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Instruments could tell you a lot but not everything. That’s why he usually took Rose Tyler to places he’d visited before and knew were safe. Even then, he always checked a long list of planetary conditions beforehand, especially when visiting a populated planet. There was one constant with intelligent life. It was always changing and sometimes change was dangerous.

He’d taken her on board and he had a duty of care to keep her safe so he was careful and methodical to go through his checklist despite her impatience.

Vibrating with excitement at the thought of planet fall, he knew Rose Tyler was bursting with questions which he would usually indulge. Not this time. He was worried because this visit was at his ship’s insistence. When his TARDIS pressed him to go somewhere it was always because something was wrong.

“Where we goin’ Doctor?” Rose asked, her excitement plain on her rosy cheeks and in her bright, lively eyes.

“Rose, I must ask you to pay particular attention to your surroundings this time.”

Scrunching her eyebrows, Rose pointed out, “I always pay attention to everythin’ Doctor ‘n I know how lucky I am you take me ‘n I wanna learn all about everythin’ we see.”

“I mean be on the lookout for anything untoward, out of the ordinary, dangerous!”

“Got it Doctor! We’re on the lookout for anythin’ don’t smell right, APBing the joint! I’m game Sarge.”

“What’s APBing?”

“All Points Bulletin, that’s what the coppers do when they’re lookin’ for someone. They issue APB’s to all coppers all over the country so they can find whoever or whatever they’re lookin’ for! We’re APBing anythin’ out of the ordinary but…hey, how we supposed to know what’s ordinary or not…they’re aliens?”

“Ahhh,” the Doctor grinned pleased he’d learned something new about police methods, “I do admire efficient systems! As for what’s out of the ordinary, we’ll figure that out with observation and analysis all while maintaining a low profile.”

Not quite convinced, Rose asked, “So, won’t everythin’ be outta the ordinary cuz they’re aliens….what does the TARDIS say is the problem?”

“That’s the rub, she’s not saying so we have to figure it out. Keep your eyes peeled Lewis!”

This time the Doctor parked within the village and despite the ship’s perception filter that obscured her from view, he made sure his ship was also hidden in a stand of local shrubs to provide coverage for them when they left or returned. Outside the TARDIS, they peeked through the foliage.

“What do you see Rose Tyler?” the Doctor whispered, always interested in her observations.

“What time is it here Doctor?”

“It’s just past their noon.”

“There’s hardly anyone outside ‘n the ones that are look, I don’t know, scared maybe. They’re humanoid, even the tall ones are no taller than me ‘n I think they either live or work underground.”

“How did you reach that conclusion, Rose Tyler?”

“Cuz, they’re all pale, real pale ‘n that usually happens when people spend a lot of time away from the sun, like underground. But that seems odd for humanoids…don’t they need sunlight? Maybe that’s why they’re all lookin’ down like they don’t want the sun to touch them or maybe they don’t wanna be noticed. Also, it’s all women out, no men.”

“Well observed Rose,” he praised, “what about the kit they’re carrying?” he asked, casually handing over super advanced viewing glasses.

“Wow, these things are amazin’! I can see the details of their faces! As for the kit….the women in front must be scouts maybe ‘n the ones behind got weapons like knives, sharp disc things….maybe bow ‘n arrows too ‘n some have rope…maybe a hunting party?”

“Question is, what are they hunting?”

Glancing up at him, Rose asked, “You don’t think it’s food they’re after?”

“It’s possible but it might not be. It’s too soon to tell. We must keep our minds open to other possibilities.”

“Well, they got huntin’ weapons, what else would they be doing?”

“Perhaps they are a protection detail for others who need protecting, like their children. Some of those women have had children recently.”

“Oh come on,” Rose declared, looking through the special glasses for signs. “What makes ya think that?”

“Some are lactating,” the Doctor quietly noted.

“Awww come on!” Rose protested, looking for signs and sure enough they were there. “Alright Smarty Pants, what else?”

“Do not make assumptions about what they’re hunting.”

“Whatcha mean?”

“What if they’re hunting males of their species?”

Rose gasped. “Oh my gawd, d’ya realize what that means? Don’t worry Doctor…I won’t let them take ya! I’ll fight them so don’t worry.”

“Very funny but it is an entirely plausible scenario! I’m simply saying it is best to keep an open mind so we don’t jump to conclusions that lead us astray. Until we know, it is too soon to show ourselves. We need to operate unseen until we have a better understanding.”

“Yeah, okay. I didn’t even think of that…what if they hunt and the men look after the babies?”

“Could well be Rose Tyler so now we slip back inside ‘n look for signs of what they’re up to underground.”

Knowing how blessed she was that the Doctor was such a good teacher she still marvelled at his approach. The Doctor was born curious and viewed it as a strength often encouraging it in her but he was equally attentive to teaching her analytical skills making sure she knew how to conduct analysis and when to reach conclusions. Always encouraging, he never lost his temper with her if she didn’t get it or asked many questions. He was always quick to praise and encourage often telling her she was not just a strong analyst but an intuitive one.

Eager to get going on their next mystery and find out what the instruments would say she was in a good mood for teasing him.

“Ya know Doctor, disguising us with shrubs is good but don’t ya reckon the squeal when ya open the TARDIS’s door will give us away?” she asked, looking up and trying not to laugh. “Maybe oiling the hinges would help, yeah?”

Scowling, the Doctor huffed, “That sound is well earned and I have no intention of oiling her!“

“No offence to the TARDIS, Doctor,” Rose laughed, “so watcha reckon, lotsa underground hideouts?”

“Yes and it looks like the sexes live apart in total segregation, not unknown but certainly uncommon.”

“So if these people saw you and me walkin’ together we could be doin’ somethin’ that’s a real insult to them, like a taboo.”

“Yes, exactly Rose, good deduction.”

“Wow, maybe they are hunting men or maybe they’re armed to protect themselves from being hunted by them.”

“It remains to be seen but what has me puzzled is why we are here. Their customs and development are different from the norm but I see nothing that would trigger the TARDIS to insist we come here.

“Ahhh, Doctor, maybe we’re gonna find out. They’re headed right for us.”

Rose and the Doctor tracked the gang of women as they marched right through the bushes that formed their first line of defence. Watching on the monitor, safely inside the ship, the Doctor was astonished to realize the women could ‘see’ the TARDIS, apparently not fooled at all by the ship’s perception filters.

Not only that but this gang of females were jabbing their spears at the ship.

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“Watcha reckon Doctor? Maybe they’re psychic?”

“Psychic implies special insight relating to faculties or phenomena that involve divination or clairvoyance which seems unlikely but possible, I suppose. It’s also possible they “feel” the ship or have eyesight that can perceive the ship’s power signature. Fascinating for a species that outwardly appears primitive - a good lesson in the the danger of assumptions Rose Tyler!”

“So whatcha figure we do now, Doctor?”

“Let’s see what they do. As they reason and try different approaches we may learn new things about them…for instance, if they are unable to harm my Old Girl, will they start to worship her?”

“Yeah, okay, I get that but how d’ya feel about them trying to burn her? They’re fixin’ to start a bonfire to roast her!”

“My TARDIS can’t be burned but that doesn’t matter because I don’t like it,” he said, stroking the console and pursing his lips, purring at his ship, “she doesn’t deserve it. Perhaps I should put a stop to it.”

“Maybe ya could get her to hover ‘n make some noise and put out the fire. Watcha think about her shootin’ out some fire works or somethin’. Might be a good test of whether they got special knowledge or not.”

“How so, Rose?”

“Well, if they run like hell, we can probably assume they’re not so sophisticated ‘n it’s somethin’ else here that has attracted the TARDIS’s concern.”

“Hmmm, good point. Let’s light her up, shall we.”

As the TARDIS hovered above the women warriors, an array of special effects displayed in vivid colors accompanied by terrifying sounds and special weather effects. The female warriors were unimpressed.

“Doctor,” Rose offered, “I think they’re bored or maybe they’ve seen it all before?”

“Sure looks like it. Well, that’s a little sobering. Nothing like scaring the native population with ‘pop bangs’ to no effect! But, that’s women for you…not afraid of much so long as it doesn’t hurt their children. Then, look out and, if you know what’s good for you, back off!”

“Guess we gotta go back to basics Doctor. What if I open the door and wave at them? Since I’m a woman, maybe they’ll let me be. I reckon you should stay hidden. Later if I gain their trust we’ll put a collar on ya ‘n I’ll lead ya around so they know hands off, you’re taken.”

Of course Rose was having a grand time teasing the Doctor until he reminded her how such matters were usually settled.

“I’m a proper prize Rose Tyler! All the attributes to attract the ladies no doubt. It’s quite possible you’ll have to fight for me.”

“Good thing you taught me to fight then, innit? Plus I’m every bit as tall as them. I reckon I could hold my own with any of them,” she sassed back.

As mercurial as they come, the Doctor’s mood could shift in seconds and it only took the blink of an eye for him to reach her and grab one arm, pulling her close.

“You listen to me Rose Tyler,” he hissed in her ear. “This is not a game! Those women are hunters, killers and probably the dominant sex here. They won’t fight you, they’ll kill you. Do you understand?”

She knew he was scaring her into a proper frame of mind for the reality they were facing and she knew he was right but havin’ him so close, even if he was tryin’ to scare her, was bloomin’ stimulating.

