Finding Safety

How many hours Rose spent running from the castle, she didn't know. But she didn't stop until well after midday the following morning and she was several miles away from the only home she'd ever known. After that, she did whatever she could to stay safe, though there wasn't much she could do as she couldn't risk alerting Cassandra to her location. She had to avoid her stepmother's forces and she didn't know who she could trust. For all she knew, they were Cassandra's spies.

Rose no longer wore the gown she'd put on the night she'd fled. She'd traded it with a beggar-woman in exchange for whatever spare clothes the poor woman could offer. (She'd also left the poor woman some of her money as well.) She now wore a thin grey dress with faded brown shoes. She wore her hooded cloak at all times as it was her only means of warmth and disguise.

She didn't stay in one place for too long, no longer than ten days. She paid for transport from people who'd take her only so far, but didn't ask questions or take a very good look at her face. And before she knew it, she'd been on the run for quite some time. Still, she didn't complain and she was brave in spite of it all.

Six months later, she found herself in a dismal village far from Cassandra's kingdom. She didn't look much like a King's daughter anymore or even a servant girl. Rather, she resembled that of a beggar-woman. She was a mess. Her clothes were practically in rags, there was neither a job nor any space for her in the village despite her efforts to find something, and she had little to no money.

She was just walking down an alley when she heard a man cry out, "SOMEONE HELP! I'VE BEEN ROBBED!"

Rose looked to see a young ne'er-do-well running off with an elderly man's purse.

Having picked up a few things during the past six months, Rose was able to help. She grabbed a an abandoned frying pan and waited behind a corner until the thief came close enough before she whacked him hard in the face, rendering him unconscious and leaving him with a lump the size of a goose egg on his head.

She grabbed the stolen purse off of the thief and took it to the old man and the redheaded young lady beside him.

"Here you are, sir."

"Oh, thank you, miss. You're an angel," said the old man, gratefully.

"It's no trouble," said Rose. It honestly wasn't and besides, how could she have refused to help him?

"My name is Wilf. What's yours?" he asked.

"Rose," she replied.

"Well, Rose, forgive me, but you look like you've had a bit of bad luck. Could you use some help?" asked Wilf. He seemed to be genuinely concerned for her.

Rose hesitated. She was tempted to accept his offer, but then she shook her head. The old man didn't need to be bothered with her problems. "I'm all right. Thanks anyway."

"Well, if you change your mind. This will show you the way to a great man who can help anyone at any time," said Wilf. He reached into her pocket and handed her a strange-looking key on a chain. "Keep it."

"Thank you," said Rose. She slipped the key onto her neck. She didn't have the slightest idea how this could help her or who the 'great man' was of whom he spoke, but she appreciated the Wilf's kindness and he was a very sweet old gentleman.

Wilf patted her hand. "You sure you don't need anything, sweetheart? Money, perhaps?"

"No, I'm quite sure," lied Rose. She didn't want to take money off him. It didn't seem right. "Please excuse me; I need to be going now. Good-bye, Wilf. Take care."

She waved good-bye, pulled her hood back up and went on her way. She bought a small roll with some of her money, but it barely touched her hunger, she was down to her last few coins and the sun was starting to set. She needed somewhere to sleep for the night, but her prospects were looking slimmer by the minute. She was just leaving the village when she overheard some fishermen's conversation.

"…men came from Queen Cassandra's kingdom this morning. Did you hear what they're saying about her stepdaughter, Princess Rose?"

"She didn't appear at the ball last week because she's off traveling, isn't she?"

"No. There's talk that she's not missing or traveling. Some think she's dead. No idea if it's true or not, of course."

"It wouldn't surprise me if it is true. A blind fool could tell the jealous old crone didn't like her stepdaughter."

"I hope it ain't true, honestly. My cousin and his family live in that kingdom and they all say Rose was always a better woman than her stepmother by a long shot."

"Aye. No argument there. Kind as she was beautiful, she was. Rare thing these days."

Rose was stunned. People thought she was dead and actually wanted her back?

Considering the course my life's taken, little should surprise me anymore. And yet it always did. If things were different, maybe…well, I suppose there's no point in dwelling on the past. Nothing's going to change.

XXX

Several hours later, Rose struggled to walk through the forest as rain fell down hard and fast upon her. She tried to stay warm by putting her hood up and pulling her cloak in closer, but to no avail. She was drenched and it was getting colder and darker. She needed some form of shelter, just for a little while.

Then suddenly, the key on her neck glow and then she saw it, the most unusual thing she'd ever seen in her life. It was a large blue box with the words 'Police Public Call Box' on the front and golden light seemed to be emitting from the window.

