Rose let tears run down her face as she packed her bag. He didn't want her anymore. Hell, she didn't want herself. She was so filthy, so broken, and every other stupid cliche imaginable. She almost laughed as she thought back to what she used to think of rape victims. That they weren't strong enough, that they should just go to the cops, that they were whiners and complainers. She acknowledged that they had been through something horrific, but she also thought they should just get on with it already!

Then it happened to her. And it all changed. Every bit of what she heard and saw was completely legitimate. She couldn't see past it anymore. She loved the Doctor so fiercely, and he would never want to be near her. She admitted that every small touch and smile was like a salve to her broken heart, but he would tire of that, as he always did, and she would be of no use. He was out hunting monsters. Now she would take her own monsters out of this beautiful safe space.

The TARDIS seemed to jar a bit, almost knocking her off her left foot. Lights flashed. Rose wondered if something was off. Then she pushed her earbuds in, threw her bag over her shoulder, and set off into the London evening.

No leads. No DNA. No clue as to how this wanker got away with hurting his Rose scot-free! This was insanity. The Doctor headed back to the alley where he found Rose after her drunken binge. He found a bit of her hair, more trash, but it had been too long, there was most likely nothing of any consequence even left. He kept walking, trying to remember the route Rose thought she had taken.

His thoughts were skewed though. They were overtaken by a young woman who he was finally realizing he loved. Not because of this terrible crime, but because of her absolute will to live. Her continuing to work on herself, on techniques for panic and flashbacks, for reading all that she did. She was a warrior, and he loved her. And so now, barreling down a London Street, he found himself thinking of her hair, her smile, her pokes of fun at him. Her smell was so unique to him, he swore he could smell it now. And then he saw her, not 10 feet away, trying to hail a cab.

"Rose?"

"Doctor! I—"

"What are you doing? Why do you have a bag packed? What have I done wrong?"

Rose laughed and put her arm down, discontinuing her quest for a cab. "You have done nothing wrong, you daft man. It's me. I'm a horrible burden, a mess of a human, a silly ape, and that is why I need to leave you to be amongst the stars. Go save worlds, Doctor. My world is gone now."

"No, Rose, my world is here! Don't you see? I wasn't going out to save planets…..I've been looking for clues to help find the thing that did this to you."

"Wait, you mean all those times? When you were out? That was all for me?"

"Of course it was, you dunderhead! I have been out here trying to avenge the woman I—"

"What, Doctor?" Rose asked softly. "What were you going to say?"

He threw his shoulders back, "The woman I want to see justice for. The woman I consider my friend."

"Truly?"

"Truly. You are my dearest friend, Rose. I can't lose you. Please, come back to the TARDIS with me? Please."

Rose sighed. She suddenly felt unbelievably tired. She needed to lie down, maybe do a breathing exercise. This was all just so much. Jesus! She couldn't even run away properly.

She woke to the smell of toast and tea, and knew she had made the right decision. The feeling came to her like a lightning bolt. She was here, on the TARDIS, where she was supposed to be. She opened up her book of meditations sitting on her bed and began to breathe slowly, in and out, going through the steps of the morning meditation. She had found this book more helpful than most. It was easy to follow, and not to "love thy neighbor". The hippie stuff just didn't click with her. But what she could not get over was the absolute feeling of belonging, of being where she needed to be. It almost made her feel whole again.

What had happened to her would always be there, and that part of her history wouldn't suddenly change, but her life could continue on. The Doctor had helped her see that. She had been on a few small escapades with him since she'd tried to run away again. Nothing big, just a few planets in need of a little diplomatic help from him. There had been almost no running at all. And in between the running and traversing the stars, she'd used her meditations and her coping mechanisms to stay on a relatively even keel. She didn't have as many flashbacks. And perhaps the best part was the Doctor held her hand all the time now. She reveled in that bit of constant contact with the man (well, alien) she loved. She knew it now, fully and unequivocally. She loved him and she would take whatever she could get. If hand-holding was it, than that was it. Soon the meditation was complete, and she went out to the Doctor. She needed to fill him in on what had gone through her head. Well, most of it anyway.

