A Vacation Adventure!

On Wednesday (6/22/16) my mother and I went out to lunch with her brother, my uncle. When we had finished eating the three of us walked around the Swarthmore college campus. On the campus there is an arboretum filled with beautiful flowers:

         

On the campus there was also a giant lawn chair, so my mom and I sat in it:



And I may have also done a split on it....

Unexpected Meetings

[William Pine is a very popular British actor who is returning from Egypt after filming for a new movie.]

As I headed to the airport bright and early I smiled down at my phone. Emily had agreed to go out with me again and I couldn’t wait. When I reached the airport I grabbed my bags, paid the driver, and headed to customs. After checking in I sat by the gate and pulled out my book. There were a lot more people at the gate than I was expecting, and a lot of people make a lot of noise. It was hard for me to focus on my book, so I pulled out my phone and plugged in my earbuds. As music flooded into my mind I blocked out the rest of the world. Glancing up only to check the arrivals and departures board, I became enthralled in the story. At one point my reading was interrupted by the feeling that someone was watching me. I looked up to see a teenage girl sitting in a seat across from me. She was staring at me with a nervous look on her face. Her long black hair was pulled into a braid that fell down her shoulder, in her hand she held a piece of paper and a pen. Her olive skin shone with radiance. I gave her a small smile which she readily returned. I saw a moment of thought flash across her mind before she stood and stepped over to me. Removing my earbuds I smiled up at her.

‘Um, hi,” she said nervously waving at me.

“Hi,” I replied, giving her an encouraging nod.

“I’ve never done this before, but are you William Pine?”

“Yes, I am.”

A smile shot across her face. “Would you mind signing this for me?” She asked holding the paper a little higher.

“I would love to,” I replied taking the paper and pen from her, “what’s your name, darling?”

“Nubia.”

“That’s a lovely name,” I said scrawling a note and my name across the page.

Her face lit up and she reached into her pocket, pulling out a phone. “Would you mind if we took a picture?”

“Of course not, darling,” I said standing and putting my arm around her shoulders.

Standing next to me, Nubia barely came up to my shoulder. She was trying to fit us both into the screen and was having a lot of trouble doing so. I bent my knees and lowered myself down so that our heads were next to each other. When Nubia realised what I was had done she started laughing. She took a couple pictures and then I gave her a hug.

“Thank you so much, William,” Nubia said hugging me tightly.

“You are very welcome, Nubia,” I said hugging her back tightly as well.

“Well, I won’t bother you anymore,” she stated taking a step back, “thank you again.”

I nodded and watched Nubia skip over to her parents and show them the paper and pictures. I thoroughly enjoy interacting with my fans, so being able to talk to Nubia even just for a minute brought a smile to my face. Sitting back down, and replacing my earbuds, I opened my book and started reading again. A little while later it was time to board the plane, so I returned my belongings to my bag and got into line. After handing the flight attendant my ticket I headed to my seat. When I found my seat I put my bag in the overhead compartment and sat down. I watched the other passengers as they found their seats and put their bags away. Three people stopped right behind me and started looking at the seat numbers.

“Looks, like your father and I are here, and you are right there.”

I heard a motherly voice say. Just then someone stepped in front of me to put their bag in the overhead.

“Excuse me, I think I’m sitting next to you.”

I looked up to see Nubia standing there, looking down at her ticket.

“Well hello there again, darling.”

Nubia’s head shot up and her wide eyes met mine. Standing up, I stepped into the aisle so she could get into her seat. She slipped into the chair and looked over at me.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing in coach?”

“Last minute trip, this was the only seat left,” I answered dropping back into my seat.

“Ah, I see.” Nubia turned and faced forward, making herself small.

She was silent while the flight attendants went through the safety protocol. She was silent as she strapped on her seat belt. She was silent as the plane took off down the runway. She was silent as the plane left the tarmac. And she stayed silent for another ten minutes when we were in the air. I could tell by her face that she wanted to talk but she wasn’t sure how to. When the seatbelt light turned off I stood up and rooted through my bag. Dropping back into my seat I handed her a book. It was a hardback collection of Shakespeare’s stories. Nubia looked at the book, then up at me, a confused look on her face.

“You ever heard of Shakespeare?” I asked her.

“Of course I have! Who hasn’t?” She replied turning to face me straight on.

“Have you read any of them?”

Nubia nodded.

“Which is your favorite?”

Her face scrunched up in thought, and her tongue poked out the corner of her mouth. “I think it’s Much Ado About Nothing.”

I raised my eyebrows, “I think that’s my favorite too.”

We talked for a while about Shakespeare and his stories. Nubia pulled her legs up under herself and held her knees with her arm. After a little while I got an email from Matt, my manager.

“Excuse me for a second,” I told Nubia, finding out what Matt had to say.

Nubia reached into her bag and pulled out a notepad and a pencil. She sat with her back against the window, her feet on the seat, with the pad against her knees. Matt’s email was just a review of my interview schedule for my new movie. After reviewing and agreeing to the schedule, I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

Turning back to Nubia, I apologised, “sorry about that, darling.”

“That’s alright, I understand,” she replied, keeping her eyes on her paper the whole time.

A moment passed of me watching her sit silently, staring at her paper. She moved her pencil across the page in purposeful strokes.

“Are you drawing something?” I finally asked.

Nubia just nodded.

“May I see?”

Nubia clutched the notepad to her chest and shook her head wildly.

“Alright, sorry I asked.”

“Well, you can see, just not yet,” she clarified. “It's not done yet.”

I nodded and faced forward, opening my book to read. As I read I could see Nubia glancing up at me out of the corner of my eye. Her eyes would flick up, her hand never ceasing to move. I kept my head down though, not wanting to pry. After about 15 more minutes Nubia held her notepad to herself and shifted forward in her seat.

“Do you promise not to laugh?” She asked suddenly.

I looked up from my book and met her gaze. “”Laugh at what, darling?”

Nubia held out the notepad to me. On the page was one of the most beautiful drawings I've ever seen, and not just because it was of me. The shading was perfect, the angles flawless. Nubia had managed to draw my mess of a hairdo perfectly. The hands looked as if you could reach out and grab them. I was silent, admiring every inch of it.

“You are quiet.”

“Oh, I'm sorry, I'm speechless.” I looked at her waiting eyes, “I'm really impressed.”

“You are?”

“Yeah! When you said you were drawing, I expected a drawing, not a photograph.”

Nubia laughed a sweet, innocent laugh. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear and blushed.

“Thank you. You can keep it if you'd like.”

“Oh, I couldn't take this from you! This is really good!” I said handing her back the notepad.

“I want you to have it,” she insisted pushing it back to me.

I gave her a wary look, which she confronted with a skeptical one.

“How about this: I'll take a picture of the drawing, and you take the original?” Nubia proposed.

“That sounds good,” I agreed, handing her the notepad.

Nubia took the drawing and pulled out her phone, snapping a photo of it. She then flipped to the back of the notepad, pulling out a page protector sheet. Carefully removing the drawing from the pad she slipped it into the protector and handed it to me.

“Thank you, Nubia,” I said.

“Can I take a picture of you with the drawing?” Nubia asked confidently.

“Of course! That would be fun!” I replied, holding the page near my face and smiling.

Nubia snapped the picture, and then I stood to slide the drawing into my bag. I glanced back at Nubia’s parents. Her father was sleeping, and her mother was holding a book in her hand. I couldn't see the title, but she was looking up at me, so I gave her a friendly smile. She returned the smile and looked back down at her book. I dropped back into my seat and stared at Nubia’s notepad.

“Would you like to see my other drawings?” She asked, noticing my gaze.

“I would love to!”

I flipped gently through exquisite depictions of people and animals, plants and objects. One of my favorites was of a cat sitting on the sill of a window that looked out on a beach.

“From sight or imagination?” I asked pointing to said drawing.

“From sight. That's my cat Iris. That’s my house.”

“Wow, that's impressive,” I said shaking my head in awe.

Nubia smile down at her hands as if she was unused to praise.

“Can I ask a strange request?”

Nubia looked me in the eye, “depends.”

“Can I draw you something?”

Nubia laughed but handed over her drawing pencil. I turned to a blank page and twisted in my seat so that she couldn't see what I was doing.

Nubia laughed and leaned against the window, “I guess that's fair.”

I smiled as I drew to my best ability. The best I can do is make it look slightly cartoonish. I drew Nubia as an Asgardian princess as best I could, but my drawing was nothing compared to hers. After I had finished my simple drawing I wrote ‘to Princess Nubia, your talents outshine the Midgardian sun’ on the side.

