Fic: One Last Journey Home (3/10(?), Teen)
Title: One Last Journey Home (3/10)
Author: carly21
Betareader: naughtybunny23
Character/Pairing: TenToo/Rose, Ten/Rose
Genre: Angst, humour, romance
Rating: Teen
Summary: “We will find a way back, Rose Tyler. You and me.” He looks at the distance, sheer determination written on his face. “He can run but he will never get away.”
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own anything than the plot and one or two OCs
Author's Notes: Sorry for the long wait! Naughty Nine!muse proved to be very distracting ;)
Thanks to naughtybunny23 for betaing despite her tight schedule! *huggles*
Previous chapters:
One | Two
“Doctor! DOCTOR!”
“Blimey, you can shout!”
“Am I ever gonna see you again?”
“If I'm lucky...”
“Just... promise me one thing: Find someone.”
“I don't need anyone.”
“Yes, you do. 'cause sometimes... I think you need someone to stop you.”
“...Yeah.”
For the Time Lord her words died with her memory. He ignores what she taught him, travels alone and breaks the most important rule of all because there was no one to stop him.
The human Doctor treasures them, keeps the words inside his mind, repeating them over and over in his head as Rose Tyler sleeps inside his arms.
They are the same man but so very, very different.
~*~
“Drink this,” Jackie says, holding up a glass of punch for him.
They are at a party, a Torchwood party, in some rich guy's house. The Doctor didn't want to go but Rose can be very convincing if need be... and he doesn't fancy a Tyler slap, neither by mother nor daughter, thank you very much! So he came along to keep her company while some rich guys suck up to her. As Pete Tyler's daughter she apparently has some social power and influence others would love to benefit from. Even worse, Rose has to be nice and polite as well to get some new investors for Torchwood... and seeing as he is the very definition of impoliteness (her words not his), she has asked him to wait for her at the buffet. And that's exactly where Jackie Tyler caught him.
Eyeing the offered glass sceptically, he pushes her hand gently away. “No thanks. I'm not trusting my metabolism with alcohol right now...”
“Drink,” Jackie says more forcefully this time, leaving him no choice but to oblige, not yet fancying that slap.
Taking the glass, he sips on it, hoping the liquid won't have as disastrous an effect as coffee had on him before... he can only take the comparison with a ball-crazy dog so many times.
Jackie nods, turning to look at the other guests. “Terrible this lot, aren’t they? Acting all posh and important.”
“I thought you liked this stuff,” he says and kicks himself internally as she glares at him.
“Maybe the Jackie from this universe did, but I lived in the estates until six years ago! You think you are so small compared to these people in the suits who are making all the big decisions for you, but that's not really true. They're all the same... money-hunting little bastards!”
Her nose is slightly red and the Doctor feels a sudden rush of fear as realisation kicks in. Jackie Tyler is completely pissed.
She sways slightly on the spot, her following words slurred by the alcohol affecting her brain. “He’s one too, you know?” she continues. “That other you... wearing suits and making decisions for others. He’s only hunting for the danger instead of money. Still don't know if I like you... him... you both.”
She takes another big gulp from her glass. The Doctor resists the urge to slap it out of her hand. “You've hurt my daughter,” she says, her finger shaking as she points at him. “She was crushed after being trapped here. The first time, I mean. Never saw her like that. I hated you then, despite my second chance with Pete.” She wants to take another gulp from her glass and this time the Doctor does take it out of her hand. She didn't even notice. “I loved you when Tony was born and hated you again when Rose found a way back... I thought she would leave us and then you, the other you, left her here again.” Jackie sighs deeply. ”Don't know whether it's love or hate now.”
Not knowing what to say to that, the Doctor takes another sip from his own glass.
“Still, you're here and that's good... don't hurt her again or I'll smack you some, understood?”
He nods gravely before drinking the last bit from his glass and placing it back on the table. “Wouldn't dream of it.”
Jackie snorts, her eyes already on the waiter offering champagne to the guests. “Good. I've been working out, you know? The next slap will be nothing like the last one... Now excuse me, I've got to be somewhere,” she says, taking off after the waiter, calling him loudly enough to turn several heads.
Once she is gone, the Doctor's thoughts leave more disturbing territory involving metal implants in both cheeks and stray back to what has bothered him all day: the ship that has been programmed to reach him. Not yet did he manage to open the mysterious safe... it had been sealed with Gallifreyan DNA and seeing as his own has changed beyond recognition, he had to reconstruct the genetic code. Mna'ka DNA is easy... it's not that different from a human's, but Gallifreyan is another matter entirely. The triple-helix will be the biggest obstacle. According to his tests, he now has a double one like every other human, but with slight differences. No other species has three strands, not those he knows of, anyway. If it's really meant for him then he must be able to open it. Or did someone expect his Time Lord counterpart instead? How can someone know of him in this universe? How?
“Penny for your thoughts?”
He nearly jumped at Rose's voice. “Rose! Penny... what?”
She chuckles, laying her head on his shoulder. “Sooo tired... if I hear one more compliment about my dress, hairstyle and/or breasts-”
“Breasts?!”
She waves away his jealous outcry with her hand. “Just some drunk, old pervert who thought he could hit on me...”
“I hope you gave him a piece of your mind, Rose Tyler!” the Doctor says, raising an eyebrow. “If not I would be more than happy to undertake this important task...”
“No need. His wife slapped him to Nirvana,” Rose says with a smile, pointing to a man holding his deep red cheek while a plump woman screams at him.
