Authors Notes: Well well, a couple of surprises in store for you all this chapter. Warning: There is some naughtiness in this chapter and while not explicit some passages are not suitable to be read around children. Chapter eight is in progress. I'll do my best to have it ready as soon as I can. Cheers and enjoy.
End of Chapter Six: His Rose stood before him, wearing nothing but a stormy look and a pair of flimsy knickers.
It had been a frustrating few hours for Rose. After Griff and Ert's departure she had searched thoroughly every inch of her prison, hoping to find the means to escape. It soon became clear that the only way out was through the front door and no amount of amateur lock picking was going to open it.
The next couple of hours had been spent making plans, working out ideas on how to try to overcome anyone who came through that door but as the time passed and nobody showed up, such ideas went by the wayside.
Eventually Rose resigned herself to the fact that she would have to wait for the Doctor to rescue her. It never crossed her mind that he would not come but as the seconds, minutes and then hours crept onwards she began to fear he might not make it before the auction closed or, even worse, before a local bidder claimed her.
She felt dirty, the dust from the Gwilgoloth markets still on her skin but there was no way she was going to strip to bathe. Griff had not said if there were cameras in the bathroom but she was not going to take the chance of giving everyone and anyone a show. Instead she washed her face, neck and arms with the warm water, an action that made her feel somewhat better until she spied the thin gauzy robe that she had been ordered to wear hanging up in the bathroom.
Her kidnappers had taken her away from everything she knew and loved. The clothes she wore were all that was left that truly belonged to her and she desperately wanted to rebel against having to lose them in favour of the robe. Common sense finally prevailed. It would not do to anger her enemy. Let them think that she was docile, that she had given up. Perhaps it might lull them into a false sense of security.
Once again she refused to undress out in the open. Instead she climbed under the bed covers, removing her outer garments. With some difficulty she managed to re-dress herself in the robe before climbing out from beneath the sheets.
The torturous waiting game started again. Every time her faith in the Doctor began to fade she would scold herself and fill her mind with images of him and of their adventures together. The one driving force behind all of it though was how much she loved him. But the fear was growing and the anger returned. When Griff arrived the white heat boiling over in her blood exploded.
Griff could not deliver his message quickly enough; the words tumbling from his lips, as he nervously commanded that she must disrobe as a local buyer was waiting outside.
Cursing him with every name under the sun, Rose picked up the nearest object, a colourful glass vase and threw it at Griff's head as he made his escape. It missed by mere inches, crashing into the door frame and sending glass everywhere. Fighting back tears she wrenched off the horrid robe and threw it on the bed. Her self pity lasted mere moments however as she forced herself to harness her anger. Instead of crippling her she used the powerful emotion to fuel her strength and resolve as she faced the front door, waiting patiently. She held one hand behind her back, the fingers wrapped around a large shard of glass. The ginger-haired man who entered next would leave wishing he had never met her.
The Doctor stood, rooted to the floor as he faced his companion. His usually brilliant mind had obviously decided to flee and it was a full minute before he realised his jaw was hanging somewhere down between his knees.
Rose was standing proud and strong in front of him, not bothering to hide her nakedness. In some ways her ire made her even more desirable. He could not help but notice the heaving of her breast or the life sparking in her eyes. Nor could he ignore the way her skin glowed under the soft lights of the room. She's a goddess, he thought, beautiful even in anger. It mattered little to him that her anger was concentrated on him. It was worth braving it just to see her like this.
Want, need, desire washed over him. He forgot everything - Griff, Darcia, the whole plan and whom he was supposed to be. He had thought her tempting this morning, wrapped only in her towel but now every nerve and fibre of his being was straining to reach out to her, calling him to claim her.
"Keep looking at me like that, mate and I'll slap you silly," declared Rose.
The Doctor swore under his breath as her threat slammed shut his moment of sentimental idiocy. How did one small human gain such power over an ancient being like himself? Pull yourself together, you fool, he chastised himself. Rose is okay. Just follow the plan.
As his wits returned he took several steps towards Rose, his single purpose to get this mockery of an inspection over and done with before completing the transaction.
Rose however had other ideas.
"I'd turn around and go back out that door now if I were you," she said, drawing herself up to full height.
Her fury increased when the man just smiled and continued shifting closer to her. Did he think she was bluffing and why the hell did he not talk?
The Doctor kept moving towards her. He was within touching distance now. A few more steps –
Rose suddenly pulled her hand out from behind her back revealing the pointed glass shard. She would not give in without a fight.