Nubia had been waiting patiently while I had worked. With a smirk I handed the notepad over to her. She took one look at it and tried to stifle a laugh.

“That bad, huh?” I asked jokingly.

“No, I love it, it's just cute.”

“Ah, yes, exactly what I was going for.”

Nubia’s eyes met mine, “thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

Glancing down at my drawing again, Nubia’s jaw dropped open.

“What's wrong?”

“You didn't sign it!” Her gaze snapped up to mine, “what kind of artist doesn't sign their work?”

“I'm sorry,” I laughed, taking the notepad back and scrawling my signature in the corner.

“Perfect.”

Nubia slipped her notepad and pencils back into her bag. Our plane was arriving at Heathrow airport so we belted ourselves into our seats and prepared for landing. Once the plane had stopped at the gate everyone started to get up and retrieve their bags. After pulling down my own bag, I grabbed Nubia’s bag and handed it to her.

“Thanks,” she said taking the bag from me.

We waited our turn to walk down the narrow aisle to exit the plane. After we walked through the gate Nubia’s family headed to customs, and I followed suit. Nubia’s family was just a few people ahead of me in line. I checked my phone to see if I had gotten any important emails or texts. There was another email from Matt, but there was also a text from my sister Louisa.

“Hey buddy, I need to talk to you, we must get together sometime soon.”

I texted back, “certainly, let me know when you’re free.”

Just then the line moved forward and I saw Nubia and her parents start walking away from customs. I really enjoyed hanging out with that girl, she was a real gem, and I was sad to know I’d probably never see her again. I watched her walking and then she stopped, turning to look back at me. Flashing a smile at her I saw her face scrunch up in thought. She handed one of her bags to her mom and ran over to me. Pulling her into a hug, I held her tight.

“Thank you for being so nice to me,” she said, her head leaning against my chest.

“You are very easy to be nice to, darling,” I told her, squeezing her tighter.

Nubia stepped back, smiling up at me, then turned and headed back to her mother. I silently wished her the best as I stepped forward in the line.

How Do I Cope?

He couldn't have died at a worse time.
I know that's wrong of my to say, but it's true. I pushed my hair out of my eyes, glancing at the growing pile of bills. How would I ever pay them now? His military pension was the only thing that had given us hope. That was  gone now. My thoughts were interrupted by a loud cry. I went up the stairs and into the second bedroom. Scooping up my one month old baby. Looking into her sweet, innocent face I realized that she would never know her father. A weight was laid on my shoulders as I became aware that the way this tiny baby thought about her father completely rested on me. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the diaper bag and headed out to the car that was waiting outside. Clutching my daughter close to me I wiped a tear from my eye. The ceremony was short. One of my husband's close friends presented me with the folded flag. Even though he's not supposed to, he leaned down and gave me a hug before returning to his place. I stared stoically at the casket as it was lowered into the ground. The musket fire rang through my body with each shot. The noise scared my daughter and she started to cry. I tried to calm her down, but it was no use. I couldn't take it anymore. I started to cry too. Sinking to my knees I held my head in one hand. Clearly surprised by my outburst, my daughter stopped crying and just looked at me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see my husband's friend. I could tell by his face that he wanted to comfort me. My mom and sister stepped forward. My sister took the baby from me and my mom held me close to her.
After the ceremony everyone came up to offer me their condolences. I simply nodded, shook hands, and hugged them. When I thought I had gotten through everyone I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see my husband's friend. Without saying anything he enveloped me in a hug. He didn't offer any words of sympathy that wouldn't do anything. Nothing would bring my husband back. With a comforting arm around my shoulders he led me and my daughter back to the car.

Prayer Is Powerful

He watched, helpless, as the door closed behind her. Placing his head in his hands he paced back and forth in front of the door. Helplessly he sat down in a chair and prayed. He prayed for himself, he prayed for his wife, but most importantly, he prayed for his unborn child. Mindlessly twisting his ring around his finger, he prayed for his future. He prayed for strength in all the possible outcomes. Silently a single tear traced it's way across his face. He let it fall, he didn't care, nothing mattered right now but his wife. Not caring what those who walked by thought, he fell onto his knees and sobbed. Crying out for the Lord, crying out for His strength. Most people just passed him, but one woman stopped. She watched for a moment, saying a silent pray of her own. She hesitated for a moment then went over and placed a hand on his shoulder. He glanced up and saw her compassionate smile. She knelt beside and started praying, though she knew not what for. A quiet peace came over him, a peace that passes all understanding. They sat together in silence for what seemed like hours. At last the door opened. He stood up and faced the doctor.
"It's a girl," he said nodding his head. Placing a hand on his shoulder the doctor reassured him her could see his wife soon, but if he wanted to, he could see his daughter now.
"Yeah!"
The doctor retreated back into the operating room and returned moments later holding a bright pink bundle. He took his daughter in his arms and looked down at her peaceful sleeping face.. Turning to the woman behind him, he reached for her hand, "thank you so much for praying with me."
But when he turned around she wasn't there. In that moment he knew she had been an angel sent from God.
A few months went by and the man and his wife are scrambling around the house after their little girl, Angel.

All Around Me

In my Writing II class we had to write a free verse poem on a serious subject. I chose to write about the way people tend to respond to other people and how they respond to other people's responses to them. The following is what I came up with:

All around me people judge

They judge the way I look

They judge the way I talk

They judge what I believe

All around me people laugh

They laugh because I fell

They laugh because of my laugh

They laugh because of the way I dress

All around me are jackles

They find joy in other's suffering

But then they get upset,

 When people do the same to them

Memories and Moving On

Most vivid about his childhood memories of his home town was the times he spent at his neighbors farm. He spent every weekend there, and sometimes he'd go over after dinner. He loved to watch the horses in the pasture. He'd watch them for hours. But brushing them wand washing them was his favorite. He loved feeling the strong, sturdy muscles as he stroked the horse's back and flank. The way the horse's glassy eyes watched him as he did his work.
But he'll never forget that fateful day. The first day he rode a horse was fine. But then when he tried riding the horse by himself, well, that's when everything went wrong.
First he tensed, then the horse threw him backwards. As the horse reared it stepped backward, landing on his shin. Hearing the sickening crunch, and the painful wail, the horse shot forward, running around the track, circling back. The instructor had just reached him and pulled him off the track before racing to calm the horse down.
The next hour was a blur. With the paramedics rushing to his side, the ambulance ride to the hospital, and being prepared for surgery. When he woke up in his hospital room pain came shooting up from his leg. Glancing down he saw that his leg was in a brace. As the nurse explained what had happened he started to feel queasy.  
And now as he stood at the entrance to the horse farm all those memories came flooding back. He glanced down at his prosthetic leg and took in a shaky breath.
"Daddy! Daddy!"
He turned around and opened his arms wide, crouching to scoop up his daughter. His wife came up, laughing, and put her arm around him.
:This is brave of you, sweetheart. I'm proud of you."
"Anything for my two princesses!"
He took another deep breath, shifted his daughter on his hip, took his wife's hand in his and walked toward the barn.

Midnight Emotions

Midnight. Thoughts flooding my mind. Emotions running wild. My body shook, my eyes were blurry, my mind a fog. I rolled over and grabbed my phone. I texted the only person I knew I could. "I could use a hug right now," was all I needed to say. He talked to me, he let me talk at him. I told him things I'd never admitted to anyone. Though tears continued to flow my spirits were lifted. I told him I never wanted to lose him and he said I didn't have a choice: I'm stuck with him forever. After jokes and tears and virtual hugs I started feeling better. My eyes were dry, my smile back. 

It's an amazing feeling knowing that there is even one person who will make you feel better whenever you're feeling down. You may have differing opinions on certain topics, but when you have a mutual respect for each other those differences don't really matter. I love having a friend who will talk with me in the middle of the night until I feel better because he knows I would do the same for him. Friendships like these don't just happen. They're meant to be, predestined by God. Friendships like these aren't easily torn apart, they will stand the test of time. Friendships like these are the ones everyone longs for, but sadly not everyone has. When you have a friend like this they aren't just your best friend, they're your family. Because family isn't defined by blood, family is defined by the people you trust enough to love the way you love your family. Even if you move far away those bonds will hold because not even distance can break the bonds of a family. 

Math Class Scribbles

The raven black horse grazed in the field. Behind him the sun was sinking behind the hill. The impending darkness did not bother the horse. He liked the darkness and the peace that came with it. In the darkness sometimes he heard the growl of a vicious beast, but they didn't scare him. The raven horse knows he can out run any beast if he needs to. In the silent darkness he continued to graze. He eats until he's tired, and then the graceful mustang sleeps. In the morning he will wake, and graze on his kingdom again.