The Doctor takes a moment to admire Rose in the dark red dress she has chosen for the evening. If he's honest with himself, he can't very well blame any man complimenting her breasts... they're deliciously pushed up by that new bra she had bought a week ago. She looks truly breathtaking, the dress swaying slightly above her ankles, rhinestones glimmering in the light. Her shoulders are free and he takes the chance to put an arm around her, his thumb caressing the soft skin it finds. He blushes as he remembers the events of last night, when he finally got to caress other parts of Rose Tyler, her skin so hot and trembling under his touch. He might begin to enjoy this new human body, after all... as inconvenient as it can be, the lack of control has its advantages.
“Think we can make a run for it soon?” the Doctor whispers in Rose's ear. Her eyes are closed by now.
“Hope so... gotta ask Dad first, though.”
“Oh, yes! Pete... didn't see him all night.”
“Yeah, he's over there,” she says, pointing at a group of men. The Doctor sees the top of Pete's head behind them. “Mr Huntington has kept him busy...”
“Who?”
“The Torchwood council's chairman. Oh, he's a terrible man! You'll meet him soon enough.” Rose links her arm through his. “Walk with me?”
“Where to?”
“Out. Just... away from here. The atmosphere is killing me.”
~*~
They walk out on the large balcony, the ballroom's music behind them quieting down with every step. Out of the full room, away from drunkards, perverts and bootlickers, it's strangely peaceful as the full moon shines down upon them, illuminating the big, maze-like garden.
“This is nice,” Rose says, laying her head back on his shoulder as they watch the stars shining through the clouds. “Like that night on Barcelona... do you remember?”
“How could I forget?” the Doctor says grinning, drawing the picture of her in a soft pink dress back to his mind. “You looked so beautiful that night... I very much wanted to kiss you then.”
“You should've...”
“Quite right, too,” the Doctor replies, pouting when Rose laughs and slaps his arm.
Looking back at the sky, the Doctor says, “That ship... it could be a trap.”
“Could be, yeah... Maybe we should leave it alone.”
“Maybe, yeah.”
Their faces split into two identical grins, a well-known warning for madness to anyone who knows them by now. “Dame Rose, I think we're in for some trouble again.”
“Sir Doctor, aren't we always?”
He chuckles and takes her into his arms, placing a quick kiss onto her hair. It smells like the fruit shampoo he bought for her in that little shop... Oh, he does love that shop!
“Sometimes I think we're way too curious for one lifetime,” the Doctor says.
“Human for a few weeks and you're already getting cold feet?” Rose returns cheekily, resting her head on his firm chest.
The Doctor shrugs. “Not really. As a Time Lord I didn't have that many lives left either. Regeneration has always been a way out... but this body, his body really, is already on its tenth one. Time Lords can only regenerate thirteen times.”
“Oh, I thought you could do that forever. When you've time for that at least, or...”
“Or?”
She evades his eyes, looking at the full moon instead. “When you want to... go on.”
He suddenly knows what she is referring to. She has told him everything about the parallel worlds, the wrong one with Donna in particular, and according to her that was the only one where she saw him. Well, that's not surprising of course, seeing as there are no parallel Time Lords, but it must have been quite a shock for her to see him dead. Still, for all what's worth, that world was wrong.
“Rose, I know what you've seen is terrible but I don't think he'll do that this time...” the Doctor says, reassuringly.
“Why not?”
“'Cause it was his decision to leave and live alone this time. And he'll see the pain as punishment for Donna's fate.” While the Doctor is quite certain his Time Lord self is bonkers, he doesn't expect him to take that wrong turn this time. Even without someone to stop him, even when ignoring Donna's words, he thinks the Time Lord's wish for punishment and amendments will be stronger this time. Only question is: how far would he go to amend?
Rose snorts, the vibration of her voice against his chest pulling him away from his thoughts, and says, “Sounds just like something he would do... Stupid git!”
He lets go of her and places a hand on the small of her back instead. His touch feels unbelievable warm through her thin dress, spreading warmth all over her body. It's still hard to believe how content he can make her feel.
He doesn't reply to her comment but smiles gentle at her before he says, “Wanna go back inside? It's getting a bit chilly.”
Rose ponders for a moment if a cold is a reasonable price for escaping the greedy people inside but decided against it. For being called 'the Doctor' he can be a terrible nurse.
“What are you smirking about, Rose Tyler?”
“Oh, just thought about the incident after visiting Woman Wept...”
The Doctor grimaces. “Rose, I'm still sorry about setting your room in London in flames! I only wanted to improve your television, so you can get that show you've always watched on the TARDIS! Didn't think it would implode... Seriously, 21th century technology: terrible! Can't even get Solare Star programmes without overheating... although, this universe's technology is a bit more advanced, maybe I could improve our TV! Do you want me to improve it Rose? Oh, we could get this adventure channel! You know, the ones where they explore ancient ruins on different planets and get to the completely false conclusions? You've always liked that show, didn't you Rose? Rose?”
She smiles and nods, letting his rambling rush over her. Yeah, sometimes it feels just like old times... like they have never been parted and this is just another adventure outside the TARDIS.
Only thing is, here you can't really hop into your ship and fly away... here you have to face consequences and sometimes they come in the form of a small, plump man with a terrible voice who interrupts her loved one's babbling with a squeaky 'hello'.
“Good evening, Mr Huntington,” Rose says to the man suddenly standing in their way, putting all the dislike she can get into those words.
“Rose Tyler, I've been searching for you all day! Can I just say, you are a vision tonight!” the man says followed by his trademark, high-pitched laugh.
