A/N: I'm obsessed with Doctor Who. Probably more so than with Harry Potter. More than that, I'm obsessed with the fact that the Doctor (the Tenth) and Rose HAVE to meet again some day. This is set around seven years after the end of Doomsday and therefore contains some Doomsday spoilers. I loved the end of Doomsday so that's why I'll never re-write the script, even if I can wishfully think that it never REALLY happened. So here's my story. The story of Rose… and Torchwood. And a blue box. Rose's age is twenty-seven, as I'm going by the fact that I think she was 20 in Doomsday. It never really said if she'd had a birthday, but she can't have still been nineteen, or so I think… oh yeah, and forget Martha. This is a Rose Doctor fic! Anyway! Read on!

2700 Hours – Planet Dræda, Investigation Registered by The Torchwood Estate, Earth:

Seven years into the future and Rose Tyler had rose in the ranks of Torchwood quickly, ever since she had signed up. She had a new life now… different in many respects than the one she had lead with the Doctor, and a lot less plentiful… but it was better than nothing. Getting the bus… going to bed… going to work… eating chips. Even though she still had an undisputed love for chips, it was good to get out of that routine. After Bad Wolf Bay, after… that… had happened, she would have gone insane following such a pattern. Even now, when she was twenty seven, it hurt.

It was odd, because she hadn't aged much. Her face was exactly the same as it had been all those years ago, when she travelled in the magical TARDIS. Maybe it was something to do with travelling with the TARDIS… or maybe the Time Vortex, the remnants of it still inside her. She didn't know, but that was okay. She didn't particularly want to change her face. Because this face carried memories she never wanted to forget.

She clipped on her seatbelt again and squashed uncomfortably into her chair. They were flying from the orbit of Planet Dræda. Only seven years and technology was oh, so much better than at home. On her earth. When she'd arrived in this parallel world Torchwood were already a secret, yet worldwide association. And they knew so much. They had so much. John Lumic had torn the world apart and at the same time, he'd improved it.

"Okay…" the rocket's captain, "Zack" (and Rose had to admit, this could be more than coincidence, considering the mission they had taken on), glanced backwards to check on all members of his crew, while steering gradually, even though he had the option to set coordinates and simply let the ship go onto auto-pilot. But he liked to be in control. Typical. "We've left Dræda and on a clear route to point 0, Krop Tor… K37 Gem 5."

There was a quiver in the voice there, definitely. Perhaps of excitement, perhaps of fear. Because Rose herself had plenty of reasons to be scared of this place. This was the place where'd she'd met Satan and nearly lost the Doctor. In the old days. Of course, this wasn't the first place she'd ever re-visited with Torchwood, rather than with the Doctor. But even now, it wasn't the same without him. Without the TARDIS.

Flashback

Jackie sat on the end of the sofa, a cup of tea in one hand while she tried to console Rose by patting her head with the other. Rose herself was curled up on the sofa, holding a sodden cushion to her head. She'd been like it all day. It was seven o' clock at night and all day, she hadn't even bothered to change out of her pyjamas.

"Just forget him," said Jackie. "You're gonna have to sometime, love. I'm sorry."

Rose took another deep breath again, pushing her face into the pillow. She hadn't bothered taking her make up off from the day before and it was smudged halfway down her face, her tears blackened by it.

"How?" She cried. "How can I forget him?"

"Well maybe… that's what you have to do. Everyone moves on, Rose. Sometime, you have to, the sooner the better. I had to move on after Pete died."

That brought on another sob from Rose as she squashed herself into a tighter ball. "But it's okay, mum. You've got dad all over again now. He came back for you, but how's the Doctor ever going to come back for me? Who's…" She sobbed again, "Who's… going to hold his hand now?"

"There'll be someone, Rose. There's always someone. Me? I had you. The Doctor will move on, too. You don't need to be scared he won't, because I'm willing to bet he'll have another blonde attached to his arm sometime…" There was a sniff of disapproval there. Jackie stood up, as if she was about to announce something important.

"Tomorrow, Rose Tyler, you're gonna get up and go that job of yours, and show the rest of 'em just what your made of. You're gonna make sure you live up to what the Doctor expected of you and what I expect of you. You got that? Right. Well. I'm making you a cup of tea."

Rose sniffed and withdrew even more into her ball of safety. Jackie stomped out of the room as if she didn't really have much hope in her daughter. But Rose acknowledged something of what she said. The Doctor would want her to get on with her life. Move on. And even if she couldn't forget, that's what she would do.

End Flashback

Rose looked out of the window at the miracle, Krop Tor. Just a faint speck against the black horizon, devoid of anything. K37 Gem 5. Together with the planet in front, it was a natural phenomenon. And even in a parallel universe, the sight was dizzying and terrifying… but exhilarating. They were going to do something Rose had never done before but had heard of only once, and done it reverse. They were going to fly down the gravity funnel.

Even for the parallel Torchwood, it was a moment in history. A feat that could only be considered unachievable by the likes of humans.