“I know it’s a mistake to take this lightly ‘n to underestimate them,” she whispered, so close to his cheek she was tempted to lick it, “cuz the TARDIS says somethin’ gotta be fixed here. I may be jokin’ around but I know when to put on my game face!”

Despite his close proximity, she could barely hear his whispered command in her ear but she could feel his breath on her cheek, as he ordered, “No more fooling around Rose Tyler because this is most definitely NOT a game!”

But he didn’t step away immediately after his order. Oh no, he stayed close, bloody well knowing the effect he was having on her. Blimey, he was smelling her, probably knew she was turned on with a sizzle of fear running through it….smug bastard!

Then he let her go and returned to the console but there was no mistaking the wisp of a grin on his face.

“Well,” Rose quipped, “that was a lot of palaver with little practical advice. I, on the other hand, have an idea.”

With a raised eyebrow, the Doctor declared, “I’m listening…go on then.”

“While the TARDIS hovers, you rig up a force field in her open doorway with me behind it and you hidden from sight. I tell the women I do not want to hurt them. I am an explorer that visits many worlds to learn and teach, blah blah etc., etc.”

“Fair enough, worth a try and a forcefield should protect from stray slings and arrows, hopefully.”

While the Doctor did his work setting up her protections, Rose watched the women below hoping her observations would tell her something about the people or, at least, the women of this world. Meanwhile the Doctor was watching Rose watch the women below. She still surprised him. Fun loving, loyal and always giving him a laugh, she was also smart, observant and empathic. She’d been there so many times to save the day.

He was not one to sugarcoat facts for it was folly, not to mention dangerous, but the truth was not only had she become part of his life but she was someone he could rely on and someone he showed off for and that was a revelation to him. He couldn’t wait until she got up in the morning, sleepy, tussled and grumpy. That’s when he’d poke at her and watch her give as good as she got. She was plucky and comical and she kept up, and she was always ready to help. Truth was he adored her!

He’d barely finished his thought when she voiced thoughts he’d been having. She was clever.

“Doctor, doncha find it odd that bow ‘n arrow people are watchin’ a hoverin’ blue box that’s makin’ a light and sound show ‘n they’re not even reactin’. I mean, shouldn’t they be on their knees prayin’ for mercy, or maybe runnin’ away to hide. This lot wants to capture or claim the blue box. Doncha ya think it’s bonkers?”

“Oh yes, good thinking Rose! Most humanoid species have similar development curves. There are some variations but rarely do they stray far from the norm. Yet here, the women below, do not seem phased in the least by science that should be seen as magic by them. There are any number of possibilities.”

“Like what?”

“What if we’re not the first advanced beings that have visited? What if they were advanced but somehow marooned here several generations ago? Some would remember or have been told of their home world, technology etc.”

“Oh yeah, they might not be native to this planet.” Rose started snapping her fingers, “What if the females were transplants here but the males originated here….maybe more primitive…maybe that explains why the women stay separated until they need to breed. They couldn’t let their population drop too much or they couldn’t defend themselves.”

“Interesting theory Rose, premised on a lot of supposition but as good an idea as any. For now all you need to remember is that the weapons those women are wielding are deadly and they do not seem impressed at all by our modern show-offing!”

“They are definitely not impressed with our sound and light show so I reckon we’re back to a forcefield in the doorway and I try to talk to them.”

“Yes, I agree. And if they’re marooned here, the least we could do is take them home.”

“You’re a born rescuer Doctor! ‘Member you rescued me….that’s how I met ya!”

“Not something I could forget Rose Tyler. Go on then, see if you can reason with them.”

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Standing at the TARDIS door, Rose opened it and looked down at the women below. “Hello, she waved in greeting, “my name is Rose. I am an explorer and I will not hurt you. Why did you try to hurt me and burn my home?”

Not in the least impressed, one of them responded yelling, “We will not go back. Hand him over or we will kill you and capture him and keep him!”

Before Rose could respond the Doctor took them into orbit while Rose asked, “What the hell…how’d they know you’re here?” Rose asked.

“Yes, that is the question. Time to hear the other side of the story, to talk to the men. What if they are not primitive? These women were born to mothers and fathers. They were cared for by someone, fed, clothed and raised or they could not have survived. Maybe this whole phenomenon is relatively recent.”

“Fair enough. Here’s hoping the men are not primitive ‘n bristling with firepower.”

“That’s a typical female prejudice, by the way,” the Doctor provoked. “All men are not animals, primitives who force themselves on women, while females are not all the long suffering, put upon, weaker sex. Oh that’s so not true! Let me tell you, women are well practiced at sophisticated deception even warfare, they just use different weapons and if you make me I’ll cite examples throughout your history!”

“Oh really,” Rose teased, “speaking from experience, Doctor?”

“Never mind my experience Rose Tyler,” he dismissed, clamming up.

But Rose was set on taking the bait. “I know it must be temptin’ for Time Lords to feel all high ‘n mighty when they see the repeating patterns of primitive species but it’s kinda hypocritical when ya think about it.

Interrupting, the Doctor’s curiosity won the day. “What are you on about?”

“Well, I reckon fashioning weapons for survival isn’t as bad or primitive as what your lot did AFTER they were civilized,” Rose teased, using air quotes around the word ‘civilized’.

Glancing at her teasing him he encouraged, “Go on then! What do you mean?”

“Well, there’s a lot of references I could make but let’s use one of your favorites, shall we? Didn’t that Rassilon bloke invent all kinds of nasty weapons ‘n didn’t he use ‘em for primitive purposes of punishment, control, threats, maintaining power….I could go on?”

“Alright, alright, I surrender but in my defence and for the record, not all women are loving mothers and not all men are primitive warriors!”

Laughing with delight, Rose asked, “So did ya find the men, Doctor? Do they live underground?”

“No, they don’t,” the Doctor contradicted, studying the monitor, “their dwellings are above ground as are their buildings of commerce, manufacture, education and so on but….nothing about it makes sense.”

“Watcha mean?” Rose asked walking over to look at the monitor.

“Look here, something is wrong. The population is very small to justify all these buildings. Look at the large schools but hardly any students, and the offices and factories but hardly any employees and they’re all men. Why did all the women up and leave?”

“Yeah, it’s bonkers they’d leave to live underground. What about the rest of the planet? Is it the same everywhere?”

“There are large swaths of this planet that will remain uninhabited until further scientific development is achieved but that development is unlikely until the population decline is remedied.”

Studying the monitor, the Doctor pointed out, “Both sexes are represented among the students and they are of various ages, including some young females who apparently have not escaped to the caves yet but it doesn’t make sense…most of the classrooms are vacant.”

“Hmmm, d’ya reckon these are the sons and daughters the men stole back? Looks like the children are looked after too. I wonder if the women are hiding both sexes underground or just girls?”

“Yes although these children seem well cared for but there’s just not enough of them and also the schools are all protected….from raids maybe? I need to go and talk to some of the Father’s and I’m afraid you have to stay here for now,” the Doctor insisted before she could interrupt. “Think about it Rose! We don’t know if these men are ostracizing their women, making them outcasts or not. I promise to come get you when I know if it’s safe.”

Sidling up to him, she wrapped her arms around him, looking up at him, her eyelashes fluttering as she squeezed him tight knowing full well he could feel her breasts against him.

“You don’t really think the fluttering eyelash thing is going to work do you?” he asked.

“Works whenever we disagree what to watch on telly…you always cave,” she cajoled.

“That’s because I don’t really care what we watch, Rose Tyler. Your flirting is not only obvious but it will not work on me.”

“Doncha like it when I hug ya Doctor?”

“You know I do but I’d have to be blind to fall for this transparent attempt to manipulate me. The situation is dangerous Rose and I will not allow it. Are we clear?”

But Rose kept her arms around him explaining, “I know you’re tryin’ to keep me safe but what if they hurt you? What if they capture you ‘n I don’t know where they’ve taken ya?”

When he looked at her eyes he knew she genuinely feared losing him, not being able to find him, but it wasn’t enough to sway him. He was not going to buckle.

“Rose, stop it! You know full well you can track me on the monitor. I am a rock of resolve.” But he kept his arms around her enjoying her affection until he cleared his throat and stepped away, down the ramp and out the door.

Watching him stride toward the city she prayed her tall, handsome alien would be safe. No sooner had the thought crossed her mind when she saw him spin around, aware of a threat, and a posse of women emerge from a stand of trees and swarm him. Taking him down, the force of their numbers soon had him trussed and tied, thrown in a cage on a cart and dragged away.

Not only had the bitches figured out he would go to the men but they reasoned out the best time to swarm him and the best method to use. But why hadn’t he seen them on the monitor? There was more to them than met the eye.

Were they going to breed him? Not if she had any say in the matter! She was going to save him or die trying.

Since these peculiar women could see through perception filters, she would try a shield because the Doctor told her once shields were a different technology. Of course she had no idea if these cave dwelling women would be impervious to them, but it was worth a shot. Tucking a stun gun into her hoodie she slipped out of the TARDIS.

Following at a safe distance, Rose was relying on her wits and stealth alone but eventually she realized her shield was working. They could see or maybe feel a perception filter but not a shield. She knew it was an important clue to tell the Doctor.