It takes merely seconds for him to be disliked by the Doctor. New record, that.
“And this must be the Doctor!” he goes on, turning to the human Time Lord to offer his hand. “You're somewhat of a legend at Torchwood.”
The Doctor shakes his hand but doesn't return the smile. “Yeah, well... I'm a legend in a lot of places. Never cared much about it,” he says, his eyes wielding a wild look. “I've heard about you as well... can't say it's a pleasure, I'm afraid.”
Mr Huntington laughs again, making them cringe. “That's the downside of being a politician and a businessman... an unavoidable bad reputation.”
“It's not your position that causes it though, is it? It's your actions,” the Doctor says and Mr Huntington's smile freezes on his face.
Both men glare at each other, holding the other's gaze with unhidden dislike.
Suddenly, the Doctor looks around, his nose twitching as he moves his head. “What's this... what's this smell?”
He looks at the other man, his gaze falling to a small, red flower stuck to his breast pocket. “That flower... it's quite unusual. That smell... I know that smell...”
Mr Huntington looks confused as he too looks down at himself. “My wife gave it to me ages ago... an artificial flower sprayed with some perfume. Probably a popular men's perfume... I've never asked her. I wear it every day.”
“Perfume...” the Doctor says slowly, still staring at the flower. “Yeah, maybe...”
He roams his brain, searching for a reason why that smell confused him so much. Something tells him, it doesn't belong there... that it's wrong to be here on this planet, this universe even but he just can't remember...
“Doctor?” Rose asks, drawing his attention to her. “You alright?”
“Yeah, ‘course I am. I'm always al-... I'm alright, Rose.”
Rose smiles at him and links her arm with his. ”Let's go back inside then, yeah?”
“Yeah,” he answers her and turns back to Mr Huntington. “It's been... interesting.”
“That it has,” the other man says, his eyes blazing as he watches them stepping back into the house. “Interesting indeed...”
~*~
The rest of the evening has been rather uneventful. Jackie caused a scene as she accused a well-respected priest of ogling her, leading to her being politely shown out to be taken to a room to sleep it off.
Rose giggles as the Doctor phrased his surprise at the lack of commotion Jackie's scene has caused. “It's some sort of ritual,” Rose explains to him. “Mum always gets drunk on these events and does something funny... at first people had been irritated by it but Dad is so important that he has to be at every important event, so they came to accept it. They're even making bets about it... what she does, who'll be involved and so on.”
“And... Jackie doesn't mind?”
Rose shrugs. “She always forgets about it in the morning and no one is dumb enough to remind her of it. Oh, they've got nibbles!” she suddenly cries out as a tray wanders in front of her nose. “Want some?”
~*~
They were able to leave shortly after, a tired-looking Pete leading the way as he guided the sobering Jackie to his car.
“So, any plans for tomorrow?” Rose asks him.
“Yeah, we still have to discuss recruitment... the Torchwood council has suggested someone as field leader.”
Rose rolls her eyes. “Yeah, as if we're that stupid!”
Sighing, Pete helps Jackie into the car. “I'm running out of arguments, Rose... The council's influence is increasing by the minute. We've got to think of something and fast!”
“They're threatening you, aren't they?” the Doctor asks, his eyes darkening as he watches Mr Huntington talking to another man with curly hair from afar.
“I've been threatened ever since I became rich. It takes more than that to break me, but...”
“But?” the Doctor asks.
Pete runs his fingers through his thinning hair. “I've got more to lose now than I've ever had before. A grown daughter, a young son, a wife who cares about more than wealth and beauty... The happier I am, the more they can hurt me.” He looks at them both, a determined expression on his face. “I expect you both tomorrow inside my office. You're the only ones I can really trust and it's long overdue that we talk about some things.”
~*~
The next morning, Rose bites her lip as she watches the Doctor getting dressed. She took him shopping a week ago and finally convinced him to try on some different things than his usual suits. To her it seemed up to that point he has been afraid to do or try anything that sets him apart from the other Doctor. Of course, she has noticed his wariness, his uncertainty whenever they spoke about the Time Lord. It doesn't take a genius to know that he is afraid of her not wanting, not loving him any more when he behaves like his own person... but she has noticed their differences anyway and they do nothing to damper her affection for him. Loving two men, while that seemed impossible to her a few years back, now she does just that.
The only problem is... how to tell him?
She has already tried to show him with stolen kisses at work, prolonged hand-holding, extensive flirting... but it doesn't seem enough. She knows it's not enough. She has been on the receiving end of showing never telling and it has driven her mad with uncertainty. Understanding that well enough, Rose is determined to tell him about her feelings, just... she can't seem to find the right words.
“We should go out,” she says, stopping the Doctor while tying his tie. “Properly, I mean... not just going to a pub with other Torchwood employees on Friday evenings.”
“Oh? Going out as in 'going to a posh restaurant'-going out?” the Doctor asks, his face widening with a big smile. “Brilliant!” Then he suddenly frowns, his face falling. “But... properly means I've got to pay doesn't it? 'The gentleman pays for dinner' that's properly, yes?”
“Well, I wouldn't insist on that... we live in the 21st century, after all. But... wait! Does that mean, you're broke? Again?”