"You dare to touch me, I'll slit you from nose to navel," she threatened. "If you think I'm bluffing just try me. Believe me you'll regret it for the rest of your life, if you live long enough to do so."
The conviction in her voice was enough to make the Doctor take several steps back. Despite this, he felt distinctly proud of his precious Rose as she attempted to defend herself. Unfortunately her magnificent stand also meant that he could not get close to her to follow through with this inspection charade. He was also worried that Rose's behaviour might anger her kidnappers. He did not like to think of her in pain, if the micro chip was activated. For the hundredth time he wished he could speak to her but unfortunately Darcia's gift could not change one's voice.
He needed a diversion, one that would distract Rose momentarily so he could get the weapon away from her. It grated on him that he would be making her feel helpless but it had to be done. A brush of his hand against his pants pocket made him realise that while his clothes had changed the items inside were still there. Slipping his hand inside, his fingers closed around his trusty sonic screwdriver.
Rose was still verbally abusing him, calling him every name she could think of from pervy bastard to dirty old man. With his age now at a little over 900 years, she had no idea how close to the truth she was. She was just so beautiful. The sound of her voice however also drowned out the clicks and buzzes of the sonic in his pocket as he adjusted the screwdriver to a particular setting. This was one of those times that he was relieved he knew many of the settings by heart. Slightly turning the tool inside his pocket he directed it towards a glass fruit bowl situated on a table on one side of the room. The sonic pulse would shatter the bowl and hopefully attract Rose's attention for the short time he needed it too. It would also likely ruin the pocket of his pants or was that his jeans since it was all an illusion; he'd have to see later. It was of no importance now.
He flicked his finger on the button and suddenly there was an almighty crash as the fruit bowl exploded. Rose stopped mid rant and turned her head, her human curiosity getting the better of her. The Doctor took his chance and closed the distance between them. Using a martial arts move that he learned hundreds of years ago he managed without much pain to prise the shard from her hand. Another move had her back to his chest, one of his arms around her waist, the other just above her breast.
Rose gasped as she abruptly found herself disarmed and helpless in this stranger's arms. She struggled in vain but he seemed one step ahead of her in any tricks she attempted in her efforts to get free. Eventually tiredness and despair forced her to give in. She went limp against her captor's body, hot tears flooding her eyes. Oh, Doctor, I tried so hard.
It was only then that she realised that the ginger haired man had still not spoken a word. Could he understand her? Hopefully, as begging was now her last resort.
"Please," she pleaded, her voice hoarse with emotion. "I shouldn't be here. I belong somewhere else … with someone else. He'll be looking for me."
The Doctor started at her words. She belonged with him. He had always known that but to hear her say it brought to his hearts warmth that he thought long lost. He turned her around to face him but he could not take his arms from her.
Rose for her part did not fight him even though to her he was a stranger. She hung her head, not daring to meet the brown eyes of this man.
"I have to get out, get back to him. He needs me and I need him. I don't know if you can understand me but please help me. If you ever cared about anyone, I'm begging you, please … please." The tears ran down her face and she could not speak anymore.
It was more than the Doctor could bear. Once again all intentions to bury his feelings were blown out of the water. Rose's tears were his undoing. With a gentle hand he raised her face to meet his own eyes. As he did so he heard her gasp.
When the stranger first raised his hand Rose thought he might strike her. Instead with gentle intent he lifted her head to meet his gaze. At his touch all fear, anger and sorrow suddenly left her, leaving in its wake only a feeling of serenity and peace. As she caught his eyes and really looked into them she gasped. They were old eyes, ancient and knowing, hinting of things that were, are and could be. She knew those eyes … Could it be? – but no that was impossible. It was wishful thinking on her part.
Again she begged him to help her, but his fingers on her lips stilled her pleas as he caressed their softness. The fingers moved from her mouth to trace a line from her collar bone down to her shoulder. Soft gentle touches that confused her tired mind but at the same time made her want more.
Her brain was screaming at her to put an end to this farce but her body was betraying her. The stranger moved again but his fingers never ceased their pleasing exploration of her skin. They were travelling with blissful intent now across the tops of her shoulder blades and then with delicious slowness down the length of her spine.
She thought she had lost her mind altogether when the scent of leather invaded her senses. Leather and grease oil, she realised. This is impossible. But then she remembered his eyes and the gentleness with which he touched her. The touch was familiar. She felt it everyday when she reached out her hand. And come to think of it, exactly how had that fruit bowl exploded. Sonic screwdriver? Rose decided to stop thinking. This was the Doctor, she was sure of it. Somehow, someway, looking like someone else he had come and apparently thrown off his inhibitions as well. Her heart burst with joy. With an audible sigh she leaned back into the body behind her content now to sink beneath the sensual waves of his caress.