Making her way to the kitchen, she found him standing at the counter, adding bits of sugar and milk to their tea. She stood there for a moment, just taking him in, watching him nimble hands maneuver things, taking in the way his tall and lanky form slumped to the right a bit as he did so. She smiled. She was happy.

"Mornin."

"Mornin, Rose. Fancy a cuppa?"

"Always. Thanks for thinking of it."

"Anything for my pink and yellow human. What's on the docket for today?"

"Well, I think you should sit down, Doctor. I have something to say."

The Doctor froze, but smiled and moved to the table, her following. All the toast, butter, marmalade, and tea were out and ready for consumption. Rose smiled briefly and started in.

"Doctor, it's been nearly two months since my rape. I've been through a lot, and I know you're upset that you couldn't find the man who did this to me. I also know that you've watched me learn and figure out a lot. You've been wonderful."

The Doctor reached for her hand, and she took it willingly.

"I want to let you know that I woke up this morning with a real change in my thinking. I know I'm meant to be here on the TARDIS. I know that what happened to me will always be, but it doesn't have to control me. I guess what I mean to say is that I'm ready to be Rose again, if you'll let me stay."

He paused, trying not to jump up and kiss the breath right from her lungs. He'd been so hoping that she would eventually come to this conclusion, and that he would be able to be there for it.

"Rose, you are a part of this ship, this crew, this life that we have built. I want you to stay for as long as you'll have me and this battered old ship. I'm so happy that you are feeling so much better."

There was more that both parties wanted to say. But neither was quite that brave….yet.

Another two months elapsed. Another two months of saving civilizations and nearly getting killed. A lot of running and a lot of laughing. Then one night, the Doctor had an idea.

"Rose, I think this latest victory calls for some fun. How about a night on the town?"

"Really? What did you have in mind?"

"Well, what do most male/female groupings do: dinner and dancing! We both know I've got moves!"

Rose laughed till she cried: "Yes, Doctor, you have 'moves'".

"Alright then, get yourself dressed, and I'll meet you at the front door in an hour."

Rose prepared herself carefully, wanting to look beautiful for the Doctor. She'd let her hair grow in these last months, and so she curled it all down her back. She wore a red dress she'd picked up at an interplanetary fair, it went just to the knee, and heels to match. Putting on her usual makeup and a bit of jewelry, she went out to meet the Doctor.

What she saw at the front door of the TARDIS couldn't have surprised her more if a horde of Daleks had been standing there. The Doctor was in a grey suit, white shirt, and pale purple tie. He was even wearing dress shoes; no combat boots tonight! She smiled her biggest smile and walked over to him.

The Doctor whistled low and Rose spun around once. "Rose, you are a sight to behold. Let's go have a smashing evening!"

"Fantastic," she replied.

They enjoyed a lovely dinner, and the Doctor asked Rose where a good place might be for dancing. She knew a number of clubs, but decided on one that was a little more posh, given their attire. They set off for the location in a cab, as it was a bit further than a walk in heels would allow, and quickly gained entrance. The music was loud, but they didn't care, as they were in it for a fun and celebratory evening. They danced to all types of music, and even bashfully took part in a slow number or two, the Doctor's arm around Rose's waist, and her arms around his neck. Neither of them could stop smiling. At one point, Rose left to use the bathroom. The Doctor waited at a high-top table nearby. She seemed to be taking a long time, but he tried not to worry. Finally, his patience wore out and he walked over to the entrance to the ladies' room.

There Rose stood, shaking and crying. He gathered her to a corner and bent to meet her eyes.

"Rose, can you hear me? Are you alright?"

"He's here. Doctor, oh my God, he's here!"

The Doctor's eyes darkened to nearly black. He managed one word. "Where."

"He's standing over at the bar, talking to the girl with black hair and a blue dress. He's wearing a black suit, with blonde hair."

The Doctor looked over and saw the beast. He lightly spoke to Rose "Are you ok on your own for a few minutes?"

"Yes, I'll go back in the ladies' to take some time."

"Alright. I'll call you."

The Doctor strode over to the couple, and watched as the absolute filth in his sights was dumping something into the young woman's drink. So apparently knives weren't his only weapon of choice.

"Excuse me, sir, do you happen to have an extra cigarette?"

"Sorry, mate, don't smoke." He turned back, annoyed to have his attention taken from his mark.