The Doctor rubs his neck, his expression sheepish as he grins at her. “I... might've bought some things... on the Internet. There are sites out there for everything! Talking toilet paper dispensers, time projecting laser pens, umbrella hats... oh, I've always wanted one of those! Remember all the running we did on rainy planets? Would've been much better with an umbrella hat! Well, of course it wouldn't help when it's windy... and it wouldn't really keep the head dry while running, but we would've had free hands! That's always good, isn't it? Having free hands?” He holds up his hands and wriggles his fingers. ”Never found the time to buy one... strange that, isn't it? A Time Lord not finding time? Bit stupid, yeah. Can't really find time... it's all around. Oh, and then there's inflatable tongues! Did you know that, Rose? That you can buy inflatable tongues? Genius!”
Rose stares at him, her mouth slightly opened, eyes wide. “You've bought enough of that crap to be broke?! Doctor, dad pays you a small fortune! And where is all that stuff anyway? There wasn't anything delivered here and I'm sure I would notice stuff like that!”
He tugs at his ear, looking like he has just been caught with his hand in a cookie jar... or jam jar in his case. “Weeell... I might have rented a tiny warehouse to store the stuff. Didn't want to cramp the place, you know?”
“And you knew I would throw it away,” Rose says dryly, not even questioning that possibility.
“And that, yeah.”
Rose sighs. She begins to understand why the Doctor never carried money with him.
Then his face suddenly lights up, promising nothing good to come. “Oh, I know! You can lend me money and then I pay for dinner! Then all will be properly date-...ish!” He grins widely and grabs his jacket from the chair where it had fallen the previous night. Rushing to the door, grabbing Rose's car keys on the way, the Doctor whips on his jacket and grabs her hand, tugging her with him.
“Alons-y, Rose Tyler! Work to do!”
While he leads her to the car, Rose has a gentle smile on her face. He could be the worse boyfriend for any other woman, but he is certainly the best one for her.
~*~
“What do you think he'll tell us?” the Doctor asks while they take the lift to Pete's office.
“Dunno... something about the council's plans most likely. What I find a bit strange is that he wants to talk to us here. He could've done so last night... we shared a car after all,” Rose says, chewing on her bottom lip as she watches the lift's display going up.
“He said, he doesn't trust anyone but us... maybe he was afraid the driver could share information with the council.” The Doctor runs a hand through his unruly hair. “I don't get why we had a chauffeur, anyway.”
Rose raises her eyebrows. “You don't? Doctor, every one of us had to drink a glass or two to survive that party...”
“Oh, yeah... that. I've never had to worry about the effects of alcohol before, so I didn't really think about it.” He suddenly looks far away, his eyes bottomless and full of sadness. “Another human thing I've got to get used to, eh?”
She walks over to him, her arms coming around his neck and pulling him down for a gentle kiss. “I like that about you. I like your humanity, Doctor. I like... I like you very much.”
He rests his hands on her hips, warming them through the blouse. “Just like?”
Rose smiles, the ping of the lift sounding just as she says, “I love you.”
And this time he comes down to meet her lips without being pulled.
~*~
Pete wasn't inside his office as his friendly and diligent secretary pointed out (“Mr Tyler isn't here. Hasn't been all day... Will you please leave now? I've got important things to do,” she said before taking out her magazine to catch up on the latest misadventures of Brangelina's marriage.). Frowning, the Doctor and Rose leave the floor with the lift.
“Why isn't he here yet? We're pretty late already... Do you think something has happened to him?” Rose asks, worry gracing her features as her hand finds his.
“Maybe he's just being held up at home or in traffic... Why don't you try to call him?”
Rose nods, already taking out her mobile phone and dialling her father's number.
She lets it ring a few times, her eyes swaying to the Doctor when no one answers. “He isn't picking up... why isn't he picking up?”
The Doctor squeezes her hand. “Call your mum. Ask her if she knows something.”
Rose does as she is told and sighs in relief when Jackie picks up. “Mum? It's me, Rose. Is Dad still home? He isn't here...” Rose is quiet for a bit, listening to her mother until she says, “Mum, this is important, yeah? I know you've got a hangover, but Dad is missing! Look if he is home, yeah?”
The Doctor hears Jackie's voice calling for Pete, probably walking through the house, looking for her husband.
“Are you sure? He isn't there?” Rose asks when her mother's calling ceased. “No, look... it doesn't has to mean anything, yeah? The nanny has brought Tony to kindergarten? Alright. Yeah, I'll tell you as soon as I know more... Probably nothing, yeah. Bye!”
Rose hangs up, her eyes dark as she looks at the Doctor. “Not there...”
“You think... he’s been abducted?” the Doctor asks.
“No idea... it doesn't make sense, though. Even without my father, they wouldn't be any better off... Jurisdiction falls to me then. Unless...”
“Unless?”
“Unless they torture him to sign a waiver. But that would be rubbish! He could just go to court and say what they did... and if-... if they kill them, that paper miraculously appearing, it's way too obvious who did it.”
The Doctor nods. “Don't think they're that dumb. Let's not assume the worst for now, Rose... Do you want to go home?”
Rose shakes her head. “Better act like nothing has happened. If they don't have a clue about this, then he disappeared on his free will and they shouldn't get to know about this too soon.”
The Doctor rubs his chin as the lift's doors opened, revealing the corridor to his lab. “Wonder what he wanted to tell us... it could be connected to his disappearance,” he says in deep thought as he steps out.
Rose doesn't follow. “Know what?” she says. “I'll go and talk to Jake, see if he knows anything. Dad might have left some message. You go and look into that Mn-... something ship, act like normal. We should keep a close eye on the council for now...”
The Doctor watches as the lift's doors close. His happiness about Rose finally uttering these three words felt suddenly very, very far away. What on Earth could have happened to Pete Tyler?
