"Rose, why don't you go home for a while? You look like you're about to fall over sweetheart."

"No mum, I can't. You go home with Pete though, I'll be fine, really."

Jackie reached for her daughter's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I could stay with him, if you'd like… Go on, let Pete take you home, at least for a few hours, yeah? You can have a good kip, a bath and get something to eat. The surgeon said he would be out for a while so he won't even know you're gone. Please, sweetheart!"

Too tired to argue but not ready to leave his side, Rose just shook her head and continued staring at the bandaged and tattered man lying before her. She reached out and smoothed his covers for the hundredth time, a lone tear making its way down her cheek. Jackie knew she was fighting a losing battle, her daughter was just as stubborn as she was… more so even. She got up quietly and promised to return with some food in a moment.

The steady and hypnotic beeping of monitors and pumps were not making it very easy for Rose to stay awake. She was still exhausted from that weekend's ordeal and the last few hours had zapped her of what little energy she had left. She knew her mother was right, she must look awful. It was apparent in the way everyone looked at her, every doctor and every nurse, many of which had voiced their own concerns. Finally she had snapped and yelled at the whole lot of them. Pete quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation as they were in the Torchwood infirmary. Rose would feel terrible about her outburst later on but she was much too stressed and frantic to really care right then and there.

When Lars had emerged from the warehouse alone and wounded she'd known something was terribly wrong. Medics were dispatched immediately and it didn't take long to find and bring the Doctor out on a stretcher, unconscious and bloody. All of Rose's training and discipline failed her when she saw him. There was so much blood, far too much. This wasn't supposed to happen. Sheer terror gripped her and refused to let go. Commander Tyler, one of Torchwood's most detached and restrained in the face of chaos, completely panicked. It had taken several medics to pull her away in order to tend to him effectively before loading him up in one of the ambulances and rushing back to headquarters. Pete had taken Rose and sped off after them, trying to calm her on the way back to Torchwood.

When they arrived, the Doctor was already being wheeled into one of the infirmary's OR's, and all they knew for certain was that he had suffered various wounds, one to the head and two to the chest and abdomen. He had lost a large amount of blood but since his physiology was not completely human, it would take a while to figure out what type of volume expanders were safe to transfuse him with. That and the questions about the rest of his physiology (how close to human was it exactly?) made the surgery take twice as long since the surgeons were being extra cautious as they worked. Pete had phoned Jackie immediately, it was going to be a very long night for Rose and she needed her mother.

Finally, five hours later, they had wheeled him back out into the recovery ward. Rose let out a sigh of relief when she saw that he was breathing on his own with only a small nasal cannula to provide additional oxygen. His head was wrapped in gauze and there was an angry looking burn just peeking out from under the bandaging that extended down his temple and onto his cheek. His chest was also bandaged, as was his abdomen. He looked pale and so fragile, lying there unconscious with tubes and wires protruding left and right. It reminded Rose of another day she had spent looking after him shortly after he had regenerated, only this time he looked much worse. The surgeon had confirmed thermal damage to several vital organs, though the head trauma had been mostly superficial. Between the anesthetic and pain killers, he would be in and out of consciousness for a few hours yet.

Jackie brought back some food, a pillow and blankets and set them aside for Rose before giving her one last hug and kiss. She promised to return for her in the morning after Tony went to nursery so that Rose could go home and get some proper rest. Patting the Doctor gently on the leg, she gave them one last worried smile and left with Pete. Rose absentmindedly took a few bites out of her sandwich and then grabbed the pillow and blankets, trying to make herself as comfortable as possible in the recliner that would be her bed that night. She didn't think she would be able to fall asleep for a long time, but her exhaustion was too great and within minutes she was unconscious.

