Chapter Text
Rose's head was far from clear: her whole view blurred and spinning, her eyelids not even fully open, not to mention her whole body aching. It was all swimming back to her in bits and pieces, fighting upstream back to the front of her mind... Aitau.
Someone who seemed so kind and harmless to her, flattering almost, to turn around like some ravenous beast and attack? If this was all planned, he must've gone into meeting her with the manipulation in mind. The only other option was something had taken over him, a virus maybe? She'd seen a few other cases of innocent people driven to violence other planets with The Doctor, however the cases of some people being murderous beasts easily beat ten times the amount.
Her hopes weren't high - at least with a virus she could offer to help find a cure, but a homicidal maniac alien was definitely less likely to listen to pleading. She'd just have to hope The Doctor went looking for her and found her missing soon enough, surely soon...
Her eyesight was slowly coming to, despite the apparent lack of lighting, only a few small rays shining in from a window, didn't help. Her body was strung up to a ceiling, her hands bound to the roof by some mechanical device she'd never seen before, most likely Zanithian technology. The rest of her body dangled helplessly below, her tip-toes just about reaching the ground.
"Ugh... Of course when he leaves me alone I get kidnapped..." Rose squinted and slowly came to, her head still banging, but she could catch her bearings now at least. She was in some dark giant room, almost warehouse-like, with weird sheets of fabric draped up around poles on the ceiling, creating almost a maze of fabric in-front of her. While it was terrifying not knowing where Aitau was amidst all this, she had to admit the Zanithian fabric were beautiful colourful patterns and swirls.
All of it felt insignificant, however, in comparison to the machinery besides her, lights flickering and sounds beeping and whirring as if monitoring her. She slowly noticed Aitau's clawed hand curl around some strung up fabric and his teeth snarled from behind, as if waiting for her to wake up just for this. The Doctor better hurry up.
"What do you want from me?" She cried out, trying to make her voice come out as defiant despite the clear trembling. She wouldn't cave. He would find her soon.
The once-so-sweet alien lurched forwards like some 80's horror movie demon and snarled, despite his animalistic nature, seeming intelligently malicious. At least with an animal it would simply kill and eat, not play with its food and toy for wicked humour's sake. "You star-walkers. You are supposed to be the saving grace. We don't need saviours, if only our rulers could see that we are able to thrive on our own, I could be in rule. I could lead this planet to glory, rid my people of any traitors. Though truthfully, while they deny it to any who ask, my people have an old tradition of feasting on any new species they meet. You, dear, are prime meat - a delicacy here."
Rose tried not to pull a face. It was bad enough that Aitau was hoping to be some sort of tyrannical rular, but now he was a human-eating alien too? His humane features made Rose incapable of denying the cannibalistic nature digging at her, of a creature so similar in kind being able to converse and share knowledge with her, and yet see her as just a piece of meat for a small difference between them. She'd never truly encountered an alien like this before, that woke some deep dark pit in her stomach.
"You can't do this. The Doctor will come and find me. Your Queen won't let you get away with this." Rose tried to reach the floor to ease the ache in her wrists, now rubbed and burnt from the suspension.
Aitau let out a low stomach-turning cackle and hummed. "Are you hoping to find some morality, some decency? You wouldn't even know if I was telling you the truth. Maybe I have a personal vendetta against humans? Maybe I dont even intend you harm? I do what I do simply because I can. Having human flesh for the first time will just be an added bonus."
He slithered with his limber movements, curling his fingers around something behind her as he circled her. Not high enough to be a vulture or low enough to be a piranha, Aitau circled Rose like a human. A blood-thirsty, cannibalistic human. She drew her eyes to a sharp close as she felt a slice pierce her flesh, his talons scraping across her skin and burying deep to reach muscle.
The Doctor had come to realise how grown apart he had become with Mirian the more he was in her company. She had been discussing matters of the planet, matters of peace - which the doctor was always for, however he felt cold. With his age, his experience, he knew what it was like to travel alone. He'd done it plenty-a-time, and knew he could do it again anytime he wanted, but that didn't mean he wanted to. Human life was so very fragile and short and while he hadn't been with Rose for long in comparison to his lifetime, he'd grown used to the warmth of her presence so that a moment without her only drew shivers from his body instead of his usual smile.