A/N: Please comment! This is the plottiest fic I've ever written, so I would love to get some more opinions on this :)
Author: carly21
Betareader: naughtybunny23
Character/Pairing: TenToo/Rose, Ten/Rose
Genre: Angst, humour, romance
Rating: Teen
Summary: “We will find a way back, Rose Tyler. You and me.” He looks at the distance, sheer determination written on his face. “He can run but he will never get away.”
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own anything than the plot and one or two OCs
Author's Notes: Sorry for the long wait! Naughty Nine!muse proved to be very distracting ;)
Thanks to naughtybunny23 for betaing despite her tight schedule! *huggles*
Previous chapters:
One | Two
“Doctor! DOCTOR!”
“Blimey, you can shout!”
“Am I ever gonna see you again?”
“If I'm lucky...”
“Just... promise me one thing: Find someone.”
“I don't need anyone.”
“Yes, you do. 'cause sometimes... I think you need someone to stop you.”
“...Yeah.”
For the Time Lord her words died with her memory. He ignores what she taught him, travels alone and breaks the most important rule of all because there was no one to stop him.
The human Doctor treasures them, keeps the words inside his mind, repeating them over and over in his head as Rose Tyler sleeps inside his arms.
They are the same man but so very, very different.
~*~
“Drink this,” Jackie says, holding up a glass of punch for him.
They are at a party, a Torchwood party, in some rich guy's house. The Doctor didn't want to go but Rose can be very convincing if need be... and he doesn't fancy a Tyler slap, neither by mother nor daughter, thank you very much! So he came along to keep her company while some rich guys suck up to her. As Pete Tyler's daughter she apparently has some social power and influence others would love to benefit from. Even worse, Rose has to be nice and polite as well to get some new investors for Torchwood... and seeing as he is the very definition of impoliteness (her words not his), she has asked him to wait for her at the buffet. And that's exactly where Jackie Tyler caught him.
Eyeing the offered glass sceptically, he pushes her hand gently away. “No thanks. I'm not trusting my metabolism with alcohol right now...”
“Drink,” Jackie says more forcefully this time, leaving him no choice but to oblige, not yet fancying that slap.
Taking the glass, he sips on it, hoping the liquid won't have as disastrous an effect as coffee had on him before... he can only take the comparison with a ball-crazy dog so many times.
Jackie nods, turning to look at the other guests. “Terrible this lot, aren’t they? Acting all posh and important.”
“I thought you liked this stuff,” he says and kicks himself internally as she glares at him.
“Maybe the Jackie from this universe did, but I lived in the estates until six years ago! You think you are so small compared to these people in the suits who are making all the big decisions for you, but that's not really true. They're all the same... money-hunting little bastards!”
Her nose is slightly red and the Doctor feels a sudden rush of fear as realisation kicks in. Jackie Tyler is completely pissed.
She sways slightly on the spot, her following words slurred by the alcohol affecting her brain. “He’s one too, you know?” she continues. “That other you... wearing suits and making decisions for others. He’s only hunting for the danger instead of money. Still don't know if I like you... him... you both.”
She takes another big gulp from her glass. The Doctor resists the urge to slap it out of her hand. “You've hurt my daughter,” she says, her finger shaking as she points at him. “She was crushed after being trapped here. The first time, I mean. Never saw her like that. I hated you then, despite my second chance with Pete.” She wants to take another gulp from her glass and this time the Doctor does take it out of her hand. She didn't even notice. “I loved you when Tony was born and hated you again when Rose found a way back... I thought she would leave us and then you, the other you, left her here again.” Jackie sighs deeply. ”Don't know whether it's love or hate now.”
Not knowing what to say to that, the Doctor takes another sip from his own glass.
“Still, you're here and that's good... don't hurt her again or I'll smack you some, understood?”
He nods gravely before drinking the last bit from his glass and placing it back on the table. “Wouldn't dream of it.”
Jackie snorts, her eyes already on the waiter offering champagne to the guests. “Good. I've been working out, you know? The next slap will be nothing like the last one... Now excuse me, I've got to be somewhere,” she says, taking off after the waiter, calling him loudly enough to turn several heads.
Once she is gone, the Doctor's thoughts leave more disturbing territory involving metal implants in both cheeks and stray back to what has bothered him all day: the ship that has been programmed to reach him. Not yet did he manage to open the mysterious safe... it had been sealed with Gallifreyan DNA and seeing as his own has changed beyond recognition, he had to reconstruct the genetic code. Mna'ka DNA is easy... it's not that different from a human's, but Gallifreyan is another matter entirely. The triple-helix will be the biggest obstacle. According to his tests, he now has a double one like every other human, but with slight differences. No other species has three strands, not those he knows of, anyway. If it's really meant for him then he must be able to open it. Or did someone expect his Time Lord counterpart instead? How can someone know of him in this universe? How?
“Penny for your thoughts?”
He nearly jumped at Rose's voice. “Rose! Penny... what?”
She chuckles, laying her head on his shoulder. “Sooo tired... if I hear one more compliment about my dress, hairstyle and/or breasts-”
“Breasts?!”
She waves away his jealous outcry with her hand. “Just some drunk, old pervert who thought he could hit on me...”
“I hope you gave him a piece of your mind, Rose Tyler!” the Doctor says, raising an eyebrow. “If not I would be more than happy to undertake this important task...”
“No need. His wife slapped him to Nirvana,” Rose says with a smile, pointing to a man holding his deep red cheek while a plump woman screams at him.
