16 You Shall Not Pass

Four hours, 22 minutes, and 36 seconds later, they are in the Kitchen enjoying fresh tea and sandwiches on the dishes they had made in the Music Room, as they've taken to calling it. Thinking a Music Room sounds very posh and royal, Rose and Jack are having their lunch with affected blue-blood accents, lifted pinkies, and much giggling.

With a final, "We are not amused Jack Harkness, with your attempts at hilarity," from Rose; Jack completely loses it, and is holding his sides laughing.

"Oh Rosie, stop. My sides hurt!"

"Well, it serves you right, for making me drop the last bite of my sandwich into my lap," she answers with a tongue-in-tooth grin. He hopes he sees Rose this happy every day he has with her. Just seeing her like this soothes wounds of his own that he didn't even know existed.

Rose catches her own breath and with a smile, watches Jack as he gathers up their newly minted dishes taking them to the sink to wash. She's amazed at the changes his aura has gone through, and he hasn't even been in the TARDIS for 24 hours yet. More and more of his soft red is showing through, and much of the brown and black has receded or lightened, and there's no green of fear.

He had been instrumental in helping her with the Manifestations. He could really sing, it had been a joy harmonising with him. It took them a little bit to hit their stride, but he could sense where she was going musically, and had a good feel for what she needed. He brought the lower end of the scale to the soundscape, and with it she was able to weave that solidity into her golden spheres as she wrote her intent in the air before them. The latter successes were exciting and she was feeling much more confident about her abilities to do what was needed when they met the Sontarans.

Except, working the Spherical Gallifreyan is taxing, even to her advanced physiology. She can see the exhaustion in the set of Jack's shoulder, and the yawns he's stifling with his back to her. Just managing to cover up her own yawns, she gets up and helps Jack finish. When they put everything away, she gives him a long and thankful hug.

"What's that for, Rosie?" Jack asks. He doesn't want her stop, but she's putting a lot into this hug.

"I couldn't have done it without you today. Thanks for being so willing to help, and for finding the key to making it work," she says stepping back and leaning against the counter.

"Well, that was definitely one of the most unique experiences of my life, and I wouldn't have missed it. Can you imagine what we could do if the Doctor sang with us during a Manifestation?" he asks, joining her in leaning against the counter shaking his head, "With you two building the Spheres for the Intent, and me bolstering the soundscape, who knows what we could accomplish."

With another yawn, and a stretch he turns to Rose not noticing her wide-eyed look; kissing her lightly on the forehead, "I'm off to bed. It's been amazing, but it sure takes it out of a mere human like myself." With a grin and a wave he heads to his room.

The startled look on Rose's face has now shifting to thoughtful as she contemplates that depth of possibilities that Jack's off hand statement has elicited. Reaching for Darling, Rose asks,

/Did you know about all of this? The Doctor, Jack, and I working together with Manifestations, like this?/

~Yes, and no, my Wolf. I see everything all the time. It is navigating those tracks that takes up so much attention. There are so many choices to make, always, and each choice creates many new avenues. So yes, I saw this as a possibility, but it was not the one I was navigating for when I took us to Chelsea 426. There are many Timelines where meeting Jack "now" does not happen and it IS the Time Agency that wipes his memory. Those timelines are now closed, and that will not happen. The Timelines that show this Circular Paradox are fewer, but also contain the potentials for even greater possibilities and chances for even greater disasters. I must walk us through this very carefully.~

/Well, that's cheerful,/ Rose snorts at Darling.

~Oh my Wolf, I have faith in you, my Thief, and the Lover. The three of you together can be so much more, and the potentials available are staggering. So much possibility, but it is a fine line, and some portions are not…pleasant, but they are unavoidable.~

/Cryptic, I hate cryptic!/ Feeling Darling about to apologise, Rose stops her, /No, it's okay. I understand. I know how this works now, but I'm just so worried about the Doctor, and having Jack with us. How the Doctor is going to react to him being here, how the Doctor is going to feel about me shifting Timelines…There's just so much! /

~My Wolf, you are not alone, and soon we will have my Thief back. He needs you. You should rest now. We will be arriving soon.~

Nodding and murmuring her thanks to Darling, Rose heads down the hall to her room. She is so tired. Tomorrow will bring answers, and hopefully will bring them to the Doctor. Getting ready for bed and being asleep is only a matter of minutes tonight, and this time her dreams only contain the usual adventures-happier days with her Doctor.

