The Doctor and Rose raced across the plains, running at full pelt through the dark. Their pursuers were hot on their trail, the torches they carried shining from behind the two time travelers.

"This way!" the Doctor hollered to his companion and took a turn to the left. He slowed a bit for her to catch up before grabbing her hand and urging her to move faster.

Of course, the Doctor hadn't planned their night to be being chased by a mob of people. He had planned on a nice quiet evening with Rose. A candle-light picnic in Metmari Valley, where they could sit and watch the stars dance above them for the summer solstice. It would have been beautiful, and given him a reason to sit extra close to Rose since the climate on Yuenti was cooler.

But when did his plans ever go right anyways? So here they were, running for their lives and being chased by the inhabitants of Metmari. Well, it wasn't the Doctor's fault that he had forgotten that in the year 4556, the people thought strange lights in the valley were some form of sorcery and had a law to burn any sorcerers on site. So, just as Rose and the Doctor had settled down to watch the stars, the mob came and now they were running for their lives. Again.

"Cliff!" the Doctor heard Rose shout and pulled him out of his memories. Both skidding to a halt, they stared down at the drop off before them. A large river rushed many feet below them, running along the small bank on its other side. The Doctor looked around them, his eyes following how long the canyon was. Angry voices of the townsfolk were getting louder behind them and the Doctor felt Rose's hand squeeze his.

"Doctor," she started but he cut her off.

"Rose," he turned her so that she was facing him. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course," she returned with a faint smile, and then frowned, "…Why?"

"Because you're going to jump off the cliff," the Doctor said.

"What?!"

"You'll be fine, trust me," the Doctor smiled and gave her hand a squeeze.

"But, but I can't just 'jump off the cliff'!" fear flashed in Rose's face. "And what about you?"

"I'm gonna lead them away, alright?" the Doctor looked over to where the torchlight was growing brighter. "You just gotta jump now. Are you ready?"

"No," Rose looked down at the rushing water down below. "Doctor—"

"Just wait for me by the bank," the Doctor cut her off. "Okay? Ready, go!"

Rose let out a scream as he gave her shove and sent her falling off the cliff. Her scream echoed across the night and the Doctor heard the large splash as she hit the water. The Doctor didn't have time to check if she was alright as a shout came from behind him. Spinning on his heel, the Time Lord sprinted away running toward the wood behind the cliff.

oo00oo

After what seemed like ages, the Doctor finally lost the pursuers. Now, as he caught his breath, he walked along the bottom of the cliff, his eyes staring down at the bank. He wished there was more light. Rassilon, how long had he actually been gone? How long had Rose waited for him? Now as he looked at the river, he could see how quickly the water was flowing and how far below it actually was from the cliff face. Immediately, fear crawled over him. What if Rose hadn't…?

No. No, he couldn't think that. No, she was alright. She was fine. She, she had to be.

A dark shape caught his eye down the bank in the starlight. Without even thinking he ran forward, calling out, "Rose!"

The shape didn't move at his call and the Doctor panicked. For as he neared, he saw Rose's golden hair and the glitter of the TARDIS key around her neck.

"Rose!" the Doctor ran toward her, crouching down beside where she was lying on the muddy bank. "Rose? Rose, are you alright?"

Carefully, he picked her up, cradling her damp form in his arms. Rose's eyes were closed and her skin felt cold as he cupped her face with his hand.

"Rose, wake up," the Doctor shook her gently. "Please, please wake up. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please be alright. Rose? Rose, please. Rose, I didn't, I shouldn't have, I—"

"Doctor," Rose's voice mumbled. "Take a breath."

"Rose!" the Doctor's face lit up when she opened her eyes tiredly. "You're alright!"

"For the most part," Rose grumbled and gave his chest a weak slap. "I'm sopping wet and freezing, and I hurt my arm when I hit the water. Not to mention I'm exhausted from running."

"I'm really sorry," the Doctor said sincerely, dipping his head down to nuzzle her as he held her. "This is my fault. I should have checked the date and—"

"Not tossed me into a river," Rose added with a glare.

"I was drawing away the townspeople and you were tired so I thought it would be best if I got you safe—"

"And safe means shivering on a river bank?"

"Better than being dead," the Doctor smiled a bit.

"Well, for all you knew I could have been dead," Rose mumbled and the Doctor felt her shiver in his arms.

"I wasn't thinking," the Doctor murmured. "But you're safe now, and I've got you and I'm gonna take you back to the TARDIS and get you warmed up and everything better."

He gave her a faint smile and brushed some of the muddy hair out of her face. She returned his smile and curled into his arms saying, "Well, you better carry me there then."

"Of course," the Doctor said as he carefully stood up, holding her against him.

"Now, I still trust you," Rose grabbed his tie for security. "So you better not drop me."

"Right," the Doctor nodded as he began to walk along the bank, carrying Rose back to their home.

"And better draw me up a bath so I can get this mud off," Rose continued.

"Right."

"And then give me some warm blankets and a movie."

"Right."

"And then let me sleep."

"Right," the Doctor said and then frowned. "Do you also want me to leave you alone with everything?"

"Oh no," Rose rested her head on his collar. "As part of your cliff-throwing punishment, you have to cuddle with me the whole time."

"Ooo, I don't know how that would be a punishment," the Doctor waggled his brows. "I quite like spending time with you… especially when you're in the bath."