REFUGEES

Chapter Seven

By the time Rose and John were asleep, the Doctor had returned to the room with fresh IV bags and more of his healing liquid in syringes. He noticed Amy and Rory weren't in the room and he looked around for a moment before shrugging and quietly moving to the bed. He checked the bags which were now nearly empty. He used a small clamp to stop the flow before changing the bag on John's side. Once the bag was in place, he undid the clamp and put more liquid into his tubing. Then he lay the bag on the sofa bed and walked around to Rose's side. While he was changing her bag, she stirred and woke up. The Doctor froze for a moment before quietly apologizing for waking her.

"You didn't, I was just resting my eyes," she said softly.

"I'm switching your IV bags and giving you a bit more medicine," the Doctor said softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, much better."

"Good."

Rose watched while he clamped the bag and changed it.

"Are you mad at me?" Rose finally said softly.

The Doctor froze, bewilderment on his face.

"No," he said. "What makes you think I'd be mad at you?"

"Because of the way you left me and John on the beach. You didn't say goodbye, you just walked away. I wondered if kissing John made you angry."

The Doctor shook his head.

"I was hoping that would happen which is why I didn't answer your question in the way you'd hoped," he said softly.

"So why'd you walk away then?" Rose said.

"Because, Rose, I had to make myself do that before I took you back," the Doctor said. "Although…I think I made a grave error in judgment and perhaps I shouldn't have left you or John there, given what happened afterwards."

"No, you can't blame yourself for this," Rose said, holding up her emaciated arm. "I won't let you."

The Doctor chuckled as he inserted the syringe needle into the tubing.

"I don't see how you could stop me feeling guilty, Rose," he said fondly.

"Rose is right," John said, opening his eyes. "You did what you thought was best. You had no idea this would happen to us so don't blame yourself."

The Doctor smiled and nodded but Rose figured he would blame himself anyway and not tell anyone. She was about to say something else when Mandy and Lori came downstairs. Mandy was carrying her panda bear and two pieces of paper in her hand.

"Oh good, they're awake," Lori said, glancing at Rose and John. "Mandy wanted to give you a couple of things," she said to them while they crossed the room.

Mandy walked over to John and handed him a piece of paper. John looked at it while Mandy went around the bed. The Doctor glanced at it and grinned.

"Oh, so you've been adopted as well, eh?" he said while Mandy handed Rose the other piece of paper.

"Adopted?" John said, looking at him.

"When they found out I lost my home, they adopted me and Amy and Rory and River as part of their family and gave us their last name, Stevens. They did that for my other self and Donna and now Jack, Martha and Sarah Jane. Now you're joining the list."

"And you can have my panda to snuggle with," Mandy said, handing it to Rose. "The Doctor gave it to me."

"My TARDIS did but I gave up explaining that since she keeps saying I gave it to her," the Doctor said.

Rose smiled as she stared at the slightly scuffed panda.

"You love this panda, don't you?" she said. "It's a bit dirty and I can see it's been loved."

"Yes, but you need it right now to get better," Mandy said.

"Thank you for both things," Rose said.

"Thank you for adopting us," John said to her.

"So what are they then?" the Doctor said, leaning down to her. "Are they aunt and uncle like me and River are?"

"I think so," Mandy said.

"You think so? Well, aren't you sure?" the Doctor said while Lori chuckled.

"I think so," Mandy repeated in annoyance.

"Okay then," the Doctor said feigning annoyance. "I will continue my work then, Poopy Face!"

Lori chuckled.

"We're going to take her and Tom out tonight since they can't hear John and Rose's story. Make it up to them for being left out and…that way they can't sneak down here and hear things they shouldn't be hearing."

"Good idea," the Doctor said.

"So…you guys will be in charge of the older ones and…Mandy, quit that, he's trying to work," Lori said when Mandy kept tugging on the Doctor's trouser leg.

"Yes? Is there something you need, Poopy Face?" the Doctor said, bending down.

"You mind your Ps and Qs or there's gonna be trouble!" Mandy said, pointing at his face.

Rose giggled at the shocked look on the Doctor's face.

"Excuse me, are you threatening me?" he said, pointing to himself.

"Mind your Ps and Qs, that's what I'm saying," Mandy said, putting her hands on her hips.

The Doctor leaned back up and imitated her hands on hips stance while Rose and Lori giggled and John smiled.

"I am minding my Ps and Qs, thank you very much," the Doctor said to her. "I don't need you to lecture me on good behavior!"

"Actually, she does."

"Button it, Rose," the Doctor said to her while Rose giggled.

"You behave!" Mandy said, poking the Doctor's leg.

"No!" the Doctor said, gathering up the IV bags and empty syringes.

"Yes! Mind your Ps and Qs now!" Mandy said.

The other adults laughed while the Doctor ran to the storage room with Mandy in close pursuit.

"MIND YOUR Ps AND Qs!" Mandy shrieked.

"No! Leave me alone, you small, annoying thing!" the Doctor hollered as he ran into the unfinished room and flung open the storage room door.

"Hey! Welcome to our wacky, nutty family. You might want to rethink your adoption into it after awhile, " Lori said while Rose and John laughed.

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