When he left with Mirian, he had noticed Aitau had taken a liking of Rose. He found the fact aliens were even able to see Rose as even a fraction of how welcoming and sweet he saw her was a delight. She was a true pleasure to travel with, and he had truly missed this level of warmth and comfort for a long time. Still, he didn't ever fully trust new and strange planets and aliens completely. Granted, he'd technically been to this planet before, and he was an 'alien' himself, you could never be cautious enough when entering an unfamiliar territory with unfamiliar customs or people.
The last time he'd taken his comfort too easily in a strange planet, he'd ended up facing a secret leadership of aggressive aliens who had planned to steal the Tardis and expend a tyrannical rule over the galaxy, possibly one day, the whole of space. Mirian was sweet and accommodating, even if she did come on quite strong and flirtatious. She wasn't bad looking in any means necessary, however The Doctor made sure not to make a habit of ever leaving companions alone for too long, if not at all, on an unfamiliar planet. This was no exception.
He was just about to draw his conversations catching up with Mirian to a close as she drew her arm, lingering too long on his shoulders, when his sonic screwdriver began to alarmingly whir in his pocket and flash shades of red. The Tardis nor the screwdriver seemed too happy, and that was enough for him. While unpleased they had to draw their 'reconnection' to a close, Mirian was soon happy to help as she demanded transportation when the guards had informed her upon inquiry that Aitau had vacated down into the city streets. He could've ended up anywhere.
The Doctor didn't want to swoop in at an inconvenient moment if there was nothing bad occurring, but he'd rather be safe than live to regret letting his companion suffer a cruel fate while under his care. He was the one used to all this, not her. Her life was ordinary until recently - she was sweet and gentle and way too trusting, but that's what he liked her for. Being experienced with planets and aliens and dangerous situations, he'd sworn not only to her but her mother, Mickey, the people who care for her, to keep her safe. He wasn't about to be a messenger of apologies, it would be his fault id Rose ended up in a body bag.
He had sat with Mirian on a metallic floating vehicle somewhat like a motorbike as he pulled off, making haste while she fed him ideas and directions. "Aitau woudlnt have take her too far or done anything, surely, he's a trusted friend, however I still understand your concern."
Pointing out streets, The Doctor had abandoned the bike and was now traversing the busy streets on foot, asking around for Rose's description, and had eventually come to be guided into an alleyway. It was immodestly gut-wrenching when he saw the scattered broken parts of wood and glass and variations of things.
Even up until now, he'd held out hope that this was all some misunderstanding and that Aitau was as genuine as he played up to be. What he saw before him was all he needed to know he was wrong.
Blood - freshly painted on the alley wall amongst the chaotic dismay. He was already beside it, screwdriver out as he ran the blood on the Tardis system, feeling colour drain as it appeared in glowing white text. 'DNA Sample Match - Companion, Rose Tyler.'
The wind had been kicked right out of him, he stood there for just a moment. He knew he didn't have time to waste, but what if it was too late? What if leaving her alone, someone who trusted him and put her life in his hands, his care, was the biggest mistake of his entire life? What if simply being an idiot had cost a good, innocent, caring, most *wonderful* woman her life? Whatever guilt or fears or shame he had was pushed aside as he continued to analyse the scene for any more evidence to track Rose down.
*Aitau.* He has been left with Rose, and now marks on the walls matching his measurements and DNA has come back from the sonic screwdriver. He turned hastily, his feet barely having time to touch the ground as he rushed back to Miraan. "Aitau. How well do you know him, any places he frequents? Are there *any* isolated areas near the avenue of fifth that he could've taken Rose?"
She was a little disturbed, but could tell her flirtatious banter was to be saved for another time by the cold glare and shaking hands of the Doctor. "Oh... Aitau? He's been working for me for many years now, I don't know any places he frequents that he'd likely take her, but I do know there are some warehouses and abandoned buildings near that avenue."
The abandoned buildings weren't too close to the alleyway where Rose had last been seen, as to not draw suspicion or simply make it easier for the Doctor, however there were some more isolated out past a market. The market was a good cover for moving suspiciously about the area, carrying 'covered goods' under sheets and such, however far enough to isolate any noise. God, he hated the idea that he had taken her someone specifically where no one could hear her scream. He knew what that meant for his intentions - more likely to harm her than some simple hostage situation.
