Curb Appeal
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Previously in Chapter Three ...
"Listen Rose. I didn't have time to be cordial with the woman. She was insisting I leave you be and wait for the ambulance, but you were hurt badly and I couldn't. You were on the left side of the vehicle where the truck hit. Jackie was on the right in the back seat behind Shireen. But you, your body absorbed most of the impact. Between the blunt force of the blow and the glass that flew in, you were a right bloody mess. And I had to make sure you would be all right. I, I just had to. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, I do. But do you understand what you did? You took me away from my mum, Doctor. And now she's out there, somewhere, and doesn't know if her only child is dead or alive."
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Chapter Four:
He Hadn't Thought
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"But they were fine - they were both fine!" the Doctor defended himself, realizing the implications of her words. "I checked Shireen over. She had a few cuts and bruises, but nothing life threatening. Your mother, on the other hand, barely let me look at her. But she wasn't hurt badly, and trust me, her lungs were working just fine. She and some passer-by decided to try and take you away from me. Can you imagine? Chased by Jackie Tyler," he visibly shivered. "I actually had to hide us from them for a few moments to ensure you didn't end up being cared for by some backwardly barbaric doctor. How one single human can be so very loud is beyond me. But she really is all right, I promise you."
Rose nodded then suddenly fell against him, still weak from her injuries and the repairs done to them. The Doctor scooped her into his arms and carried her back over to the couch, gently laying her upon it.
"Rose?" He rubbed his palm over her forehead with soothing motions, giving her a few moments until clarity returned in her eyes. "I'm going to give you a sedative. Something to help you rest, which is really what you need right now more than anything else." He turned away from her for a moment, returning to her scant seconds later holding a shiny silver hypo in his left hand while his right hand grabbed hers.
"But -"
"No buts. When you wake up, I'll have brought Jackie in here, and you can see that she's fine and talk to her yourself. All right?"
Rose nodded as the Doctor placed the hypo on her arm, administering the medication. Its effect was fast. He watched as she drifted off, then looked at the empty hypo still held in his hands.
He thought perhaps he should get another. Surely he'd need it for his own safety where facing Jackie Tyler was concerned...
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The Doctor walked up to the TARDIS doors, staring at the aged wood as he stopped in front of them. He knew, without telepathic abilities or any other tricks up his sleeve, that Jackie was just on the other side, waiting for him.
He didn't want to face her, really and truly would have preferred that a Slitheen stood on the outside of his ship, but guilt urged him to grasp the handles.
He'd quite literally snatched an injured child from its mother and left her with no knowledge of said child's condition. He hadn't given it a thought, to be honest. His only concern at the time was making sure that Rose remained alive long enough for him to repair her injuries and keep her whole. And alive she was, thank goodness.
It was Rose who'd pointed out the mental anguish he was now responsible for with her mother. He'd have to apologize for being rude yet again, though he would never be sorry about his priorities. He was sure Jackie would understand and forgive him, given time and the outcome. Eventually ...
He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering clearly his arguing with the elder Tyler female - arguing until he was done wasting the time it took to yell the angry words and heartfelt pleas when he decided that action was his only recourse. He'd checked Rose for spinal injuries during their exchange of opinions on her treatment. He had felt every bone for breaks. And when he'd determined it wouldn't be fatal to move her, he lifted Rose into his arms and carried her away, all the while ignoring Jackie as she screamed and pulled and begged him to leave her child alone.
He had been fast, gaining a little distance from Rose's mum and the stranger who helped her chase him as he ran to his ship. When he entered the TARDIS, he'd closed the doors soundly with a swift kick of his foot, preventing the woman's entrance without thought.
The Doctor focused on nothing else, his fear for the injured human pressed against his chest driving him forward. Only now did he recall Jackie's screamed words, begging him to bring her baby back. As he listened to her voice replaying in his mind, he heard the desperation in each and every word, causing his hearts to clench.
Yes, he would deserve every minuscule word of disgust she'd dish out. Would deserve the anger and utter hatred she'd vocally assault him with. He did not regret his actions, however, because they were the difference between life and death for Rose. But he did regret the pain he'd inflicted on Jackie.
So, time to face the music, then. He squeezed the handles and pulled them.
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The first thing he noticed was rain. Lightly misting, it was a soaking sort; the kind that you could stand beneath and your clothing would be dripping in minutes.
The second thing he realized was that Jackie was not in front of the doors waiting, which surprised him.
Stepping out into the cool air, he called to her. Surely she wouldn't have left ...
A scuffling noise to his right had the Doctor turning and looking around to the side of the TARDIS. There he watched Jackie stand up. She was soaked through and through, her clothes hanging heavily on her body.
Her face was smeared in make-up, mascara streaking down her cheeks to her chin. Her hair was askew, wet and stringy like a pup who'd been playing in puddles. But it was her eyes that caught his attention the most. They lacked all hope, looking dead to the world around her.
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