The engines flared as the rocket almost eagerly sped towards the planet. It was one of the best models taken from alien technology that Torchwood could provide. This mission was important. And Rose was honoured to have even been considered to go on it. They were going to a place that was decades ahead of when rose had first ever visited, when she still lived with…

Pause it there. She didn't want to think.

Rose gulped and snuggled further into the seat, ready for a bumpy ride.

"Zack, how far now?" She said, swallowing the guilt and fear and anger and sorrow.

"Oh, not far now," said the excited Zack. "Give me a minute while I make sure everything's in order…" Buttons were pressed, and lights flashed green or red. On his computer screen a bar chart was seen, the bars extending and flashing alternate colours. Rose understood nearly all of it. But for someone who had never bothered to pass their driving test, she wouldn't ever trust herself to be in charge of them.

There was a muffled laugh from beside her and she turned to one of her companions. The closest friend she'd ever had, riding the stars with her. Mickey Smith, there with her through everything. She'd loved him once but that had faded. Then he'd dared to venture into the realms of space and the old spark had come to life. But they weren't a couple. Mickey had his own girlfriend. But Rose and him… they were the closest friends ever, and could trust each other with absolutely anyone.

"Hah," he said. "I'll never get over this. The whole life or death thing? Talk about adrenaline."

Rose elbowed him. "Talk about adrenaline junkie," she laughed, but she choked on that as the whole ship shuddered and launched itself into the funnel, increasing it's speed by almost triple. She could feel the whole ship shudder and creak as it approached Krop Tar, the planet she hated but wanted to revisit to relive the memories. Beside her Mickey was doing his usual immature boy thing, whooping and yelling to the air. That hadn't changed about him. At least now he never commented on how space looked so realistic. He'd finally come to terms with the fact that there was a world outside earth. A huge one.

Rose found her eyes wide with the complete force of the rattling rocket. Surely this couldn't be right? The sheer G Force was tearing the rocket apart. Mickey's yells of "yeaaaaahhh!" were cut short as the whole crew were flung about in their seats. Taking strength from herself, Rose closed her eyes, remembering what the old Zack had once said. They had lost the Captain just flying down the funnel. She clung to the feeble leather strap across her like it was a lifeline. Torchwood had the best technology in the world but had they bothered with reinforced seatbelts? No. They bloody well hadn't.

The world whirled and colours merged as the speed increased, as the temperature got hotter, as Rose felt the rocket gets lost within the funnel, spinning in no direction, rattling like a tin can in a rubbish truck. Her hand found Mickey's and she held it tightly, and he did too. It wasn't the right hand, though. He… she should be…

Rose was standing on a beach again, running towards Jackie as she felt everything dear to her torn away. She was holding on for her life, on a lever, trying desperately to save the world, hearing the screams of the Doctor as he yelled at her to hold on. She was running to him with open arms. She was standing outside the TARDIS, smiling at it quickly, just appreciating it's presence before she opened it's welcome doors and ran inside to her Doctor.

Sevenyears had passed…

And yet she couldn't forget…

Rose vaguely heard the panicked yells of the crew as they left the funnel. It was basic safety – the rocket had sensed danger and altered course. But it didn't know, it wasn't an intelligent life form. How could a piece of machinery know what the black hole could do?

There was a sudden silence in the rocket as heat rushed and the whole structure of the rocket shook. The crew looked around, faces fearful of tear-laced. Rose remained rigid in her chair, her eyes closed, because she knew what was happening. What had she thought, when she'd signed up for the mission? When she'd been requested? Terror. That had been the first. Then an excitement to re-visit, to experience it without the TARDIS. To relive a time when she'd still had the Doctor. She'd known the danger and ploughed on.

Had it been worth it?

Zack's voice was thick with panic. "We've left the funnel… and we're heading straight for…"

Mickey's hand thumped down on the arm of his chair. "The Black Hole." Rose squeezed her eyes open and took her hand from his. Never had she thought she'd do this ever again. She was so…

"I am so stupid," she cried, kicking the step in front of her, then resting back into position. "Why didn't I stop it? God, I could've… I should've…"

"You couldn't have known, Rose," said Zack. No more fiddling with controls for him. The escape from the Black Hole was futile. Death by collision would probably be more pleasant than being sucked into that.

Rose was wracked with anger and guilt and frustration. "Krop Tor, the Bitter Pill. Yeah, I could've. But no… I had to go… just for the stupid Doctor." Rose had her head in her hands now and the tears fell onto them.

"I just can't forget that time, Mickey…"

His hand rested reassuringly on her shoulder.

"We all wanted to go, Rose. And now… well, this might be the end, but we're in this together. And let's face it, none of us are going anywhere, right?"

Rose took her face out of her hands and cried freely, looked at Mickey, and took his hand again. Her other hand reached out for Zack's shoulder, and Mickey did the same to his companion beside him, until they were all sitting in a circle, fear in their eyes, trembling, but united as they felt the rocket whirl through space, felt it be torn to bits.

