Chapter Five: The Next Adventure

March 13th, 2009

Rose stood in the doorway to her house, Steven stood behind her, holding her one bag as she said goodbye.

Rose stood holding her baby sister for a moment, "You are going to be the most amazing woman one day. You'll rule the world," she pressed a kiss to Lilly's forehead.

Standing up she offered her father a quick hug, he pulled her close, squeezing her for a moment, "I love you Rose," he whispered. She handed Lily to him.

"I love you all," she replied. Rose finally faced her mother, whose face was red with tears. Reaching out Rose wiped one of them away, "I'll be fine mum, an' I'll phone."

Jackie nodded; they'd worked so hard after Rose's accident to keep the truth about the Doctor and the time traveling from their daughter. Rose hadn't ever really questioned it. However, Jackie suddenly realized there was no use; her daughter was too much like her real father, too much like the Pete from the other universe. Never one to sit still, she always had to have an adventure.

With another short wave goodbye, Rose stepped out of the house, Steven smiled at her, and he held out his hand, which she willingly accepted. "Ready Hermoid," he spoke. A second later with a bright light the two disappeared.

Steven gripped her hand, as they stood in the gate room. Rose stood in awe of the huge gate before her. Steven told her all about it in the short time they had before she got out of the hospital. Her smaller bag hung off her shoulder, her larger duffle was hanging off Stephen's shoulder, as he reached down and entwined his fingers through her's. "How you feeling?" he questioned softly, gazing down at her.

She gave him a hesitant glance before turning her eyes back to the giant ring of what appeared to be water. It was the event horizon, and while she'd given lectures on things like this, she'd never imagined she'd stand here one day staring up at it. "Little overwhelmed," she replied softly. "What's it feel like?"

"You've got a go Atlantis," a man, Rose have come to learn, named Colonel Mitchell, spoke from the control room.

Taking a deep breath, Rose closed her eyes and felt the cold surround her, a moment later she was stepping through on the other side. When she opened her eyes, she was positive for a moment her heart stopped. The room they stood in was huge, as she looked up and around, she saw a second level containing what she could only assume were the controls and a small office, there were hallways splitting off in either side of the main area, and a stair case straight ahead.

Elizabeth grinned as she hurried down the stairs, Rodney, Carson and Jeannie right behind her. "Welcome to Atlantis," Steven's voice pulled her out of her observations.

She turned just in time to watch the wormhole shut down. She felt her stomach turn, this was it, and she was no longer on Earth, no longer in her safe little world. For just a moment Rose felt the overwhelming need to run the other way and turn back. However, she realized not only was it too late, but this was an adventure; one she'd longed for as far back as she could recall.

Elizabeth stepped up towards Rose, and instantly gave the younger woman a hug, surprising her slightly, before Rose accepted it openly, "Welcome Rose."

Steven smirked down at his companion, "I believe you've been assigned a room down from mine. Come on, I'll show you the way." He told her a bit about the city, its history the first few adventures of when they'd found the city, some of his own adventures. It wasn't a terribly long walk, and she found that while the walls were a little bleak, it left lots of people around who said hello.

Finally he stopped at what she assumed to be a room and he swiped his hand over a small consol on the wall, "There's three settings for the door, you'll get the hang of it, setting one is open, setting two is closed and setting three is closed and locked. Most of us leave our doors unlocked at night in case of an emergency. Feel free to lock yours however if it makes you feel more comfortable we'll contact you through your ear piece before entering."

Rose stepped into the dark room, and was stunned when the room began to glow with light.

Steven seemed equally stumped, "Did you--"

She shook her head, "Sorry I was thinking how dark it was in here?"

"You have the gene wait until I tell Rodney and Carson! Sorry, only about a hundred and fifty of us living on the base have this specific gene that it really takes to run this city."

"You mean…I've got some genetic screw up?"

He shook his head, "Not at all, it just means your family probably descended from the builders of this city somewhere along your family tree."