A few hours later she woke up with a start. She thought she had heard the Doctor calling out to her, but when she looked over at him, he lay completely still, eyes closed and his breathing slow and steady just like he had been when she had fallen asleep. She glanced at his monitors and was satisfied that his vital signs were all within normal limits. He didn't seem to be in any distress so she rearranged her pillow and blankets and closed her eyes again, hoping to squeeze in a few more hours of sleep before her mother returned to fetch her. She had almost dozed off when she heard the rustle of covers and a small groan. This time she was sure it really was him and instantly sat back up, eyes on his face. His brows were furrowed and he was turning his head slightly side to side. His lips were moving but she was unable to make out what he was saying. She tossed the covers off and quickly went to him, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking his hand in hers ever so gently.

"Doctor? It's me, Rose. Can you hear me?"

His lips had stopped moving and his face was relaxed once more. He seemed to have been about to wake up, but as Rose watched him carefully for further movement, she realized that perhaps not. He was quiet again, his hand limp in hers and his features those of someone who was still completely unaware of his surroundings. Rose sighed and leaned over carefully to press a soft kiss on his forehead. She smoothed his covers again and stood back up, deciding to take a quick trip to the loo before trying to get back to sleep. She hadn't taken more than two steps when she heard him again.

"Stella…"

Rose stopped in her tracks and spun back around. Had he just called out for…?

"Stella… no…"

Rose hurriedly approached him again and pushing down the sudden annoyance she was feeling, took his hand again and gave it a little squeeze.

"I'm here, Doctor. It's me, Rose. Can you open your eyes?"

Again his eyebrows furrowed and he tried to shake his head.

"No…don't want…it's not… please… Stella."

"Doctor, it's ok, shhhh… it's Rose. Please, open your eyes, yeah? Can you do that for me?" She leaned forward and gently brushed a finger across his cheekbone.

Summoning strength from who knows where, one of his hands came up and swatted at her, his face contorting in pain or anger, she wasn't sure which.

"No! Get away!... please… I need… must… Stella… please…"

Rose recoiled as though he had slapped her, though his swatting hand hadn't physically struck her. She stared at him for a few seconds, unable to make sense of what he was saying. His hand fell back to the bed and his features had begun to relax again but his lips still mumbled incoherently. The only word she was able to make out clearly as he repeated the same string on nonsense was the one she wished she hadn't heard.

When she next awoke, Rose saw that his eyes were open and he had his head turned towards her, a slight smile on his face. She sprang out of the recliner and went to him again. Gingerly, he scooted over to make room for her to sit by his legs. He reached for her hand which she immediately took and clung to. Her vision clouded over as tears began to silently make their way down her face again, retracing the same path they had flowed down the previous night for hours on end.

"Hey…" His voice was hoarse and gravelly. He cleared his throat in an attempt to sound a bit less pathetic and tried again. "Rose… hey, it's ok…"

He reached up in an attempt to wipe her tears but she was still clutching that hand so he couldn't lift it very far. Realizing what he was trying to do, she brought it up to her face and let him cup her cheek for a few seconds before turning her head slightly to kiss the palm of his hand. She closed her eyes as she leaned into it.

"Rose… are you ok? What… what happened? Where am I?"

Taking a moment to compose herself, she breathed in slowly, willing herself to remain calm and not allow her anger to surface. Not yet anyway, there would be plenty of time for lectures later. She opened her eyes and placed their hands back down in her lap.

"You're in the Torchwood infirmary, Doctor… You were seriously injured yesterday, you took a few hits to your chest and abdomen, and a pretty good blow to the head as well. You lost a lot of blood."

Confusion was written plainly on his face, as he tried to lift his head to look down at himself but was quickly replaced with a quiet groan as he let it fall back onto his pillow, his eyes screwed shut in pain.

"What? Injured? But how? Where? The last thing I remember was tending to you back at the flat. How long have I been unconscious? My… my time senses, I can't… Rose, I can't remember…" His eyes widened and he looked slightly panicked.

"Hey, it's ok… shh, calm down, it's probably just the effects of the anesthetic, yeah? It'll come back to you. This is the first time you've been properly conscious in about twelve hours or so."

"Rose, what exactly happened?"