4 hours, 45 minutes, and 13 seconds later Rose is awoken to the sound of the Cloister Bells and the TARDIS being tossed around like a piece of flotsam in a flood. Scrambling to get dressed and make it to the Console Room in one piece, Rose tries to reach Darling.

/What the hell is happening? It's never been this rough in the bedrooms before?/

#Vortex Storm/MUST get through#

Rose receives this in much the same way as the Doctor, a series of images, and feelings. Darling is obviously completely involved with trying to keep them safe, and can't interface with Rose the way she normally does. The images of a giant storm in the heaving Vortex outlined with angry colour, and lightening fills Rose with dread. It's a nearly solid mass of writhing black and swirling colours, punctuated by eye-searing purple lightning. It pulsates in a way that almost makes it feel alive, and that 'thing' is keeping them from leaving the Vortex, and that isn't going to happen. She has her man to save, and no force of Nature, no matter how alien, is going to keep her from doing it.

As she reaches the Console, Jack comes spilling out of the hallway, as well. Reaching for a handhold on the Console across from her, he asks how to help. This whole situation reminds him clearly of the landings with their first Doctor from Rose's memories. Trying bravely to hang on with one hand, the other flipping switches and working controls, she calls out instructions to Jack. She finally gets the correct sequence, and they drive themselves into the heart of the Storm. Just as they reach an intensity she's sure will tear them apart, Rose drops them straight out of the Vortex and into Space. The sudden change in fields throws them to the floor and cracks a couple of Coral arches, but they're now steady in space. Rose and Jack pick themselves up from the grating, checking for injuries in a fine dusting of aggrieved Coral bits. Jack has a small cut above his left eye and Rose has a bruised knee and shoulder from falling against the jumpseat.

"Are you alright?" she calls to Jack.

"Yeah. I'll be fine. What the hell was all that? I was having the best dream, and then I was kissing a rug. The TARDIS redecorated my room by the way. Very cool!" He doesn't look too bad off, and just related all that with his typical smile; so he'll be fine.

"The TARDIS said there was a storm in the Vortex that was blocking the wormhole out to our destination, and she couldn't avoid it. So I flew us right into its teeth, then turned of the Vortex stabilisers which dropped us into regular space…abruptly. Sorry about that," she explains as she looks into the view-screen, seeing where they ended up.

"Oh, well that's not too bad. We're the day prior to the fleet's arrival in Sol system, but we're in a whole other galaxy. Luckily only time travel involves the Vortex. We should be able to hop in linear space without too much issue…I hope." Rose realises that she isn't really sure, looking up at the cracked coral struts and the dust.

"I don't think I like it when you aren't sure Rose. Is there anything we can do to help? I'm pretty handy with repairs," Jack offers in case they need him. He hates feeling useless.

/Darling? Are you alright? That was awfully exciting./

~Yes my Wolf, I will be fine. Several connections and couplings have come loose, and the Lover can help with those. If he comes beneath the Console, I will show him. Also, I need some time to heal the struts that cracked. I am sorry, but we should have plenty of Time still. You are correct that once repaired, the spacial jump will cause no further problems.~

/I'm so glad! I was worried when you couldn't talk to me earlier./

Rose's deeper connection to the TARDIS usually gives her a sense of how she is feeling, but everything she is picking up now is tinged with an unhappy orange of exhaustion. Darling is tired, and it worries Rose.

Sending waves of sympathy and understanding Rose relates to Jack what the TARDIS needs him to do. The TARDIS does not mention that she too had been worried when she couldn't talk to Rose the way they usually do. She needs a trip to Cardiff, or she will soon have to convert some rooms for power.

It takes them 16 hours and 22 minutes to get the TARDIS fixed, and for her to determine her struts sound again. Compressing storage areas, and collapsing a couple of the recreation rooms, Darling is feeling a little better, and they're ready to go. Inputting the altered coordinates to include the correct galaxy for their destination, Rose throws the dematerialisation switch. They fade out of one black star-spangled expanse of space to materialise in another, this one filled with a marvellous view of blue Neptune.