Knowing their situation could quickly become deadly serious she was on high alert to stay close enough not to lose them but not too close to be heard. Because the shield was working, their eyes slid right past her unaware but it meant every step she took had to be mindful so she didn’t disturb any pebbles or snap any twigs. It was nerve wracking but the Doctor was depending on her.

Once in a while he would shift position in the cage and look in her direction. She wondered if he knew she was there. Just in case she waved at him with a smile hoping to reassure him. She didn’t know if he could ‘see’ her or just sense her but she waved anyway.

Their trek from the point of capture had been disciplined and swift but now, the closer the women got to their home and safety, the greater their confidence and the slower and more relaxed their pace, certain they were beyond danger. Careful to keep her distance from the motley, rag tag band of kidnappers, Rose slowed too and watched.

But then their leader came up to the cage the Doctor was in. Studying him, she opened it, dragging him out. Rose knew there were literally dozens of ways the Doctor could have overpowered her but there was no point in resisting as they all had weapons at the ready. Although he was under guard and under threat the Doctor stood calmly towering over his posse. Then they stripped off his coat and threw it away in an incredibly short-sighted move.

They had checked the pockets first and found nothing not realizing you had to really shove your arm in them to find the stash of wonders hidden in his transdimensional pockets. She saw him look in her direction so she nodded to reassure him she would retrieve his beloved coat as soon as they moved on. But they didn’t move on.

Gobsmacked, Rose watched the leader unzip his trousers. What in bleedin’ hell was she doing?

Unzipping his trousers, the leader snaked her hand inside the Doctor’s pants! She was fondling his bits, the Doctor’s bits! How dare she? Why?

Then Rose watched as the troop of women waited for their leader’s reaction to what she was groping but then Rose realized! The leader was deciding who got to be with the Doctor first and apparently his bits guaranteed he belonged to the leader.

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There was no question he knew she was there because he was looking right at her. Feeling bad for the Doctor that this woman was humiliating him, Rose studied his face. He was completely stoic, emotionless, all while he was forced to endure his bits mauled by a perfect stranger. He seemed resigned to his fate. Just about to create a diversion, she saw the Doctor’s ever so subtle signal not to interfere.

Men were usually bigger and stronger than women. As a result, history was full of their abuses and rapes but there was something about this woman’s casual disregard for the Doctor, her disrespect of his dignity, that provoked her. It bloody well bugged the hell out of her so she picked up a stone at her feet and flung it with all her might into a bunch of nearby trees.

The sound of it hitting the branches in the stand of nearby trees immediately put the posse of women on high alert. The leader stopped fondling the Doctor as she snapped to attention ordering her troops to alert and shoving the Doctor back in the wheeled cage. Rose saw his subtle thumbs up in her direction.

Before long the women slowed while several broke away from the group to assume guard positions. After a bit Rose understood why, when she saw the troop more or less disappear into a mountain. The entrance was so well shielded from view Rose knew if she looked away she might not find it again. Keeping her eyes on the spot she looked for markers, features that would help her find it again.

Grateful she’d retrieved the Doctor’s coat she enjoyed its warmth and his scent as the sun slowly descended and she waited for her chance to enter the cave. Her job was to rescue the Doctor before the bitch assaulted him again! The Doctor had his sonic to get out of his cage and she could cause a lot of confusion by firing her stun gun while wearing the shield. It might just buy them enough time to escape.

It wasn’t the first time he’d been groped and certainly not the first time he’d been captured. In fact, it was a fairly common occurrence but that and the fact he’d been captured by women was no reason to be complacent. If they killed him, provoking him to regenerate, he would still be right in the middle of them.

Their leader had apparently claimed him and no wonder! He was quite a catch! She’d obviously prized what was in his pants and assessed him as stronger than he looked so now he was owned by her and no others could touch him. Might as well be content with small mercies for the moment.

Glancing around he could see most of the women in the scouting party had gone off to their sleep alcoves to rest and recover. Their cave was not only underground but also fairly deep inside the mountain thus safely protected from any risk of being heard let alone being discovered given the natural camouflage protecting the entrance.

Then there was Rose, brave Rose come to rescue him. His acute vision could pick up the electronic signature of her shield. She was waiting, hoping the long trek taken by the women would quickly drive them to deep sleep.

Signalling her to hold, he looked around and saw most of the women were asleep and the rest were close to it. The leader had left for her quarters apparently not in the mood to sample him yet. They hadn’t even posted fresh guards to watch him. There was something about the odd behaviour that niggled at his brain. He was here to figure out why these women were behaving so atypically, risking their species very existence, because his ship could see dire consequences for the time line if he didn’t.

With Rose still waiting, he turned off the sound on his sonic and used it to see a map of the cave system, hoping to find another exit out, something his captors wouldn’t expect so they’d pour out the front door while he and Rose left by a back door. Slipping out of his cage, he glanced back as he headed toward Rose. All the women were asleep and the chances of that were slim to none. How was it possible no one was restless or had to relieve themselves. People didn’t just all fall asleep at the same time.

Leading Rose deeper into the cave system, they were making progress with his sonic projecting the path forward despite the many stops and starts as they struggled to follow the route to the exit. Their only light was the blue light of his sonic and every now and then he had to leave her to scout the path ahead.

Worried about Rose, who was leaning against a rock outcrop desperate far sleep, she was beyond her stamina. He had her sit on a nearby rock while he dug in his pocket for water and an energy bar.

“How are you holding up Rose? Thank you for coming for me,” he grinned, handing her the water. “Won’t be long before we’re home and you can sleep.”

He heard her sigh because she knew the trek to his ship would take at least an hour, more like two, because it would be pitch black outside but she didn’t complain.

“Rose, I can take you piggy-back a lot of the way so you can try to doze.”

“Thanks Doctor, but we gotta be alert to watch for the night creatures. Come on, we best make tracks.”

Worried about her, he noticed the husky timbre of her voice and hoped she wasn’t getting sick. Thus motivated he took her hand promising, “Come on then Rose, let’s get out of these caves before you catch cold.”

It was a hard slog. He took her piggyback a couple of times but as soon as she fell asleep she slid right off him. In the end they had to walk most of the way until finally he got her home where she collapsed face first on her bed. Poor Rose, was wasting her youth and strength on him! Efficiently he stripped off her jeans and hoodie hoping that she’d be more comfortable sleeping in her knickers.

On the way to his room he puzzled over the strange behaviour of the women in the caves but in the end he was knackered too and after a good hot shower he crawled into bed and, thank Rassilon, had no problem sleeping soundly.

In the morning, refreshed and eager to solve the mystery he knew Rose would sleep for awhile so he moved his TARDIS closer to the cave where the women were and went to cook breakfast for them. When Rose didn’t show he went to her room but she was gone.

Shaken by her absence he just knew some force, some addiction, had compelled her to return to the women. Would they kill her or recognize she had joined them? Now there was no choice! He had to figure out what was affecting these women, not just for their sakes, nor their husbands’, but for his own sake. He would never abandon Rose. Now he bloody well better get to it. He didn’t want to think about the possibility Rose could be permanently affected by whatever the hell was going on.

He was gobsmacked and, he had to admit, afraid. What if he couldn’t solve this puzzle, what if she wouldn’t come back to him?

Wait a minute! Rose had fallen like a log onto her bed last night and it was well past midnight, closer to two am. She would have slept for at least three to four hours before whatever was compelling her could have gotten her on her feet. Then it dawned on him he’d moved his ship close to the cave entrance early this morning. Could it be Rose had not arrived yet?

Racing to the console room he checked sensors, looking for her. Then, donning his shield technology, he slipped additional protections in his pockets and raced out the blue door, moving soundlessly to the cave entrance. Time for ‘Take Two’ but this time he’d be rescuing her and most likely he would be right behind her.

Astonished, he heard Rose yelling up ahead. “WAKE UP YA LAZY SODS! WAKE UP! NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN. GET ME THE BITCH IN CHARGE!”

The Doctor listened aghast. What was she doing?

Thank Rassilon the women were half asleep, drowsy, and in no position to defend themselves. Some were ignoring the yelling and rolling over, like they were drugged.

Then the leader stumbled into the central chamber from wherever she’d been. “SHUT UP OR I’LL KILL YOU.”

“LISTEN UP SISTER,” Rose blasted back, “YOUR PRISONER HAS ESCAPED! I AM TAKING OVER AS LEADER. WHEN THAT PRISONER RETURNS TO RESCUE ME, HE IS MINE NOT YOURS!”

The leader looked drowsy, still half-asleep but she seemed to understand she was being challenged and could not ignore it. “Your words of challenge will be shoved back down your throat later. We’ll fight for the lead later,” she yawned.

Watching utterly astonished at the bizarre behaviour, gobsmacked at Rose fighting for him, he was desperate to figure out what was causing this regression to primitive behaviour and why were these women acting comatose?

“WE WILL FIGHT NOW YOU LAZY-ASSED COWARD! HE IS MINE! YOU ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE LEADER,” Rose challenged.

Reluctantly the leader moved forward, still yawning, trying to wake up. The Doctor wasn’t too worried about Rose. He’d trained her to fight as a precaution and the leader was no bigger than her and still half asleep but, if something went wrong he would intervene to help her.