It'll probably be cramped, but perhaps I can stay in there until morning when the rain's passed.

She eventually came up to the door and for some reason, she knocked on it. There was no response whatsoever. An idea struck her, and so she took off her key and placed it in the tiny keyhole on the door. The key fit perfectly. The door swung open and she went inside.

"Hello?" said Rose, as she pulled back her hood. "Is anyone in here?"

Again there was no response. No one was there. But Rose found herself briefly exiting the box in shock before reentering because the blue box was much bigger on the inside than it was on the outside. Not only that, but it was completely impossible. It was almost like the crazy things she'd seen inside Cassandra's locked room, but different and strangely pleasant.

It appeared to be a…control room of sorts for the box. It was one giant machine unlike anything she'd ever seen before. The walls were the color of gold, the pillars were curved and an unusual shape, there was glowing blue-green light emitting from the center of room, a comfortable-looking chair and a comfortably pleasant hum in the background.

"What is this place?" whispered Rose. It was quite warm and cozy inside. She brushed her fingers on the console and the machine seemed to purr under her touch, making her chuckle. "I must be going mad, talking to a machine, but there's more than just what meets the eye here, am I right?"

The machine purred again, and Rose took that as a yes.

"Can I stay here for a while? Will the people who live here mind?" she asked, hesitantly.

The machine purred and then rumbled.

Rose took that as a yes and a no to her questions in that order.

"Thank you." Rose hung up her cloak on a hook and then dried herself off with some towels that appeared from nowhere. She frowned when she noticed parts of the room were in need of a good cleaning.

"Forgive me, but would you mind if I tidied you up a bit?" she asked.

Rose received a no and then she found cleaning supplies in the corner. Feeling a little happier than she had in months, Rose couldn't help but sing a little she quickly tidied up the room.

Just whistle while you work
And cheerfully together we can tidy up the place
So hum a merry tune
It won't take long when there's a song to help you set the pace

And as you sweep the room
Imagine that the broom is someone that you love
And soon you'll find you're dancing to the tune
When hearts are high the time will fly so whistle while you work

Just whistle while you work
Put on that grin and start right in to whistle loud and long
Just hum a merry tune
Just do your best and take a rest and sing yourself a song

When there's too much to do
Don't let it bother you, forget your troubles,
Try to be just like a cheerful chickadee

And whistle while you work
Come on get smart, tune up and start
To whistle while you work

Rose found herself laughing a little as she finished up and put the cleaning supplies back where she found it. Without thinking, she wandered into a kitchen and found herself cooking. There was an open cookbook on the counter and she followed the recipe for a banana cream pie and despite being unused the kitchen and the strange cooking appliances she found, she was able to make a delicious desert. She felt it was the least she could do if she was permitted to live there.

When she was finished, she left the pie on the counter and went back the main room. She yawned and felt her exhaustion start to claim her. But where would she sleep?

As if the machine was reading her mind, a door that hadn't been there before appeared.

Curious, Rose went through it and found a beautiful furnished bedroom, complete with a wardrobe, warm bed and a fireplace with a warm fire blazing in the hearth.

"Is this bedroom for me?" she asked.

The machine purred.

"Thanks, again," said Rose. She felt quite grateful for it all.

She changed out of her thin rags and into a flannel nightgown she found in the wardrobe before she went to bed. She was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

XXX

Several hours later, Rose slowly awoke from her slumber, only to sit up in slight shock when she saw not one, but six people in the room with her and a metal dog. They were all staring at her.

"Hey, it looks like Sleeping Beauty's finally waking up," said a dark-skinned man, gruffly. He looked at her with distrust in his eyes. "Well, lady, I think we'd all like to know how exactly you found TARDIS and why you're here."

"Mickey!" scolded a middle-aged woman. "Be polite!"

"Better yet, unless you got something intelligent to say, don't talk, Mickey Mouse," said a handsome young man.

Mickey just glared at them before turning to a dark-haired girl. "Martha, love, help me out here."

"You're on your own, Mick. Sorry," said Martha, throwing up her hands. "Arguing with Sarah-Jane and Jack's like mud-wrestling with a pig."

"All of you, stop it! Barking mad, the lot of you, I swear. Can't you see the poor girl's frightened?" barked a redheaded woman. She smiled kindly at Rose and sat down beside her on the bed. "Sorry about all that. We're sorry if we woke you. My name's Donna. This is my boyfriend Jack, my Granddad Wilf, Martha and her boyfriend Mickey, Sarah-Jane and her robot dog K9. Sorry if we woke or scared you."