Rose was vaguely aware that the northern doctor was still talking, however her eyes had since landed on what appeared to be a balcony. Walking over to the doors she was stunned when they opened for her with ease. She was met by the beautiful smell of ocean, and water for as far as the eye could see. The sun was just beginning to set--strangely enough in what appeared to be the south, and casting beautiful orange and red hues over the ocean. Rose was absolutely amazed as her balcony over looked the further and smaller parts of the city. There were two piers on either side of her balcony and smaller towers. As she looked down at the city before her, she realized they were no longer in the central tower.

She felt her breath being driven from her body in complete awe. She nearly jumped when she felt a hand against her's. She looked back at Steven, who offered her a knowing smile. "It's the most magnificent thing on the face of this planet and we're the only people in the two universes who know about. Makes you wonder what else humans are missing doesn't it."

"How much do we live in?"

He grasped her hand and pointed out towards one of the piers, "We have an aquatic team now, divers, that study the water and culture around us, they're labs and lives are the small buildings at the end of those two docks as well as the other three. Two years ago we managed to get to some of the lower levels, and we've discovered we have an entire area set specifically to under stand the culture and life of the under water creatures, we also house all our sanitation under the city. The central tower which is directly behind us if you look up and back, houses all the Senior staff labs and offices, including the medical wing, the mess hall, the conference room and the gate room. It also houses puddle jumpers and what we've recently found to be smaller underwater vehicles.

Some of the smaller towers are other housing, we've spread out now, and we've also learned the two small towers off to your left are meant for families, we've got people looking into getting those fixed up in case anyone wants to start a family some day here. Over on the other side there's the work out and training area for all military personnel. Carson's got his own medical training facility opposite of that, where they run further testing and information, he's also got a larger infirmary over in that area, which is the one I manage. He begins the care for the critical patients, once they're no longer critical and they can be transported we take them to the infirmary over to the north. It was found about eight years back as well, which was when I was originally offered the position.

Rodney's science labs are all over here on the south west side, the buildings you see out more towards the piers are his less trusted people, he assumes by keeping them there they can't kill or hurt anyone to terribly because all the main systems are closer to the tower. Rodney and Radek both run teams and their labs are in the central spire. That's most of it now, oh and archeology, that's to the north east, run by Dr. Daniel Jackson, you met him at the wedding. We've seen all of Atlantis, we probably only inhabit three quarters of it. We've got over five hundred personnel, we started with two, and then as time went by and we realized the scale of this mission we hired more. Once the SGC was destroyed back home, some of the more seasoned people decided to come here, there's only one hundred crew members on the Orion, so we got practically everyone else who didn't retire or quit. It's a fairly good program."

Rose took a moment to take everything he'd said in, then she glanced at him again, "And the rest of the planet?"

"There's land about twenty minutes ahead we call it Cassiopeia; it was Radek's idea, but most of us like it, that's where the Athosians and surviving Satedans live, along with several other races we've helped over six years. The scientists figured out a way to both keep them safe and get them help quickly if needed. Some of our... most seasoned officer's live there, including one General Jack O'Neill, he's actually built himself a little cabin on the ocean."

Rose shook her head laughing, "It's all so surreal, I mean look at this!" she grinned like a child at Christmas, "It's like something out of a science fiction novel or movie!"

Steven smiled softly and nodded, "It is, but then that's what makes it so-- fantastic! Do you like it?"

"Oh I love it!" her face practically breaking as she grinned like crazy. She shook her head as the wind blew softly against her neck, caressing her cheeks as if to welcome her to the beautiful city, "No wonder you never sit still."

He chuckled and leaned against the railing of the balcony with her, "Not a bad life," he replied casually.

Her gaze shot to him instantly and she narrowed her eyes for a moment before bursting into the giggles, "Better with two," she replied as she took his hand back and squeezed it.

o0o

Rose was lying in her new bed late that night, staring up at the ceiling, she couldn't shake her nerves tonight. There were far too many unfamiliar sounds, she could remember feeling like this after she'd come home from the hospital after the accident ten years ago. She recalled sleeping with her parents that night, something she hadn't done since she was a small child.