As the two women circled each other the Doctor kept one eye on the fight and the other on the women entering the cavern from their sleeping alcoves, all half asleep and lethargic. Puzzled by their lethargy, his mind turned to analysis and hypothesis.

One strange phenomenon they all shared were freakishly low and husky voices. What was that about? They couldn’t all be having the symptoms of a cold? Keeping an eye on Rose who was having no problem holding her own, he puzzled over the voice issue.

His mind flew through diseases, infectious agents, food side effects until it hit him! Their voices were all low, one or two octaves below typical female voices. Chemistry! The answer was obvious - basic, good old chemistry! He liked chemistry and he was good at it!

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Cave systems often exposed explorers to chemical vapours seeping up from within the planet. These women were all being exposed to sulphur hexafluoride especially when they sat together for meals or slept close to or on the ground.

He remembered that despite its name, it was odourless and colourless and not very detectable but there was a clue when it came to sound. It had the opposite effect to helium. Instead of a goofy and high pitched voice, the effect was a lowered voice, sometimes by several octaves. Now Rose displayed the same symptoms, which he’d assumed was a cold, but now he knew it was caused by the chemical. She was shorter than him and had hidden herself close to the ground when she had rescued him.

Fortunately, it was not really toxic. But there was a risk of death from repeated exposure when the sulphur hexafluoride displaced oxygen at the level where humanoids breathed, as in a cave, sitting and sleeping on the ground. He suspected oxygen deprivation was affecting their cognition, their ability to reason, hence their primitive behaviour. It would eventually lead to their deaths.

It could also function as an anesthetic. He hypothesized it was why the women all slept so soundly. But it did not contain narcotic properties so what was drawing the women back to the cave?

The men could get them back if they isolated them long enough to clear their systems of the gas. He estimated a month for the women, less for Rose who was less exposed yet she’d come back to the cave. Had her limited exposure to the narcotic been enough to compel her back? He’d have to keep an eye on her!

Turning his attention back to the fight…whoa!!

A whirling dervish, that’s what Rose was! Whacking the side of the leader’s head with her foot, she pinwheeled around the groggy woman. Hidden from view, the Doctor was utterly gobsmacked at Rose’s behaviour but nevertheless, he was proud of her for learning her lessons so well!

Those few hours of sleep on the TARDIS had given Rose an advantage, specifically, clean air with no exposure to the sulphur hexafluoride but apparently she was still drawn here by what he was not certain. It remained a puzzle to him and he knew it was urgent he identify exactly what was here that made the women return.

He was just about to intervene when Rose landed a round house punch that knocked the leader on her arse. Grabbing the fallen woman by the tunic Rose pulled her up to sitting position even as her head lolled listlessly from side to side.

“I beat ya in a fair fight so he’s mine, the Doctor is mine!” Rose spit out. “I’ll let ya be leader but he’s mine! D’ya hear?” she demanded shaking the stuffing out of her.

Managing to grunt her agreement, the leader accepted her loss. When Rose let her slump to the ground it wasn’t long before the shell-shocked woman fell asleep.

Utterly astonished and tickled pink that he now apparently had been claimed by Rose, he watched as she turned to leave the cave. Naturally he followed her at a distance but, after trekking along for a bit, she surprised him.

“I know you’re there Doctor. Might as well show yourself…not like they’re able to come after us on account of their sleepin’ habits ‘n all. They’re always sleepin’ !”

“Never mind that Rose,” the Doctor grinned, looking her over as he became visible. “Far more interesting is the fight! You fought for me and won! You made the leader agree! Am I yours now, Rose Tyler? What services do you require of me?”

Even in the dark she could see his eyebrows waggling as he snapped to attention waiting for orders but there was no hiding the smug grin.

“Just shut it will ya, I’m not in the mood, yeah?”

“Oh I’m not buying that Rose Tyler! You clocked her just to establish your ownership over me. Why?” Even in the dark the Doctor could see her lovely blush.

“It wasn’t right what she done to ya, touchin’ your bits like that, right in front of everyone.”

Smiling to himself he wasn’t ready to let the subject go. “I have been uncomfortably abused before Rose Tyler. I almost got castrated once by a Merengian Queen because I wouldn’t, what’s the expression, ah yes, because I wouldn’t ‘put out’.”

“Really?” Rose asked, fully engaged as they walked along together just like always, talking away and not seeing anything but each other and not wanting anything else.

“Oh yes, barely made it out of there with my britches but I escaped. But, tell me Rose Tyler, why did you fight her for me?”

“I didn’t like her touchin’ your bits ‘n disrespectin’ you ‘n what if that woman made ya ‘put-out’ to save me?”

“But you told her I was yours! In fact you told her that two, no, three times!” the Doctor crowed.

“Yeah but I was makin’ a point, so she’d know I meant it cuz I could beat her,” Rose blushed.

“So,” the Doctor began, not ready to let such a delicious discovery of Rose’s interest in him go, “am I to understand you dragged yourself out of the safety of the TARDIS after a very long and trying rescue not to mention nearly twenty-four hours without sleep to come all the way back to the cave just because you didn’t like the leader touching my bits?”

“Will ya just shut it!”

“Oh I am going to enjoy this for awhile especially because you are not telling the whole truth.”

“Whatcha mean?”

“What you really want to know is whether her fondling my bits aroused me, hmmmm?”

Rose’s blush was instant with impressive coverage. Pointing at her, laughing knowingly, the Doctor crowed, “Knew it!”

Since she’d been caught out Rose demanded an answer, “Well,” she demanded, “were ya?”

“Of course not. But,” he winked, “she was impressed with me!”

Nodding knowingly the Doctor grabbed her hand. “How are you feeling Rose Tyler? Did you feel drawn to the cave because I’ve figured out what’s going on with the women and we’re going to have to fix it?”

Grateful the Doctor had left the bloody topic and was going to unravel the mystery for her, Rose responded quickly, “Yeah, I was drawn back there but I could’ve resisted whatever it was, probably cuz I hadn’t been exposed for long, and cuz I was knackered but she shouldn’t have …never mind….!”

The instant the Doctor’s eyes lit up with mischief, she knew he wasn’t letting it go.”

“Now, just to be sure I’ve got this right,” the Doctor began, drawing it out, “you didn’t like her fiddling with my bits, disrespecting me, because you want to fiddle with them?”

“NO ‘n just leave off will ya! Why don’t ya be useful and tell me what in the bloomin’ hell is goin’ on here!”

“You know,” the Doctor replied, eyes sparkling with mischief, “I don’t think anyone has ever told me they think my bits are theirs before, let alone fight for the right to them. I like it!”

She was scowling at him and about to give him a dressing down but he didn’t care because he’d cornered her and she knew it and that was when she was at her adorable best, that was when her sharp mind would find a way to turn the tables on him and he couldn’t wait.

As they headed back to the TARDIS, Rose asked, “So what’s next on tap, Doctor?”

“First, I’ll fill you in on what’s affecting the women, then we have to go see the men and share the plan on getting them back to normal.”

“Yeah, okay, go on then. I take it there’s swamp gas or something in the cave?”

“Oh, good one Rose and more or less bang on.”

After the Doctor ran through what he had found and how it had affected the women, all of which Rose listened to attentively, they’d reached the nearby TARDIS.

“D’ya think I could sleep a bit before we visit the men?” she asked.

“I suppose,” he agreed, “it is hard work fighting to protect my bits!”

Rose rolled her eyes, too tired to give him a pointed come back but she did give him something to think about.

“Doctor, I get how a cave could naturally produce that sulphur stuff that affected our voices ‘n made us sleepy but they keep goin’ back so something is drawing them back but caves don’t produce addictive narcotics right? I mean narcotics are made in a lab by puttin’ other chemicals together in combinations, especially the kind that are really addictive cuz they’re made to get ya addicted to make ya pay anythin’ to the pushers to get more, yeah?”

Suddenly she’d captured the Doctor’s complete attention. “There are some drugs found naturally on some planets, like coco leaves or opium from poppies on Earth but you are right that powerful narcotics are rarely naturally occurring in caves. Where are you going with this Rose?”

“If you find out the narcotic properties are made, not natural, then ya gotta ask yourself how the women could produce the stuff. Blimey, they’re livin’ in a cave Doctor ‘n can hardly drag their arses outta bed! How they supposed to produce narcotics and why would they weaken themselves?”

“Are you suggesting what I think you are, Rose Tyler?”

“Yep! We might need to be a lot more cautious than you think when visiting the men.”

“Yes, very well.” Turning on his heel the Doctor called back, “Get some sleep, Rose Tyler. I have to analyze the sample I took from the cave.”

“Men,” she called out, “if they’re not druggin’ ya they’re orderin’ ya about!”

“Yeah but we got the bits you fight over!” he called back.

Muttering on her way to her room, Rose forgot about his spectacular hearing as she grumbled, “For all the good it did! Not like ya ever put out.”

“Knew you wanted to get yer hands on my bits!” his voice mocked back at her, seizing the last word.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Rose stumbled into the galley in her jim jams. Naturally the Doctor was zinging around with his usual high energy buzz, managing to slide her mug of coffee right in front of her as her bum hit the seat, her head rested on one hand and she lifted the mug to her lips.

“Ta,” Doctor, “how ya doin’?”

“Tip top, Rose Tyler, oh yes, I’m on my game! And you, how are you this morning?”