"Alright Jack. Are you ready to do this?" Rose needs to ask him one more time.

"Yes, ma'am. I'm here for you," he replies with a resolved smile of support.

"I have to give them a choice Jack. I can't just end them without giving them an option. I learned that from the Doctor. It has to be their decision." Rose knows how the Sontarans will reply, but she couldn't live with herself if she just murdered them.

"They're Sontaran Rose," Jack says softly. "They don't know how to choose any other option."

"I know."

"Well, let's do this then."

With a sigh Rose 'calls' Commander Straarl.

"Commander Straarl of the 35th Sontaran Battle Fleet. This is Rose Tyler, and I demand you cease your advance on Chelsea 426."

Commander Straarl comes up on the screen. She can't tell if he looks surprised or not. Clones, they take all the fun out of everything.

"Human girl. Do not interfere or we will blow your puny vessel from space."

"I am not human, Commander Straarl. I am a Time Lord, and you will not be allowed to continue if you do not leave now. This is your last chance, or I will destroy you and your entire fleet. Go. Home." Rose's eyes turn gold, as she taps into Bad Wolf and allows her to slide forward.

"Puny, insulting human! We are the Mighty 35th Sontaran Battle Fleet! We will not Go. Home. We…"

"ENOUGH!" Rose shouts at the screen. She has had too much fear and heartsache, to allow him to bully her further, and Bad Wolf will not tolerate it. Commander Straarl ends the communication and immediately begins firing weapons at her and the TARDIS.

"This is over." Rose's voice now has an echo to it, and she's starting to bleed gold dust.

"Jack, do you trust me?" Rose/Bad Wolf asks taking his hand and catching his gaze with hers.

"Yes, with everything," he adds in case she needs it.

"Hold on…to me," she says to him with an inhuman and feral smile as he comes closer.

Walking to the TARDIS doors, she throws them open. Wrapping herself and Jack in gold dust she steps out into nothing, pulling Jack along. Rose/BadWolf strides out as if there is solid footing and so there seems to be. About twenty meters from the TARDIS she turns to face the oncoming barrage. Placing Jack's hand on her shoulder Rose/Bad Wolf starts the first chord, and lifting her arms begins drawing the circles for what she wants.

Tapping into their working rapport, Jack understands she requires more complexity, and starts improvising to support her needs. Nodding, Rose continues writing; drawing circles and arches of many sizes, some mere outlines and others nearly opaque. Looking through the amber-coloured disks, Jack can see the missiles and energy discharges that are headed straight for them. With a last sweep of her arm, she turns the words edge on. Pausing, and definitely not thinking about how they're hovering space, he continues adding to Rose's harmonies. Breathing more power into her Song the words become shining translucent spheres of melodic intent. Setting them in motion through and around each other, her and Jack's Song reaches a crescendo as she sends their intentions screaming back toward the Sontarans.

As soon as that set of intentions is on its way they begin crafting the next. This one is many abstracts, and blended ideas. They are not building objects this time, but concepts. Feeling as if she has the support of the Sphynx in her mind, Rose accesses more of Bad Wolf.

Bad Wolf knows what needs to be done, but she also sees the opportunity Rose is considering. Reaching into her pocket, Rose/Bad Wolf pulls out a few small very black pebbles about the size of a peach pits.

Earlier, Rose had come from her shower while Jack was napping and found the small pile of stones on her night stand.

/What are these Darling?/ Picking one up she's surprised by how heavy they are compared to their size.

~They are the tears the Sphynx wept when I spoke of the destruction caused by the Time War and the deaths of my sisters, her children. They store energy.~

She then shows Rose what she means in a series of images and impressions outlining their possible uses in the future depending on what happens today. Rose immediately sees their potential, but still hates that destructive forces have to be used. She will give the Sontarans a chance, even though it's foolish to think they'll take it. Pocketing the stones she heads to the Console Room, ready for battle.

Now, Rose/Bad Wolf takes the stones, seeding the intentions of Her next Song around them. Looking up, they watch as the first wave of their assault has devoured all of the weapons sent toward them. Rose/Bad Wolf can sense the disbelief coming from the Sontarans, but there's a manic need to revenge themselves on this puny creature. She feels the insensible fury from all of them. Not a single Sontaran wants to do anything, but make her pay for her insult. They aren't afraid now, and they probably won't ever be.

