The Green Soul

Chapter 12

"What sort of plan do you propose?" Ben asked, furrowing his brows skeptically.

"There's got to be a way to draw it out again," Rose said carefully. "We know it's not the devil, so there's really no harm in drawing it back into me, is there? It can speak through me, and tell you all how to save it."

"Even if it's not the devil, Rose," the Doctor cut in, sounding anxious, "It's still potentially dangerous for you to invite a being into your mind, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Did it once before," Rose shrugged and smiled at the couple across the table from her. "And all I needed to do was sleep it off, in the end. How's that?"

"Mr. Smith, your wife seems dead-set on her plan," Ben said nervously, as though not sure how to respond to all of that.

"I seemed to have gathered that," the Doctor gave a tight smile. "It is something that we, as a group, will have to discuss."

Rose narrowed her eyes at the Doctor. Who was he to tell her that they were going to 'discuss' it? She knew the Doctor's discussions. They consisted of the Doctor talking and everyone else listening and nodding. Usually she didn't mind it, in fact, she sometimes enjoyed it, because she loved when he got passionate about things, but not today. This was her decision.

"I'm afraid I've already made up my mind," Rose said firmly, "And I want to help it, no matter what the cost. We can't let it enter Marie or Ben, James, I think you know that full well. I'm the only being it's inhabited, so we know it will be virtually safe."

"Virtually," the Doctor reminded her. "There could be variables, that we, as scientists, cannot foresee."

Rose turned towards Marie and Ben. "Perhaps if the two of you would pray over me while we call on the entity, my husband would feel more comfortable."

"Your husband would not," the Doctor shot back.

"If it's fair to you, Doctor Smith, if you have a better idea, I'd suggest you present it," Ben suggested, "Because if you do not, your wife's seems feasible and, well, it has already been tested, so to speak."

Rose watched as an inner war waged within the Doctor. It was two on one now, as Marie sat, remaining opinionless. It seemed as though she was having trouble doing that, however, and eventually spoke up.

"I think Rose is correct," she blurted out, "It is she that the entity spoke to, and she is well now, as though nothing had even transpired! Her spirit must be very strong."

"That's one way of putting it," the Doctor muttered. Rose dug the heel of her shoe into the toe of his at the words, very much wanting to throttle him in that moment, as she often did when he said daft things like that.

Three to one. The Doctor continued to struggle, wanting to keep his own ideas but clearly finding it difficult in the face of so much opposition. His eyes flitted between the three of them, but barely settled on Rose before he moved on. She tried not to be offended by that. Obviously he regretted that he had been in bed with her for a time last night, and that was... Fine. Yes, that was the word. Fine.

"We do this under my terms," the Doctor demanded. "I ask you all to respectfully to recall that I am an expert on entities such as this, even if it is vaguely new to me. It won't just take one session of this thing in Rose's head, possibly several, and I don't know what it will do to her."

"What do you care?" Rose snapped before she could stop herself. "I'm sure I'll be fine, and it's not like we've got much of a choice. We don't know what will happen if we don't do this."

"I'm not sure you'll be fine," the Doctor replied. "It could hurt your mind every moment it's in there, and I can't-"

Rose held up a hand to stop him from finishing the sentence she knew he was about to start. "I've decided, and it's my body that we will be testing on, yes. Ben, Marie, I pray you won't think us rude for having this discussion at our hosts' table."

"No, not at all," Ben said simply. "You are entitled to every word you utter in our home, especially when you are putting yourself at such risk for us. I find you incredibly kind for wanting to do this for us, and being so sure of yourself."

"Someone's got to be," she grinned at Ben, and the Doctor couldn't help but take her words as a dig.

Is this what they were reduced to? Arguing at a table and throwing backhanded statements at each other without even directing them at each other? That was just madness and he wouldn't take it. He wanted to open his mouth and tell her that she was a fool for putting herself in danger like this. If she'd been so painfully cold and alone after the first exposure, what would a second do to her? Throw her into a quivering, freezing mess?

Or would it make her forget what it was like to feel anything else?

"What do you say, James?" Marie asked anxiously, "I do so much want your approval for us to continue this."

The Doctor sighed heavily through his nose. "Yes, you have my regretful approval. I worry for Rose, truly fear for her, but I suppose we really must continue on with this."

Rose smiled, "I knew you'd understand."

"What must you do to prepare for an event like this?" Ben asked.

The Doctor tried to make eye contact with Rose, but she was looking down at the table as if nothing had even been said. Usually with things like this they would collaborate, a silent conversation between their eyes before one of them spouted out what both had been thinking. And now she wouldn't even look at him. had he really mucked up so badly?

In Rose's mind, it was she who had royally made things one thousand times worse for asking the Doctor to stay with her. Even now, in the daylight hours, she felt like a naïve, vulnerable fool, and she hated every second that the feeling passed through her. It was madness, all of it, and she thought she'd best let the Doctor take care of it, anyways.

"We require two hours of prayer and meditation in our thoughts to keep our minds clear and level headed," the Doctor responded. "We suggest everyone else in the home do the same, pray for my dear Rose, try to keep her safe with your words."

Rose found the Doctor's words so convincing that she almost believed him. His term of endearment was the only thing that made her close her eyes against the pain that flashed through him. Pretending to be married was one thing, but pretending to adore her was a horse of a completely different color.

"If you think that is what you require, we will do it," Marie nodded. "I suggest we all pray here, together, before dispersing, don't you?"

"I agree," Rose nodded, and reached her hand out for the other woman's. Marie grinned and settled her hand into Rose's, and without looking at him, Rose reached for the Doctor's.

He hoped the haste with which he took her hand told her exactly what he thought of all of this. He almost sobbed with the contact of her warm hand in his cool one, a touch he felt he might be denied for a long time. He clutched her fingers, afraid she'd pull away, and was relieved when she returned all of the pressure.

Ben reached for the Doctor's and his wife's hands, and they all bowed their heads, waiting for someone to start the prayer.

The Doctor peeked to make sure the other couple had their head bowed before turning to try to catch Rose's eye. Unfortunately, her eyes were dutifully closed and her head tilted downwards. Oh, how he hated this.

"Dear Lord above us," Ben began, "Please protect your daughter, Rose Smith, as she embarks on a journey to save the members of this household from a being unknown to us. We want to save it, to find what it desires and free it from its prison. Please, watch over your sons and daughters as we begin our dangerous mission. And all of God's people said-"

"Amen."