Recovery

10/Rose

Hurt/Comfort

Summary: When Rose falls ill on an alien planet it's up to the Doctor to help her recover.

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or its characters. Last night I watched David Tennant in Recovery (if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. It's on youtube. It's a great story, and DT does a fantastic job. All of them do.) So this story shares its name with that, because I'm lousy with titles, and the idea behind it follows along those lines as well, though of course with a DW twist.

Previously:

After five days even the Doctor couldn't keep up the round the clock care without a break. He was sorely in need of a sleep cycle. Without knowing what else to do he took off his tie and shoes, rolled up his sleeves, and carried Rose over to one of the larger beds in the infirmary. He crawled in next to her and wrapped his arms around her. For the first time in over a week the Time Lord slept.

Chapter 6

When the Doctor woke six hours later the first thing he saw were Rose's eyes, staring at him. He slowly blinked and smiled, then sat up with a jerk when he realized the implication.

"Rose! Rose, are you awake? Say something!"

But Rose said nothing. She blinked slowly at him, then closed her eyes again.

For a moment the Doctor thought he must have imagined everything, but a look at the scanners showed that there had been a change in her brain patterns. Tentatively he put his fingers to her temples for the first time in over twelve hours.

He was expecting the usual onslaught, but instead he found something much more akin to minor chaos. Much improved from the major chaos that had been going on, but still nowhere near to a functioning level that he could work with. But it was an improvement, albeit a small one.

With that to buoy his hopes he jogged off to his ensuite for a quick shower and a change of suit. He knew the computer would let him know if there was any change at all in Rose's condition, so he also went by the kitchen to pick up more food. He checked on the TARDIS' controls, then went back to the infirmary.

There he bathed Rose and changed her gown. Her moved her IV to a new location so she didn't develop another infection and put in a new catheter tube for the same reason. He checked over her vital signs, but they had been stable for several days now. It had been a small relief. Her body was healing itself. The only question now was would her mind heal.

Two days after Rose opened her eyes she did it again. This time the Doctor had been watching her. He'd taken to reading Gallifreyan books to her while he sat next to her. So when she opened her eyes he saw the movement and stopped reading. He looked at her.

"Rose? Do you hear me, Rose?"

Rose had been staring at the ceiling, but at his voice saying her name her head turned toward him. It was the first voluntary movement she had made in nine days. She didn't say anything, and other than turning her head she didn't indicate at all that she had heard him, but her eyes were still open and watching him.

The Doctor got out his ophthalmoscope, and with slow and gentle movements he moved toward Rose's head.

"Rose, if you can hear me, I'm just going to look in your eyes. I'm not going to hurt you. Just please keep your eyes open for me."

With that he shone the mild light in her eyes and watched them react. They were moving normally, a good sign that at least parts of her brain were returning to their previous state.

"Rose, I want you to use your eyes to follow my finger, ok? Just watch it without moving your head."

He was less hopeful that she would be able to follow the simple command, and as it turned out he was right to feel that way. She continued to stare at where he had been sitting moments before.

Touching his fingers to her temples the Doctor attempted the first psychic contact of the day. Her mind was still in chaos, but there was a small pathway through it now. It wasn't easy, but he was able to push further into her mind than he had been before. He could touch some memories, but more importantly he was able to feel her emotions.

And what he felt was encouraging. Rose was confused and scared. He didn't wish her to feel like that, but it represented the knowledge that things weren't right. If she was so brain damaged that she couldn't figure out that there was a problem her recovery would have been shorter but much less successful. Right now, though, Rose's brain knew that something wasn't right. It didn't know what to do about it, but it at least knew there was a problem.

Pushing a little of his own optimism and calmness into her mind, he retreated from Rose's brain. Her eyes had closed again, and he simply rubbed his hands alongside her head. Since he was standing he got started on her physical therapy for the morning. He turned her head both directions, manipulated her arms and legs, and then rolled her onto her belly. He rubbed her back and brushed her hair. When that was done he checked her IV and catheter again, then settled back down with his book. He began to read again.

to be continued...