That Summer Seemed To Last Forever

That summer seemed to last forever. From going to summer camp and working on the weekends. This summer Cory was at his uncle's house in California, and I was stuck here in Philadelphia. I couldn't wait until he got home. I'd been waiting three months to see him again. I was lying in the hammock in my backyard in the corner by the fence. I'd been holding my phone waiting for Cory to text me, telling me he was home. But it never came. I kept checking the time, his flight was supposed to be in an hour ago!
I started getting nervous when suddenly, "Hey, Sydney, that looks relaxing."
I jumped up from the hammock so fast I fell over. Cory jumped over the fence and helped me back up. I flung my arms around his neck and he threw his arms around my waist. He spun me around and when he placed me back on the ground he planted a kiss on my cheek.
"Syd, I've missed you so much!"
"I missed you more!"
"Ha, I beg to differ! Oh! But I brought you something from California!" Cory reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box and handed it to me.
I nervously reached out and took the box. I opened it and inside there was a beautiful necklace with a Golden Gate Bridge charm on it, "Oh, Cory, I love it!" I reached over and and kissed him on the cheek, "Hey! Wait a minute! Why didn't you text me when your plane landed?"
"I wanted to surprise you!"
"Aw aren't you just the best boyfriend ever!"
"Yeah, well, I don't want to brag but..." I punched him in the arm and smirked.
"Hey! You thirsty? My mom made lemonade yesterday."
"Sounds delicious! I've missed your mom's lemonade while I was away."
I smiled, linked my arm through his and laid my head on his shoulder and we walked into my kitchen.

It'd Better Not Happen Again

He didn't understand what he had done to her, but he would by the time she was finished. He sat on the sofa as she paced back and forth ranting to him. She was going on and on about responsibilities and taking things seriously. In his head he ran though all the possible things he could've done. Did he forget to take the trash out? No, this was bigger than that. He watched her pacing, ranting and complaining, and he wondered if she would just tell him what was wrong. No such luck. She just kept scolding. Trying to piece it together for himself he glanced around their small apartment. Suddenly he understood. He stood up and crossed the room, placing his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him.
"I'm so sorry I left the milk out again. I forgot."
She smiled a little, "It better not happen again."
"I'll try my best."

I Promise

"A boy needs his father!" I practically screamed into the phone. I glanced down at my sweet angelic baby, he has no idea how cruel the world truly is.
I had finally gotten up the courage to tell his father about him. I met him last summer. It was just a fling, I never thought anything would happen, I should've been more careful. It's been two months since my little angel was born. That makes a total of eight months I've put off telling his father, and he wasn't taking it very well.
"This is not my responsibility! You can't just tell me I have a son and expect me to just jump in and fawn over him!"
"And why not? You did this! He is partly your responsibility!" I was just about ready to scream.
"I'm not just going to drop everything to take care of a baby that you can't even prove is mine!"
"You know what? I don't need your help! This is more of a courtesy call. You know, 'you have a baby, maybe you want to grow up!' But I don't need your help, I can take care of him by myself!" I hung up my phone and threw it on my bed. I looked down at my baby boy, tears welling up in my eyes. Scooping up my child I held him close against my chest and burst into tears.
I curled up in my bed, holding, my sweet baby, "I'll take care of you," I whispered to him, playing with his little fingers, "I promise."

Fairy Photo Shoot

I felt like a fairy today in my Easter dress so I decided to do a little mini photo shoot in my woods. I only got five pictures because my camera died.

My Life

I'm running around with some friends holding a red balloon. I'm sitting on the playground swings, smiling and laughing, swinging back and forth. I'm walking down the school hallways whispering with my friends. I'm sitting in the cafeteria watching a certain good looking boy from across the room. I'm being asked to the school dance, then freaking out when the day arrives. I'm freaking out afterwards with my best friends. I'm getting excited just before my first date. I'm calling all my besties as soon as I get home. I'm crying when he pops the question. I'm planning my wedding, losing lots of sleep. I'm crying at the alter, then dancing my heart out at the reception. We're tying up loose ends that come with getting married. I'm surprising my husband to tell him I'm pregnant. I'm dealing with the ups and downs of a pregnancy. I'm holding my precious baby girl only twelve hours after going into labor. I'm losing more sleep every night trying to get the baby to go to sleep.
I'm watching my little girl grow up before my very eyes. I'm having cookies and milk with her as she tells me all about her new crush. I'm jumping up and down with her when she comes home and tells me her crush asked her to the dance . I'm watching her drive off on her first date. I'm jumping up and down again when she shows me her ring. I'm crying as my baby girl stands at the alter. I'm running around helping her when she's eight months pregnant and can barely move. My hand is being crushed as my baby girl goes into labor. I'm holding my granddaughter for the first time. I'm chasing her around making sure she doesn't get into trouble. I'm watching her get older and achieve amazing things.
And here I am now, standing here by you. Tears streaming down my face. I spent my life with you, I loved you, I laughed with you, I got through the trials of life with you. And now your gone, I'm standing here by your grave holding my daughter and granddaughter. Tears streaming down our faces. I'll miss you my love, I'm struggling by trying to live without you. Then finally it being all too much for me, I lie down and take my final breath. I open my eyes, I'm standing in a field. I turn and see you standing behind me. I start to run to you, we hug, we kiss. I'm happy to be with you again.

Don't Leave Me

As he climbed into his truck and started it I yelled at him "fine! I don't want to see you again anyways!"

As I turned around and started back to the house I heard the car door slam. Suddenly I felt a strong hand on my waist spinning me around. He had one hand on my hip and the other on my cheek as he leaned in and kissed me. It was strong and powerful and made everything else seem insignificant. When he pulled away he looked me in the eye, "still feel the same way?"

As I looked at that lopsided smirk, as I stared into his deep brown eyes, I thought about all that had happened between us. I thought about how he had jeopardized my mission, and almost gotten me killed. But how could you resist such a face? Without even thinking I kissed him again. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close. When I pulled him close I leaned my forehead on his and whispered "please stay." 

He put his hand on my cheek and looked me in the eye, "I'll never leave again."

What Christmas Means to Me

Seeing family and old friends. Building up excitement and anticipation. Having good food and even better desserts. That's what Christmas means to me. Having parties on Christmas Eve, and not being able to sleep that night. Waking up early, then waiting for everyone else to do the same. Having even more good food. That's what Christmas is to me. Opening presents and giving gifts. seeing the joy and appreciation on someone's face when you give them  homemade gift. That's what Christmas means to me, and so much more.

Worth the Risk

Seeing a clear path I started to run. Running the wind in my face. I spot the treasure, I run harder, I grab it. I turn to return to my safe place. Suddenly and enemy soldier is blocking my way. I turn and run the other direction, that's when I saw them. There were four or five enemies charging towards me, protecting their treasure. I knew there was no way out of this, nowhere to turn. That's when one soldier grabbed my arm and brought me to prison. I may not have reached my goal, but it was worth the risk.

Into The Woods

Running, the wind in my face. Breathing hard, my lungs on fire. Ducking branches, dodging rocks and trees. As I run my satchel bangs against my hip. I didn't think they would follow me into the woods, I was told soldiers of the king feared the woods. But here they were chasing me through the forest. Every so often they would let off a gunshot but they missed me every time, almost. One soldier shot his gun and suddenly I felt searing pain in my right forearm. My vision became tinged with red and I started to stumble. I tried to regain my balance but failed. I tripped over a raised root and sprawled on the ground. I tried to to get back on my feet, but I placed too much weight on my right arm and collapsed again. I felt a strong hand on my shoulder and I got pulled to my feet. One of the guards pulled my satchel off my shoulder, purposefully bumping it into my wound. Fresh pain filled my body and my knees went weak, but the guard that was holding me forced me to stand. The guard in front of me had my satchel in one hand, and with the other had he was fishing through the bag. As his hand finds what he was looking for he starts to smile, a cruel, lopsided smile. He pulls  out a jeweled necklace out of my bag. He motions to the guard next to him and he places his gun to my head, "maybe this will teach you not to steal from the King."

