Should have been, could have been chapter 7: Tension

Martha's PoV

I curiously walk around, feeling ill at ease, knowing the danger we're in. What's going to happen next? Do we somehow lead those creatures into a trap? Do we just walk around before bumping into them? What if we walk straight into holes? Nearly everyone in our little group would die instantly. It's like walking around in a minefield.

While I know the Doctor somehow always has a plan, he looks too shaken for comfort to me now. Then again, who wouldn't be shaken? He bumped into his sort-of-maybe-girlfriend after a separation of goodness knows how long, he'll be faced with arch enemies he believed to be extinct….Normally I'd be more empathic but considering he's the only one here who truly has got a clue what's going on, he cannot afford to lose his head.

Sarah-Jane joins me while explore the site. I turn to her. "Any brilliant ideas?"

"Not at the moment but I'm working on it. "

"Yeah, me too."

I glance at Mickey, who's talking to Jack and Donna. The older woman notices it and gives me a wink before glaring at the Doctor. "It's ridiculous, isn't it. We've got all this experience fighting evil aliens but all of us walk around not knowing what to do, because the Doctor, ironically enough, doesn't tell us enough."

I can't help but to agree with her.

"Well, we can always try."

Suddenly I've got an idea. I grab a few medium sized rocks that lay near the abandoned office in this strange alternative universe we've been exploring for the past hour. I throw them, realizing that we can use them to detect any other holes in the fabric of time and space. Sarah-Jane and Rose join me, throwing pebbles as well.

Within minutes we've located three more holes as the others join us, admiring our handy work. The Doctor stands next to Rose but at the same time, tries to avoid looking at her. Rose notices how he tries to be near her and avoid her at the same time and although she tries to hide it, I see the pain in her eyes. Everyone does.

When the Doctor walks away to scan the place with his screwdriver for even more holes, Jack, Sarah-Jane and Donna follow him, while Mickey and I team up with River and Rose. I know the Doctor will be confronted with his behaviour regarding Rose and I can't help but to agree. Not only because he's being unfair to her but also because the whole issue distracts him from our current situation. How can he focus on finding and fighting the Meanwhiles and Neverwheres if he struggles with his blatantly obvious feelings for Rose? We need all our strengths to fight this army.

Besides, if these creatures feed on every emotional decision made and can turn back the time so that these decisions were never made, who's to say what the results are? The Doctor's decision to not give in to his feelings for Rose, most of the time anyway, could be altered as well and it could mean danger for all of us.

In the meantime Mickey, River, Rose and I are going to research how much damage this army has already caused. The last thing we need is to lose people because we missed a hole in the time-and-space continuum somewhere. If we know exactly where the holes are, we can focus on fighting the Meanwhiles and Neverwheres and make sure those Reaper-creatures stay away.

Jack's PoV

"You're an idiot," I tell the Doctor bluntly. ''You know I love you but you're an idot."

Donna and Sarah-Jane join me as we confront the Doctor. "Can't you see that you're putting everyone in danger?!"

I see a flash of hurt in the Doctor's face before hides the emotion. "What are you going on about Jack?" The irritation in his voice matches mine.

"Jack's talking about how you place us all in danger because you can't handle the fact that you've fallen in love with a human woman," Sarah-Jane pipes up. "Doctor, you just told us these creatures feed on decisions, regrets and can't handle acceptance for those decisions made. How strong do you think they're going to be if you cannot accept your own feelings towards a certain blonde woman?"

When his old friend points this out, I see the Doctor's face grow pale. He really didn't realize what he was doing, didn't he?

"Men, no matter what species…." I hear Donna mutter and I try to hide a grin, not able to disagree with her. "Doctor, I'd never thought I'd say this but forget about the Time war for a moment. The thing that's currently on your mind is not just the War or these creatures, it's the fact that the woman you're arse over elbow for is standing a few feet away from you and you're trying not to give in and jump her bones."

The Doctor blushes at those words and I snort. No matter his age, when it comes to Rose, he acts like a schoolboy with a crush. "Donna!" he yells.

"Oh, perhaps I said it too bluntly but you know I'm right, spaceboy. The point is, if these Meanwhiles can't stand acceptance of emotions, don't you think it may help if you'd finally accept your emotions for Rose? None of us ask you to accept the Time War, that would be cruel but if you'd finally stop being an idiot and just admit you're in love with Rose, wouldn't that make you less vulnerable to those Meanwhiles?"

The Doctor sighs but doesn't say anything, which seems to be a very strong sign that all of us are right.

"If I were you Doctor, I'd go to Rose, apologize for being a dick and tell her you love her. Of course, don't admit that you've finally come to terms with your feelings for her because you're less of a victim for those Meanwhiles and Neverwheres because then Rose is going to slap you. Or Jackie will," I point out.

"Guys, it's just…" the Doctor stutters but I don't wait for him to finish.

"What is it, Doc? Why are you hesitating? Is it because Rose will die centuries before you? As painful as the event will be, it shouldn't stop you from being happy with her now. I know how painful it is, I'm immortal remember?! It shouldn't stop me from living my life and loving who I want. So stop fighting it, Doctor, not because all of us will be in danger if you don't but also because you and Rose deserve a little happiness in your lives."

It seems my little pep talk gives the Doctor the final push in the right direction. After we had our say he nods at us before walking to Rose. They walk hand in hand into the TARDIS to talk in private. With a bit of they settle the matter for once and for all, I think by myself, rolling my eyes at the time it took for them to get to this point. If they had only listened to me earlier, they would have been a couple ages ago.