"Well, Pete called me to go out on a mission. They had lost contact with our Prelim team during a routine search of an abandoned warehouse down by the docks. You… you told Pete I was unwell, unfit for duty, and he sent you in my stead."

The Doctor studied her face quietly for a moment.

"You're angry with me for that."

Sighing, Rose shook her head. "No… not really. I wasn't feeling well at all, so you were right, and it's a good thing I didn't go in there… I probably wouldn't have made it out alive."

"Alright… so… why are you angry with me then?"

She carefully schooled her features, trying to keep as neutral an expression as possible. "I'm not, Doctor… it's fine, I'm just… I'm just tired is all. It's been a really rough night."

He wasn't buying it. Sure she looked exhausted but there was something she wasn't telling him.

"Rose Tyler, you're lying to me. What is it? Please, tell me."

Getting up and turning her back to him, she began to fold her blankets. "Doctor… just drop it, yeah? We can talk about it later… when you're better. This isn't a conversation we want to be having here. Trust me." She grabbed the pillow, adding it to her neatly folded pile, and tucking them underneath her arm promised to be right back.

The Doctor watched her walking towards the nurse's station and sighed. He would try again when she got back, he decided. However, he never got the chance because after speaking with the nurses for a few moments, she glanced over her shoulder at him and then walked further down the hall until she disappeared from his view completely. A few minutes later a nurse approached him and after checking his monitors and bandages, proceeded to inject something into his IV tubing. Before the Doctor could protest, or ask what she was giving him even, he felt himself growing quite heavy and though he struggled to keep his eyes open, was pulled back under within seconds.

When Rose returned from the loo, the Doctor was fast asleep again. She assumed he had been given something since she'd mentioned to the nurses that he seemed to be in some pain. It was rather cowardly of her, but she had hoped they would respond with some form of narcotic or sedative as she hurried away to give herself a few minutes to decide on what to do next. She knew broaching what happened with the gun would not be a good thing right now, but she could see the determination in his eyes. He didn't like feeling out of the loop, and at the moment he was missing quite an important chunk of memory. Rose knew how disorienting that felt, having just gone through it herself that weekend, so she felt guilty not being more direct in her answers but… the last thing he needed right now was to get worked up, and there was no way they were getting through that conversation without angers flaring.
Glancing at her watch, she saw that it was still early enough that it would be a few hours before her mum came to pick her up. Deciding that now was as good a time as any to go home and clean up, she left him a note, grabbed her things and began to walk over to security. She could get a ride home from one of the many guards. She'd ring her mum once she got back to the flat.

When the Doctor opened his eyes again, he found himself alone. Sunshine was coming in through the overhead windows, so he knew some time had passed since he'd last been awake, though how much time exactly still alluded him. His senses felt sluggish and his head hurt, though not unbearably so. The recliner Rose had been in was empty, her purse and keys were also gone. He reached for his call light and pressed a few buttons, controlling the bed in order to get himself into a semi-sitting position. He had to go slowly and take steadying breaths in through his nose, gritting his teeth against the searing pain in his abdomen. When he was finally somewhat comfortable again, he looked around and saw that there was a note on his bedside table, just underneath a pen. He picked it up and recognized Rose's handwriting immediately.

Doctor,
I'm going back to the flat for a few hours to clean up and get something to eat. I expect you'll be here for a few more days so I'll bring back some books and things for you. Please just try to rest, I'll be back soon.

Love, Rose

Sighing, he rested his head back against his pillow and closed his eyes. He wished he could remember what all had occurred to him. He folded and unfolded the note in his hands and tried to mentally inventory his injuries. His could tell he had a moderate concussion, and some burns to his scalp and face. Those seemed to be the least of his worries. His heart rate was slightly elevated and his blood pressure lower than normal, though that would be attributed to his blood loss. His lungs seemed to be functioning just fine though, so whatever chest injury he had sustained hadn't damaged them. The soreness to his right upper chest suggested a damaged rib or two. The worst of his pain was concentrated lower down in his abdomen. He could feel the rigidity of what felt like plastic drains poking out of his side and coupled with an almost complete lack of peristalsis concluded that he must have suffered damage to the gut. He opened his eyes and ventured a peak down through the top of his hospital gown, which confirmed the placement of various drains and bandaging to his upper and lower torso. He wiggled his toes and moved his legs gingerly, pleased that they were fine with the exception of some bruising and soreness. His arms and hands were fine as well.