You Look Beautiful

I sit there, hands tightly clasped. I look at the pretty smiling faces standing around me, staring at me, giving my compliments. I smile and tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I stand up and walk over to the full length mirror and look down at at my clean white dress. I finger my veil and beading on the dress. My father knocks on the door, one of the ladies opens it. He walks over to me and hugs me, planting a kiss on my forehead. He smiles and makes a comment about me when I was little and the whole room is filled with laughter. My dad then extends his hand and smiles. I take a deep breath and take his hand. We walk down the hall hand in hand followed by my beautiful bridesmaids. As we reach the sanctuary my mom links her arm through mine. I turn and give her a hug and a kiss, a tear forming in her eye. As the bridesmaids start down the aisle my mom tells me she loves me an gives me one more kiss, and takes her seat. The music changes and my dad starts leading me down toward the alter. I look up and catch his eye, he smiles at me and I smile right back. We reach the alter and I get one more hug and kiss from my dad. I turn to my fiance and give him a hug. Before he lets go he whispers in my ear, "you look beautiful."

First Date

I look around my room at the makeup on my bed, the jewelry I laid out, all the rejected outfits on the floor, all my shoes pilled in a heap on my floor. I shuffle through my clothes and and try on a few more outfits, finally picking one. I dig through my shoes to find the perfect pair. I then try a million hairstyles, finally deciding on a simple high pony tail. I quickly get changed and sit in front of my mirror and start on my makeup. A soft gentle shade of pink on my cheeks and lips. A black line on my eyelids, and black gloop on my eyelashes. As I finish I pick a nail color, also a soft shade of pink. As my nails are drying I gather my things into a small purse. A box of mints, a few dollars, my phone, my lipgloss, and I grab a sweater. Just as I'm finishing up the doorbell rings. I catch my breath and quickly look around my room to be sure I didn't forget anything. I run to the stairs and stop, take a deep breath, and start to walk down the stairs. As I descend I see him standing there, by the door, smiling, "wow, you look amazing."

Doctor Who Roleplaying With an Instagram Buddy

Rose looked around and huffed, sighing heavily as the first drop of rain hit her square in the eye. She began walking towards her car. It was only two blocks away, one block away…“oof!” Rose said as she bumped into you, she was snapping up with an apologetic look. “M’sorry. I wasn’t looking.” She stammered, playing with the hem of her shirt a s the rain poured even more.

“It’s alright, neither was I. When did this rain start?”

Rose looked up, a hand shielding her eyes, “about five minutes ago…” she said, smiling back down at her. She reached out her hand and held it out, “M’Rose, Rose Tyler.” She said as friendly as she could manage.

“Rose?! Rose Tyler?! COME WITH ME!” I grabbed her hand and ran toward the center of town. I looked back at her face and I could tell she was very confused. I looked forward and almost ran into the TARDIS, I opened the door and ran in. “DOCTOR, DOCTOR! I FOUND HER!”

Rose widened her eyes and swallowed thickly. “H-how? W-who?” she glanced around the empty TARDIS, the Doctor, was obviously not in. “NOW where did he wander off to!!” I ran around the control room looking for the Doctor, then the console phone started ringing. I ran over to it and answered quickly “DOCTOR! Where are you!!!”

Rose swallowed down the bike in her throat. Maybe she had got it all wrong. He replaced her, new companion, pretty face. She slowly backed out of the TARDIS doors, staring at the ship in sorrow and shock.

“Yeah she’s here.” I turned around to hand the phone to Rose, “Rose he wants to talk to you…Rose? Doctor , I got to go, I call you back!” I ran out of the TARDIS to find Rose. “UGGH! Why is everyone running off today!”

She was running down the street as fast as she could, ignoring the tears that stung her eyes. He had replaced her; it was as simple as that.

I ran back into the TARDIS and called the Doctor, he didn’t pick up! I searched all over the console for the number the Doctor had left. AH! Found it! I dialed the number, “come on Rose! Pick up!”

Rose froze as she felt her mobile ring. Was it him? Mum? Pete? Mickey? She hoped it was him. No she didn’t! she was supposed to be mad! No, she hoped it was mickey, or Mum. (She secretly hoped it was him) “Yes?” she answered simply, the mobile pressed against her ear.

“Rose! Yes good, where did you go! The Doctor needed to talk to you! Please come back to the TARDIS, I think he’s in trouble! He didn’t  answer when I called him back.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s never answered directly.” Rose said harshly. “M’going home. He doesn’t need me anymore obviously. He has you.” She said bitterly, hanging up the mobile and placing it in her pocket.

She hung! “Now what am I supposed to do! I’m all alone in the TARDIS with no idea how to fly it, no idea where the Doctor is, or Rose!” I realized I was still talking into the phone, so I put it down and collapsed on the floor. DOO-WEE-OOO. The TARDIS was moving! “what’s happening!!”

Rose choked back a sob as she heard the familiar sound of the TARDIS.

When the TARDIS stopped moving I looked up and saw the Doctor standing above me, “hello Addy! Let’s go find Rose!”

Rose pulled on her jacket and pulled up the hood, blocking out the rain as she continued walking, away from her past.

I watched from the TARDIS as the Doctor ran over to Rose. When she turned I was surprised to see sadness on her face, I thought she’d be happy to see him. She seemed to be really upset with him. The Doctor placed his hand on her shoulders and looked right into her eyes and said something that seemed to calm her down. The Doctor hugged her and then led her back to the TARDIS.

I sorta stood between Rose and the Doctor. Rose seemed to be in her own world, so did the Doctor. That kind of daze he gets when he’s thinking. He was running around the console pressing buttons and pulling levers, and muttering to himself.

Rose slowly pulled her knees to her chest and bruised herself in her own embrace, ignoring the Doctor’s occasional longing glance, and Addy’s worried expression. \

“Doctor, what’s going on?” “What? Oh! Yes! Monsters in a forest, in another galaxy! Doesn’t that sound fun!” “Yeah, but I was kinda meaning about Rose.” “Oh, um…I’m not entirely sure…”

Rose shook her head and stood, “nothing’s wrong with me. M”just realizin’ something and makin’ a decision.” She said harshly, “take me back.”

“To late Rose, welcome back.” The Doctor ran out of the TARDIS  and I walked over to rose and helped her up, “there’s no harm in checking it out, is there?”

Rose shook her head and stormed past you out after the Doctor. “Oh no you don’t! You bloody well take me back right this moment!” she yelled at him.

I was starting to feel like a pointless piece of dust in this world of the Doctor’s. And I had a feeling Rose was feeling the same way. I followed Rose out the door *crsh* I heard a gun cock next to my head. I looked up and saw Rose and the Doctor with guns to their heads too. Rose looked over at the Doctor and scowled, “Doctor M”going to kill you if they don’t kill us first

He gave her an apologetic look and winced as the man holding the gun shoved Rose forward hard.

“Take his prize! Lock her up” “DON’T TOUCH HER!” The alien leader person looked at him and laughed. “You don’t want Rose, or Addy! Let them go and take me.”

I stood there frozen in terror; I’m in no way cut out for this. I looked around trying to find a weakness in the enemies or some sort of way to get out of here. “Don’t hurt her!” the Doctor tried to get to Rose but his guard held him back.

Rose grunted as the guard tightened her restraints and pulled her off the ground by her hair, causing her to cry out in agony.

The Doctor made a face as if he could feel Rose’s pain, which honestly wouldn’t surprise me. “Listen to me” I looked around to try and find the voice, it was the guard with a gun to my head! “What? What’s going on!” “I’m here to help you.”

“Tell us who you are!” the guard holding Rose’s hair demanded. The Doctor remained silent, agony painted on his face. “Fine” the guard said with a smirk, dropping Rose to the floor with a thud and delivering a quick kick to her side, causing her to cry out again.

I looked back at my guard and noticed that he, or she, was taller than the rest. “Listen, there’s a quick way out of here.” “Oh yeah? What is it?” “YOU! SILENCE! Now tell me who you are!”

Rose sucked in a painful breath, waiting for another blow to her.

“If I tell you who I am will you let Rose and Addy go?” “Maybe” “Maybe isn’t an answer! I need a yes!” “Oh but I can’t do that” “Why not!”

The guard lifted another foot as if to hurt her again. “Not important. Speak!”

“Alright!” I saw the Doctor look around then stand up, “My name’s the Doctor I’m the last of the Time Lords, I have nothing left except my company, and when you hurt them I get angry, and you don’t want to see me when I’m angry!”

Rose wiped away some blood and laughed, “you really don’t.” she agreed, spitting a mouthful of blood purposefully on the guard’s shoes. He growled and hit her once again.