"It's fine," said Rose, softly. None of them bothered her. In fact, she liked them. Rose looked down at her hands, feeling a little uneasy about the situation. "I'm sorry if I trespassed. I didn't mean any harm, I promise you. I just needed shelter from the rain and I found it accidentally. The key Wilf gave me worked perfectly and when I came in, the machine said it was all right if I stayed for a bit."

"You didn't do anything wrong, love. It's fine," assured Wilf. "You're among friends here. I told them what you did for me before. They were all impressed, especially Donna."

"Anyone who helps Granddad is a friend of mine," said Donna, smiling.

"But we would like some answers, gorgeous. Who exactly are you?" asked Jack, earning a smack upside the head from Donna.

"She's Princess Rose," said a familiar northern voice. "She's Queen Cassandra's stepdaughter and the rightful heiress to the throne of Freedonia."

Rose's eyes widened when she saw the Doctor step forward. She didn't know if she should've felt relieved or surprised to see him.

"Doctor," breathed Rose.

Without thinking, she got out of the bed, ran into his arms and hugged him. She smiled inwardly when he returned the embrace.

"I'm sorry for being so forward. I'm just so glad to see you," said Rose, when they pulled apart. Though she barely knew him, one of the few things that kept her going was the thought of him, the Doctor. He'd found her. Or had she found him?

"I'm glad to see you too," said the Doctor, smiling. Then he frowned in concern. "What's happened to you?"

Rose sighed and felt the weariness return. "It's a long story."

"Well, I think it can wait a while," said the Doctor, firmly. "You look half-starved and I'll bet you could use a few minutes' peace. Why don't you go get yourself cleaned up and changed? Breakfast will be ready when you're done and if you need anything, just holler and one of the girls will help you."

"Thank you," said Rose, gratefully.

Everyone left the room and then Rose cleaned up and then Sarah-Jane helped her decide what to wear and explained some things Rose was confused about before leaving her to get dressed. Rose was grateful for the motherly assistance and a few minutes later, she emerged from her room with her hair in a ponytail, her key and locket gleaming on her neck, and she was dressed in a V-neck red shirt, white jeans and a pair of sandals.

K9 escorted her to the kitchen where everyone was waiting and there was a large abundance of food. The Doctor smiled when he saw her. "There you are. You look lovely."

"Thank you," said Rose, as she sat down.

Breakfast was pleasant meal and contained some of the richest food Rose had ever tasted. Everyone conversed easily, friendships were formed and no big questions were asked until later, when after the meal was over and all was cleaned up, at which point everyone was seated in one of the TARDIS's living rooms.

Rose sat beside the Doctor on the sofa.

"So, Rose, you got questions?" asked the Doctor.

"Plenty," she admitted. "What exactly is this…impossible place? And who're you all, exactly?"

"This place is called the TARDIS. That's T-A-R-D-I-S; it stands for Time And Relative Dimensions In Space. It can go anywhere in space and time," explained the Doctor. "It's sort of a traveling home away from home."

"We're the Doctor's friends and traveling companions," said Sarah-Jane.

"We travel in time and space, having adventures. Everyone except for K9 and the Doctor, we're all just humans he picked up from different points in time," said Donna. "Bit posh, really."

Time traveling and people from beyond the stars. It was all a bit much to take in, and a bit mad, and yet Rose accepted it. How could she not, considering all she'd seen already?

"Okay," she said.

"Our turn," said Mickey. "How exactly does a Princess wind up in rags in the TARDIS?"

"Yeah, if you're a Princess, why'd you leave your kingdom? Don't you ever want to go back home?" asked Jack.

"It's not that simple. I can't go back," said Rose, softly. She felt the sting of tears in her eyes. "If I go back home, she'll find me and she'll kill me."

The Doctor looked concerned as he sat beside her. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Who will, Rose?" he asked. "Who're you running from?"

She swallowed painfully. "My stepmother, Cassandra," she confessed.

Rose's broken tone prompted Sarah-Jane to make some tea, over the course of several cups of tea and a few tears, Rose told her story to the Doctor and his companions. When she was done, everyone either looked sympathetic or angry on her behalf.

"And I thought Donna's mum was evil," muttered Mickey. "Cassandra sounds like the stuff of nightmares."

"Affirmative," said K9.

Rose looked at the Doctor. "So, can I stay here, with you? I'll earn my keep if I have to. But please, don't take me back to Freedonia. Please."

The Doctor wrapped a comforting arm around her. "Rose, listen to me very carefully. You don't need to earn your keep. You're not a servant here and nor is anyone going to make you go where you don't want to. You'll be safe with us and you can stay as long as you like, I promise."

Rose felt a wave of relief and smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Doctor."

It seemed too good to be true. After so long of living in fear and being a prisoner, she now had new life of traveling and fantastic people to share it with. What more could she ask for?