“Good, not exhausted, had a good sleep…be awake after my cuppa!”

Usually this was when the Doctor would aggravate her, when she was half asleep and he knew he was getting under her skin. It was all designed to put a burr under her saddle so she’d hurry up and get dressed because ‘adventure awaits’ as he would say. Watching him, half-lidded, sipping her coffee, she concluded something else was afoot this morning.

“Well,” she piped up, “what’s up? What’s going on? Did you find anything out?”

“Surprisingly articulate for this early, Rose Tyler,” he teased, “normally you’re still snuffling, squinting and sipping!”

“You’re really askin’ for it, ya know,” Rose growled. “Go on then, spit it out!”

Suddenly the Doctor transformed into an eager, thrilled at discovery, detective/scientist as he dragged out his chair and plopped down in front of her.

“Rose, last night I made a number of discoveries not the least being a whole series of underground tunnels.”

Now half way through her coffee and more alert, she asked, “What, they travel between buildings underground? Could be more efficient when it rains.”

“Nope, not between businesses or schools, try again,” the Doctor urged.

Deep in thought, Rose held up her cup for more coffee as the Doctor poured. “Are you saying they built a tunnel underground between the city and the cave where the women live?”

Looking a bit disappointed she’d guessed it so quickly the Doctor praised her, “Brilliant Rose!”

But then Rose surprised him again, “Is the tunnel between the town and the women’s cave regularly used or just left over from some other operation?”

Waggling his eyebrows the Doctor confirmed, “It’s been there awhile but…” he challenged, raising his finger, “it’s well maintained and well used!”

“What?” Rose demanded.

“Yep!” the Doctor confirmed, popping the ‘p’, “the only possible conclusion is that they are going to the cave where the women live!”

“But those women have separated themselves from the men, from their husbands, like they want nothing to do with them. Except they captured you and intended to…err..breed with you…they musta known you were alien. Does it mean it’s just their husbands they don’t want? Talk about bein’ in the doghouse, unless, unless….” Rose was now standing snapping her fingers while the Doctor watched her with delight.

“Doctor! Are the men going into the cave at night when the women are dead asleep from the swamp gas, and, and, havin’ leg-overs with them!!?”

“It seems likely,” the Doctor agreed.

“But, but, that’s ….”

“Yes, it is and that’s not the worst of it. Sensors show there’s a pipe running along the roof of the tunnel originating from a small factory. The pipe is pumping the narcotic chemical into the cave.”

“Ohmigawd! I told you men can be brutes, didn’t I?”

“Now Rose, you know full well some men are brutes and some are martyrs…”

At that moment, the TARDIS sounded. “Someone’s at the door Rose!”

They ran for the console room, even though Rose was still in her jim jams, where the Doctor glanced at the monitor as he dashed by, down the ramp, swinging open the blue door.

With an enormous welcoming smile the Doctor declared, “Oh, HELLO! How can I help you? I’m the Doctor and this is my companion, Rose Tyler. She gets up late sometimes and you are?”

There stood two young preteens, one boy and one girl, holding hands. Rose had joined the Doctor, smiling encouragingly at the two youngsters.

The boy spoke first. “I am named Boy 10 and this is my friend, Girl 7. We were wondering if you could help us?”

The Doctor beamed. “You’ve come to the right place! Help is what we do, me and Rose! We are all about ‘help’. Now, why don’t you come inside and tell us how we can help? Would you like some breakfast?”

“Yes, thank you,” they nodded. “Have you noticed things are not right here?”

“Oh yes, we noticed and I imagine that’s what you need help to fix.”

Boy 10 and Girl 7 were surprised with the girl asking, “You will help us? Do you know what to do?”

“Of course, Rose and I will help you. We have noticed things seem, out of the norm, for planetary development. Perhaps you could share what has you concerned and we can tell you what we have discovered…and together we make a plan to fix it. Do you agree it’s a place to start?”

Nodding their agreement, the two youngsters walked up the ramp. The Doctor was thunderstruck and greatly disappointed when neither youngster even commented on his ship’s vast dimensions but he did not show his disappointment because he knew they didn’t react because such phenomenon were not out of the ordinary for them.

Of course it begged a question. Why could they ‘see’ certain technology like his ship but not other types like the shields he and Rose had used in the cave? The Doctor ventured one question his curiosity could not resist. “Before we begin, may I ask how you found my ship? It should not be visible to you.”

Boy 10 explained, “Your ship is not visible to us in that we cannot see it like we see each of you but we feel it by the light and the atmosphere it displaces. We feel the ripples around us.”

Girl 7 added, “That is how any of our people would know you are there but only if they are near enough. That is how we know something new is near when it is invisible to our eyes but we feel it.”

“Brilliant!” the Doctor declared, “thank you. I am a traveller and so far I’ve not met anyone with such abilities.”

“Your ship reads enormous to us, like something huge, impossible to miss.”

Feeling better about their nonchalant reaction to the inside of his ship, the Doctor led his guests into the galley as Rose took over the questions and the Doctor served what the TARDIS had waiting for their guests.

“Help yourselves,” he declared as Rose asked a first question.

“No offence but your names do not seem very personal. Are you named by your parents?”

“We don’t know why we are named by numbers nor who our parents are.”

“What happens if there’s more than one girl who is seven years old?” Rose asked.

The girl looked at the older boy as she did not have an answer, so the boy responded as if it was obvious, “If that happened, the name would be Girl, 7(a) but it doesn’t happen often.”

It was about this time that Rose recognized the Doctor was in deep think, a state where his mind had been tickled by a possibility or he was seeing timelines around the youngsters that he was unravelling so she filled in the space rather than interrupt him.

Putting on her friendliest face she made a proposal to the youngsters. “I was wondering how you’d feel about each of you having a proper name, not a number, but a name that is about you. Normally your parents would give you such a name perhaps based on their hopes for you or maybe your characteristics. Watcha think?”

Looking at each other, the girl shrugged her indifference but the boy expressed curiosity and interest, asking, “But you just met us, how could you know enough about us to name us?”

It was at that moment the Doctor snapped out of whatever he’d been contemplating.

“Oh, but we do know a lot about you,” he said with an intense stare, and Rose knew something was going on when he turned to her.

“What a terrific idea, Rose Tyler! As for you two, it’s important you have proper names, names of promise and hope. Since you do not know your parents we can do the naming if you accept.”

Rose sensed something was going on and perhaps they did too for they both agreed but Rose noticed the boy was more interested while the girl seemed to go along with her friend.

“What do you know about us that would help you name us?” the boy challenged.

Rose had seen the look before, the look the Doctor had given her that had convinced her to travel with him. Now she was watching the boy experience that look, the look that radiated the Doctor’s regard and promise to protect but also his instinct that something was very special about the boy.

In that moment, Rose saw what the Doctor saw in the boy. Just like she had been entranced by the Doctor so was the boy and just like she had, this boy was standing his ground. Both of them had taken no time before totally trusting the Doctor.

Chapter Text

“How could you know anything about me that you could name me?” the boy pushed again.

Rose knew by the look on the Doctor’s face. He was thrilled.

“Before I answer that question I need to ask one, if I may?”

When the boy nodded, the Doctor asked, “You took quite a risk coming here, not knowing what danger you would face nor whether you would find help. Why did you risk it?”

“The adults are afraid because they are dying out but they are too busy with what is not working to look for alternatives. Without change, my friend and I will die here with no hope. I wanted to try something new so we came here because you may be strangers but you might help us anyway. If not, it will be the same result…we will not survive.”

“Brilliant,” the Doctor concluded, “we will help you. We will make sure your people will survive. Now, let’s talk names, shall we?”

The Doctor had one of the quickest minds she’d ever known but he came from a culture that had lots of tradition associated with ‘naming’ so Rose knew he would treat the matter with serious reflection. Thus, she was surprised when he had names at the ready even though he hardly knew these youngsters.

Looking at the boy, the Doctor stood tall, quietly solemn, and she could imagine him in his robes from Gallifrey when he pronounced, “‘Anesh’, so shall you be named. For many cultures it is known as the name for intelligence, intuition and insight. Do you accept this designation?”

“Yes,” nodded the boy.

“As for you,” the Doctor began, turning his attention to girl 7, “you will be a worthy and trusted friend thus you will be named ‘Misato’ meaning ‘pureheart’. Do you accept this name?”

Perhaps sensing the solemnity of the moment, Girl 7 stood tall and nodded, looking the Doctor in the eye. “Yes.”

Rose knew these two children were special and she knew it because the Doctor had stilled time around all four of them. She didn’t know why but knew he considered the moment pivotal in some way.

When it was over Anesh stepped forward. “I thank you for our naming but now that we have a name, we need a chance at a destiny. Do you have a plan to help us and our community?”

“Of course, always have a plan, Anesh and when you have a plan, always have a plan B, incase the original plan doesn’t work. First step is research, some of which we have already done, but we need more so I want you to return to your home and don’t talk with anyone about this. Return in the morning before school and we take a quick trip to your people’s past. You need top notch research to carry out a plan.”

Anesh was confused and doubtful and it showed, “What do you mean take a trip to our past? No one here will talk about our past and there are no books about it!”

“Anesh, Misato,” Rose intervened, “I come from a planet called Earth. The Doctor may look like me but he is not like me at all. He comes from another planet. He is a Time Lord and he can travel in time, past and future. He means we will go back in time to when your people first came here.”

