The Unexpected Meeting of Two Geniuses

Chapter 23: Beginning of The End

The TARDIS creaked and groaned in protest to being moved by anything other than her own will. The Doctor and Rose were kept off their feet, being tossed around like rag dolls as the TARDIS was being shifted and moved. But by what exactly?

"This is impossible! The TARDIS is a gargantuan ship, no one could move it!" The Doctor shouted, flabbergasted by the whole situation. "Not unless.." He trailed off, trying to gain a sturdy grip before being tossed around again.

"Not unless what, Doctor?" Rose shouted, as it was difficult to hear over the metal clangs coming from the exterior. Before he could answer the TARDIS shifted upright, tossing them harshly around once more. They both felt like they were clothing that had been in a drying machine, tossed and thrown about in a metal machine.

"I feel sick." Rose groaned, clutching her stomach, her head swimming around in nausea. The Doctor helped her up, he surprisingly was not sick, or didn't look like it.

"Ready?" He asked once her nausea seemed to have worn off and he had thoroughly checked her head for any injuries.

"For?" Rose asked, meeting his brown eyes with hers, noting the closeness between them. She scolded herself, there was no time for a snog and she needed to focus on the problem. She pursed her lips, what sort of plan did he have brewing in that mad, genius head of his?

"To see where we've landed." The Doctor replied, a new sense of calm reassurance controlled his features and voice as he backed away from her. Rose could have sworn she saw a look of regret in his eyes, but again she refocused.

"But, what if it's a trap? Or there's Cybermen?" Rose frowned, throwing questions at him. "Were practically handing ourselves over if we do."

"Rose, the TARDIS doesn't move if she doesn't want to and of course there will be Cybermen. We're hardly lucky enough to not get them." He said, tucking his hands into his pin-striped pants.

"S'pose yeah, but how did she get moved?"

"Cause she wanted to." The Doctor explained, an adventurous smile crept onto his lips and a mysterious gleam now danced in his eyes.

"Doctoooor! Do come out of your silly little blue box. Along with your pretty pet." Moriarty's voice carried into the TARDIS, causing Rose's jaw to clench and anger flare in her chest. The Doctor saw this and placed a hand over hers, looking at her like she was the most magnificent thing in the whole universe. She knew she was better than letting Moriarty get to her. Rose nodded and pursed her lips, smoldering the flames of anger that had sparked inside her.

"I would feel better if you stayed in here," The Doctor said but knew he couldn't, nor wouldn't, control her. "But if you want to come then I can't promise that Moriarty won't get to you." He said, his voice had become quiet and their eyes met again, sharing a tender look. "I couldn't stand it if I lost you."

She smiled gently, standing up to press a soft kiss on his forehead. "You won't. I'm never going to leave you."

"Never say never, Rose Tyler." He said, his eyes darkening. She gripped his hand reassuringly and it was as the dark look had never been there.

The exited the blue box together, and as Rose had predicted, they were surrounded by cybermen with Moriarty standing right in front of them. Rose was ready to swipe that smug look off the creep but she managed to pull together enough strength to restrain herself.

"You have us." The Doctor stated, all previous emotions Rose had seen just moment ago were gone from his face.

"I hadn't noticed." Moriarty responded dryly, exaggerating his eye roll.