A Breath Away

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Previously, in Chapter Five:

"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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Chapter Six:

A Journey Begins

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Twenty minutes later Rose reemerged from the bathroom, hair brushed down though still a bit unkempt as she pulled it into a barrette and wearing no make-up. She wore the period attire gracefully, though the Doctor noted with silent amusement that beneath her long dress, her trainers adorned her feet. She seemed to notice his lowered gaze.

Rose pointed the hair brush at him threateningly. "Don't go sayin' it. There's no way I'm walkin' around in those high pointy heels. 'Specially if we end up havin' to run, and we always end up havin' to run."

"Not saying a word," he grinned as she dropped the brush on the end table. Standing up, the Time Lord clicked on the sonic screwdriver, which he'd apparently had ready, waiting for her return.

"What're you doin'?" Rose asked, watching as the Doctor ran it over her skull, down her torso, then back up again.

"Checking. You didn't feel that contusion on your head last night. I just want to be sure there are no more surprises." He looked at the sonic as it relayed its readings. "Ah, good. Everything seems to be fine." he said as he placed the instrument in his pocket. He held his arm out to her. "Ready?"

She clasped her hand around his elbow. "For anythin'," she replied.

A quick breakfast of coffee, fruit, and toast - with a conversation concerning directions to the Widow Johnston's home between bites and sips - had the traveling companions walking through town by midmorning. There were many people out and about, some staring at the strangers, while others seemed to already know who they were and why they were there. Either way, they were not made uncomfortable during their journey, which ended only an hour after it had begun.

A placard stating the name 'Johnston' stood tall above a gate, waving slightly in the warming breeze.

"This must be it," the Doctor stated.

"Really," Rose replied sarcastically. "What was your first clue?"

The Time Lord looked down at his companion. "Bit tetchy, Ms. Tyler?" he replied in the same tone he'd received.

"Sorry. Sun's gone a bit too bright an' it's givin' me a headache."

"Well, maybe we should go inside then, visit Mrs. Johnston. All right?"

Rose nodded and the Doctor wrestled with the gate until it was finally open. Once they were within the yard, he pulled out his sonic screwdriver, repairing the faulty hinge which had impeded their entry. Looking at his work with satisfaction, he placed the instrument back in his pocket and closed the gate easily.

"That should earn us a 'thank you' at least," he mumbled as they began walking up to the house.

Rose looked around at the structure as they stepped onto the porch. "Looks like it could use a lot more repairs," she added.

The Doctor leaned forward, ringing the doorbell. "Don't know how long she's been alone. And she's probably old and feeble, perhaps with no children to help her. Shame the townsfolk haven't offered a hand though," he spoke softly, ringing the bell once more.

"Maybe they haven't had time, what with all the murderin' and stuff goin' on," Rose whispered. "And Estelle said she wasn't too friendly to begin with."

"Good point," the Time Lord nodded. He was about to ring the bell one last time when the door swung open.

"May I help you?" A woman appeared from behind the door, her facial expression as irritated as her tone had been.

"Yes, yes - sorry to intrude," the Doctor spoke, offering his hand. "I'm the Doctor and this is Rose. We're here to see Mrs. Johnston."

"Really," the lady asked smartly, wiping a hand on her apron before shaking hands with the Time Lord. "And what business would you have with her, then?"

He pulled out the psychic paper and showed it to the inquiring female, explaining why they'd come while Rose looked the servant over from head to toe. She was rather young and fetching, with long dark brown hair pulled back into a comb and bright, piercing blue eyes. Rose felt like this woman did not fit in with the setting before her, but regardless, after reading the psychic document and hearing the Doctor's chatter, the lady stood back and ushered them inside.

She showed them to a sitting room and left, saying she'd return shortly with tea. The Time Lord sat down and Rose sat beside him.

"Nice place," Rose said, her eyes fixed on a sparkling crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of the room. They remained waiting for five minutes more before she spoke again. "Looks well kept."

