Hi everyone!

Sorry it's taken me a while to update this, but good news, I'm finally getting broadband at the weekend so I'll be able to update so much quicker woohoo! (I know, dial-up: I'm still in the dark ages). Anyway, here's chapter two, and watch out for a phrase that'll crop up throughout the story xx

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Gambit Junction, and that's not even real (be cool if it was, though)

Chapter 2: The Hidden Path to Love

Rose shuddered at the words, even though she was intensely intrigued. The old woman kept her gaze, and, if Rose hadn't known better, she would have thought by the woman's knowing look that she could see her deepest secrets and dreams just by looking into her eyes.

Eventually Rose blinked, and laughed a little, ashamed that such a simple statement had had this affect on her.

"Sorry, I don't believe in stuff like that. I just don't think it's really gonna work for me." She didn't want to offend the kindly looking woman, but Rose had been round the universe enough times now to watch her back; she'd developed a sense for someone who was trying to rip her off.

But the old woman just nodded with that knowing glint in her eye, and hunched over the bowl of shimmering blue liquid. Rose didn't really know what the etiquette was for leaving, so she just nodded slightly and turned towards the exit. That was when she heard the croaky voice for a second time:

"As you wish… Rose Tyler."

Rose stopped dead in her tracks, goosebumps rising on her neck as she heard her name repeated by the mysterious stranger. Something compelled her to turn back.

"How do you know my name?" she asked, trying desperately to sound nonchalant. It didn't work.

The old woman threw her hand out over the liquid, and it turned a slightly darker shade, almost as if clouds were gathering below the glassy surface.

"The Dreamcaster knows all."

Rose looked down at the liquid, then back at the woman. Against her better judgement, she sat down on the floor, her legs tucked under her on a worn, green rug that was obviously meant for guests. The old woman sat staring into the water, completely ignoring Rose, focusing everything on the swirling patterns and kaleidoscope of blue hues in the liquid.

Rose shifted awkwardly. "Is… is that the… Dreamcaster?" she asked, nodding towards the bowl.

The old woman looked up momentarily, her eyes wide as if only just registering Rose's presence. "Yes," she said slowly. "The Dreamcaster."

"What does it do?"

"The Dreamcaster is no inanimate thing, but a mind in her own right; she has an aura of her very own. And she knows all."

Rose didn't know too much about auras and the like, but she did know that it was impossible to know everything. Months and months of travelling with someone who could see the whole of time and space in front of their eyes made her certain of that: there were times when even he was in the dark.

"You doubt her omniscience," came the croaky voice. It was followed by an approving nod. "A girl of intelligence. The Dreamcaster can only see into the heart of the individual, and knows all for the purpose of that one's dreams."

"I don't understand."

The woman smiled. "Maybe that is why the Dreamcaster can see you, Rose."

This interested Rose. Whatever this thing was, she wanted to know more. She recalled the woman's first words.

"So, what can it tell me about the path to love, then?" she asked, still sceptical.

The old woman took a deep, laborious breath, and stared back into the water. Rose dared to gaze into the murky water, and, as she did, she saw the swirling masses of blues form something almost tangible, and on the edge of her perception, she could sense the answers to the questions she hadn't even asked. If only she could understand…

"She knows you," the old woman breathed, making Rose shiver. "You burn like the sun, and you travel in the wake of the storm. Inside you, the anger, the passion, the life, is all-consuming, Rose Marion Tyler." She looked up. "I see your hidden path. Would you like the Dreamcaster to reveal to you the path to love?"

"Yes." Rose found her lips moving of their own accord, before she could stop herself from saying the word.

"As you wish."

The swirling clouds in the bowl suddenly parted, and the liquid shone clear and bright, inviting Rose to gaze upon the image building in the centre.

She saw a winding path, obscured from visibility by fallen branches, overgrown foliage and an array of nonsense. It was hard to understand, even harder to describe: it was… an impossibility. Unreal.

"The path is hidden in denial," the old woman explained. "And obstructed by doubt and fear. But it is not all your own doing. This path is littered with the negativity of another, someone who shares your destination but also shares your doubts."

Suddenly, the clouds reformed, and the liquid was milky and glassy once more.

The old woman looked up at Rose, who was trembling slightly from the ordeal.

"No path can be mastered by an unsure foot. The doubt and fear you carry in your heart holds you back. You and the other."

"Other? What other?" Rose was starting to get a headache. This was way too deep for her; she'd only come looking for a souvenir.

"The other, whose path converges with yours, Rose Tyler."

"What does that mean?!" To hell with the mystical atmosphere, the fireflies and the freaky old woman. She wanted a straight answer, not a riddle that would slowly drive her to insanity.

"The Dreamcaster has spoken," the woman said simply. "You will find your answer, if you cast off your fears. And you must convince the other to do likewise."

"You're not making any sense."

"The Dreamcaster has retired."

Mumbling to herself about the ridiculousness of the situation, Rose clambered up off the floor, and left the purple booth, glancing at the fireflies as they seemed to dim in disappointment.

Outside on the balcony, Rose almost gagged as the oily pungency of the air hit her like a wave, and her ears were bombarded with all the sounds from around the station that had been obscured when she was in the booth. The artificial light was bright and piercing, and she squinted as her eyes adjusted. When she could finally see, she smiled. A familiar man in a pinstripe suit was making his way over to her, all smiles and confidence.

"Find anything good?"

Rose just smiled and shrugged, hoping to forget her bizarre ordeal. "Have fun at Bingo?"

The Doctor chuckled, grabbed her hand, and they made their way along the metal balcony.

"Just don't ever tell your mother I played Bingo. I don't think I could live it down."

Rose grinned. "Okay, as long as you don't tell her I go shopping with an unlimited credit chip: you know she'd want one."

The Doctor squeezed her fingers affectionately. "As you wish."

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Hope you enjoyed it. (I was trying to create a total change in atmosphere as Rose stepped out of the booth: let me know if you think it worked). Big prizes to anyone who can spot the reference to 'Tooth and Claw' (well, no prize but you can feel very proud of yourselves). As always reviews are more than welcome and make me very very happy! xx