Alrighty guys, I think in honor of the US premier of Planet of the Dead (which I already saw on the bootleg youtube version the day of its UK showing haha) I oughta update! So here you go, and THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS SO FAR!!!!

Chapter Six

Norm sneered in disgust as he surveyed the paperwork for Specimen X. He sat before a computer which monitored the creature's vitals and whereabouts. The fact that the creature was still alive and intermixed into society posed an itch somewhere inside of him that he ached to relieve. Haxall seemed to love the thing, and the knowledge he could gain from it, but Norm wanted only to eliminate this foreign threat to his normal, ordered, life.

"Norm, how is he holding? Any sign that he's feeling ill?" Haxall strode into the room to squint at the computer.

"No way of knowing, is there? The computer says it's blood pressure is low, but as far as I know, it's still standing. Now if we could only get him back here, we can do all these tests in a controlled environment."

"No, I want him in his natural routine. If we bring him here again, it will cause stress mentally and physically and we will not get accurate readings."

Norm rose from his chair, his eyes glazed, deep in thought. He clenched the paperwork too hard in his fist.

"I thought you wanted a nice dinner out." After a long day of window shopping and enjoying each other's company, Doctor grinned and leaned his elbows on the table as the waitress placed a large plate of chips in the center of the table, and two pints of Black and Tan.

"Changed my mind," Rose snatched one. "Gorgeous."

The Doctor raised an eyebrow as he swallowed the beer. "Last time you said that, they had been deep fried in Krillitane oil." He examined a chip and licked it delicately. "Nope, just good old fashion lard." He devoured it and selected more.

"Do you still have those super tasting powers?" Rose asked hesitantly.

"Are you wearing lip gloss?"

Rose was taken aback. "Y..yes."

He leaned forward and delivered a lingering kiss. He licked his lips as he pulled back. "Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polybutene, Cinnamon…" He stuck his tongue out and scraped it against his teeth. "Your lips taste better without the synthetics."

"Guess that's a yes then" She giggled and wiped her lips with a napkin.

He paled suddenly and Rose took his hand, her expression concerned. "Oh God, you aren't allergic to any of those are you?"

"Nah, I'm fine." He smiled at her and drained his glass. "Tell you what though, I'm ready for another drink."

Hours later, and after emptying his bladder as well as the contents of his stomach, the Doctor placed both hands on either side of the sink and leaned toward the mirror, his dark eyes fixed on his reflection in the mirror. The dull lighting gave his skin a waxy appearance. He took a deep breath and wondered if the vertigo would ever go. He splashed cold water on his face. It was not alcohol, he had only had two, this was something else, and his fear showed in the dingy reflection.

He held his hand in front of him. It was shaking uncontrollably in a way that had nothing to do with alcohol. He closed his eyes.

"You all right, mate?"

He look up to see a well dressed middle aged man with a salt and pepper goatee and a rather sorry looking wisp of hair combed over to cover a bald spot at the sink beside him.

"Yeah, thanks, one too many I suppose."

The man seemed to buy it as he finished washing his hands. He clapped a hand on the Doctor's shoulder. "Strong coffee'll do the trick." He walked from the room, leaving the Doctor still staring at his reflection.

Rose tapped her fingers as she waited, gazing benignly around the room. She felt her cheeks grow hot as her eyes landed on those of a man across the room. She looked down, then back up briefly. His stare was persistent and she swiftly turned her head to look at the wall. She closed her eyes and whispered to herself. "Don't, just don't, don't come near me."

"Surely you aren't here alone, love?"

She opened her eyes slowly, dreading what she would see. The man before her had taken the Doctor's seat. His black, greying goatee drew her attention to his wide white teeth. "No, I'm not, and it would be a good idea for you to leave before he comes back. Big bloke. Possessive."

He chuckled softly, sending goose bumps up the back of Rose's neck. "Nah, I know you're boyfriend is that skinny fellow puking his guts out in the toilet. What's your name, sweetheart?" His small, piggish brown eyes crinkled as he grinned and Rose felt a stab of anger.

"Get lost." Goosebumps spread up her arms and she wanted nothing more than for the Doctor to set this man to rights.

She sighed in relief as the Doctor made his way over the table. His eyes landed on the man in his seat and a shadow of possessive annoyance crossed his narrowed eyes.

"Hallo. John Smith, and you are?" He held out his hand and the other man grasped it firmly.

"Rich Pelham. I was just leaving." He stood up quickly. The Doctor, inches taller, stared down at him in warning.

"Yes, I'm sure you are." He said, a large, forced grin in place as he watched Rich leave. He turned to Rose. "You okay?" He rubbed her arm with one long fingered hand and took his seat.

"Yeah," She said, her eyes on the place where Rich had disappeared.

It was reaching 11pm and Rose giggled, still nursing her second drink, and watching the Doctor as he performed his own rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.

"Galileo!" He sang as he finished the last of his fifth in one breath and dropped it to the table, accepting another one. "Galileo…I taught him everything he knew by the way. Poor chap nearly had a nervous breakdown when he saw the TARDIS. We-ell, afraid of the church, you see, and what they would think about his whole time and relative dimension in space theory. I discouraged that but the sun thing? Yea, why not? I figured it was about time someone explained it the way it is!" He reached a hand out and patted Rose on the head. "Humans." He looked at her plate. "You full already? You know on the planet Corschubaraxitoriondoni that is considered a capital offense."

"What, being full?"

The Doctor nodded as he opened his wallet to pay for the meal. "And drunk. Think we're both guilty of one or the other right now."

He rose from his seat and stumbled as his legs buckled. Rose leapt up to help him. "Careful there!"