The Doctor whipped around and slammed the enemy on the back of the head; he immediately went limp and fell to the floor. Rose’s guard trained his gun on the Doctor, but my guard didn’t, he aimed at Rose’s guard. “What are you doing fool! Shoot him!” “No” my guard took off his hood, and the Doctor shook his head, “hello Doctor! Miss me?” “Hello Jack”

The guard trained his gun on Rose and jerked her up, placing the point at her temple. “Make one move and the bottle blonde’s brains spew.” He threatened. Jack tsked. “See, I quite like Rosie. So, that’s not gonna happen.” He said calmly. “Now put the gun down.” He said coldly, cocking hi gun in a threatening manner.

I looked at the Doctor and said “who is he?” “He’s a friend, don’t, just don’t” Jack smirked and winked at me “now one of your guards are down, one isn’t even of the same species” motioning to himself, “and one of you doesn’t have a weapon. It’s just you little doggie, so put down your gun!”

Rose grunted in pain as the guard held her closer. “See, she’s my only leverage, so no. if you take one step closer I will send a bullet through her head.”

I saw out of the corner of my eye the Doctor reaching into his coat pocket. I knew what he was reaching for, I mean who wouldn’t? With one quick move the Doctor had whipped out his sonic screwdriver and had pointed it at the alien thing. “There, locked your bullet in place, there’s no shooting that gun anymore. Now, let Rose go.”

He chuckled darkly and threw his gun, quickly grabbing Rose’s neck in his arms and squeezing. She made a choked noise, and clawed at his arms as he slowly lifted her off the ground, choking her even harder.

Jack let off a shot, hitting the enemy in the head, and knocking him to the ground, Rose feel with him. Rose was gasping for breath as the Doctor ran over to her and took her in his arms. Jack quickly grabbed the alien leader and handcuffed him. “See he told you, you don’t want to see him when he’s mad.”

Rose quickly grabbed her throat in pain, desperately trying to get much needed air. When she caught her breath she realized she was having difficulty breathing, sharp pain was in her chest and she was bleeding profusely. “Jack?” she called out, oblivious to the Doctor’s hurt expression that she called Jack first. “You’re alive.” She said incredulously, her eyes tearing up. Whether she teared up in relief or pain she wasn’t sure.

I could tell there was tension between Rose and the Doctor, and she was obviously hurting him more by ignoring him. Jack came over and took Rose from the Doctor and supported her. The Doctor walked over to the lead alien dude and got in his face, “listen here! You will leave Earth alone and never try to hurt it or my friends again, understood?”

Rose pulled Jack into a hug and let loose the sobs she’d been holding back. He soothed her, gently coming and rocking back and forth after a few moments he pulled back and brushed some hair out of her face, pressing a kiss to her forehead, “hey, it’s alright, let’s get you onboard and cleaned up, alright?” he asked soothingly, ignoring the Doctors jealous stare.

The Doctor hustled me into the TARDIS and right to the console. He started flicking switches and pulling levers again. “Jack, take Rose to the rooms, I'm sure you remember where they are, get her cleaned, but remember I'm here if you need help.” “Yes sir.”

Jack nodded as he carried Rose in, “come on gorgeous, time for a shower.” He said with a wink and saucy smile that cause Rose to giggle, he gave a slight nod to you and the Doctor and whispered something into Rose’s ear that caused her to blush bright red and swat at his chest. You heard one last giggle before they both disappeared down the hall.

The doctor stared where they had gone with a wistful look on his face. I’d never seen him so jealous before, granted I hadn’t been with him for long, but still. “Doctor, is everything all right?” “Huh? Oh yeah everything’s fantastic.” “Doctor, something’s wrong, tell me.”

“Nah. I’m fine really. Just a bit upset Rose got hurt is all.” He said casually, his hand tightening on the controls as he and you heard Rose’s shrill squeak a splash of water and “Jack!” followed by boisterous laughter from the both of them.

I shuddered, not even wanting to think about what might’ve just happened in there, so I sat down to watch the Doctor as he flew the TARDIS to who knows where. “Where are we headed?” “Earth, just like Rose wanted.”

About ten minutes later Rose came out in a robe with Jack following her, soaked head to toe. “Well, that was eventful.” She said, shaking her hair, oblivious to the Doctor’s glowering stare.

“Feeling better Rose? I'm taking you home, I'm taking everyone home” he said pointedly at Jack.

Rose shook her head “I don’t want to go.” She whispered “I didn’t mean it. I promised you forever, and I intend to keep that promise.” She said with a sad smile, “that is, if you want me too…” she trailed off.

The Doctor walked over to Rose and gave her a hug. Jack and I just sank back and stayed quiet. The Doctor kissed Rose on top of her head, “of course I want you to stay! I always want you to stay! Why do you think I came looking for you?”

She shook her head, remaining silent, just holding him. “Hey Doc, I don’t mean to be a bother but, I’d love to stay too.” Jack said with a charming smile and a wink.

The Doctor smiled, “just for a little Jack! Then it’s back to wherever you are now!” *beep beep beep* there was a noise coming from the tele on the console.

Rose pulled away from him to let him go check and walked back over to where Jack was.

“Doctor what’s happening?” “OH! Addy! I forgot you were there! Being so quiet and all!” “WHAT’S HAPPENING??” “oh, yes, um we’re about to crash into a giant meteorite!”

“WELL SAVE US!” Rose yelled immediately wincing at her throat from where she had been choked. In all honestly her multiple throat bruises and possible cracked ribs there the least of her concerns.

“I can’t! We’re stuck in some sort of tractor beam! But with that I can, probably unsafely, assume that we’ll land safely. If someone is going into the trouble of making it so we can’t escape, why would they want us dead?”

Rose breathed a sigh of relief, moving closer to Jack for comfort, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and shook his head, “can’t we just avoid all this? Rose is seriously injured. She can’t deal with another attack.” Jack said worriedly, glancing down at Rose’s injured form.

“We can leave her here, the TARDIS will protect her, right Doctor?” “Yes! Brilliant Addy! We’ll figure out how to leave quickly as possible, but, Rose, you are going to have to stay here.”

Rose scoffed and shook her head. “You daft alien. If you think I'm missin’ out on the action you’re barmy!” she said, quickly running to go change out of her robe.

“ROSE! No! Listen to me! You are in no condition to do anything but lie down and sleep! And you aren’t listening to me are you!”

She called back from her room. “NOT REALLY, NO.” she came out a few moments later dressed with a smug smile, “let’s go”

The Doctor rolled his eyes “alright, but on one condition! As soon as we get out of here, I'm taking you to a hospital, alright?”

She scoffed, “thought you were a Doctor.” She teased, sticking her tongue between her teeth in a smile.

“I am! Just not of the medical kind.” He winked at her then looked at each of us in turn, “let’s go see what decided to ruin our day!” and with that we all ran out of the TARDIS.

Rose blushed at his comment but then nodded in agreement, running after them with much pain.

When we stepped outside the first thing to greet us was the smell. A horrid smell or rotting fish and snot, not that I’ve smelled enough snot to realize what it smells like…

Rose choked back a gag and leaned against the Doctor. “Gross” Jack mumbled through a pinched nose. Rose nodded in agreement

The Doctor simply pulled out his sonic screwdriver and scanned our surroundings. He supported Rose and walked over to a wall and slammed his fist into it. A flap opened and he pushed a bunch of buttons suddenly there was a sound of air being vacuumed out of the room and the fog was cleared and the stench lifted. “thanks Doctor, but why haven’t we gotten captured yet?”

“Yeah,” Rose croaked out, her voice still sore.

“I’m not sure, but it does seem weird. No greeting party, no traps, nothing!” he scanned the wall computer and studied what was on the screen, “one life form, that’s no wonder.”

Rose raised an eyebrow and shifted to Jack for support so the Doctor could move better.

The Doctor nodded with more respect hen jealousy now, and motioned me over, “what do you see here?” I studied the screen trying to make out the pictures and words and lines and circles. “It looks like we’re on a ship, or a broken off part of a ship, not a meteorite.” “Correct! And only one life form on this ship.” “Does that mean we can just go?” “No, I believe the tractor beam was a call for help.”

Rose groaned, “but those always end in disaster!” she whined. Jack nodded in agreement and wrapped an arm around her waist to help hold her up better, all traces of flirtatious behavior gone.

I started to freak out all over again. The Doctor seemed to be nervous too, “that’s true, so why don’t all three of you go into the TARDIs and I’ll go find this life form and see what I can do.”

Rose laughed, “Yeah right. They can go back, but I'm staying with you. No way am I leaving you alone with some random alien!” rose persisted, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. “If Rose stays, I stay. “Jack said, “She’s ill and needs so-” as if on cue rose started coughing, a bit of blood coming up. Jack immediately wiped it away and held her closer.

