Hey babes! Back with my second to last entry for DoctorRose Bingo! This was one originally had a different plan, but that one wasn't quite working, so we ended up with this. I still think it's pretty great. :)

Enjoy!


He's in his lab at Torchwood when he gets the call. Unfortunately, it isn't the first call that's made, which he knows immediately is going to have him in some hot water from at least one person. No matter how much he will try to explain that he was in the middle of a project and was so laser-focused, it isn't going to matter. Especially if he's not there. He'll never hear the end of it. From more than one person.

He only hears the first few words coming through the speaker before he's running out of his lab and rushing quickly through the hallways to get to the levels with the exit onto the street. He even forgoes the lift, not wanting to waste a single second and risk missing more than he already has. He wouldn't have even been in his lab if he knew it'd be happening today. They should have had another week at least. He was prepared for one more week.

As soon as he reaches the main floor, he sprints past security (they're all familiar with him enough by now to not blink an eye at whatever he does) and pushes through the front doors. He doesn't even think about jumping into his car to drive there, knowing that London traffic won't get him there as quickly as he needs.

So he runs. As fast as his human legs will carry him, his one singular heart pumping hard in his chest to keep him going to his destination. He doesn't think he's ever run so hard in his life. But there is so much more on the line here, so much that he's not willing to miss.

He can feel the sweat soaking the collar of his shirt, as well as the underarms, and he prays it isn't much farther. In reality, he knows it's only a few blocks away, but there's something about running that entire distance that makes it seem like it's much further away than it is.

But he doesn't stop, no matter how much he's sweating or how loudly his heart is pounding. He can't stop. He has to make it there. And running is his best chance to do so with hopefully some time to spare.

By the time he finally reaches the hospital, he's panting.

He moves quickly through the front doors and makes a beeline for the front desk, leaning up against it and taking a moment to catch his breath.

"Sir, can I help you?"

He nods, swallowing. "I'm here for my wife."

"Name?"

"Tyler. Rose Tyler. She's in maternity."

The woman smiles with recognition and amusement shining in her eyes. "Ah, Mr. Tyler. We've been expecting you."

"You have?"

"Your mother-in-law has been very…adamant about finding out where you've been."

He groans. "I'm sorry."

The woman shakes her head. "She's not the first and certainly won't be the last. Nurse Dyer can show you to your wife's room."

"Thank you." He offers a polite smile and then quickly follows the nearby Nurse through the hospital corridors and up to the maternity ward.

Now that he isn't running, he's just jittery. His mind is racing and his fingers want to be fidgeting with something to simply pass the time in the lift. He could have run up the stairs faster. But it's probably best that he didn't. Taking the lift gives him a chance to cool down and get his heart rate back to a steadier rhythm.

There is a part of his brain that says it's pointless, to just let his heart rate stay elevated because it's no doubt going to get there again anyways once he reaches his wife. But he ignores that part of his brain. The important thing is his wife, not his own health. Though, Rose would argue that his health is majorly important too, now that he only has the one human life and doesn't get any more.

The lift stopping breaks him out of his head, the slight jolt bringing him back to the present. The car dings and then the doors slide open and he slips out as soon as there's enough space. He glances side to side down the hall, trying to decide which way to go, when a hand lands gently on his shoulder.

"She's down that way," Nurse Dyer tells him with a kind, if not amused, smile, gesturing to the left. "Room nine."

He grins. "Thanks." He pivots on his heels and nearly sprints down the hallway toward his wife's room.

When he finally reaches it, he skids to a stop just outside, takes a deep breath, and then raises a fist to knock on the door. Within seconds, the door is swung open, his mother-in-law standing on the other side, practically fuming.

"And where the hell have you been?"

"Um, I was…well, the thing is…I'm really…"

"Mum, just let him inside. Please."

He peers past his mother-in-law, his eyes immediately drawn to his wife lying in a hospital bed. His eyes flit back to Jackie who glares slightly at him but steps aside anyway.

He flashes her a quick, grateful smile and hurries into the room, falling to his knees at Rose's bedside. "I haven't missed it, have I?" he asks, somehow still out of breath.

She shakes her head, wincing. "No."

"You nearly did," Jackie chastises him. "Few more minutes and you might not have made it on time."

Rose sighs. "Mum, please. Can you not do this right now?"

"Fine. But don't think I'm done with this," Jackie says, pointing directly at him.

He swallows. "Wouldn't dream of it." He turns back to Rose and lets his eyes roam her entire form. "How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?"

"Just stay here with me."

He grabs her hand and brings it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back. "I'm not going anywhere."

And he doesn't.

Several hours later, he sits on the edge of Rose's bed in her recovery room, cradling their newborn daughter in his arms. She's sleeping peacefully, her small body bundled up securely in a hospital-issued blanket. Rose sits up behind him, her chin resting comfortably on his shoulder.

"I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight," she whispers.

He nods. "I don't think I have either. And I've been to some of the most amazing views in the galaxies. She absolutely beats them all. Do you hear that, Mia?" he directs toward his daughter. "You're the most beautiful being in all of creation. Save for your mum, of course."

Rose swats him lightly on the shoulder. "Stop it, I still look gross."

He smiles up at her. "You brought our daughter into the world, Rose. You've never looked more beautiful." He kisses her and then shifts his attention back to his daughter. "But your mother is so much more than her looks, Mia. She's one of the bravest people I know and has an incredible heart. And just like me, she'll do just about anything for you. She's going to set the bar very high."

"Oh, I think you've already done that, love. You ran the entire way here so you wouldn't miss her birth. She wasn't even born yet and you were already setting the bar for her future partner."

He frowns deeply. "No. I don't want to think about that right now. But it's true. Do you hear that, Mia? Never ever settle for someone who won't run blocks and blocks just to see you."

Rose hugs him from behind. "You did that for me once. Ran blocks and blocks just to hold me."

He looks up at grins. "And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. In my one, singular human heartbeat." He turns his grin onto his daughter, raising her just enough to press a kiss to the top of her head. "I'd run anywhere for my girls. Absolutely anywhere."


So? What did you think? Let me know in a review down below. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Until next time,
Jellybean96 out!