A HORRIBLE CHOICE

Chapter Eight

"Right, I got a lock on their location," the Doctor said. "Now all we have to do is wait till the TARDIS takes us to them."

"Suppose the TARDIS got it wrong and it's not Rose and Donna and River," John said.

"Well then, it's someone who's been in here since artron energy is only found inside the TARDIS," the Doctor said. "If it's three of my companions having a tea party, we'll say hello to them but somehow I doubt that's what it is. I think we're going to find our three missing women when we open the door."

"And you think they're just gonna let you waltz in, take back Rose, River and Donna and waltz right out again," Amy said.

"No, which is why we're going to be alert and prepared for anything," the Doctor said.

The TARDIS landed and powered down.

"And this is the time to prepare yourself, kiddies," the Doctor added. "Now…let's go see about getting our friends back, shall we?'

Rose, Donna and River sat in their prisons, completely bored while they waited for something to happen. Then suddenly, the wall behind Rose disappeared and she let out a surprised yell as she started to fall back. She caught herself with her elbows but before she could say anything, there was a flash of blinding light. When the light faded, Rose opened her eyes slowly and noticed she was in another metal room, except now there was a huge chasm between her and the door. She got up and walked over to the chasm. It was about twenty feet wide and from her vantage point, it looked bottomless. Rose stepped back, half afraid that the floor would disappear from under her feet and she would fall into the gaping hole. She looked around but the room was devoid of anything except for the chasm and the door that was across the way. She wondered why she was sent to this room but figured that she'd learn the answer soon enough. She sighed as she slid down the back wall and put her knees up to her chest, waiting for something to happen.

Meanwhile, the Doctor and his friends were stepping outside the TARDIS. They were in a metal room with no furniture or decorations, only a solitary wooden door. The Doctor tried the door and found it locked. He tried his screwdriver and cursed under his breath when he couldn't open it.

"They know about my screwdriver, this is a deadlock seal," the Doctor said to everyone. "Apparently, we're trapped here."

"Until something happens," Amy said.

"Yes, and I'm sure something will happen soo…"

Everyone yelled when a bright light enveloped the Doctor and cut him off mid-sentence. When the light faded he was gone.

Rose was sitting against the wall when she saw the bright light on the other side of the chasm. When it faded, she saw an unfamiliar man stagger around for a moment while he tried to get his bearings. Then the man spied her.

"Rose," he said.

Rose's heart began to race when she suddenly realized who the man must be.

"Doctor?" she said, getting to her feet.

"Yes, it's me," he said, looking around. "Where are we?"

"Dunno. There's some shapeshifting alien that took me and Donna and River. We were together in a room and suddenly I got taken out and put in here."

The Doctor walked up to the edge of the chasm and Rose did the same. He peered down into it and looked at it, trying to guage the distance he had to jump to reach the other side.

"I see they're not going to make this easy for me," he said, stepping back. "Well, I hope whoever this shapeshifting alien is; he's having a laugh somewhere because I sure as hell don't find this funny."

He looked around but the walls were completely smooth and there was no way across. He cursed under his breath and turned his attention back to Rose who was studying him quietly.

"You look good," she said.

"Thanks, so do you," he said. "If you're wondering how I knew you were here, your fiancé is here with me. He used the TARDIS coral to send a message to me and I pulled him across to the TARDIS after we figured out you were in this universe."

"Is he alright?" Rose said.

"Um…he was up until a minute ago, after that, I was sent here and I have no idea what's become of them."

"What about you? Are you alright?" Rose said.

"I'm brilliant. A bit hungry but other than that, I'm in tip top shape. What about you? Are you alright? Have you been harmed?"

"No. That alien thing was taunting me and River and Donna by changing into you but that's all he's done to us so far."

"Donna, is she alright?"

"Yeah, he did something to restore her memories to her without it killing her. She remembers everything now and…your girlfriend…she's okay too."

"Rose, River and I…"

"Are a couple, yeah. Don't worry; I'm not going to yell at you for that. I'm engaged to my Doctor and moved on with my life and you did the same thing. River and I came to an understanding and we don't want to be rivals."

"I'm glad because both of you are dear to me," the Doctor said.

"I'm just glad you didn't forget me when you moved on with River."

"Forget you?" the Doctor said with an amused grin. "Rose, I could never forget any of the Tylers, all of you are larger than life and someone would have to take a sizable chunk out of my brain before I forgot you. I've always cared for you and that's why I gave the human version of myself to you. I only wanted you to be happy."

"At the expense of your own happiness."

The Doctor gave her a sad smile.

"I've had centuries of practice when it comes to dealing with heartache," he said.

"Doctor, that alien thing said you have to make a choice. Do you think it means between me and River?"

"I don't know but if that thing harms any of you, he'll live to regret it. And if it were a matter of choosing between you and River, why would Donna be involved? I never had a relationship with her, we were just friends. No, there's something else going on here and…"

"Doctor, look!" Rose said, pointing. "It's the alien; he did that last time when he taunted us."

The Doctor turned and saw the door opening by itself. He didn't see anyone but he watched while the door closed.

"Okay, according to Rose, you are in the room with us now," the Doctor said. "So…who are you and what do you want?"

A whitish mist appeared in front of him but the Doctor couldn't see any physical form in it.

"Is this what you are? Smoke?" the Doctor said. "Or…are you still hiding your true identity behind smoke and mirrors. I am the Doctor and you've picked the wrong man to irritate. I can easily make your life a living hell and I suggest you let my friends go before I get really cross!"

The smoke suddenly formed into Rose. The real Rose was shocked when she saw that the alien Rose was completely naked. The Doctor snorted at that.

"Please…don't even try something like this, I'm not in the mood," he said to the alien.

"You care for her?" the alien said, using Rose's voice. "She is your beloved?"

"Quit impersonating Rose and using her voice and quit standing here in the altogether before I pick you up and throw you into this chasm. Show me your true self, coward!"

"You care for her?" the alien said as it pointed to Rose.

"Yes, which is why I want you to stop impersonating her this instant," the Doctor growled. "If you're brave enough to take the people I care about then be brave enough to show me your true form."

He glared at the alien when it raised its hand and stroked his cheek. Rose watched uneasily as her double leaned in and kissed the Doctor's lips. The Doctor didn't move or return the kiss and the alien leaned back and put its hand on his cheek.

"I am growing angrier by the minute at these games of yours," the Doctor said. "I'm telling you for the last time, stop impersonating Rose and show me your true…"

Rose gasped when the bright light came and enveloped them both. She yelled the Doctor's name but when the light faded, they were gone.

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