A/N: So sorry for lack of updates, everyone. The story is just starting to pick up, and I will now be updating regularly. Please review, follow, and favorite! :)

The elevator came to slow stop, and a moment later the doors opened to reveal a long, silver hallway. Tony squirmed and Rose put him down, trying not to think about how fast he was growing up and how she used to hold him when she couldn't sleep…

"Hm. Nice construction," the Doctor commented at her side, freeing her from her thoughts.

Rose looked around at the pale, monotone silver which covered every inch of the hallway, even the floor. "Think I know what their favorite color is."

"They're a hive. They get orders and get them done. Doesn't matter how pretty it looks. Very productive, that's why their technology is so advanced. But it lacks creativity." He tutted and shook his head. "Why can there never be a good middle?"

"'Cause that's not how it works, mate," Pete added in, stopping as Jackie and the Vespiforms stopped ahead of him.

"These four rooms are for the humans," the Sergeant said, gesturing toward four equally spaced apart doors, much like the ones in the TARDIS.

Rose tried to catch her Mum's expression. She had expected her to handle everything fine up until this point, but separating Tony and Pete from her she thought for sure would be enough to make her step out of character.

Apparently not, or maybe she was secretly glad to have a Queen's chambers all to herself. All Jackie did was nod and shoot a look at Pete that said, "Tony is not getting his own room."

"The Queen's chambers are at the end of the hallway, but they have not been made fully suitable for your use yet."

"Still cleaning?" the Doctor asked.

The Sergeant fidgeted. "Yes, in fact. We had our best investigators trying to figure out how the Queen was captured, so the room was kept in its original condition for some time. However-"

"Is it still in that condition?"

"Well…yes. The cleaning crew should be here any minute." He cleared his throat in an uncomfortable way.

The Doctor nudged Rose. "We need to get in there," he muttered as the Sergeant said a few more things, something about tradition and customs.

"Find out how the Queen was kidnapped?"

He nodded. "From what I gather, her bedchamber was the last place she was known to be in. Looks like there are two guards outside at all times."

Rose followed his gaze down the hallway and saw two forms standing resolute in front of a large door. "Wouldn't the investigation team have found something?"

The Doctor gave her a look that said "Honestly, Rose?" But what came out of his mouth was, "I'm worth a hundred investigation teams."

"Always said you were humble."

He rolled his eyes but cracked a smile, training his eyes on the Sergeant once more. "I can lead you on a tour of the city now, if you like," the solemn Vespiform concluded.

"I'd like t' stretch my legs after bein' in that ship for hours," Jackie chimed in first.

"I'd agree with that," said Pete, looking back and raising his eyebrows at Rose.

"Yeah I'll go…but is there a loo I could use first?"

"Your room is equipped with a fully functional human restroom. Fortunately two humans visited us not too long ago, so we already had some prepared."

The Doctor's head shot up at this, but he must have decided it wasn't the best time to ask or comment. "I'll wait for Rose. We'll catch up." He gave Pete a meaningful look, and the director of Torchwood nodded minutely.

"Be out in a mo," she told the Doctor before claiming the first bedroom as her own. She closed the door behind her, not even glancing at the room, and listened. She waited until the Sergeant's voice had died down before opening the door.

The Doctor walked straight in, closing the door behind him. As he walked a few steps into the room lights flickered on automatically, coming from the walls and the ceiling. The room was revealed to be very spacious, furnished with a King's size bed, three couches, and a lush red carpet to match.

"There are perks to knowing royalty," the Doctor said as he ran a few steps and jumped straight onto the bed. He laughed as he spread out his arms and legs, bouncing into the air.

Rose crossed her arms and tried to look cross. "You know, that is my bed your gettin' your shoes all over."

"Fine." He pulled his shoes off and threw them at her. She deflected the blows and giggled as he proceeded to stand up and jump up and down, flinging the pillows all over.

"Anyone else would think you're a kid."

"Who said I wasn't? Everyone's a kid somewhere inside." He grinned at her, laughed one more time, and then collapsed onto the bed with sigh.

Rose smiled at him. "You got that out of you, then?"

"Yep. Time to go solve a kidnapping." He threw his legs over the side of the bed. "Toss me my trainers."

Rose picked them up and held them in front of her. "Not until you make the bed."

The Doctor looked at her incredulously. "Investigation. Right down the hallway. Cleaning crew coming any minute."

"Better do it fast, then."

He sighed and picked up a single pillow from the ground. Then, in a lightning fast move he threw it at her face, and in the moment she was stunned the trainers were gone from her grip.

"Oi! Not fair!" She smacked him across the face with the pillow.

The Doctor looked aghast for a moment before raising one eyebrow. "Rose, you really don't want to do this now."

"What, this?" She hit his arm but he snatched the pillow from her grasp and bopped her on the head with it. He looked at her seriously.

"Investigation. Now."