"Excuse me, sir, do you happen to know where the bathroom is?"

"Over there somewhere, mate. Just buzz off."

"Oh no, sir, you're coming with me. Young lady, don't drink that. He just drugged it." And with that, the Doctor yanked the black-suited "sir" off his feet and out the back door of the club.

He took his time beating the living daylights out of him, mostly while he concocted a plan as to what he'd do with this piece of filth in front of him. The whole time he was yelling and screaming at him, not even taking into account what he was saying. The young man began begging for his life, and the Doctor assured him "Oh, I won't kill you, you piece of trash. I'm going to find a nice place where you can rot for eternity. There are a few black holes not too far away from this planet, and I'm sure anyone of them would love to feast on you for all time. You made the biggest mistake you could have ever made. You raped the woman I love. You raped the sweetest and purest soul I've ever known, and I'm 945 years old! You raped the woman that I would give my last breath for. You raped the woman that I cannot live without. And for that, you will know an everlasting pain and agony." All the while, the Doctor continued to kick, punch, and throw the young man back and forth across the alley. Finally a call rang out.

"Doctor!"

"Rose?"

"Doctor, please you need to stop."

"But Rose, I have plans for him."

"I know, and I won't stop you, but you're attracting attention and they're going to call the police."

"Rose, will you go to your Mum's? Just for a few hours? I'll come and find you."

"Yes, Doctor, I'll be there."

Rose turned away quickly, shaking, and made her way to the end of the alley where she called a cab. Had she really heard what she thought she heard? Had the Doctor professed such undying love for her? She was confused, and needed to talk to her Mum. The Doctor had been right once again.

The Doctor brushed his hands swiftly together after having thrown Rose's attacker out the front door of the TARDIS. It just happened to be open to all of time and space at the time. He would never hurt anyone ever again. Now he needed to go find Rose and make sure that she was alright.

"Mum, I'm so confused, but hopeful. I know that you've had your doubts about him, but if what I said is true, could it be that the Doctor loves me?"

"Darling, that man has loved you for a long time now. I saw it in his eyes the moment he came to the door looking for you when you ran away after the attack. He is completely besotted… what do you think?"

"I think that…"

There was pounding on the door. Jackie got up and opened it, to the thunderous face of the Doctor staring back at her.

"Is she alright? I sent her right here before I took care of things. Is she ok?"

"She's fine, Doctor. She's right here. I think I'm going to pop out for a little while. You two need a chat."

"Um, well, I ….. Ok."

The Doctor rushed into the kitchen where Rose was sitting, and immediately got her on her feet. His hands skimmed her arms as he looked her all over, looking for any signs of trouble. Then he crushed her into his arms, holding onto her for dear life. He let his hands brush her blonde curls while he breathed her in. After a minute or two, Rose spoke.

"Doctor?"

"Yes, Rose."

"Can we go back to the TARDIS? My feet are killing me."

"Oh! Of course. Let's go."

The walk was brief, as he had just landed the ship outside the building's doors. Once they were inside, Rose kicked off her shoes and turned on the Doctor fully.

"Did you mean it?"

"Did I mean what?"

"What you said in the alley. While you were hitting him. Did you mean it?"

The Doctor gasped and froze. His hearts beat a frantic pace. Would this end everything?

"Yes, Rose, I meant it. Every word."

"Oh thank God!" And with that, she stood on her tiptoes and softly kissed his lips. They were rough and cool and she'd never felt anything so wonderful in her whole life. The Doctor lifted her up to his height and continued to kiss her, parting his lips slightly and reveling in the taste of her.

"Rose, do you…. I mean…..that doesn't scare you? You aren't repulsed?"

"Oh you daft man, I've loved you so long I can't remember a time when I didn't. I was so afraid I was being a little girl, that you just saw me as that."

"No, my love, I see you for what you are: a brave warrior. And now I can see you as the brave warrior who I love, with no hiding it."

She stood up against him, her head on his chest. Leaning into him, she felt a piece she thought missing start to move back into place. She didn't ask him what had happened to the horrible person who had hurt her. What mattered now was the wonderful being in front of her. She had traveled a long road, and she would continue to travel it, with him by her side. The world was right, and it continued to go round.

END