Although now Rose was really wishing she could crawl into her parent's bed again and make them chase all her fears away. While she was completely fascinated by this whole world, she'd be lying if she said she wasn't scared. Se was terrified out of her mind. She fought aliens, but this was a whole new realm of that.

Sighing Rose tossed her covers aside, she felt like she was going crazy, she hated staying in new places. And though the first night was always the worst, Rose felt completely terrified in this place. She slipped out of the bed and padded to the door, a moment later she was in the hallway looking at all the doors.

She suddenly realized she couldn't remember which door was Stephen's. Maybe this hadn't been such a great idea after all. She knew Stephen would help her feel better, but now she was standing in the dark hallway even more afraid. He's said he was a couple doors down, but did he actually mean a couple and to which side.

Rose was about to knock on one door when it flew open, she jumped back and let out a tiny yelp. Whoever she'd practically knocked on made the same surprised sound. It took a moment, for Rose to realize it was Cayden.

"Wh--what are you doin' up?" Cayden asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"I--" how could she explain she was terrified of spending the night in her own bedroom, especially to an Air Force Major, her teammate.

"Oi, what are you two up to?" came the Northern brogue, one Rose was all too happy to hear as she turned and gave Steven the biggest grin she could muster.

"I'll be goin' back to sleep now," mumbled Cayden as she disappeared back into her room. Rose turned to face Steven, only to find him with his arms crossed giving her a knowing grin, "When I was a little boy, my mum wouldn't let me sleep in her bed, always forced me to sleep in my bed," he gently turned her back towards her room. "An' I'm gonna do the same to you," Steven sat her down on the bed, "Lie down," he ordered softly as he slipped off his own slippers and climbed in beside her, pulling the covers up.

"What are you doin?"

He studied her for a moment, "Mum always made me sleep in my own bed; to get used to the sounds or convince me there were no monsters. But she always stayed with me. So I'm stayin' with you. That all right?"

She shook her head with a grin, "Yeah, that's fantastic," she whispered as she curled into his arms, one which had slipped under her to pull her closer. Rose couldn't explain it, but as this man she'd only known for five days held her close, she realized she felt safe in his arms, safe and perhaps even loved. She took a deep relaxing breath, marveling at how familiar he felt, and smelled. It was like old leather and experience. Sighing she settled in and closed her eyes.

"You'll get used to it Rose, it's unnerving at first. It gets better."

"Thank you Steven."

He nodded as he rested his chin atop her head and he softly began to hum. Taking notice that moments later he'd lulled her into a deep slumber, "Sleep well my wolf," he pressed a kiss to her head and closed his eyes, getting comfortable wrapped around her.

o0o

After their short meeting, Rose was scheduled to speak to Kate Heightmeyer for an hour, although she'd spoken to a psychologist after the car accident, this felt different. Steven had told her where to go, but he'd been called down to the infirmary on a last minute check up for someone so he'd had to go.

Rose was half way through Steven's directions when she realized she was no doubt lost, she stood still for a moment, trying to recognize something, anything that would tip her off to where she was and where she had to go.

"Hey long time no see!" a voice called out to her; she'd been on her way to a panic attack when she spotted Cayden in the hallway. The Major gave her a huge smile, "Hiya teammate!" she greeted, "You okay, you don't look so good?" she questioned.

Rose sighed, "I'm lost—sorry, I uh, I'm looking for Dr. Heightmeyer."

"Oh you're not that far off, here," Cayden led her around another corner with a soft smile, "I can't tell you how glad I am that I'm not going to be the only girl on the team. I was afraid my brother would find away to stick me with all boys and be massively over protective."

Rose smiled, she found herself beginning to really like this woman, "Did you know about the Stargate program?" she questioned.

"No, not at all, it was actually Colonel Sheppard who spoke to me; Carson refused to even ask me because he didn't want me in danger."