The Doctor takes a moment to admire Rose in the dark red dress she has chosen for the evening. If he's honest with himself, he can't very well blame any man complimenting her breasts... they're deliciously pushed up by that new bra she had bought a week ago. She looks truly breathtaking, the dress swaying slightly above her ankles, rhinestones glimmering in the light. Her shoulders are free and he takes the chance to put an arm around her, his thumb caressing the soft skin it finds. He blushes as he remembers the events of last night, when he finally got to caress other parts of Rose Tyler, her skin so hot and trembling under his touch. He might begin to enjoy this new human body, after all... as inconvenient as it can be, the lack of control has its advantages.
“Think we can make a run for it soon?” the Doctor whispers in Rose's ear. Her eyes are closed by now.
“Hope so... gotta ask Dad first, though.”
“Oh, yes! Pete... didn't see him all night.”
“Yeah, he's over there,” she says, pointing at a group of men. The Doctor sees the top of Pete's head behind them. “Mr Huntington has kept him busy...”
“Who?”
“The Torchwood council's chairman. Oh, he's a terrible man! You'll meet him soon enough.” Rose links her arm through his. “Walk with me?”
“Where to?”
“Out. Just... away from here. The atmosphere is killing me.”
~*~
They walk out on the large balcony, the ballroom's music behind them quieting down with every step. Out of the full room, away from drunkards, perverts and bootlickers, it's strangely peaceful as the full moon shines down upon them, illuminating the big, maze-like garden.
“This is nice,” Rose says, laying her head back on his shoulder as they watch the stars shining through the clouds. “Like that night on Barcelona... do you remember?”
“How could I forget?” the Doctor says grinning, drawing the picture of her in a soft pink dress back to his mind. “You looked so beautiful that night... I very much wanted to kiss you then.”
“You should've...”
“Quite right, too,” the Doctor replies, pouting when Rose laughs and slaps his arm.
Looking back at the sky, the Doctor says, “That ship... it could be a trap.”
“Could be, yeah... Maybe we should leave it alone.”
“Maybe, yeah.”
Their faces split into two identical grins, a well-known warning for madness to anyone who knows them by now. “Dame Rose, I think we're in for some trouble again.”
“Sir Doctor, aren't we always?”
He chuckles and takes her into his arms, placing a quick kiss onto her hair. It smells like the fruit shampoo he bought for her in that little shop... Oh, he does love that shop!
“Sometimes I think we're way too curious for one lifetime,” the Doctor says.
“Human for a few weeks and you're already getting cold feet?” Rose returns cheekily, resting her head on his firm chest.
The Doctor shrugs. “Not really. As a Time Lord I didn't have that many lives left either. Regeneration has always been a way out... but this body, his body really, is already on its tenth one. Time Lords can only regenerate thirteen times.”
“Oh, I thought you could do that forever. When you've time for that at least, or...”
“Or?”
She evades his eyes, looking at the full moon instead. “When you want to... go on.”
He suddenly knows what she is referring to. She has told him everything about the parallel worlds, the wrong one with Donna in particular, and according to her that was the only one where she saw him. Well, that's not surprising of course, seeing as there are no parallel Time Lords, but it must have been quite a shock for her to see him dead. Still, for all what's worth, that world was wrong.
“Rose, I know what you've seen is terrible but I don't think he'll do that this time...” the Doctor says, reassuringly.
“Why not?”
“'Cause it was his decision to leave and live alone this time. And he'll see the pain as punishment for Donna's fate.” While the Doctor is quite certain his Time Lord self is bonkers, he doesn't expect him to take that wrong turn this time. Even without someone to stop him, even when ignoring Donna's words, he thinks the Time Lord's wish for punishment and amendments will be stronger this time. Only question is: how far would he go to amend?
Rose snorts, the vibration of her voice against his chest pulling him away from his thoughts, and says, “Sounds just like something he would do... Stupid git!”
He lets go of her and places a hand on the small of her back instead. His touch feels unbelievable warm through her thin dress, spreading warmth all over her body. It's still hard to believe how content he can make her feel.
He doesn't reply to her comment but smiles gentle at her before he says, “Wanna go back inside? It's getting a bit chilly.”
Rose ponders for a moment if a cold is a reasonable price for escaping the greedy people inside but decided against it. For being called 'the Doctor' he can be a terrible nurse.
“What are you smirking about, Rose Tyler?”
“Oh, just thought about the incident after visiting Woman Wept...”
The Doctor grimaces. “Rose, I'm still sorry about setting your room in London in flames! I only wanted to improve your television, so you can get that show you've always watched on the TARDIS! Didn't think it would implode... Seriously, 21th century technology: terrible! Can't even get Solare Star programmes without overheating... although, this universe's technology is a bit more advanced, maybe I could improve our TV! Do you want me to improve it Rose? Oh, we could get this adventure channel! You know, the ones where they explore ancient ruins on different planets and get to the completely false conclusions? You've always liked that show, didn't you Rose? Rose?”
She smiles and nods, letting his rambling rush over her. Yeah, sometimes it feels just like old times... like they have never been parted and this is just another adventure outside the TARDIS.
Only thing is, here you can't really hop into your ship and fly away... here you have to face consequences and sometimes they come in the form of a small, plump man with a terrible voice who interrupts her loved one's babbling with a squeaky 'hello'.
“Good evening, Mr Huntington,” Rose says to the man suddenly standing in their way, putting all the dislike she can get into those words.
“Rose Tyler, I've been searching for you all day! Can I just say, you are a vision tonight!” the man says followed by his trademark, high-pitched laugh.
It takes merely seconds for him to be disliked by the Doctor. New record, that.