Grimly, Rose/Bad Wolf and Jack push all of themselves into the final Manifestation of their intentions. Setting the seeded spheres in motion with her hands and thoughts, she releases them rushing outward and the final fate of the entire Sontaran fleet comes barreling through Space for them. Being merciful, they don't ever know what hit them.

Rose/Bad Wolf and Jack continue singing their Song toward the fleet, bolstering its power. As the first golden seeded chords reach the fleet a wave of bright gold swallows each ship; reaching for those that attempt to move away. As the ships are enveloped, they cease to be. All the potential energy that they once possessed is channeled into the Tears. Finally, they allow the chord to fade away as the last bit of energy is sent into the last of the Tears.

Hanging there, in now empty space, Rose feels the fabric of space-time convulse as that Timeline collapses and this one takes its place. They are at the epicentre, as the waves speed away from them changing the Universe behind them. Rose starts experiencing the disconcerting feeling of having a new set of memories added to the ones she already has. The new memories are not substantially different; the Doctor is still taken. They still don't reach him on time, and he is still borne away by that lunatic. For her and Jack the only difference is no Sontarans destroying Chelsea 426. She knows thousands of people will have no idea that they just came back to life, and their lovely City will be around for another couple of centuries.

Still wrapped in their cocoon of gold the trio hear the TARDIS calling to them. The established rapport lets even Jack hear her Song, and feel the pull as she reminds them that they are not elemental beings in total, and they must return to the safety of the TARDIS. The part that is Rose understands, and wants to go back, she's so very tired. The part that is Jack is exhausted and nearly unconscious. Bad Wolf is pleased with the outcome. Reaching out with more of her golden tendrils she draws the now cooled Tears to her. Turning away from the empty space that once held a fleet of starships, they walk back to the TARDIS on a path made of golden light and thought alone.

Upon reaching the grating, the TARDIS encourages Bad Wolf to let go. Rose is almost too tired to even help. But she does by drawing the golden energy back into herself, and returning it to its place behind her inner door again, thanking Bad Wolf. The Tears, previously floating around her drop to the floor in oddly dull heavy little thumps. Slumping to her knees on the grating, Rose hangs her head a moment. She's incredibly tired, not only physically, but emotionally. It hurt her to have the Sontarans reject her so fully. It hurt to destroy them utterly. It hurt to know how easy it is to commit such an atrocity. She knows it's for the good of the entire Universe, but it had been her choice to follow through. She would make the same one again, but she suddenly understands her Doctor better, and that too makes her tired.

With a groan she stands and turns looking for Jack. He's slumped on the grating near her. She feels a flicker of panic, but upon touching him, she knows he's only sleeping. Getting an arm under his shoulder, she's able to manoeuvre him up the ramp and to his room. Being stronger as a Time Lord does have its uses, but he's still heavy. Darling helpfully pulls his room to the front, and Rose steps in depositing him on his bed. She's much too tired to notice the efforts that the TARDIS went to for Jack's room. On her way back out she palms the light off, and pauses in the Control Room.

/Are we good Darling? I think I may need to sleep a full night tonight, before we retrieve the Doctor. I can't hardly see right now, and my head feels funny. Can we get back to the Vortex?/

~I am afraid not, my Wolf. It will still be in too much turmoil. The portal will not be accessible for a few linear days yet, as things calm down.~

/Right. Well, I'll start looking for him when I wake up then. It can't be too hard. There should only be so many places a broken ship can go./

Receiving a warm mental hug from Darling, Rose sees her room is now the one at the front, and she gratefully steps inside. Discarding her clothing across the floor on her way to the bed, Rose pushes her way beneath the covers, and is asleep before she can even root around for the Doctor's pillow. She is still covered in a fine layer of gold dust. Since her body and mind can now rest, Rose slips into a deeper healing coma. Damage was done to her brain channeling that much of Bad Wolf through it. With Rose's consciousness buried deep in the healing coma, a strand of Bad Wolf comes out and helps her brain structures heal themselves. She nudges here and there to create a better platform for the Interface. She and her Rose have much left to do, and this will help. Satisfied with the alterations she slides back into her space, content to wait for the next task.