| Ocean Stars | Sequel to Deeper | COMPLETE |

Chapter 2

„We're ready to go!" the Time Lord opened the door to his TARDIS, popping his head out. „I got a signal, but it's really weak, so we've got to hurry!"

He ran back to the console, typing away on his keyboard. When Rose and the Doctor entered, he saw them smile at each other.

„So where is it?" Rose jumped the stairs.

„Just around the corner, actually. Well, not around the corner, Well, just about. Point is, not far from here. You might want to hold onto something." the Time Lord said, and as he did so, the TARDIS shook.

Rose grabbed onto the controls, looking back and forth at the two Doctors maneuvering the ship. They were just about to take off when the TARDIS stopped.

„What?" the Time Lord opened his mouth in confusion.

„What is it? What happened? Are we there?" Rose moved over to the display. „No, we haven't moved. Why have we not?"

„It's the TARDIS. She doesn't want to. Why not?" the Time Lord looked the time machine up and down. „She should have enough energy."

„Did you check the éevon control?" the Doctor prompted.

„Yes."

„The battery channel?"

„Yeah."

„The damn fusion console?!"

„Yes! She just...won't budge!" the Time Lord nearly yelled.

„Does that mean you're stuck here?" Rose said.

„I hope not. It's not that we cannot move. She just does not want to move." the Time Lord ran a hand over his face in exasperation. „I could, however, manually install the interface protocol and force her to. But I don't have enough power."

„Well, I mean, you said it's just around the area, yeah? We could...drive?" she shrugged.

„The matter of question is not how long it is, Rose. But rather how...deep it is from here."

Rose grimaced with a hint of amusement.

„I...didn't say that. Moving on, I need a source of power, but I don't have one on me." the Time Lord explained. „It's gotta be like a boom. Do you still have the dimension cannon? Wait, I never asked, how long has it been since..-"

„Long enough." the Doctor interjected. „We've already taken care of it."

„But the parts are still there." Rose smiled. „They are however around 130 miles away. Good thing we have the TARDIS. Oh wait." she laughed, at which the time machine made a sound. „Well then, you two can stay here, I will go back to London. Don't, „ she pointed at the two men. „get into a fight while I'm gone. I love you."

„I love you." the Doctor replied.

With that, she exited the TARDIS.

The Doctor looked over to the Time Lord who was eyeing him. „What?"

„You've changed." the Time Lord replied.

„Better so. In what way?"

„You're happier. Honest."

„I think anyone that gets touched by her is happier in one way or another. And you should know that." the Doctor sat on the chair, crossing his legs over and up the console, his arms to his chest. „You changed too. Was it hard?"

„What?"

„Losing Donna."

The Time Lord played with some switches on the panel to distract himself. „Yes. Very."

„You took her memories, didn't you?"

Silence.

„You took her memories and now she's alone again." the Doctor continued.

„I couldn't let her die." the Time Lord glared.

„No, but you could leave them the choice. You did the same thing to Rose, you know? And she hated me for it."

„What I did, you want me to apologise? Look what good came out of it, she loves you."

„She loved you the same way and you know it. We both do. And to be honest," the Doctor stood to leave. „I can't wait for you to fuck off."

-

It was getting a bit dark, Rose noticed. She was not expecting to be on the road again so shortly after arriving in Cardiff, but circumstances...changed. After stating the situation to Ianto, she rushed to her car and stormed off. This was going to be a very long night. She contemplated calling Jackie and telling her about what happened, but that would only result in getting her ear chewed off, so better not. Not like Jackie could understand anyway. And by fair means, she was not sure she understood it herself... Rose was awaiting the realisation to kick in soon but chose to ignore it for now. She couldn't get emotional. Not again.

She drove for what seemed like hours, boringness settling into her mind. At this pace, she could probably fall asleep. When she ensued back in London, she decided for a quick stop at her flat to change some clothes, then continued her journey towards Torchwood.

The place was empty, thank God. It had already passed midnight by the time she entered her quarters, and there was no way in hell she felt the need to see Pete, given the circumstances.

-

After clearing his head for a bit, the Doctor entered the TARDIS again. This time, however, there was no Time Lord in sight. Knowing himself, he would probably be inside the library or trying to fix something that didn't need fixing.

The Doctor approached the console, gently laying his palm against it. „I missed you." he said, at which the time machine sent a telepathic wave in response. „What's going on, old girl? Why won't you take us there?" This time, the TARDIS didn't reply.

Sighing, he took out his sonic screwdriver, opening the holographic visual in the mainframe. And then he watched, his heart wrenching in pain, as Donna cried. Donna saying she'd travel forever. Donna talking about Charlie Chaplin. Then the Time Lord approaching her. Donna begging for her memories. Donna's body fall into his arms. Donna.

„Why would you do this to yourself?" the Time Lord entered the console room.

„I had to know." the Doctor faced away, hiding his tears. „She was happy in the end, yes?"

„I like to pop in sometimes and check on her. Same old Donna. She never changes."

The Doctor laughed. „Good. Very good. You're still alone though. You know we're rubbish at that."

„I know."

„But you'd rather be on your own."

„You saw what happens to people that travel with me. I don't want them to meet the same endings." the Time Lord explained.

„And yet there's still a small hope inside you that Rose will come back, isn't it?"

„You said it yourself, anyone that gets touched by her is happier in one way or another."

„You still love her." the Doctor said.

„Don't you?"

-

Rose grabbed the stuff she needed then placed them in the back of the car before jumping into the driver's seat. After starting the engine, she decided to stop by a gas station to get a fill and a snack. She took a bag of crisps and as she was about to leave, her eyes fell on top of two bags of banana flavoured gummies.

Back on the road, she opened the crisps and ate, driving with one hand. It was all going well until a bad wave of headache clouded her vision. Pulling off the road, she shook her head, trying to shrug off the pain.

Rose.

„What? Who is it?"

Rose. It's me.

„Who are you?"

Silence.

„I must be going crazy." she laughed. „Damn it."