“And this must be the Doctor!” he goes on, turning to the human Time Lord to offer his hand. “You're somewhat of a legend at Torchwood.”
The Doctor shakes his hand but doesn't return the smile. “Yeah, well... I'm a legend in a lot of places. Never cared much about it,” he says, his eyes wielding a wild look. “I've heard about you as well... can't say it's a pleasure, I'm afraid.”
Mr Huntington laughs again, making them cringe. “That's the downside of being a politician and a businessman... an unavoidable bad reputation.”
“It's not your position that causes it though, is it? It's your actions,” the Doctor says and Mr Huntington's smile freezes on his face.
Both men glare at each other, holding the other's gaze with unhidden dislike.
Suddenly, the Doctor looks around, his nose twitching as he moves his head. “What's this... what's this smell?”
He looks at the other man, his gaze falling to a small, red flower stuck to his breast pocket. “That flower... it's quite unusual. That smell... I know that smell...”
Mr Huntington looks confused as he too looks down at himself. “My wife gave it to me ages ago... an artificial flower sprayed with some perfume. Probably a popular men's perfume... I've never asked her. I wear it every day.”
“Perfume...” the Doctor says slowly, still staring at the flower. “Yeah, maybe...”
He roams his brain, searching for a reason why that smell confused him so much. Something tells him, it doesn't belong there... that it's wrong to be here on this planet, this universe even but he just can't remember...
“Doctor?” Rose asks, drawing his attention to her. “You alright?”
“Yeah, ‘course I am. I'm always al-... I'm alright, Rose.”
Rose smiles at him and links her arm with his. ”Let's go back inside then, yeah?”
“Yeah,” he answers her and turns back to Mr Huntington. “It's been... interesting.”
“That it has,” the other man says, his eyes blazing as he watches them stepping back into the house. “Interesting indeed...”
~*~
The rest of the evening has been rather uneventful. Jackie caused a scene as she accused a well-respected priest of ogling her, leading to her being politely shown out to be taken to a room to sleep it off.
Rose giggles as the Doctor phrased his surprise at the lack of commotion Jackie's scene has caused. “It's some sort of ritual,” Rose explains to him. “Mum always gets drunk on these events and does something funny... at first people had been irritated by it but Dad is so important that he has to be at every important event, so they came to accept it. They're even making bets about it... what she does, who'll be involved and so on.”
“And... Jackie doesn't mind?”
Rose shrugs. “She always forgets about it in the morning and no one is dumb enough to remind her of it. Oh, they've got nibbles!” she suddenly cries out as a tray wanders in front of her nose. “Want some?”
~*~
They were able to leave shortly after, a tired-looking Pete leading the way as he guided the sobering Jackie to his car.
“So, any plans for tomorrow?” Rose asks him.
“Yeah, we still have to discuss recruitment... the Torchwood council has suggested someone as field leader.”
Rose rolls her eyes. “Yeah, as if we're that stupid!”
Sighing, Pete helps Jackie into the car. “I'm running out of arguments, Rose... The council's influence is increasing by the minute. We've got to think of something and fast!”
“They're threatening you, aren't they?” the Doctor asks, his eyes darkening as he watches Mr Huntington talking to another man with curly hair from afar.
“I've been threatened ever since I became rich. It takes more than that to break me, but...”
“But?” the Doctor asks.
Pete runs his fingers through his thinning hair. “I've got more to lose now than I've ever had before. A grown daughter, a young son, a wife who cares about more than wealth and beauty... The happier I am, the more they can hurt me.” He looks at them both, a determined expression on his face. “I expect you both tomorrow inside my office. You're the only ones I can really trust and it's long overdue that we talk about some things.”
~*~
The next morning, Rose bites her lip as she watches the Doctor getting dressed. She took him shopping a week ago and finally convinced him to try on some different things than his usual suits. To her it seemed up to that point he has been afraid to do or try anything that sets him apart from the other Doctor. Of course, she has noticed his wariness, his uncertainty whenever they spoke about the Time Lord. It doesn't take a genius to know that he is afraid of her not wanting, not loving him any more when he behaves like his own person... but she has noticed their differences anyway and they do nothing to damper her affection for him. Loving two men, while that seemed impossible to her a few years back, now she does just that.
The only problem is... how to tell him?
She has already tried to show him with stolen kisses at work, prolonged hand-holding, extensive flirting... but it doesn't seem enough. She knows it's not enough. She has been on the receiving end of showing never telling and it has driven her mad with uncertainty. Understanding that well enough, Rose is determined to tell him about her feelings, just... she can't seem to find the right words.
“We should go out,” she says, stopping the Doctor while tying his tie. “Properly, I mean... not just going to a pub with other Torchwood employees on Friday evenings.”
“Oh? Going out as in 'going to a posh restaurant'-going out?” the Doctor asks, his face widening with a big smile. “Brilliant!” Then he suddenly frowns, his face falling. “But... properly means I've got to pay doesn't it? 'The gentleman pays for dinner' that's properly, yes?”
“Well, I wouldn't insist on that... we live in the 21st century, after all. But... wait! Does that mean, you're broke? Again?”
The Doctor rubs his neck, his expression sheepish as he grins at her. “I... might've bought some things... on the Internet. There are sites out there for everything! Talking toilet paper dispensers, time projecting laser pens, umbrella hats... oh, I've always wanted one of those! Remember all the running we did on rainy planets? Would've been much better with an umbrella hat! Well, of course it wouldn't help when it's windy... and it wouldn't really keep the head dry while running, but we would've had free hands! That's always good, isn't it? Having free hands?” He holds up his hands and wriggles his fingers. ”Never found the time to buy one... strange that, isn't it? A Time Lord not finding time? Bit stupid, yeah. Can't really find time... it's all around. Oh, and then there's inflatable tongues! Did you know that, Rose? That you can buy inflatable tongues? Genius!”