“Yes, quite right. Thank you Rose. Now, will you come back tomorrow before school?”

The two, newly named youngsters were staring with disbelieve, now doubtful of their benefactors’ help.

“Why can’t we go now? We can’t come before school because we must be disciplined. We only have the freedom to walk around for awhile after school. How do I know you’ll be here?” Anesh demanded.

Then, Misato interjected, “Anesh, he will be here or he won’t. We can’t control if he keeps his word but I think he will.”

“Thank you Misato. Now, Anesh, what do you mean you must be disciplined?” the Doctor demanded.

Anesh slumped as though all his hopes were draining away leaving him with nothing whatsoever worthwhile. Before he’d stood and faced the Doctor but now his shoulders slumped and his voice was monotone when he explained, “The teacher says we have to experience different kinds of pain for 30 minutes everyday. We cannot cry out so we build up our tolerance to resist pain.”

Thunderstruck, the Doctor did not for a moment doubt the boy. Furious he struggled for control as his body stiffened with rage and his fists balled. Rose worried the youngsters would think he was angry with them as she watched them shrink before her eyes.

“Anesh, change of plans,” the Doctor barked, “I will meet you at the school in the morning. Pretend you don’t know me. I will follow you to class.”

Anesh turned and hurried from the ship with Misato but Rose knew they had horribly misunderstood the Doctor.

“Ohmygawd!” Rose gasped, “thirty minutes of pain every day of school, they’re torturing the children! Doctor, we have to stop it! These poor children are victims of some sorta sick cult. First it’s the weirdness with the women ‘n now they’re torturing children. We gotta get them outta there!”

When he didn’t answer Rose studied him. Dark, brooding and angry, Rose felt they were on some sort of knife edge where their next actions would change everything for better or worse.

“Doctor! Anesh thinks you’re angry with them for not ‘accepting’ the punishment! He doesn’t know punishment is not normal. He thinks you’re going to rat him out to the teachers! We have to do something now! DOCTOR!”

Exploding into action, running around the console until the ship took flight and quickly landed again, the Doctor raced down the ramp swinging open the door yelling, “Anesh, Misato, come back…no more student punishment for anyone! The teacher is going to answer to me in the morning!”

Even with the Doctor’s explanation the two hesitated until they saw his eyes. Then they ran up the ramp full of questions and hope. The Doctor pressed Anesh, “The children, the students, where are they now?”

“In the building beside the school, the black one, best to land on the third floor. They’re all housed there! They’ll come if I call them.”

Nodding tersely, the Doctor declared, “No child feels pain again! Rose, the TARDIS is preparing rooms and snacks but we’ll need help reassuring them we’re not going to hurt them.”

Cheering, Rose ran to him, threw her arms around him and kissed him on the lips to his astonishment, then declared, “I’m on it!”

Before she could move away, he whispered, “Thank you Rose for translating for me.”

“Anytime,” she nodded with her hand on his cheek wondering why she could see such haunted memories in his eyes.

Soon the children were onboard, only because of their trust in Anesh and Misato. They were afraid, more so when they saw all that the TARDIS had prepared for them. They were afraid to eat the food, to play, to bounce on their beds, afraid they would be punished.

Between the four of them, with soft voices and lots of smiles and encouragement the children gradually relaxed. Rose kept an eye on the Doctor noting that he found a way to lightly touch and smile at each child and she had no doubt his touch was calming their fear. Soon enough, each child had a gift of welcome, a bit to eat, time to play and then were settled in their beds.

Both Rose and the Doctor were shaken by their sorry state, working together to help them feel safe and protected. The whole school only had thirty children, most of them damaged except for the care and reassurance of the two older children Anesh and Misato.

Trying to hide it, the Doctor was shaken by the experience. Rose was forced to wonder why the Doctor, who had seen so many horrors, was so shaken by these children. Whatever it was he identified with them.

Rose begged the TARDIS to show her the way to the Doctor’s bedroom and when she slipped into his bed she tried to see his face but he kept it hidden from her but he did not turn her away.

Chapter Text

He did not turn her away. He consumed her. Full of fire and ice he was fierce with her using her yielding body to drive away his demons and his memories. Everything about him was desperate, grasping, searching for relief from whatever was haunting him.

Angry at her for wanting him, for not knowing it couldn’t work, he did not prepare her for sex other than pulling her legs open and wetting her center with his spittle. It was the only nod to her comfort he had time for before he split her open.

His slim body was deceiving for it was skin over muscle but it was strong and she knew he would become a shattered mess when he had to face his actions. The only way to help him and protect herself was to yield to him. It took awhile for him to finish but when he did it seemed like a release of anger and frustration. Rolling away, he kept his back to her.

At first he was silent and brooding. But then he leapt from the bed, agitated, running his hands through his hair, pacing back and forth and then he spoke, his voice betraying his devastation, “Rose, I am sorry. I am so sorry,” he said, “I raped you and I am ashamed. I will take you home. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and I wrecked it.”

Riddled with self-loathing, his whole body was tense, his hands fisted and, if he could have, he would have begged her for forgiveness but it was all his fault and he knew he didn’t deserve it.

“Doctor,” she called softly, “Please come back here so I can talk to you.”

“There’s nothing left to say,” he murmured.

“Yeah, there is. I have an important question. Please come here and answer it.”

How could he deny her after what he’d done. It was the very least he could do.

“Doctor, were you punished as a child, like these children are?”

She heard his intake of breath, saw his jaw clamp shut and then the terse nod of his head.

“Well then,” Rose said, “you give that teacher bloke hell tomorrow but don’t kill him ok?”

Nodding, still shocked Rose didn’t seem angry with him, he watched her reach for his hand pulling him to get him back into bed. Soon she was asleep right beside him and he stared at her in wonder before wrapping his arms around her grateful that he of all people was getting another chance.

He waited all night long until she entered her waking cycle. Then he gave her pleasure she’d never known, sensations a human male could not create. Waiting until she pleaded for him, only then, knowing she still trusted him, he thrust into her heat. When he came it wasn’t with anger but with pleasure and gratefulness. Somehow, his pink and yellow girl was healing him. Forgiven, the Doctor slept.

“Doctor, Doctor!” Rose called, “Wake up!”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Doctor, there’s thirty kids on board ‘n we gotta go back in time plus you wanted to talk to that teacher bloke!. We gotta get going!”

Leaping from the bed, the Doctor headed to the loo, but stopped and turned catching Rose looking at his bum. “Rose, thank you for helping me, for everything. I don’t know words that are good enough for what you mean to me.”

“I know what you mean, Doctor. I feel the same about you. Now crack on will ya!”

“Yes, one more question first, do you think you’ll want to have sex with me again?”

“Would right now if it wasn’t for sortin’ out this mess!”

“Good, good, yes children first, very well. Think about this Rose. These children are probably the sons and daughters of the women from the cave. I think we should visit them and offer them a return home along with their children.”

“Brilliant, meet me when you’re done ‘n hurry up will ya!”

During his shower, the Doctor could not help but dwell on the astonishing change in his life in one night. He’d broken all his rules with Rose Tyler. From his anger at her for pushing him until he’d hurt her, to accepting her forgiveness and affection and now he was not even thinking of his rules about companions! He was thinking about tossing his rules in the bin and asking her to be his. In one night his whole life had changed! He might be racing towards heartbreak and rejection but it turned out to be a simple equation. Rose Tyler was worth taking the risk.

Rose marvelled at the utter trust the children had in the Doctor. Showered, shaved and dressed, he burst into the large, comfortable room where they were housed, arms spread wide, calling out, “Good morning! How are you lot?”

Just yesterday the children had been silent, afraid and unhappy. Children were trusting by nature but they were still reserved with her, limited to smiling shyly, but the minute the Doctor burst into the room calling them, they were all smiles, laughing as they ran toward him, calling his name, eager to clamor around him happily.

They trusted him completely and Rose could not stop watching the exuberant scene. It wasn’t just the total trust the Doctor inspired in the children, it was the effect they had on him. He was transformed, his countenance radiated happiness, like he was basking in the purity of their innocence.

Miraculously they got the children fed and the Doctor explained they didn’t have to go to school. It was a holiday and they should listen to Anesh and Misato, which prompted a desire from the children for new names which the Doctor promised when he got back.

The TARDIS made a short hop from the building that housed the children to the school where Anesh said the teacher would administer the morning pain session. Hugging the Doctor just before he left they both knew everything had changed now as if there was so much more at stake.

Slipping out of the TARDIS, the Doctor walked down the center hallway calling out for ‘the pain professor’. In the console room, Anesh joined Rose as the Doctor came to a stop in the middle of the school hallway facing the approaching teacher who carried a riding crop by his side.

“Who are you?” the professor demanded. “Where are my students?”

“I am the Doctor. The children are under my protection. Punishment has been permanently canceled!”

A large man, the professor quickly sized up the Doctor. True he was tall but he was also slight and unlikely to withstand his force. When the professor got closer he circled around the Doctor, pleased when the big talking stranger chose not to face him, leaving him free to strike him with his riding crop whenever he wanted.

The Doctor was not facing the fool, not because he was afraid, rather he knew it would draw the professor into underestimating him. Listening intently to the professor’s every step, sensing his cocky certainty he would have someone to punish after all, he waited for the giver of punishment to make his move.