The Doctor had enlisted Miraan's help, and with her personally searching places with countless armed forces, the Doctor took it upon himself to follow a gut feeling. This farmer headed out from the city further to the edge had seen the Doctor's restless efforts of searching and had recommended checking a building farther out for 'safe measure,' kindly offering a ride on his way to his farm.
As he slid from the passenger seat of the vehicle, the Doctor gave the farmer a grateful acknowledgement, but couldn't shake the vishal's hold this building had on him the moment he laid eyes on it. He'd seen enough, he knew enough. His whole lifetime, he could tell certain places were perfect for nefarious schemes and all sorts of alien drama bullshit, but none of that mattered because this was about Rose. Only this mattered.
If he fucked this up... He couldn't even entertain the thought as he kept his stare locked on the building, headed towards and scanning it with the screwdriver carefully, for any external traps or hazardous information. Hell, even for life signs or heat signatures, if the screwdriver chose to work with him today. Nothing much came back hazardous, so he edged closer, making sure his every step was carefully calculated, steady but quick. He wanted to do nothing more and take his time to ensure he didn't set off any trap or being the reason Aitau hurt her more, however time was against him. In the end, it always seemed to be.
Time toyed with him again. Not a second later, screams bellowed out, Rose's broken sweet, sweet voice crying out for him. A beacon, a call for help, and yet here he stood frozen in place. His body broke out into a sprint before he could think. He slowed and calmed himself as he came to reach the building, more likely to have traps around it close by, as well as Aitau's finely tuned alien ears.
"For the love of God- Doctor, please!" Rose cried out helplessly, hoping maybe even the fucking Tardis, worst case, heard and came to her aid. Hell, teleporting away didn't sound like much of a bad plan, however a majority underdeveloped one.
The Doctor peaked around the rooms as he slowly located her, in a room surrounded by various warm fabrics. Interestingly, a lot of the fabric's readings spoke of peace and tranquility, and yet here they were almost corrupted for some thirst crime scene. "Rose?"
The Doctor carefully whisper-yelled as he shuffled around and made it to eventually see Rose. Beyond his imagination, this was soemthing far worse. Her, strung up, actively in pain as she dangles fearfully. All the ideas on the way over of her being dead in some ditch or tortured somehow didn't come anywhere heat to even seeing a fraction of the pain in person. Her blood dribbled and spat out of her body at times, not too strong to have the Doctor planning a funeral, however enough to have her squirm all lightheaded and desperate.
"Hey, I got you. Breathe. Is he here?" He began to work at her chains, using the screwdriver to break her out and let them slip to the floor. He grabbed her and immediately lowered her safely to the ground, his hands and eyes frantically gentle, hovering over her as he murmured and mumbled. "Anything serious things I need to know about?"
The Doctor fought with the idea of tracking down Aitau, his simmering rage gradually heating ready to soon boil over. He also was desperate not to leave Rose's side again. He wasn't known for his anger, most knew him from his adventures with his companions when he'd often risk being a troublemaker to save people and the timeline. However, every now and then, he would have to speak carefully around someone who knew what he was capable of. They would tread around him like walking on glass, with a certain unbridled fear, arguably heightened by the duality of his personality.
Rose hadn't seen that side of him, and he hoped she'd never have to. However he couldn't help the soured face stuck glaring darkly at her exhausted and injured state, the way she gathered her breath and slowly looked up at him told him she'd seen it too. "Nothing life threading right this second- he... he isn't far away, he left not long ago, didn't say where."
Despite her jumbled and frantic words, still catching her breath occasionally, her adrenaline still coursing through her veins driving her heart to thrash rapidly against her chest. The Doctor hadn't exactly planned the specifics of what he'd do to the alien man just yet, however he knew he'd find whatever seemed most fitting when the time would soon come around. For now, Rose and only Rose - he would not risk her slipping from his fingers ever again.
He knew human companions were a poor choice in the sense of comparing life-spans with his own, however most life spans paled to his, and more so, no matter how long or short they'd naturally live, he knew the risks of danger taking them on. So did they, or at least they always think they do, a degree of it, but none of them could have the countless years of experience watching civilisations burn, existences be erased and see some of the most horrific crimes of nature like he had. It was selfish, really. Just a young boy at heart fearful of being a delusional old man, sat all alone in his little blue box without company. And for that, he'd risk lives? For company? It was pitiful.