Rose stares at him, her mouth slightly opened, eyes wide. “You've bought enough of that crap to be broke?! Doctor, dad pays you a small fortune! And where is all that stuff anyway? There wasn't anything delivered here and I'm sure I would notice stuff like that!”
He tugs at his ear, looking like he has just been caught with his hand in a cookie jar... or jam jar in his case. “Weeell... I might have rented a tiny warehouse to store the stuff. Didn't want to cramp the place, you know?”
“And you knew I would throw it away,” Rose says dryly, not even questioning that possibility.
“And that, yeah.”
Rose sighs. She begins to understand why the Doctor never carried money with him.
Then his face suddenly lights up, promising nothing good to come. “Oh, I know! You can lend me money and then I pay for dinner! Then all will be properly date-...ish!” He grins widely and grabs his jacket from the chair where it had fallen the previous night. Rushing to the door, grabbing Rose's car keys on the way, the Doctor whips on his jacket and grabs her hand, tugging her with him.
“Alons-y, Rose Tyler! Work to do!”
While he leads her to the car, Rose has a gentle smile on her face. He could be the worse boyfriend for any other woman, but he is certainly the best one for her.
~*~
“What do you think he'll tell us?” the Doctor asks while they take the lift to Pete's office.
“Dunno... something about the council's plans most likely. What I find a bit strange is that he wants to talk to us here. He could've done so last night... we shared a car after all,” Rose says, chewing on her bottom lip as she watches the lift's display going up.
“He said, he doesn't trust anyone but us... maybe he was afraid the driver could share information with the council.” The Doctor runs a hand through his unruly hair. “I don't get why we had a chauffeur, anyway.”
Rose raises her eyebrows. “You don't? Doctor, every one of us had to drink a glass or two to survive that party...”
“Oh, yeah... that. I've never had to worry about the effects of alcohol before, so I didn't really think about it.” He suddenly looks far away, his eyes bottomless and full of sadness. “Another human thing I've got to get used to, eh?”
She walks over to him, her arms coming around his neck and pulling him down for a gentle kiss. “I like that about you. I like your humanity, Doctor. I like... I like you very much.”
He rests his hands on her hips, warming them through the blouse. “Just like?”
Rose smiles, the ping of the lift sounding just as she says, “I love you.”
And this time he comes down to meet her lips without being pulled.
~*~
Pete wasn't inside his office as his friendly and diligent secretary pointed out (“Mr Tyler isn't here. Hasn't been all day... Will you please leave now? I've got important things to do,” she said before taking out her magazine to catch up on the latest misadventures of Brangelina's marriage.). Frowning, the Doctor and Rose leave the floor with the lift.
“Why isn't he here yet? We're pretty late already... Do you think something has happened to him?” Rose asks, worry gracing her features as her hand finds his.
“Maybe he's just being held up at home or in traffic... Why don't you try to call him?”
Rose nods, already taking out her mobile phone and dialling her father's number.
She lets it ring a few times, her eyes swaying to the Doctor when no one answers. “He isn't picking up... why isn't he picking up?”
The Doctor squeezes her hand. “Call your mum. Ask her if she knows something.”
Rose does as she is told and sighs in relief when Jackie picks up. “Mum? It's me, Rose. Is Dad still home? He isn't here...” Rose is quiet for a bit, listening to her mother until she says, “Mum, this is important, yeah? I know you've got a hangover, but Dad is missing! Look if he is home, yeah?”
The Doctor hears Jackie's voice calling for Pete, probably walking through the house, looking for her husband.
“Are you sure? He isn't there?” Rose asks when her mother's calling ceased. “No, look... it doesn't has to mean anything, yeah? The nanny has brought Tony to kindergarten? Alright. Yeah, I'll tell you as soon as I know more... Probably nothing, yeah. Bye!”
Rose hangs up, her eyes dark as she looks at the Doctor. “Not there...”
“You think... he’s been abducted?” the Doctor asks.
“No idea... it doesn't make sense, though. Even without my father, they wouldn't be any better off... Jurisdiction falls to me then. Unless...”
“Unless?”
“Unless they torture him to sign a waiver. But that would be rubbish! He could just go to court and say what they did... and if-... if they kill them, that paper miraculously appearing, it's way too obvious who did it.”
The Doctor nods. “Don't think they're that dumb. Let's not assume the worst for now, Rose... Do you want to go home?”
Rose shakes her head. “Better act like nothing has happened. If they don't have a clue about this, then he disappeared on his free will and they shouldn't get to know about this too soon.”
The Doctor rubs his chin as the lift's doors opened, revealing the corridor to his lab. “Wonder what he wanted to tell us... it could be connected to his disappearance,” he says in deep thought as he steps out.
Rose doesn't follow. “Know what?” she says. “I'll go and talk to Jake, see if he knows anything. Dad might have left some message. You go and look into that Mn-... something ship, act like normal. We should keep a close eye on the council for now...”
The Doctor watches as the lift's doors close. His happiness about Rose finally uttering these three words felt suddenly very, very far away. What on Earth could have happened to Pete Tyler?
A/N: Please comment! This is the plottiest fic I've ever written, so I would love to get some more opinions on this :)