“No way am I letting you three have all the fun! I’m not leaving either.” “Ah ok fine, just promise me you won’t leave my side, promise me you won’t wander off?” *shoom* and just like that the Doctor vaporized right in front of us.

Rose choked on a bit of her blood and her eyes widened,. She sat erred coughing and gasping for air, “WHERE…IS…HE.” She gasped out between breaths, shoving away Jack’s helping hands.

“UGGH! So much for not wandering off!” Jack set Rose on the and I went to comfort her. Jack ran over to the computer “where did he go? Ah! Yes here! Um how do we get there?”

Rose finally caught her breath and gave you a grateful smile. “Well, maybe if we’re lucky the being’ll pick us too.” Rose suggested, her head beginning to spin.

Rose fell against my shoulder and I could feel her lungs working overtime, Jack was still studying the computer, I had no idea what to do. Jack hit the screen, “darn aliens! Come on! Take us to your leader!” *shoom*

Rose tensed, choking back a sob, “JACK!” she called out, wasting precious air that he lungs couldn’t afford to lose.

“Rose, maybe we should wait in the TARDIS, jack and the Doctor will be able to figure it out. We’ll be safe in there.”

“Not gonna happen.” She said defiantly, standing precariously and making her way to the computer, she banged it a few times, sighing heavily when nothing happened.

“Rose, they won’t take us there, maybe we can get there ourselves. See if we find a path that leads to where they are we can follow it without the alien thing teleporting us there.”

She spun around, “and how are we gonna do that?! Let’s face it, we aren’t time traveling genius alien or 51st century flirtatious time agents. We’re shop girls who got lucky!” she yelled frustratingly.

“but we must be special! If we weren’t why would the Doctor keep us around huh? If we weren’t special he would’ve saved our lives and moved on! I'm sure between the two of us we can figure out to make the computer show us a route!”

“I CAN’T.” she yelled, breaking down, “I’M SORRY ADDY BUT I CAN’T. I can hardly breathe and I sure as hell can’t figure out how to save the Doctor and Jack!”

I looked at Rose not sure what to say. I simply went over and held her in a hug, “you aren’t doing it alone, the world isn’t on your shoulders. You’ve got me with you. And besides maybe the Doctor and Jack are already on their way back here.”

She shook her head, “they aren’t though. They aren’t’…” she trailed off, “and it’s all my f-” *shoom*

“Hello girls” I looked up and saw the Doctor and Jack tied to operation beds by their arms and legs. “OH MY GOSH! WHAT’S HAPPENING!?!”

Rose’s breathing had become labored. “Are… you alright?” she finally managed to whisper, her hand still holding Addy’s.

“Yeah we’re good.” Jack said in a very flirtatious way. “Yeah, but we’d be a lot better if we weren’t about to be chopped up to pieces by a crazed maniac!” “Oh yeah sorry Doctor!” I set Rose down on a box and went to set the boys free. Rose started coughing again and there was a noise from the next room. I scurried to get the doctor free “MY SCREWDRIVER GET THE SCREWDRIVER!” I looked around the room and found it, I handed it to him just in time.

Rose’s breathing became heavier; her lungs were giving out, probably punctured by a rib from when that guard had kicked her. Her own fault really. Stupid, she thought to herself.

The ‘crazed maniac’ came in and started freaking out. Apparently her didn’t teleport us here. The Doctor soniced Jack’s restraints when the ‘maniac’ wasn’t looking. He’s such a genius, always got a plan.

Rose laid her head in her hands, trying to maintain her breathing pattern. The ‘maniac’ walked over to her, concerned and placed a reassuring hand on her back, “are you alright?” he asked. She nodded yes, unable to speak.

The Doctor soniced his own restraints and he and Jack leapt off the tables Jack grabbed a knife and held it to the ‘maniacs’ throat, “if you can help her, do it, and we may spare your life.”

The ‘maniac’ held up his hands, “listen, I don’t know what’s wrong with her. i can’t help if I don’t know the basic facts.” he pointed out.

“Then figure it out, examine her! SAVE HER!” the Doctor put his hand on Jack's shoulder to try and calm him down, “please, see what you can do.”

He nodded, gently scooping her up in his arms and walking towards a big machine. “No! M’fine.” she managed to say.

“Rose please, I don’t want to lose you.” I could hear pain in the Doctor’s voice. I walked over to Rose and whispered in her ear, “you don’t need to carry the world, take help, be strong when you really are.”

Rose gulped and nodded. The ‘maniac’ then proceeded to x-ray her. He came back a few minutes later, “her lungs punctured.” he said, pulling off his gloves, “not much I can do except make her comfortable…” he said sadly.

The Doctor sat down on a box and held his head in his hands, “we need to get her to a hospital.”

“Well you aren’t leaving my ship until you explain to me how you got teleported to my lab.” he said harshly.

At this point all I wanted was for Rose to get the treatment she needed, “well we can’t answer that because we have no idea how that happened! you sucked our ship in with your tractor beam, you teleported the Doctor and Jack to your lab, maybe the computer just thought we should join the party!”

The ‘maniac’ narrowed his eyes, “I’m sorry, let me rephrase my last words. you aren’t leaving with Blondie unless I get some answers now. And if I think one thing is off I’m gonna press this button.” he held up a button, “know what this does? It sends 20,000 volts of electricity into, Rose, is it?”

I looked at the Doctor and Jack, both of their faces were mirroring my exact thoughts: uh oh.

Jack narrowed his eyes, gritting his teeth, “let her go. We don’t have answers, nor will we.” He said threat fully.

You could get the concern in Jack’s voice, but the ‘maniac’ didn’t seem to care. “I need answers, you need the girl. It seems we are at an impasse.” I looked up and with a weary voice asked a question that was nagging at me for a while, “did you teleport any of us to your lab on purpose?”

His attention immediately snapped to you, along with Jack and the Doctor’s, he cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. He became lost in thought, and after a moment finally spoke, his voice serious and grave as he said, “no.”

I was beginning to get excited, “does your ship have some sort of defense that teleports people here is something happens?” I could see the Doctors face filling with thought.

He opened his mouth to answer, but before he could they were all met with Rose’s coughing and groaning from the other room. The ‘maniac’ dropped the ‘bomb’ “it’s not real, I could never hurt anyone, you all just had me scared. I wasn’t expecting you, now go check on her. She hasn’t got much time left.” He said sadly.

Jack and the Doctor ran into the other room to carry Rose back to the rest of us. I looked the ‘maniac’ in the eyes and I could see fear, “what kind of ship is this? Why was there a tractor beam?”

He shook his head, “I-I don’t know. To be honest, I found the ship abandoned no crew nothing, desolate and barren. Not a trace of blood, all pods on board. So I took up residence, every once and awhile I’ll hear scuffling, but other than that it’s a completely normal ship.”

That got the Doctors attention, “scuffling?” he laid Rose’s weight completely on Jack, “where do you hear this scuffling?!”

He took a step back, alarmed, and held his hands up defensively, “woah, woah! Only at night, in the walls, it’s nothing. Probably rats or mice.” He said, shrugging off the idea of the noise being dangerous. Rose coughed up more blood and winced as Jack laid her down on the examination table, “it’s okay Rosie.” He whispered reassuringly, taking her hand and giving it a small squeeze.

“Doctor, we need to get her to a hospital!” the Doctor turned to look at Rose, concern in his face. He looked back at the ‘maniac’, with a wistful look. “Yes! Yes, we need to get her back. Mind if we run off?”

He shook his head, “by all means go! Wouldn’t want a pretty girl like that dead.” He said thoughtfully. Rose shook her head no, “no, we need to help him. M’fine.” She wheezed out, beginning to sit up.

Jack looked her in the eyes with such concern it was almost as if he felt Rose’s pain, “no Rose we need to help you!” the Doctor walked over to Rose and took her hand. He leaned in and kissed her temple, “you know me I’d love to stay here and get into trouble, but you take priority.”

She pushed his hand away stubbornly sat up, immediately wincing at her chest. It felt like it was on fire! She swallowed then managed to croak out, “no. your priority is savin’ that man.”

The Doctor’s face was full of frustration and stress. “Doctor is there a way you can save them both?” the Doctor looked at me with his interest perked, “OF COURSE! But how?’

She squeezed eyes shut and concentrated on breathing, her grip tightening on Jack’s hand. Jack ran a soothing hand through her hair, stroking it out of her face.

I pulled the Doctor aside so I wouldn’t give the ‘maniac’ false hope, “can’t we take him with us Doctor? Take them both home?”