A nurse came by to check on him and after changing a few of his bandages, left him alone again. He declined the pain medication she offered for the moment and just closed his eyes, hoping that would help somewhat. He did not like the idea of waking up from a drug induced haze just to succumb to another one, particularly since that would do nothing to help with his lack of memory. He also wanted to be awake when Rose returned.

A short while later, footsteps alerted him that someone was approaching. Hoping it was Rose; he put on his most winning grin and opened his eyes. It wasn't, however.

"Doctor, my goodness, just look at the state of you! I came as soon as I heard, are you alright?"

His boss gave him a warm smile and pulled up a chair by his bed. She leaned forward and stretched out her arm, resting her hand lightly over his.

"Stella, hello! Yes, I'm… well, I guess I'm rather banged up, aren't I?" He gave her a lopsided grin as he gestured down at himself with his head.

Shaking her head, she gave him a sad smile. "Yes, I'd say so… how do you feel? Are you in much pain?"

"Naaaah, I'm fine. Can't remember much though, I'm sure all the pain medication they're pumping me full of isn't helping…"

Stella sat up straight and frowned, crossing her arms. "You don't remember… anything? How you got hurt? Nothing?"

"Nope. Nothing. It's rather annoying, actually, and I only spoke with Rose for a little while before they drugged me again, so no."

Giving him a reassuring smile, she reached for him again and patted his arm. "Don't let it bother you, I'm sure the haze will lift. Like you said, it's probably all the drugs, that's all. But don't you go trying to be a hero, you hear? You won't get better if you don't take your medicine like a good boy." She winked at him.

The Doctor chuckled and then grimaced in pain. Stella gave him a meaningful smirk as if to say, "I told you so!"

Just then the Doctor caught a glimpse of Rose's approaching figure just over Stella's shoulder. The goofy grin that suddenly bloomed on his face alerted Stella without her even having to turn around.

"Well Doctor, I'm sorry you are hurting but glad I didn't find you in any worse shape than this. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help aid in your recovery, yes?"

Eyes returning to his boss's face, he smiled amiably and thanked her for her visit.

"Oh not at all, Doctor, I was so worried! Everyone at the labs is, and I just wanted to some see with my own eyes that you were alright. They'll all be relieved that you're on the mend." She slid her hand down to his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Just then Rose approached the foot of his bed. Stella looked up.
"Rose, good morning. I was just leaving. Glad to see you're uninjured… I heard the Doctor went in your stead? Feeling better then?"

Though her smile and tone were friendly enough, Rose could hear the veiled implication in what she had said. Plastering on an equally false smile, she nodded. "Yes, much better, thanks."

"Good, well… I better be off then. Doctor, take care of yourself. Let me know if I can be of any assistance." She gave his hand one more squeeze and then excused herself.

Rose watched her go, trying hard not to think too much about her hand on his… or what he'd been muttering the night before.

"Rose?"

Turning to meet his gaze again, she saw that he was looking up at her worriedly, his hand outstretched. Smiling, she took his hand and sat down by his legs, looking him up and down quickly.

"How are you feeling Doctor? Are you hurting?

"Only a little… how about you? You still look so tired, Rose… did you sleep any?"

"A bit. Mostly I just wanted to shower and change and I did… so I feel loads better."

He eyed her suspiciously. "Promise?"

"Promise."

The Doctor noted with a sudden jolt of unease that once again he didn't believe a word that was coming out of her mouth. Frustration rankled within him but something in the way she held his gaze warned him against pursuing the matter. So instead he smiled back at her and decided to let her keep her secrets for now. Surely she would open up to him later, she always did. If there was something he could always count on, it was Rose Tyler speaking her mind.