Rose smirked oddly, "Aren't you in the Air Force?"

"I can't explain the concept of older brother protection, because I'm the youngest of seven and four of those are boys."

"Thank you Cayden, for--" she didn't know what to thank her for, but Rose was finding this woman to be a great comfort to have around.

The woman nodded squeezing the woman's hand, "That's what friends are for," she replied, before waving goodbye and heading down the hallway, as if she was the world's most confident person.

The only thing that made Rose realize otherwise was when Sadie turned the corner, and a second later was seen heading in the opposite direction, causing Rose to laugh out loud. She sighed and knocked on Dr. Heightmeyer's office door. She could get used to this place, granted it would take a while, but she had the feeling that once she was used to it, once she'd found her own two feet, she'd had some amazing friends and memories.

The blonde woman from the day earlier appeared at the door, "Come on in Rose. Would you like anything to drink, coffee, tea, hot chocolate?"

"Coffee would be nice thanks." Rose took a seat on one of the couches, and instantly was mesmerized by the stunning view the woman had through the window.

Kate smiled as she watched Rose just stare out in the window for a few moments, before moving over to the younger woman and offering her a cup of coffee, "It's the best view on Atlantis, well in my opinion anyway. So Rose, tell me a little bit about your childhood."

Rose offered a smile as she accepted the cup and watched Kate take a seat, "How much do you know?"

"Well, I know what your file, says but that's all I know about anyone. I don't want to know the piece of paper I'm asking to know you."

Rose nodded and paused, "I was in a car accident ten years ago--I lost my memory, the first six years of my life is a giant blank and the three years prior to the accident were gone."

"How do you feel about that?" Kate asked.

Rose paused for another moment, "Have you ever felt like those years of your life have been erased…and not on accident?"

"How do you mean?"

"See thing is, I can't remember the first six years of my life, or those three years, but I feel like I should remember them. I feel like I do remember them but I've just been told something else for so long that I started believin' that instead. My mum said she an' da got divorced when I was five, an' that's why I don't remember him in my early childhood."

"And you don't believe that to be true."

"I think my real dad is dead--I have these memories, of my mum cryin' or gettin' really drunk one night an' talkin' about da'. I think if my mum really divorced my father then she'd never have done that."

"Tell me what you do remember Rose, or what you recall."

"I recall a face; so close and so familiar I can almost touch it, but he's just out of reach."

Kate nodded, "What does he look like?"

"I dunno, tall an' muscular, handsome, but I can't see his face he's always there though. Making me feel safe when I'm scared--"

"What happened after the car accident? You said you don't remember the three years before, but in your file it says less than a year after that accident you were already making your way through A-levels and working on your degrees."

"I wish I could explain it better. Something happen to me during those three years, something that's right there that I can't remember; it was probably the most important thing of my life and my family lied to me."

Kate nodded, "You're not the first to forget something big; take your time. If you'd like we can continue our sessions, they might be good for you, have you ever spoken to anyone about this?"

Rose shook her head, "Mum always said I was fine, no need to talk to anyone. I never thought anythin' of it, but it always bothered me a little that she wasn't, I don't know," Rose shrugged her thought off.

"That she wasn't more concerned about helping you find what you've lost?"

"Yeah, seems to me a mother would support her daughter in that way--maybe that's part of the reason I think there's more than what they're telling me."

"You could be right. It wouldn't be the first time a mother or father lied to protect their children." Kate smiled for a moment, then continued, "Tell me about the first time you met Steven?"

Rose hesitated for a moment, before smiling softly, "I was sitting in a café, when he came in and sat down across from me. We just started to talk. Can I ask you a question?"

"You can, I can't guarantee I'll be able to answer it though."

Rose nodded and continued anyway, "Is he seein' anyone?"

Kate giggled lightly at that, "No, Steven's--well maybe you should ask him about Nina sometime. However, I will tell you this he does seem to have taken to you quite a bit. What do you think of him?"

"I think he's kind, he's funny. I like him because he's very firm. It doesn't seem like he'll take anything from anyone he doesn't like."