The Doctor shook his head, “this is his home. I suppose I can force Rose to leave. But she would hate me.” He said quietly, shoving his hands in his pockets. Rose’s breaths were becoming shorter, her vision swimming, pure agony showed on her face. “DOCTOR!” Jack yelled.

The Doctor ran over to Jack and Rose, he took her pulse and his face went pale, “her pulse is almost nonexistent!” Rose was struggling to stay alive.

She laid back, her breathing becoming even heavier, “Doctor, she croaked out, reaching blindly for his hand.

“Doctor!” I couldn’t take this anymore! “do you want her safe, or do you want her to like you?!” the Doctor looked at me, then back at Rose, “safe” he whispered. “Alright! We are getting back to the TARDIS!” he turned to the ‘maniac’ “feel free to come with us if you’d like.”

The man shook his head no. Rose tried to protest once again, but Jack silenced her with his finger on her lip.

The Doctor ran around the room scanning things with his screwdriver. He came to one spot and stopped, “I found it! The teleport controls!”

Rose removed Jack’s fingers and spoke, “Doctor, you teleport us and help m-” *shoom*

We were safe back in the TARDIS. The Doctor instantly started running around flicking switches and pulling levers. Jack took Rose into her room and stayed with her. I sat down in a chair and placed my head in my hands. This was all too much for me.

Rose fussily refused to stay put, she kept trying to convince Jack to go back and help that man. After a minute of pleading it became apparent to her that Jack was not going to do what she asked. “Can you tell the Doctor to come here?” she said weakly. Jack nodded standing and leaving the room. “Doc!” he called as he stepped into the control room.

The Doctor looked up. “She wants to see you.” The Doctor nodded and walked into Rose’s room. Jack came over and sat next to me, “you alright?” I looked up at him, “is it always like this?” Jack smiled sadly, and nodded.

Rose looked up at the Doctor angrily. “I told you no!” she said harshly, ignoring the insistent throbbing in her lungs. Meanwhile…Jack shook his head, “I mean most of the time it is. Boulder really says yes. Never been this bad. But this is killing the Doc, to know he hurt Rosie. He’ll never let it happen again.” He swore quietly, twiddling his thumbs to keep time.

“Rose! Look at you! I can’t lose you! We are bringing you to a hospital, you’re gonna get better, and when you can walk you can join me on more adventures. How does that sound?”

“But what if that man dies?” she croaked out, her eyes tearing up. Whether from frustration, worry or pain he didn’t know.

“You won’t be happy about this, but I’ll go back and check it out once I check you into a hospital. It’s the only way you can both be safe.” Rose closed her eyes and her breathing became more labored.

She silently shook her head, reaching out and grabbing his hand, “please.” She whispered.

“I’m sorry Rose, I can’t let you go” from the control room I shouted “Doctor! We landed!” the Doctor scooped up Rose and carried her out of the TARDIS.

She pushed against his hold, desperately trying to break free. His grip only tightened. “Doctor! Please!”

The Doctor kept walking into the hospital with Jack and me right behind him. “Doctor! Please!” Rose kept struggling but she was week she barely bothered him. “Rose! Let us helped, nothing is helped by you being dead!”

That stopped her. She tensed at the words dead and sulked against his chest, laying her head on his shoulder. Jack softly smiled and pretended to take a picture with his hands of Rose laying against the Doctor, Jack gave one quick wink to you, then walked ahead.

Jack jogged ahead to start checking Rose in. I started slowing down and eventually sat down on a bench, the Doctor was walking strong into the hospital. I took a few deep breaths and entered the hospital. The Doctor laid Rose on a stretcher and kissed her forehead. Jack came over and did the same. I smiled shyly and waved. After that the nurses wheeled her away.

The Doctor finally let his nervousness show, his expression growing agitated. Jack placed a calming hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze, “hey it’s okay, Doc. She’ll be fine.” He promised

“Yeah” he sighed, then stood up quickly, “we have to go save a maniac!” we all ran out and back to the TARDIS.

Jack held open the door for you with a charming smile and then walked inside himself, closing the door behind him, “don’t see why Rosie was so concerned, he should be fine.” Jack said, flopping onto the jumpseat.

I sat down next to Jack and studied the Doctor as he worked. He ran all around the console trailing the tele behind him. “I have to find it! Come on! Last landed point! I have to save him!”

Jack got an amused expression on his face as he watched the Doctor’s anxiousness, “you want to get back to Rose, don’t you?” Jack asked with a raised eyebrow. The Doctor froze and turned.

“Is that so bad? She’s my friend! And I promised her I’d save him! So I have to keep that promise!” with that the Doctor turned back to the console with a frustrated look.

Jack scoffed, “friend my ass…” he whispered to you.

I smirked but didn’t look at him. “AH! I found it! Come on you two! Let’s go save a maniac!” and with that we ran out of the TARDIS into a smoke filled room.

Jack swung his hand in front of his face, trying to clear away some smoke, he began coughing and squinting, “what’s going on?!” he yelled, slightly alarmed.

The Doctor ran over to where he had found the computer before and pushed more buttons, but no venting happened this time. “DOCTOR! DOCTOR IS THAT YOU? YOU…you came back?” I tried to find where the voice was coming from but then the ‘maniac’ came into view.

Jack cursed loudly as he bumped into the computer unable to see. “Where is everyone!?” he yelled in frustration. Meanwhile… Rose immediately went into x-ray, then surgery, the surgeons worked tirelessly to pump the fluid out of her lungs and patch her lung, they had already removed 5 fragments of rib bone from the punctured organ, but her vitals were still life threatingly low.

I reached out and grabbed Jack’s arm for bearings, “hey mister! What’s happening?!” “The scuffling noise! It was dangerous! They attacked my ship!”

Jack tensed as her heard a faint scuffling sound, “you mean that noise?” he asked the ‘maniac’. The man shook his head, “yeah.” He said with a gulp.

The Doctor turned around, “WHERE’S YOUR LAB? IS IT SAFE?” “No! But there is a room just off that hall that’s safe as far as I know.” “OK! WE GO THERE!” we all started running down the hall toward the safe room.

“HEY! HERE’S AN IDEA; HOW ABOUT WE AL JUST GET ON THE TARDIS AND BLOW THESE BASTARDS TEN WAYS TO FRIDAY?!” Jack yelled suggestively.

“JACK! You know I don’t do things that way!! You know I like to save everyone I can! We are gonna figure out how we can do that, got it?!”

“BUT WHAT ABOUT ROSE?” he yelled, that sentence made the Doctor pause immediately, “we all know she obviously had to go into surgery. What if she dies? Or wakes up and we aren’t there?” Jack pointed out.

The Doctor stopped seeming no to know what to do for the first time. He turned to jack, “30 minutes! Just half an hour to see what I can do, if I can’t do anything, its back in the TARDIS and back to Rose.”

Jack raised a disbelieving eyebrow, “fine. But I’m holding you to it.” He promised, “Rose needs you.”

“Ok! Agreed! Now you! What’s your name?” “Gryfum.” “Good! Gryfum! Lead the way!” Gryfum led us through the hallway to the safe room.

Jack shook his head in disbelief but followed along silently, watching, and listening to the faint scuffle that followed them.

We entered the room and we all searched the walls for a computer. I found one and the Doctor ran over and started punching buttons. I leaned over to Jack, “is that always the first thing he does, push buttons?” “Yup, pretty much.”

He smiled at you, “either that or make googly eyes at Rose.” He said with a wink.

I smiled, I couldn’t help it. I liked Jack; he always tried to lift everyone’s spirits. “OF COURSE! Why didn’t I think of that before!” I ran over to look at the screen “what is it?” “Cybermats.”

“Cybermats?” jack asked questioningly, raising an eyebrow and walking to where he was to get a better look.

“Yes Cybermats. Little Cybermen rats. Nasty little things, extremely hard to catch. Jack, how much longer do I have?” Jack glanced at his watch, “20 minutes.” “Great! That’s all I need!”

He rolled his eyes, “so what’s my part in this plan in this plan, to catch the Cybermats?” Jack asked annoyed. He wanted to go see Rose, make sure she was okay. He knew the Doctor did too, so why wouldn’t he hurry up?!

“Actually, no! We’re gonna do it your way Jack! We’re gonna blow this place up!” “Whoa, whoa wait just a minute!” Gryfum obviously wasn’t happy about his home being blown up. “Sorry Gryfum, these are nasty little things, blowing this place up is the only way.”

He rolled his eyes, “fine. But you better find me a place to stay!” he said, obviously distressed about his home being destroyed.