He groaned. "Oh really? I really am aren't I? Oh yes. No. No way. Yes I am. I'm blizted. I'm completely smashed. Blimey it doesn't take long does it? We-ell, guess this body has no tolerance yet." He slung an arm around Rose's neck and pressed a kiss firmly to her temple as she walked him out of the pub. "Isn't this, wizard?" Stealing a glance at her, he decided that she believed his acting.

"One foot in front of the other."

"Rose, I am not feeling so well. I don't think I've ever felt this ill from alcohol before."

"Oh, it's perfectly normal for us humans. Now you know your limit at least. I'll take care of you, Doctor." Rose said with a small smile as she helped him into their dark flat.

He turned suddenly and faced her, drawing her close to him. His soft, hooded eyes were warm and he stroked her cheek as gently as though she were a porcelain doll. He dropped a kiss to her forehead then pulled back. "That man Rich felt like bad news. Rose, as long as I am alive, I will protect you, I can promise you that."

"I've never doubted it." She said, burying her fingers in his hair. "I feel safe with you. I always have."

His hands held her hips and his lips caught hers hungrily. When they had made their way to the bedroom, Rose pushed him backward onto the bed. He watched with a lopsided grin as she climbed onto his hips and began unbuttoning his shirt, drawing her tongue across the chest hair that she revealed. She worked her way back up his neck and biting his chin, before meeting his lips again. The rich, yeasty flavor of beer met the back of her throat when she breathed in his exhaled breath.

"My judgement is impaired you know." He said, grinning as she unzipped his fly. "Miss Tyler, I do believe you are taking advantage."

"Oh, shut up." She said as she dug a hand into his trousers.

The Doctor put a hand up to stop her. "Oh, I am so sorry Rose, but I am about to ruin the moment." His expression was truly tragic as he slid out from under her and all but fell off the bed and into the bathroom.

Rose slumped on the empty bed with a sigh. The sound of retching made its way from the bathroom and she followed it to find him kneeling on the floor, vomiting into the toilet. She rubbed his back sympathetically. "Happens to the best of us." She murmured. "You'll feel much better when you're done."

He gasped and raised his head. His forehead shone with sweat and his hair stuck out at odd angles. "I don't want to be human anymore. This would never happen to a Timelord."

Rose wet a washcloth and dabbed it on his forehead and the back of his neck. "You'll get used to it." She said quietly. He of course did not have any other choice in that matter. "Feeling better?" He hesitated then nodded. "Let's get you to bed then."

By the time he was asleep, curled around her like a cat seeking warmth, his face buried in her chest, her arms wrapped around his head, Rose was wide awake and worrying. She stroked his hair idly until she finally fell asleep.

The Doctor woke with the early morning sun in his eyes, a terrible taste in his mouth, and a headache that felt like a vice grip. The bridge of his nose wrinkled in displeasure and he turned onto his stomach, burying his face into his pillow. His instinct was to reach inside himself and trigger a deeper healing sleep to stop the pain. When this proved not to be an option, he groaned in frustration.

A hand slid up his naked back soothing him. He glanced to his side, but found that Rose was still asleep, unconsciously stroking him in her sleep. "Could get used to that." He whispered to himself, his eyebrows raised in pleasant surprise. Gently and slowly so as not to wake her, he turned and rose from the bed. Rose spread her limbs out in the bed looking as though she enjoyed having the extra space.

A small, soft yell sounded from outside and he cocked his head, his mouth parted, concentrating on the noise. It happened again, it was as though a child were screaming in the street outside.

He ran to pull on the trousers that lay crumpled on the floor and grabbed the sonic screwdriver from the bedside table, and the keys to the flat. He slammed the front door and ran down the steps two at a time before making it out into the street.

He scanned the street quickly and his eyes rested on a child, a girl, perhaps three. He walked cautiously to her. She sat with her knees drawn up to her chest, her eyes puffy and red. She bawled to the top of her lungs. Her white blond hair was soft, thin, and static.

Kneeling down beside her he put an arm around her tiny shoulders. "Ah sweetheart, where are your mummy and daddy?"

She took a shuddering breath, her small frame shaking, and pointed across the street.

"In that car? Why don't we walk on over, come on, up you get." He held out his hand and she took two of his fingers.

The car door opened as he approached and a man with a black and grey goatee stepped out. Rich held out his arms. "Oh Lydie, Lydie, what a good girl you are."

"Rich?" The Doctor glanced back at the girl. "Your daughter?"

"Step daughter. Oh she does like to wander, thank you so much for getting her back to me. You were a good girl, Lydie."

The Doctor did not notice the man behind him until a damp cloth was clasped to his mouth. His eyes rolled back into his head.

"Good one, Norm." Rich clapped a hand to the other man's shoulder. "Hush Lydie, whats the matter with you?"

"Is he dead?" She said in her small, precise voice.

"No, no, sweetie. He's only sleeping. We're going to take him to a much nicer place where he will be happy." Rich bent to lift the Doctor's shoulders and Norm took his feet.

"Trunk would be best." They pulled the trunk open and stuffed the man inside, folding his long legs up in order to fit him.

Norm's hands were shaking and his knuckles were white as they clutched the steering wheel.

"You alright Norm?" Rich called to the driver from his position in the back with Lydie.

He nodded. "Just glad to have the creature under finger, is all."

"Your wife would be proud."

"Don't talk about my wife." He snapped, then regretted it when Lydie began to cry again. He cringed and rubbed a finger to his temple. He merged onto the motorway.

Rose woke with a sigh and reached for her lover.

His sonic screwdriver was gone from its place on the bedside table.

A terrible feeling gripped her stomach. Something was wrong.

She lurched up and out of bed.

A/N: I hope this chapter was OK, I feel like my characterizations are slipping a bit. Please review and let me know what you think!