't aware of, not feeling them."

"Doctor, I'm fine. Really."

"I'll be the judge of that," he spoke, his voice full of authority as he pulled his hand from her chin and used it to push his glasses up on his nose. "Now strip."

"What? I'm not strippin'!"

"Rose, it's obvious that you're not feeling all things that you should. It's quite possible the drugs they used to subdue you are inhibiting your ability to feel pain. I really need to check you over visually."

She stepped a few paces back from him. "What's wrong with the sonic, then?"

"What? Nothing's wrong with it. Why?"

"Why? Why is right. Why can't you use it to check me out?" Rose exclaimed. "Done it twice already that I know of just this evening and there was nothin' wrong with me."

The Doctor looked at her for a minute. "Well, I suppose I could ..." His words tapered off as he reached in his pocket, removing the item in question. He stared at it for another moment.

"Doctor?" Rose called to him softly, waiting for him to look at her. "Are you all right?"

His lack of response had her stepping closer to him, watching as he looked around the room, his eyes wide with wonder. "Doctor?"

He looked at the sonic screwdriver again before looking back at Rose. "I, I don't remember how to use it," he said quietly.

"But you used it earlier on me, don't you remember that?"

He scratched his forehead, careful of his own healing head injury. "Not really," he replied.

"What can I do? How can I help?" Rose questioned, placing a hand on his arm.

"I suppose I just need to rest. Whatever those thugs did to me will be reversed and or repaired - whatever needs to be done - with recuperative sleep. A little kip and my body can complete the healing process." He looked down upon his worried companion. "It'll be all right, Rose. I assure you. Time Lord physiology and all. Be right as rain come morning. You'll see. Then tomorrow we can go find the mysterious Widow Johnston and hear what she has to say about her escape. Hopefully she can remember some clue to help us solve the mystery, as it were."

"Oh great. You can't remember how to use the sonic but you do remember the Widow Johnston story. I hope sleep's gonna help. I'm worried about you, Doctor." She walked over to the bed and pulled down the duvet and sheets, picking up the pillows and plumping them before setting them down again. "Come on then," she said, patting the right side of the bed. "Get in."

"What about your head injury?"

"Well, I had it before and you used the sonic on me and said everythin' was fine. I'm good. Now come on, get in the bed."

"Rose, you need sleep as well. You take the bed. I'll just sit over here by the fireplace."

She looked at him a little oddly for a moment. "Doctor, it's a really big bed. I think we can share it. Don't you?"

"Oh," he exclaimed, clearly surprised by her offer. "Well yes, I suppose we could."

"Good," Rose began, climbing in. "Don't worry, I'm too tired to bite."

OoO

The Doctor was the first to awaken, noting the light of the morning sun shining through the drawn drapes on the window. He stretched languidly, feeling content within the cocoon of covers he lay beneath. He was relaxed and felt much better than he had the night before. He only hoped Rose felt as rested as he did.

A soft snore to his right had him turning on his side, looking closely at his sleeping companion. She was practically buried beneath the covers, snuggled down with the duvet bunched up to her chin. She made a few more familiar, human noises before her eyes began opening. When they did, she was face to face with the Time Lord. Suddenly her eyes opened wide.

"Good morning," the Doctor offered, then he was quickly pulling the covers from his body and rolling out of bed, jumping up to stand before practically bouncing on his feet.

"Mornin'," Rose mumbled, then rolled over. Within seconds the Doctor heard her breathing even out and deepen. He sighed. Obviously she needed more rest than he.

OoO

The Time Lord felt much better than he had previously, and knew his body had taken care of itself, mending and healing what was necessary. That's what his body did. But for Rose, her human body - though appreciating the much needed rest - was not so forgiving to lying still for six or so hours. He watched as she stood stiffly, hissing as she stretched before making her way toward the bathroom.

"All right?" the Doctor asked, looking at Rose closely as she walked past him.

She stopped to study him as well. "Yeah. How about you?"

"All better, I'd say," he grinned.

"Really? You rememberin' everythin' now?"

"Suppose so, though if you really think about it, if I wasn't remembering everything, how would I know?" His smile was positively teasing.

Rose rolled her eyes, then smiled. It was a brand new day and he was feeling better. She was sure that was a good sign ...

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