“15 minutes” “ok, we’re gonna have to multitask! Addy, find out what species he is, find out if he has a home. Jack, you’re my guard, if you see any Cybermats I need you to shoot it with this.” The Doctor tossed Jack some sort or weapon, “I’m gonna rig the explosives.”

Jack raised an eyebrow and glanced down, “where the hell did you get a Time Agent’s gun?” he asked loading it and preparing to shoot. “I’m from Puluxia.” Gryfum stated making Addy’s job a little less hard.

The Doctor turned around, “what are you doing here?” “Doctor, 12 minutes!” “Right! Keep talking Gryfum!”

“Um… like I said before; I stumbled upon this, oh, and how’s your blonde friend?”

Jack glanced over, “as far as we know she’s fine, dropped her off at the hospital and came back here to save your butt. 10 minutes.” “Yes! Ok! So give me seven more minutes, then it should only take 3 to get back to the TARDIS!” the Doctor turned back to his work.

Jack rolled his eyes, “fine. Just hurry.” “That’s good.” Said Gryfum.

We sat there in silence. 9 minutes, 8 minutes, 7 minutes. *scuffle* “what was that!” “Cybermat.” The Cybermat came into view and Jack shot it very quickly.

“We need to get out of here!” Jack yelled over his shoulder as he shot another Cybermat.

“Almost…done…” 5 minutes *bang* 4 minutes *bang bang* “DONE! GO, GO, GO!” We all ran to the TARDIS and got in just in time.

Jack closed the door, breathing a sigh of relief. “Now, to Puluxia, then to Rose!” said Jack with a happy smile.

“Yes sir!” the Doctor beamed, mirroring Jack’s happiness. Gryfum sat down on one of the seats in a sort daze. I understood that look; I’d had it not too long ago. A look of admiration, and shock all in one. It’s amazing how much the Doctor can impact someone’s life.

After 30 minutes and a trip to Puluxia they were back on Earth in the hospital. The Doctor rushed in, only to be greeted by a worried nurse, “sir!” he didn’t respond, “Mr. Tyler!” the Doctor froze. “Mr. Tyler?” he asked Jack, knowing he was the one who had named him. Jack gave an eyebrow waggle and a smirk. “Yeah, your wife and you were enjoying a hike when she fell and cracked her ribs.” He said, smiling as the Doctor reddened. The nurse cleared her throat, “your wife has been moved to ICU, she’ll be taking visitors shortly.” And with that she left.

I sat down in the waiting room and Jack came and sat next to me, we both watched the Doctor pace back and forth. I leaned to Jack, “nice cover up with the hike mister.” “Thanks.”

Jack smirked, “aww just relax! Have a seat. Mr. Tyler.” He said cheekily, giving him a wink.

The Doctor rolled his eyes and sat next to me. His feet and fingers never stopped moving. The nurse walked in, “Mr. Tyler, you can see your wife now.” We all leapt up and walked into Rose’s room.

Rose was in the hospital bed, her chest bandaged and tubes hooked up to her nose, forcing her to breathe. “She stopped breathing about halfway through surgery. Thought we had lost her. She was declared clinically dead for 2 minutes before she woke up murmuring something about a Doctor… poor girl.” The nurse said, shaking her head and leaving the room.

The Doctor walked over and took her hand, placing a gentle kiss on it. Rose stirred and mumbled, “Doctor” “I’m here Rose,” he gave her hand another kiss, “I’m here.”

Her heart monitor immediately started beeping like crazy, causing a nurse to rush in, “what happened?!” she asked frantically.

Rose’s eyes shot open, “did you save him!” The nurse looked at the Doctor, “save who? Was there someone else on your hiking trip?”

The Doctor shook his head and laughed nervously, “no. of course not. She’s just a bit confused, aren’t you honey?” Rose nodded and the nurse relaxed. Jack saw the opportunity and took it, “hey John. I think you should give your wife a kiss, after all, she is alive.” Jack said cheekily.

The Doctor didn’t seem to have any objections to this. He leaned down and placed a loving kiss on Rose’s lips. Before he stood up he whispered, “Yeah, Rose, we saved him.” Rose smiled and looked over at Jack and me, “hey you two, thanks for keeping John company.” The nurse smiled and left the room.

“No problem!” said Jack thoughtfully then, “how about another kiss!” Jack said, gesturing to himself and leaning in towards Rose purposefully to make the Doctor mad.

I laughed, and so did Rose, but she winced in pain. Jack kissed her on the forehead and smiled, “you’re looking better already Rosie!” “Thanks Jack, what happened back on that ship?” we told her everything and when we’d finished Rose blushed and smiled at Jack and the Doctor.

“So, Mr. Tyler?” she asked the Doctor with a wink, propping herself up to see them better.

“Jack thought it’d be best if he made up a cover story, and I’m very honored to play the part of your husband.” The Doctor smiled, giving her hand, which he hadn’t let go of, a squeeze. Jack smiled “aren’t I clever?” I looked at the three of them, so happy, so loving. I didn’t belong here; I couldn’t deal with that again.

Rose smirked and squeezed his hand, she tried sitting up and immediately winced, crying out in pain which caused Jack and the Doctor to quickly move to her side.

They laid her back down and Rose tiredly consented. “Um, Doctor, can I talk to you in the hall for a moment?” “Sure” he looked back down at Rose and smiled, then looked at Jack and nodded, then followed me out into the hall.

Jack concentrated on Rose, not wanting to eavesdrop. “What is it?” the Doctor asked, already anxious from his separation from Rose, he hated that she did this to him.

“I can’t do this anymore. Rose almost dies today. And it was partially my fault. I think I should go back to my normal life, I hate to leave you Doctor, but you should travel with Rose, not me.”

He shook his head, “nonsense! You’re brilliant! You’ll cope! Besides, this hardly ever happened! Rose’ll  be fine, no need to worry about her, brilliant she is, my brilliant Rose, anyway don’t worry, and stay!” he rambled, giving you a smile.

“Doctor, I…I can’t, I’m sorry.” I looked down at my shoes, to ashamed to look him in the eye. The Doctor reached out and with two fingers raised my chin, “listen to me, if you want to go, I guess I can’t keep you here. But I’d always love for you to join me on an adventure another time.” I smiled staring into his old eyes, “I’d love that.”

He clapped his hands together enthusiastically, trying not to let her see his hurt expression, “right! Now, back to Rose!” he said, belfry quickly retreating to her bedside.

I lingered in the hall a moment before returning to Rose’s bedside. I looked at Jack’s smile, always teasing. The Doctor’s ever changing expression, and such old eyes. And Rose, poor Rose. This is what happens to people who meet the Doctor; they become attached, and never want to leave. I was starting to regret my choice.

Rose immediately reached for the Doctor’s hand, causing him to smile brightly. “Alright Rose, time for lunch.” Said the nurse as she walked in, carrying a tray of food. She set it up for her then left. “Thank you,” said Jack as he snagged a chip from her tray. Rose laughed and rolled her eyes.

I looked around the room and spotted a pen and pad. I grabbed it and scribbled down a number. I held it in my hand in case I second guessed myself. “Addy, you’ve been awfully quiet back there,” Rose said with a slight smile. “Sorry, a lot of things happened today.” The Doctor looked away from me, but I saw his face was sad; he didn’t want me to leave. But I knew Rose did.

Rose noticed the Doctor’s expression and frowned, “what’s wrong, Doctor?” she asked worriedly.

The Doctor started to answer, but it was my choice, I should tell her. “I’m leaving, Rose, I can’t do this; it’s too much.”

Rose’s attention snapped to you. “What’s to much?” she asked softly. Suddenly, realization dawned on her. “Actually. I was leaving to, Addy.” She said softly.

The Doctor’s expression got even sadder. I knew I couldn’t let him lose both of us. “Rose, you should stay. You two obviously have some catching up to do. And if that catching up happens on a different planet in a different galaxy then so be it. But you should stay. You’ve been doing this a lot longer than I have, I'm just not ready.”

“Yes you are! You’re brilliant!” Rose insisted, her hand letting go of the Doctor’s which made him even sadder.

I was stuck. Either leave and hurt both the Doctor and Rose’s feelings, or stay, and possibly get hurt in a way that could never be fixed. I looked down at the scrap of paper in my hand and smiled. “I’ll stay a little longer, as long as you promise me, Rose, promise me you’ll travel with us when you can.”

Rose smiled and nodded softly. “Promise.” She whispered, holding out her pinky finger.

I smiled and linked my pinky in hers in a promise. I looked at the Doctor, he seemed content. I looked at Jack, he seemed happy too. He leaned in and whispered in my ear, “you’re never gonna wanna leave.”