Kate affirmed Rose's answer with a short nod, "Steven has a tendency to stand up for the underdogs, maybe that's what makes him so--amazing. It would take a blind person to notice his amazing qualities. It would also take a blind person to notice the way he and you look at one another. You were talking about a man; who you couldn't identify that always made you feel safe--do you find Steven to be similar to that person?"

"Last night I couldn't fall asleep, and Steven came to stay with me, nothing serious, just slept there right beside me until I fell asleep. I've never felt that safe, at least not that I recall. Steven has this ability to make me see the good in everything. After I met him the first time I could hardly get through my day without thinking about him, hoping we'd see each other again. Is that wrong?"

"Heavens no, everyone wants to feel safe Rose. Everyone on this base has insecurities, you are no different. In fact I'd be surprised if you were completely comfortable here right out of the gate. Well our time is almost up, I'm going to put you down for a time next week if that's all right, and I'll clear you for active duty."

Rose nodded; she hadn't even realized the time had gone so fast, "See you next week Dr. Heightmeyer."

"Call me Kate, and I'll see you next week, my door is always open though if you need to talk."

o0o

Rose stepped into the infirmary, and was stunned at how busy it appeared; in the midst of it all was Steven. She watched him for a moment as he gave out orders or spoke kindly to one of the patients, she felt a short pull at her heart as she watched him speak to one patient; a child, he was bent over her holding her hand tightly and speaking in hushed tones to her, offering her comfort.

"Rose, here for you physical?" Carson's questioned startled Rose out of her reverie. She looked at the Scotsman before nodding and following him to a curtained area.

"What happened?"

Carson patted the cot, allowing her to take a seat, "A couple of the Athosian children were playing and fell down a rather steep hill, they'll be fine, superficial wounds mostly, but their parents were worried so Steven and I were caring for them."

"I can come back--"

Carson chuckled softly as he looked at her with a knowing glance, "Nonsense love, this is my job as well. Besides if ye wanna go off world tomorrow ye can't come back. Now it's a simple exam, completely standard; tell me how you feel."

"Overwhelmed," Rose replied softly as he drew the curtain around the bed she was now sitting on.

"Aye, this place can be a little frightening at first. Any chronic illness in your history?"

"No, Carson, how long have you been here?"

Carson smiled, "I was the third person hired for this mission. I knew nothing about the Stargate Program, just like you. I was a geneticist and surgeon in Scotland when Elizabeth came and spoke to me. I wasn't quick to take the position but it didn't take long before I decided to take the job. Rodney was the second and Elizabeth was the first of course. So that would have been almost seven years ago, and we've been in Atlantis for almost six years now. Don't worry lass you'll get used to it."

Rose smiled nervously and gave him a brief nod, he marked a few things on her chart then offered her a warm smirk, "You appear to be quite healthy. Though if you have any trouble, including insomnia, please let Steven or myself know we'll be happy to help."

"Thanks Dr. Beckett--"

"Carson lass, just Carson."

o0o

Rose sighed as she stood on the balcony outside the control room and just looked at everything before her, amazed at how far the water seemed to stretch.

She jumped when she felt a pair of hands slide around her waist and a chin rest against her shoulder. She shook her head for a moment, "It's the most amazing and most terrifying thing I've ever seen."

Steven pressed a kiss to her cheek, "But you like it?"

She turned in his arms, "I love it!"

"Welcome home Rose Tyler."

The End

Next Time on The Slow Path:

"Where's Steven!?" Rose questioned.

Lorne looked around, his eyes going wide, "I think they might have gotten away."

"What the 'ell do you mean we lost her! Cayden she's twenty-one we're supposed to be keeping an eye on her!" Growled Steven.

Rose looked forward, down the long dark tunnel, feeling an overwhelming sense of dread as she looked at Lorne who was standing five feet away from her, "NOW!" he cried.

She took a step forward just as a wall of fire seemed to engulf the entire cave.