He was severely doubting Rose's companionship, not through any fault of her own, but rather the obvious risk being thrown in his face, paired with the agony of watching her suffer had shaken him. That was for later, when she was fully and completely safe and healthy. That was not now, not yet, at least. He scooped her up into a bridal carry and rushed to exit, careful to look around as he held his screwdriver under her legs in his hold to aid a smoother escape. He had Mirian sending backup here, of which when he ran down the alley to see the Queen herself with troops, a medical team of sorts beside her, the Doctor wasted no time.
His eyes bore into Mirian's as he held both a desperate plea and silent threat in his glare. "Help her, please." He only trusted her right now, while he usually was trusting and gave benefit of the doubt, after Aitau, he wasn't taking risks, even more so in regards to Rose's health. He rushed with the medical team back to what resembled a hospital, Rose being hooked up as the Doctor wasted no time, knowing that being so unused to human anatomy and healthcare, there were risks despite the alien's medical prowess. He scanned her, reading and translating her vitals and key anatomical information to the medical team who helped him to both sedate and tend to Rose.
By the time he was done, it was only him and her in the large medical bay. Her, laying with finally a peaceful expression, the tension faded from her shoulders as she got her long awaited rest. Him, sat at her bedside, head in his hands, occasionally checking her vitals as he contemplated what to do with his injured companion.
What would he even say? He'd left her on an alien planet only to get kidnapped and tortured. There were no words to follow after that. Still, he sat there - he knew a silent presence was better for a sick person than suffering alone.
When she started to stir and eventually come to, the Doctor shot up, staring down at her, checking her pupils with a torch on his sonic screwdriver, muttering an apology as he gently checked her injuries. "Rose? Sorry, can you hear me?"
Scowling from the bright light, she gently blinked and readjusted to his face in full view. "Doctor? Is it really you?" She seemed on the verge of being jumpy, as of Aitau still had her, but the moment his face came into the picture, he was all she could see. Despite the nurses shifting around in the background and the beeping vitals machine beside her and the orange rays of sun gleaming through the blinds of the medical bay.
He sighed in relief as he continued to check her. "We've healed you up and had you sedated to rest for a while now, everything alright? You might feel drowsiness and-"
She reached out and grabbed his forearm. "Doctor." It was an instant he was pulled into a tight embrace. All too unfamiliar from his many many years alone, and yet her touch destroyed that immediately, as if he knew his home comfort forever, and yet he could never get used to how his hearts ached in a painfully good way.
"Rose." He finally softened, his tension slipping away too with her calling out to him, returning the gesture as he gently returned the embrace. He hadn't answered his questions yet but it was alright for now, since he planned on forcing the medical team to do a thorough check routinely until they left again.
"God, I missed you and your stupid screwdriver, as blinding as it is." Her voice was a little raw from the screaming, and yet it sounded as soft as silk flowing out of her mouth. He didn't want to let go, insults to his beloved screwdriver and all.
The Doctor walked into the room, the guards gently closing the sealing door behind him as Mirian stepped out, giving him a look of respect before sparing a glimpse of disgust for her prisoner. "He's all yours." While her heart ached a little, seeing him care so deeply about another, the Queen extended her personal understanding in the Doctor's intention to 'settle' his issue with Aitau.
Here he squirmed, locked down to a chair as he yelled and spat. "You ruined us! This is your fault- how's your little girlfriend? Shame we didn't have more time-"
Grabbing his face and lifting it up, the Doctor glared at the deserter, his mind unable to sway from the pictures of him brutally striking and hurting Rose. "Don't talk about her." He lowered himself down. "See, I never did anything to harm your community, but don't mistake my usual generosity for weakness. I may not be a mystical being like your people believe, but I have killed civilisations. I could wipe your whole existence from time. You mistook me for a lenient man qhen you kidnapped and hurt my companion."
Mirian locked the doors as she left, having her guards keep it cornered off as Rose rested in the medical bay nearby. The conversation of whether Rose would stay his companion was for later, but for now, every second she healed and rested was a day the Doctor could take a breath. He had many die on him, unfortunately, somehow it didn't make it any easier. Luckily for him, Rose wasn't about to.