Thus, he heard and felt the instant the professor raised his arm to strike! Whirling around, the Doctor intercepted the whip, ripping it from the startled professor’s grip. His speed and agility threw the professor off balance. Squeezing the large man’s throat with his other hand, the Doctor used one foot to sweep the professor’s feet out from under him.

Crashing to the ground, the Doctor raised the whip to strike but decided against it not wanting Rose to see him lose control, not wanting to be in any way like the professor. With his foot on the fool’s chest the Doctor warned, “Hurt or strike another child, I will be back. You will not survive my punishment!”

Naturally Rose was watching on the monitor, so proud of him knowing he held back despite having the strength to toss the blighter down the hall. Anesh stood beside her marvelling that the Doctor would risk himself for their sake.

“Why does he help us when he could be killed? We’re not important. Nobody will care if we’re dead. Nobody knows we’re here.”

“Anesh, you deserve to live, to make a contribution, to have a family. Life can be wonderful, worth living. Children are the future and carry all our hopes. The Doctor tries to make things better for people caught in terrible circumstances!”

Anesh studied her apparently thinking it over. He watched her walk down the ramp. “I’m going to meet up with the Doctor,” Rose explained.

Still thinking over what she’d said, he watched on the monitor as she went out the door. About to head back to the kids, he froze when he saw Rose grabbed by two of the elders, one held a cloth against her nose and mouth until she slumped, the other bound her and then they dragged her away down the back stairs.

Running down the ramp, Anesh closed the blue door racing around the corner, down the hallway, calling, “DOCTOR, DOCTOR, THEY TOOK ROSE!”

Chapter Text

Racing down the hallway the Doctor yelled for Anesh to turn around and run back to the ship knowing he would overtake the boy. “Where? Where did they take her?” the Doctor yelled as he flew down the hall towards him.

Anesh reached the TARDIS ahead of the Doctor by seconds waiting for him to unlock the door as he panted, “They drugged her and carried her away down the back stairs. Exploding up the ramp as Anesh closed the blue door, the Doctor muttered, “Oh no, no, no you don’t! I’m onto you scum!”

“Shouldn’t we go after her Doctor?”

“We are Anesh…I’m tracking her now. We go to her with the ship. They cannot run from me and they will pay a high price if they hurt her!”

“Where are they taking her?” Anesh pressed.

“Underground tunnel, possibly heading toward the cave where the women stay, those that gave birth to the children at your school.”

“You mean my mother might be among them?”

“Maybe but I don’t know Anesh. I have a feeling we’ll find out. Hang on!”

Glancing at the boy, the Doctor wondered if he should have mentioned the mothers given the shell-shocked look on Anesh’s face. Maybe not but no time for that right now. He was landing. This was about Rose!

The Doctor and Anesh were each alone with their thoughts. The boy wondered if he might meet his Mother as the Doctor focused on Rose’s key signature and the three men moving her inexorably closer to the women’s cave! So far Rose and her abductors were on the move but if they stopped, if the men attempted to take liberties with Rose, he would land and the lives of those who had taken her would never be the same again.

With any luck the kidnappers would simply drop Rose off in the cave with the women. Once Rose’s kidnappers left, he would land and collect her along with the women, long before the men returned. Once reunited with their stolen children he would take them back to their planet of origin.

From the TARDIS the Doctor blocked the pipe spewing the narcotic into the cavern and used the ship to fill the cavern with fresh, clean air which also kept the sulphur hexafluoride close to the ground. Almost immediately the women began to wake up. Cries of alarm sounded as the men entered the cavern with Rose, bound and gagged, and the women quickly realized they were in trouble and the men realized they were too!

It was a sight to behold and the Doctor watched it all unfold. The penny dropped as the women, now clear-headed, realized how they’d been mistreated, kept in servitude and abused. The men were keenly aware they were about to be torn apart so they threw Rose towards the nearest women who picked her up and removed her restraints while the Doctor raced around the console blocking the men from retreating.

Bursting through the blue doors the Doctor demanded everyone listen up as he signalled Rose to come to him. With her safely beside him, the Doctor pronounced, “Inside my ship,” he began, looking at the Mothers, “are a wonderful group of children, the product of your abuse at the hands of the men who drugged you and violated you while you were defenceless!”

Watching as the women put two and two together he didn’t have a chance to tell them he would take them home before a quiet voice at the back spoke hesitantly, “I gave birth twice. It’s not something you don’t know. Please, can I see my children?”

Then all the women babbled she was wrong the children were theirs. Finally the Doctor shouted, “SHUT IT!! Do you think I don’t have the means to match the DNA of the children to the mother? I don’t give children away to anyone!”

Then pointing at the woman who spoke first he signalled her to step forward scanning her. Turning to Rose he asked, “Do you see it Rose?”

“Plain as day,” Rose bubbled, turning to the Mother. “We have your children!”

Everyone started babbling until the Doctor pulled a bicycle horn from his pocket sounding a suitable racket until everyone shut up. “Here’s how it’s going to work. I have the children’s DNA. Before I let any of you anywhere near them I will check you for a match. If there is a match you will be invited inside to meet them. Match or no match, I will take you back to your home planet if that is what you want.”

Turning to the men, the Doctor’s tone change reflecting his disgust and anger. “None of the children will be left with any of you. You endorse teachers applying pain to children you have fathered, YOUR OWN SONS AND DAUGHTERS, EVERY MORNING! I will have to come back for you because you do not deserve to be anywhere near the children. AM I CLEAR?” the Doctor bellowed staring at the men who had accompanied Rose. “Now clear out of here and ask the others if they want to go home before I withdraw my offer and leave your sorry asses behind!”

Every last one of the women wanted to go back to their home planet with their children. The men left to check with the others about returning. Facing the females again, the Doctor called for the woman who spoke first to come forward.

“Well spotted, by the way,” Rose praised. “ Doctor, this is gonna be brilliant!” The Doctor had spied the resemblance between the woman and Anesh and his sister Misato.

“You okay Rose? Did they hurt you?”

“All the better for seein’ ya Doctor? They just dragged me along is all. You gonna test their DNA out here?”

“Yes but why not take Anesh and Misato’s mother in to meet them while I test the others.”

The mothers only cared about seeing their children, thus the Doctor and Rose gave priority to the DNA matching. Soon mothers and children were matched up and the Doctor zeroed in on their home planet from images he’d seen in the school. Delighted to find it was close enough his scans could tell him how to approach local authorities, he began making arrangements for the return of their lost citizens.

The mothers and fathers had been part of a religious sect seeking a return to purity which the Doctor ridiculed and ranted about for at least ten minutes but the mothers and their children were welcomed home like long lost travellers with fanfare and many relatives in attendance. Rose witnessed the children surrounding the Doctor as he hugged every last one of them before they left. She knew he’d telepathically reassured each of them and she knew how much he’d been affected by them.

The Doctor was formally thanked by the government. Turned out the men didn’t want to return but the Doctor promised he would check on them from time to time. At least their home planet knew where they were and as far as the Doctor was concerned the fathers deserved to be incarcerated!

But his thought provoked a blinding realization, he’d done the exact same thing to Rose as the men had done to the women. He may not have drugged her and she had forgiven him but there was no denying he’d forced himself on her!

Rose made it all the way into the console room, right in front of him, but he didn’t notice her but she noticed he looked undone. “Doctor, what is it? What’s happened?”

Snapping back into the here and now, he brushed her questions away with one of his own. “Well, Rose we’re free and clear of this mess, everything sorted, we can be on our way!”

“Yeah, guess the TARDIS wanted the women rescued so we did our job.”

Smiling, he pointed out, “Not sure that was her goal, Rose. She didn’t mind the women rescued but it was Anesh and Misato that had to be rescued. In the brief moments before Anesh became part of my timeline I saw his future. He is destined to negotiate the end of a brutal, destructive war spanning this whole sector of space. Without our intervention, those children would not be in the right place at the right time, hence the TARDIS’s involvement.”

“Imagine that,” Rose marvelled, “Anesh couldn’t understand why you risked yourself to help the kids. Looks like he will follow your example, in the future, Doctor.”

“I’m no hero Rose and you, of all people, know that! Let’s get out of here.”

Ahhh, that’s what’s got him in a lather Rose thought watching him morph into the aloof, distant alien as he turned away to program his blue box and question what he had done to her. He was having second thoughts.

Rose stood right behind him, so he could feel her, so he could hear her in his ear. “You were angry the first time, angry at me for making you feel, for making you hope but even then you didn’t physically hurt me, you were just tryin’ to prove to me you were not worth havin’ and if I had pulled away, fought you, I know you would have stopped. Even so, it was not even close to how bad these women were treated. Then, the second time, we were together, well, it was who you really are. I may not be able to read your thoughts Doctor but I could feel your body and your touch and I will never forget how good you made me feel.”

Still standing behind him she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his back, pausing to let him consider her words. His reaction was not what she expected. Exploding, like ice touching fire, he whirled around catching her up under her armpits and shoving her into the nearest corral strut, hissing into her ear, “I played Earth boy for you because that’s what you wanted,” he hissed. “Time Lord sex would break you! STOP THIS!”

