State of Confusion (Doctor Who Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty-Two - The Situation

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The Situation

The knock on the door of the Tardis startled Rose so much, it took her a long moment to manage anything but a blank stare.  Someone was knocking on the door?  She looked back down at the button under her hand. That was not what she'd been expecting to happen when she pushed that button.  Of course, she wasn't sure what she had been expecting. 

Slowly, cautiously, she walked around the unconscious Doctor to the door.  Another knock, and she hesitated, placing her ear against it. 

"Doctor!"

Female voice.  The fact that it was calling for the Doctor was enough to make Rose throw open the door.  Someone knew he was in here.  Maybe it was someone who could help.  As she opened the door she stared at a woman - very human looking - that she'd never seen before.  A woman with a metal band that wrapped all the way around her head, covering her eyes, nose, and ears. 

"Who the hell are you?" Rose asked, confused.  And what on Earth was she wearing around her head?

"Professor River Song.  I'm a friend of the Doctor's."

As the woman pushed her way into the Tardis, Rose nearly fell over backwards.  Regaining her balance, she closed the door tightly, for fear of what might still be lurking out there.  As she turned back around, she was just in time to see the woman kneel beside the Doctor, stroking a hand across his forehead and back through his hair. 

"Oh, sweetie, what did you do to yourself this time?"

Rose nearly choked.  "Sweetie?"  This was definitely not the kind of help she'd had in mind.  "I'm sorry but where did you come from?"

"That's a very long story, and I'm afraid there isn't time to tell it.  How long has it been?"

"How long has what been?"

"Since he was infected?"

"Infected with what?"

The woman looked up.  "You don't know?"

Rose suddenly realized that this woman, whoever the hell she was, clearly knew more about what was going on here than Rose did. That wasn't all bad; maybe she also knew how to help the Doctor.  But Rose didn't like the feeling of standing in the Tardis with a complete stranger, waiting to be let in on the secret. 

River stood and pulled the helmet-like band off, then smiled as she extended a hand.  "Call me River.  And you are?"

It took Rose a few tries before she was able to answer.  "Rose.  Rose Tyler."  She shook her hand tentatively.

River was staring.  "Rose Tyler," she finally repeated.

"Yes, that's what I said."

"You're a... companion?  Of the Doctor?"

Rose straightened.  "Yes.  I am.  What of it?"

"Nothing.  It's just... he's never mentioned you.  I thought for sure we'd talked about all of his companions at one point or another.  But not you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

River stared for a moment longer, then gave a slight shrug.  "I suppose it doesn't matter.  Human?"

"Yes."

"What time are you from?"

"Twenty-first century Earth." 

"I see."

Rose studied the woman carefully, and suddenly noticed the device strapped around her wrist.  "I've seen that before," she said, taking a step closer.  "That thing on your wrist.  It belonged to a man named Captain Jack Harkness."