The Doctor too was riding the heights of arousal. Gone were thoughts of plans, enemies and inspections. All that mattered right here, right now was Rose and how she made him feel. Reaching around her with both arms he drew her body even closer to him. Tentatively he caressed the skin of her belly and waist in slow circles gradually sweeping his hands higher until they almost touched the underside of her breast. At that moment Rose turned in his arms and to his surprise she kissed him hard. Before he had the chance to respond or come to his senses she drew back slightly to whisper just one word into his ear.
"Doctor."
His arms fell from her in shock, reality crashing in with a thunderous blow.
"What the hell have I done?"
Rose, his clever Rose had worked out who he was despite the disguise. If she could then who else might? Some stupid apes watching might think their display of affection was the result of experienced persuasion on his part but a smart person would put two and two together. Someone clever like the mysterious boss who knew Rose's history with him would certainly not be fooled.
He had to get out of here and complete this transaction fast. He did not dare look at Rose. She would be confused by his withdrawal from her, uncertain now about her conclusions. Perhaps it was for the best. He had let himself feel too much and gone too far along a course of action that he swore he would not. It had been wonderful but now his lapse of judgement, his selfish need had put them into more danger than before. Turning away from the love of his life he hurried towards the door, pressed the intercom button and sighed in relief as he was let out of the room almost immediately.
Rose's confusion and grief were as audible in his head as were the sounds of her sobs coming through the closed door. He wished he was the ginger-haired stranger who did not know her because at the moment he hated himself immensely.
"Doctor."
His silent berating of his own stupidity was interrupted by Darcia, her face a picture of compassion and concern.
"Rose, is she okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," he replied but the look on his face and the tone in his voice said otherwise. "She recognised me, Darcia, how?
"Did you move more than three metres away from me?"
He thought hard, trying to remember if he had or not. Lost in the force that was Rose it was difficult to recall but he felt fairly certain that he had not stepped outside the limits of Darcia's gift.
"You didn't speak to her accidentally?"
"No."
Darcia looked thoughtful before a soft smile graced her lips. "I don't think I'm jumping to conclusions here, Doctor when I say I think you are in love with Rose and she is with you." As the Doctor's eyes widened, she continued. "I can only go by what you've told me and-" she said, now grinning madly, "- what you haven't said. When two people are as close as you and she seem to be then there is no hiding from one another, not even when one of you changes your whole appearance. Little gestures, intricate details will always be there. Rose wanted you so much, that despite the illusion, her heart recognised yours."
"Darcia, I …" His words trailed off into nothingness. This empathic little creature had hit the nail on its head and there was little he could say to refute the truth. He was given very little time however to dwell on the subject as Griff came bounding up to him, nervous tension evident in his every move.
"Doctor, something's up. I've been told that the boss wants to oversee the conclusion of this transaction. He never does that." He clutched the Doctor's shirt in one fist. "What are we going to do? What if he has found out about my helping you? My daughter, what if they do something to her?"
"Griff, get a grip on yourself, man," rebuked the Doctor. He closed his eyes briefly, feeling guilty. He knew whose fault it was for this turn of events and it was not the man who was holding on for dear life to his shirt.
Removing himself from Griff's grip he placed his hand on the other man's shoulder. "Look, you've helped us so I'll do my best to make sure this 'boss's wrath doesn't fall on you. I still need you, so no giving up, okay?
Griff let out a huge breath. "Okay!" he agreed.
A few minutes later they were all standing outside an ornate wooden door. There was an intercom just to the right of the door which Griff used to announce the arrival of the local buyers. Almost immediately they heard the snick of a lock opening, an invitation to enter.
The Doctor turned to Darcia. "I want you to come in with me to meet this man. Keep that camera rolling, because this'll be just about the most important footage you'll ever get."
Darcia grinned nervously up at him but she spoke confidently. "I'm ready, Doctor. You can count on me."
Leaning forward the Doctor kissed her forehead. "Thank you," he said gratefully. With a final nod to Griff, he and Darcia opened the door and shut it behind them.
The Doctor's eyes were immediately drawn to the beautifully carved ebony desk in the centre of the room. His blood boiled as he recognised the man seated behind it.
"Henry Van Statten!"
"Welcome, Doctor, how nice to see you again."