"That's good. At least we know someone is taking care of the widow."

"I take care of myself, thank you," the woman reappeared, carrying a large silver tray with tea and biscuits.

The Doctor stood, looking at her with genuine surprise. "You're ..."

"Mrs. Johnston. Yes," she answered flatly, setting the tray down on the coffee table. She sat down across from them and began pouring tea into the cups. "So what is it you want to know?"

OoO

An hour later, the Time Lord seemed quite smitten with the lovely widow, as she was with he. Rose sat at the table, looking between the two of them as they discussed everything from the widow's abduction to her gardening, much like someone watching back and forth between a tennis match.

"...Isn't that right, Rose?"

"What?" When had her mind wandered away from their conversation?

The Doctor gave her a knowing look before continuing. "I said that it was quite the generous offer that Mrs. Johnston -"

"Oh, please Doctor, call me Gabrielle," the widow interrupted sweetly.

He looked at her and smiled graciously, before returning his gaze to Rose. "It was quite the generous offer that Gabrielle spoke of, for us to stay here. I think it's a splendid idea for us to accept her invitation."

"What?" Rose repeated, giving the Time Lord her full attention now. "Why?"

"We'd be more centered in town where we'd able to catch up on the local gossip about the murders, which as you well know could give us more clues because not all gossip is stretched beyond truth. And we could also offer Gabrielle protection while staying here. Since they abducted her and she escaped, they may very well try again, attempting to finish what they started. Yes, I think it's a very good idea."

"But -" Rose began, only to be cut off.

"Excellent!" the widow exclaimed as she stood, obviously pleased. "Then it's settled. I'll go prepare your rooms," she said as she began walking away.

"Oh, Mrs. Johnston?" Rose called, causing the home owner to stop, then turn around.

"Yes?" she asked sweetly.

"We'll only be needin' one room. No need to work on two. After all, we are married, the Doctor and I," Rose said just as nicely.

"Yes, of course," Gabrielle answered a bit more quietly. She left the room, her steps not as bouncy as they had been previously.

Once she was out of earshot, the Doctor turned to Rose, one eyebrow raised appraisingly as their eyes met. "Tsk, tsk. A bit jealous, are you?"

"Who, me?" she questioned much too innocently.

OoO

The Doctor and Rose had left Mrs. Johnston, promising to return in time for the spectacular dinner she had promised to fix them. They needed to go to the TARDIS for Rose to grab a few things to wear and then head over to Lord Lupus's.

Rose grinned proudly at the Time Lord when he led them straight to the ship, remembering where it was. It confirmed that he had indeed recovered from his recent memory loss. They formulated a plan for Rose to stay in the ship, having a quick shower because she felt sweaty and sticky from all thir walking. She would also pack up some clothing while the Doctor went to Lord Lupus's home to explain their staying with the widow Johnston.

"Promise me, Rose, no wandering off. You'll remain here in the ship until I return from Lord Lupus's," he'd said sternly, watching as she picked her way through the wardrobe offered by the TARDIS for this time period.

"Why don't I just meet you over there?" she asked, pulling a blue satin gown down and draping it over her front. "It'll save you the time of comin' back and gettin' me."

"No," the Doctor responded swiftly. "I don't want you wandering about alone with a murderous group on the loose that's missed out on their last few planned sacrifices."

"Yeah? Well that goes for you as well, doesn't it? You were one of the chosen too, if I'm not mistaken," she answered smartly. "B'sides, it'll still be daylight."

"Rose," he took her hands, stopping her from pulling another dress down so that she'd focus solely on him. "They're bound to be desperate now. Daylight won't matter to them." His face reflected his genuine concern and worry. "Please?"

"All right. But don't take too long, yeah?"

The Doctor bent down just enough to kiss her on the forehead, then quickly turned away, walking briskly toward the corridor. "One hour. I'll be back in one hour," he hollered over his shoulder.

"One hour," she whispered, watching him disappear.

OoO