Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Oh, yes! You know you love cliff hangers! So, what happened to poor, fearful Rose Tyler?

Sit back and find out!

Love always,

Avoline

The Doctor whipped around at the sound of her scream. He darted back to the hollow tree, to find it completely empty. He ran his hand through his hair and frantically paced around the log.

"They've got her," he muttered under his breath. "They've got her. They've got my Rose. Oh, God, they're gonna kill her! They're gonna kill her and it'll be my fault!"

He darted into the tree, the unmistakeable footsteps coming towards him. He put a hand over his mouth to muffle his shakey breaths.

How could he have let this happen? How could he have once again put her in harms way? He tightly closed his eyes as the tears formed again. Why would she seek him out when all he kept doing was failing her? He knew what the Silurians were capable of; he knew they would have hidden trap doors everywhere. Yet he was stupid enough to think that she would be save in a hollow log. How could he expect her to trust him?

They took her. They took his Rose right out from under his nose. He reached into his pocket and grasped his sonic screwdriver. They would get a taste of what he was capable of. Their undoing would be soon. They just made a mistake, and they had yet to realize it.

He would make them realize it.

He aimed the screwdriver at the ground below him, his rage barely contained. They would learn not to make this mistake again. They would see the Oncoming Storm, and they would tremble before it.

The ground opened below him, and he remained silent as he slid down the tube.

Geronimo.

He glanced around the corner, his eyes searching for her. His rage was still just as strong, and he knew he had to find her and leave before he did something he would regret. If they were harming her, he would kill them. All of them.

"Are you searching for something?"

He whipped around, only to find himself face-to-face with one of their warriors. Yet, she seemed quite gentle.

That didn't matter. She was still one of them. And they took his Rose.

"Your kind took my friend," he answered, his voice laced with rage. "I want to know where she is." The lizard-woman cocked her head to the side.

"You mean the strange creature with the yellow hair," she responded. He nodded. "I can take you to her. She is safe and well."

Relief washed over him. They weren't trying to dissect her. Maybe this was a different tribe of Silurians. Maybe they were curious about something aside from anatomy.

"Please, let me see her," he requested softly, his rage dissipating. She smiled.

"Of course," she replied. "Just follow me." She turned, and he followed each step.

"I'm the Doctor, by the way," he stated.

"I am Veesa, leader of the warriors," she smiled at him over his shoulder. "And the princess of this tribe of Silurians."

He followed Veesa into a room, his eyes on the ground. After finding out that, in deed, this was a very different tribe of Silurians, he felt guilty and angry at himself. Guilty for grouping all tribes of Silurians into one stereotype, and angry that he would be so irrational. Of course they were different. The guards were there to keep everyone, and anyone, away from the blast because it was a safety hazard. They had taken Rose to keep her safe, not hurt her. Yet he had let his fear and rage get the best of him.

"Doctor!" He looked up to see Rose running towards him. His heart swelled with joy, and he opened his arms to her.

"Rose, he breathed as she locked her arms around his neck. "Oh, Rose, I was so scared. I thought I had lost you again."

"I told you I can hold me own," she soothed. "They have been wonderful, Doctor. Just curious about how different I am from them. They're so different than what you described."

"Different tribe," he explained softly. "Different way of thinking. I promise, once we figure out what's going on, we'll go elsewhere. Somewhere safe." She laughed and stepped back.

"Doctor, this is Vorsta, the king," she introduced, turning to the male Silurian. "King Vorsta, this is the Doctor. Maybe he can help." The Time Lord knitted his brow together.

"I have heard all about you, Doctor," Vorsta began as he stood. "Many of my warriors have gone missing. We have searched all over for them, but have yet to see any trace of them. Rose has told us that you can solve any mystery. Will you help us?" The Doctor lifted his gaze and met Vorsta's.

"In return for keeping my companion safe, I will help," he answered. "All I ask is that she stay here, or at least in your safest area." Vorsta nodded.

"Agreed."