A/N: My God, how good was 'Utopia' on Saturday night?! Yay for Jack, Yay for the Doctor making me melt with that smouldering look he had on his face towards the end of his talking to Jack through the door and Yay for Martha now knowing why Rose is gone, cause she's been nothing but bitchy about her! And yay for Rose's mention and flashback. Also, boo to the Master. Bad Master.
Anyway... Thanks for your continuing support with this story. Enjoy the fluff in this chapter!
"Doctor?" Rose whispered groggily as her eyes fluttered open after about 14 hours of sleep.
The Doctor, however, was fast asleep in a chair next to the bed. His mouth was open slightly and he looked peaceful. Rose smiled; if wasn't often that he'd looked like he didn't have a care in the world. She pushed herself up carefully and put a hand on his arm.
"Doctor, wakey wakey."
He mumbled and shifted in his sleep.
"Doctor!"
The Doctor jolted awake like he'd been electrocuted. "Huh? Rose? What is it? What's wrong?" he said, breathlessly.
Rose stifled a giggle. "I'm fine."
"You are?"
"Yes."
"When did you wake up?"
"About a minute ago."
The Doctor looked over at the clock. "Blimey Rose. 14 hours." He gave her a heart-melting smile. "How are you feeling?"
"A lot better. I really need to get my legs moving though. Could you help me?" she asked, starting to move her legs over to the edge of the bed. "Hang on," she said with a frown, just as the Doctor went to take her hands, "why I am wearing this hospital gown thing? Where are my clothes?"
"They were torn and bloodied. I knew you'd be more comfortable in something clean."
"Wait, so you –"
"Yes," he cut in, "there's no need to be so coy about it. Now, shall we try again?"
Rose nodded and took his hands when he offered them to her.
"Lean on me as much as you like. You'll probably be quite dizzy."
She smiled. "I told you, I'm – oh!" she gasped as she stood and then promptly fell against the Doctor.
"It's okay, I've got you."
Rose took a few steadying breaths and squeezed her eyes shut to block out the spinning med-bay.
"Let's sit you back down."
"No," she protested. "I'll need to do this eventually. Now's as good a time as any."
"Rose –"
"Just let me get my balance." She took a couple more deep breaths and then timidly took a few steps, holding onto the Doctor's arm tightly. A second or so later, she felt brave enough to let go.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
Of course, this turned out to be a big mistake, as no sooner had she let go of the Doctor's arm, Rose swooned again.
"Woah!" he exclaimed, catching hold of her and setting her upright.
"Okay, you win. I'll sit." She let him help her back onto the bed, and then rubbed her fingers over her eyes.
"Perhaps you need to sleep some more."
Rose sighed and closed her eyes briefly. "No. But we do need to talk, don't we." It was a statement rather than a question.
"Yeah," the Doctor replied softly, "we do. But first – what did they do to you, Rose?"
Rose winced. "I really don't want to relive it."
He gave her a tight smile. "Getting it all out is the best medicine."
"Are you certain on that?" she replied, narrowing her eyes at him. "No offence, but when it comes to you and this sort of stuff, you usually just clam shut like a – like a…"
"Clam?" the Doctor offered, a slight looked of amusement gracing his handsome features.
Rose rolled her eyes. "There are certain things you'll talk to me about, and certain things you won't. Why is it one rule for you and one rule for me?"
"No one hurts you, Rose. No one. I want to make them pay, and that's why I need to know, to make sure they get the punishment they deserve. Not that there's going to be anything left to do to them after punishing them for what they've been doing to the people here. That, and I know what keeping those sorts of things to yourself does to a person."
"Ditto."
"Huh?"
"I want you to be able to share those things with me too, so I can help you."
"Rose," he said softly, sitting on the bed beside her. "You already have."
She sighed again, knowing she wouldn't win this one.
"Look," he said, taking her hand. "You know about the Time War. Maybe not the ins and outs, but you know about it. You could tell how it was affecting me and you helped me through it, gave me a reason to keep living, even if you didn't realise it."
She looked up at the Doctor, her eyes radiating a look of tenderness she saved only for him. "Really?" she said, sounding modestly surprised.
"Really, really. And the only major thing I've had to deal with since then is losing you." His eyes watered and he blinked to clear his vision. "But now, via some miracle, I've got you back. And if you think you're gonna escape me again, well, let me tell you Rose Tyler…" he pinned her with stare that made her go weak, whilst amusement danced in his eyes at the same time. "I'll – I'll… I'll handcuff you to me."