Chapter Text

“Excuse me!,” Rose hissed in his ear. “Aren’cha the one who asked me if we’d have sex again? You wanted to, I know you did! What in bloomin’ hell is going’ on with you? What’s changed your mind? And while I’m at it, if you don’t wanna be with me then don’t be, but ya don’t get to make it my fault because you’d rather be alone than let someone love you!”

Tense and shaking, his eyes fiery orbs of blackness, the Doctor stared at her. Of all the challenges he’d faced, this one had him rigid, angry with her for pushing him, as though giving an explanation, revealing his secret, would somehow be the end of him. She was held firmly by him but she did not back away from her accusation nor from her countenance which was every bit as fierce as his.

The tension between them bound them tightly and they both knew it might explode into a make or break moment, forever tearing them apart or binding them together.

“You can be pissed with me all you want but it’s yourself yer pissed with…you can’t handle wanting someone,” she hissed. “Face it Time Lord! All that power and ability but down deep you don’t think you deserve it, that you don’t deserve to be happy. Gawd Doctor, if all the worlds and all the people you’ve saved don’t entitle you to the simple joy of bein’ loved then ya gotta ask yourself why…why d’ya think you’re not good enough?” Rose sobbed in his ear where he had her pressed against the coral strut. Still, she held him tight not letting him go.

Tangled in his anger, irritated he was sending mixed messages because he didn’t want her to feel bad if she learned the truth, there was one thing he knew for certain. Non of his behaviour nor his anger was Rose’s fault. It was all down to him. She was offering herself to him because she loved him or thought she did. That was what he resented! But it wasn’t her fault! He lead her to believe it was possible, he lead her on. He’d deceived himself it could work. It was all his fault because he allowed himself to believe a fantasy. What an old fool he was!

Rose could feel his resolve and his fury fading with each rasping breath he took. He stepped back mumbling that it wasn’t her fault, it was his fault, then turned and left the console room but Rose ran after him.

“Doctor, we owe it to each other to talk this out. I deserve an explanation from you!”

Shoulders slumped, he nodded.. “Meet me in the library in an hour, for all the good it will do!”

“Doctor!” Rose pushed, pulling his arm until he turned to face her, “I’m not tryin’ to be difficult but I feel like we can’t wait an hour, like it will give you time to swallow hard and hide what is wrong. You are so…I dunno…wounded. I’ll do whatever I have to do to help you…so just tell me what’s wrong, please!”

Throwing her arms around him she whispered in his ear, “I’ll never hurt you.”

“As you wish,” he sighed. Returning and sitting on the console bench, his body language defeated and resigned to an unfavourable outcome, his choice of seat conceded the floor to Rose for questioning.

“Doctor, I want you to know that I’m not gonna leave you even if ya never want to have sex with me again. But, well, is it the case you don’t want to have sex with me and if ‘yes’, can you tell me why?”

“Yes, because it’s too much work,” he sighed.

“WHAT!? WHAT D’YA MEAN TOO MUCH WORK?”

Groaning, knowing the conversation was headed into difficult territory, the Doctor ran his hand through his hair.

“I doubt,” he quietly began, his head hanging, “you could even imagine how difficult it is to have sex with a non-telepath, one whose naked body touches yours, while you struggle to shut off your telepathy, while you force yourself to close off the one satisfaction your species needs, not just for sex, but for life itself. When your partner finds telepathy invasive, you find yourself forced to expend all your effort shutting off one of your senses, like plucking out an eye, even though it is the sense that you are desperate to use for completion. It’s the last thing you want to do and your whole being is against the idea. It’s a lot of work.”

Staring at him, her hand over her mouth like she would cry at any moment, he heard her gasp. He heard her whisper, “I didn’t know, Doctor. I didn’t know! Why didn’t ya tell me?”

He didn’t look up until she was kneeling in front of him, tears running down her face. “I’m so sorry for all those things I said Doctor!”

“I let myself hope I could make it work,” he whispered. “so I could hold you, feel you like a lover, but I’m not strong enough.”

Holding his head in her hands, running them through his hair, she softly soothed, “See Doctor, this is why we have to talk about problems, why ya can’t carry everythin’ alone. Lucky for us, this problem has a solution.”

“Yes, at least you will still stay with me,” he replied. “You haven’t changed your mind have you Rose?”

“Of course not! I’m gonna stay but I’m gonna do more than that! I want ya to move right on in yeah? Hang around, have fun.”

“What? What do you mean, Rose?”

“I mean just consider yourself welcome anytime…in my mind…during sex or, I dunno, at breakfast or anytime really.”

He raised his head to be sure he’d heard what he thought she’d said only to find her nodding her head enthusiastically. “I can’t bear to think of you suffering like that, Doctor, so just take a wander when you need to okay?”

He grasped her to him, clutching her close, like the lifeline she was. Ecstatic her offer was enthusiastically accepted, Rose bubbled with hope. She loved the Doctor and she knew her offer had profoundly affected him.

“Do you really mean it Rose?” he murmured.

“‘Course I do, ya plum! Try it right now, if ya want, like a test drive before ya buy the car.”

“What an odd thing to say,” the Doctor observed but he had his fingers at her temples, entering her mind, his psyche seeking the joy and relief of mental contact again. He could feel her body, full of life, pressed against him and now he could feel her mind willingly open to him. He also knew how upset she was at his suffering and her desperation to help him. The frenzy of her wishes and hopes for him, for them, were tumbling and rolling over each other filling him with wonder, giving him relief from the pain the empty hole in his mind caused him.

It didn’t end there because Rose’s feelings for him surged like a tsunami of love and lust that was staggering in its clarity. Yet all of it was underpinned with her warm regard and respect for him. He had not had such hope for another to love, to be his mate, in centuries. To be in a female’s mind, washed in her desire, was suddenly priming all his pumps. Rassilon, he was ready.

And she knew it because he could feel her hand on him, stroking him, her tongue in his ear which was such an exotic feeling he was stiffening, getting harder. Oh he was ready, eager this time. He was going to show her all that she didn’t know about her own body and he couldn’t wait to be buried in her to the hilt!

He’d never been in another’s mind where he’d found such desire to be with him. It was exhilarating, exciting and there was no end in sight to her desperation, her hunger for him. Consumed with disrobing and touching each other they lost track of where they were so that when they fell to the grid work together, Rose braced herself but she didn’t need to worry. The entire floor, except immediately around the console, had become a mattress.

Behind her, his erection twitching in the cleft of her bum, he controlled her body by touching various nerve nodules that made her shake and plead for more. So long deprived, it was the only way he could control himself while he explored her but, even then, just the sounds she was making, the sinuous undulations of her body reacting to his touch, made his hearts pound and his blood rush. It was the way she trembled when he touched her in the places she didn’t even know would ignite her. He felt her pleasure as she shook under him. It was a reward he had never had with a woman before.

Of course, Rose wasn’t the passive type, which the Time Lord always found enjoyable. Whatever the hell he was doing with her nerve nodes was extremely close to an orgasm but she wanted to figure out how his body worked so she prompted him to roll on his back.

“I dunno how your nerves work but gimme a minute will ya so I can touch you.”

Laughing, he rolled over, raising his arms behind his head to watch her, smirking as she took in his ‘credentials’ and his ‘cockiness’. Exploring him all over, she noticed when his eyes, half-lidded in enjoyment, perhaps pleased for the chance to regain control, drifted closed. That’s when she took him in her mouth and made him groan and pant. It wasn’t just new to him, it was astonishingly good, all the more so because it excited her to feel him respond, to feel his girth and length expand and stiffen in her mouth. Rassilon, his senses were exploding with what she was doing to him and with her pleasure to feel him respond.

“Whoa, whoa,” he gasped, sitting up, “Give me a minute or I’ll explode like a wee boy!”

Her hair all messy, her eyes sinfully half lidded, nipples pink and puckered, her desire was a tidal wave and he could feel it and see in his mind, in all its splendour, and it felt like being whole again. As his cock twitched and stiffened, he thought how beautiful she was, not just her image, but her heart, her single heart. It was her faith in him, her trust that made it possible for them to be so much more to each other, to be together. He could feel time lines moving.

Let them move, he was busy. Crawling towards her he positioned her leaning on the console bench, knees on the mattress floor then he impaled her with deep thrusts manipulating her nerve bud with his mind. Stopping just short of ejaculation he moved her again, this time onto the mattress where she wrapped her legs around him. Thrusting into her tight heat, it was astonishing to feel her tremble, to hear her mind plead with him not to stop, to know from her mind her consuming love and lust was just for him, only for him.

Each stroke was a blast of sensation and he knew of no power that could stop his release now. When he exploded his mind hurled them into the cosmos where, the Doctor and Rose blissfully drifted together among the stars, all created by the mind of a Time Lord upon ejaculating, hence the expression, ‘I saw stars’.

For the Doctor he was whole again, balanced, with all his abilities at their peak all down to the most generous, kind, human in history as far as he was concerned! Rose Tyler had even remarked that his face looked younger, less strained by the demands on him. Maybe so but he thought it might be down to Rose, whom he loved. Rose was precious beyond measure to him because she had rescued him, she loved travelling with him, she loved his ship and she loved him. She was perfect.

He had two priorities at the moment, no three! First, more sex with Rose Tyler, second, make Rose his bond mate and third, use every trick in the book to extend her life.

The End for now