"Thanks," said Rose still, crying. She tried to muster a smile, but in the captain's chair, Zack murmured assent as in the main window the hole loomed ever close.

"Honoured to have served with you guys," he said.

"No problem," said Jane, another of the crew.

"Don't mention it," muttered Mickey, whereas Mr Jefferson, a man of very few words, just nodded his head.

Rose looked out of the window at the blossoming black, red and fiery orange.

"Good bye," she said.

Darkness.

XXXXX

It was like a dream, where darkness rushed by, carrying with it the remnants of a billion planets, the ancient ruins of dozens of civilizations. The ripped and torn and maimed galaxies that had been torn away and out of existence. Nothing was felt, nothing could be heard. Nothing existed, nothing could exist, and yet there it was. This should have been death. This should have been extermination. Instead it glowed white and black and every colour imaginable and more, and Rose's eyes widened. Maybe this was death. Maybe it was an afterlife.

If she looked around, she couldn't see anything. The rocket was gone, and so was Mickey, Zack, Jefferson, Jane. Her hand was clamped around nothing… literally. She tried to turn, as she floated through the nothing, as a scarlet stream rushed by her, consuming her in it's colourful glow. She didn't feel anything. It was strange how something so full of life could be so dead.

But if she looked around, she could see everything travelling in more than one direction. She was gradually travelling – or speeding – there was no way of telling, in one direction, if that existed, while on the other hand, things were being consumed in fire. If she stepped out of her scarlet refuge then she too may be consumed. So what little of Rose still existed told her to hang on.

She drifted in the nothing. Perhaps she was passing time as quick as anything… perhaps she wasn't moving at all.

Looking around, she only felt sadness. She remembered a time she'd had with the Doctor. She'd wondered if the Black Hole could have been a gateway to other universes. The Doctor had dismissed the idea. It just wasn't possible, she supposed. It was enough to break her heart all over again, if, indeed, she did have one.

But… this was a parallel universe…

XXXXXX

Rose opened her eyes slowly, flashes of the scarlet dream passing through her head like leaves may be blown from a tree. Her alarm clock was ringing so loudly it felt like it was hammering inside her head. Her world was still dark, even though she'd opened her eyes. So, it must be night time. She closed them again, tried to shift her position; go back to bed. Someone must have set the alarm wrong… no doubt it was Jane Tyler, six year old monster.

Rose opened her eyes again when she realised she couldn't move. She raised her heavy head, her eyes adjusting to the new light as she realised that she wasn't at home at all, and her alarm clock was not ringing. It was head, hurting so much it felt like something was ringing inside it. Her memories flooded back and she became rigid in the chair, eyes wide open.

Parallel universe, parallel Krop Tor, parallel K37 Gem 5. It was a gateway…

It was funny how Rose's most rational thoughts almost always came first, and then she started panicking.

Where the hell am I!

The answer lay before her as two armoured creatures that smelled rancid and had long, mottled, skeletal fingers, put their identical gun noses on her neck and spoke in perfect English. Their modern, clouded visors obscured her sight of their faces but their voices clicked and grated and Rose flinched with every word, her hand still clenched around nothing, even in it's new manacle.

"Identified as human. Identification Tag suggests name to be Rose Tyler of the Torchwood Institute. What great uses we have for you…"

Rose didn't have time to think where she was, or who her new companions were, or to worry about the fact that there was a gun poised at her throat, because a communication screen opened itself in the air above her; a hologram. And the familiar sight before her petrified her into an unmoving, unthinking state.

Help me…

A/N: Oho, don't you worry. The Doctor IS going to be in this. But you'll have to wait till next chapter to find out how he'll be introduced, or what fate awaits Rose. I'm sure your dying to see if they meet again and what'll exchange, so I think I'll be cruel and leave you hanging in that state of ignorance while I write the next chapter!

I realise this may be long-winded and have a far-fetched plot, but your thoughts are always appreciated and I would so love a review!

Also, thanks to all people who reviewed my latest Doctor/Rose poem (which you should also check out! Good bye Rose Tyler), and here's your special Thanks:

Eeveekitty85, pazaz of nothing, BookEnd, radish Earrings, Flaignhan, Jessa7, C.Halliwell, silver diamond eyes, and finally, Uh.Yeah. You are all so great and I appreciate this!

Also, I realise this was only 5 pages. Next chapter will be MUCH longer and MUCH more exciting, I promise. I hope you enjoyed, and I'll start getting to work with the next chapter now.

Last note, please note that my previous author's note was written before I actually wrote anything! So it may have some inaccuracies, as may the story. I apologise for these and hope they didn't ruin your enjoyment! Also, the dialogue in this fits Rose's or any other's personality if you envision them to be saying it. So if any are out of character, try visualise them actually saying it in an episode! The next chapte will involve the Doctor and probably his point of view, so good luck to me and to you...

Yours,

StrangePrinciples