Rose matched his stare and raised her eyebrows. "Is that a promise?"
"Try it and see," he challenged.
She grinned and he winked at her.
"Anyway," he said, hesitantly changing the subject. "About the prison."
Rose took a deep breath. "Okay. But I'm going to give you the abridged version. The shortened, abridged version."
He nodded in understanding.
"Right. Well, after trying and failing to convince them that I wasn't a spy, they threw me, quite literally, into a damp, stinking cold cell. After a few days I escaped, albeit briefly – took down the guard by viciously assaulting his groin - and then, when I was caught, they proceeded to torture me with whips and lasers, fists…" she trailed off, trying to control her now shaking voice. "Kicked me when I was on the floor, degraded me, kissed me, tried to… tried to force themselves on me. But I didn't let them. Would never, ever let them," she said, tears rolling down her face. "I pretended to pass out, had to take all the shoving around they gave me to check I was actually out without so much as a wince for fear they'd find out I was faking. Knew that they wouldn't try anything if I was unconscious because it would be no fun for them. It was all a blur from then on. Next thing I know, my head's on the chopping block, and then some mysterious saviour grabs my hand and pulls me away." She sniffed, wiping her tears with the backs of her hands.
Beside her, the Doctor was trembling with anger. She did the only thing she could do at that moment and threw her arms around his neck.
"But I'm okay," she whispered into his ear. "You saved me. My Doctor. Always reliable even when he's a whole other universe away."
He gave a small laugh and pulled his head up to face her. "This isn't right. I should be comforting you."
Rose smiled. "You are."
There was a moment between them then, their faces so close their noses were almost touching. They stayed like that for a few seconds, until the Doctor asked her the one thing he really wanted an answer to.
"So, I'm a father then?"
Rose pulled back as if she'd been burnt.
"Oh, God. Oh God, Oh God. Please don't be mad. I didn't - I mean, I didn't know what else it could be and she looks so much like… you." Rose stopped for breath when she saw the tender look on his face, the corners of his mouth slowing turning upwards.
"It's okay," he said, putting a hand to her face.
She looked confused. "It is?"
"Yes," he nodded. "Your mum told me all about it, and I have to say, what you deduced… well, it very well could be. I certainly can't think of anything else. I need the TARDIS to confirm – Not that I'm doubting it – it's just…"
"I know. Me too."
The Doctor shook his head and sighed. "If I ever get it working again."
"You will," Rose said, linking her arm through his. "So, did you see her?"
"Oh, yes! Oh, Rose – she's beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. That part's all you, of course."
Rose blushed. "Nah. Have you looked in the mirror recently?"
"Are you saying I'm easy on the eye?" he teased, giving her a nudge.
She grinned. "Come off it, you know you are. The amount of times I caught you admiring your reflection…"
The Doctor grinned. "Yes, I must say this is my finest body yet. But seriously, I'll do my bit – the whole dad thing. One hundred per cent. I couldn't not. I want to. Actually, I can't wait and… Rose?"
"Yeah, sorry," she sniffed. "It's just – I miss her so much. My baby. How could I leave her for so long?"
"It's not your fault," he said, pulling her into a hug and kissing the top of her head.
"Can I ask you something?" she said as she wiped her eyes.
"Anything."
"Have you been travelling alone, or is there, you know…"
The Doctor took a deep breath. "I do have a companion, yes. Her name is Martha. But Rose, she never replaced you, honestly. I'd never do that to you. I won't lie, she's been a good friend and she's saved my life more than once. She even refused to let me come here on my own. I sent her home but she snuck back onboard and now she's… well, she's with your mum at the moment, but please don't think I'd ever replace you. I've never stopped thinking about you, never stopped missing you and –"
Rose cut him off by pressing a quick, chaste kiss on his lips.
"Sorry, I was rambling, wasn't I?"
"Yep. And it's okay. I admit it feels a little weird, but I'm glad you haven't been on your own. I didn't want you to be. How could I?"
They shared an understanding smile, and then the moment was broken when Mickey burst into the room.
"Doctor, they've – Rose! You're awake!"
Rose gave him a grin.
"Mickey, you were saying?" the Doctor asked impatiently.
"Oh, right, sorry. It's the soldiers and the guards - everyone. They've all frozen, like they've been put under a spell. One minute they seemed to be planning a new form of attack and the next minute…well, they're like statues, like someone just clicked their fingers and turned them to stone."
The Doctor stood up and strode forward purposefully. "Show me."