Fic: Red Rain (1/5)
Title: Red Rain
Author: juliejordan
Rating: R
Spoilers: Through to and including "Doomsday"
Summary: The Tenth Doctor and Rose find themselves in a Wild West town in 1800s California where young women are being turned into monsters and a cataclysmic event threatens the security of the entire planet. Can they put things right again before it's too late?
Author Notes: This story was written for the wendymr's and dark_aegis Rose Tyler Ficathon. I wrote this fic for grace61, who wanted any Doctor including Nine or Ten, romance but within a plot and no heavy angst. Special thanks to brienze for being such an incredible beta reader. This is a Ten/Rose tale set in a slightly AU where Rose remains with the Doctor in her own world after events of the episode "Doomsday", and contains some graphic scenes of a sexual nature.
Using her key, Rose Tyler opened the TARDIS doors and entered the ship. He’d waited for her, as always, parked in the grounds of the Powell Estate.
Inside, the Doctor was where she had left him; tinkering around with the controls. He turned as she entered, rolling his eyes.
“What?” she looked down at herself. Okay, so she looked kind of stupid, but when Shareen had begged and pleaded her to help host her little cousin’s Halloween party, Rose hadn’t had the heart to say thanks but no thanks.
“You lot. Think Halloween’s all fun and games. An excuse for dressing up in a really silly costume and eating too many sweets. Right?”
“So? That’s what it’s for, yeah?”
“Once upon a time people used to actually fear witches. A few centuries ago, if you walked around dressed like that you’d probably find yourself on the end of a rope quicker than you can say ‘black cat’.”
“Oh come on! I know they were a bit superstitious but those people wouldn’t hurt me…”
“You think?” he arched an eye brow. “Right, come on then.”
“Where? Where’re we going?”
“To prove you wrong. Come on, wardrobe room!”
* * * *
“I look like a dish rag,” announced Rose as she stood in front of the Wardrobe Room’s full length mirror, frowning at the image that was being reflected back at her in the glass “Do I really have to wear this?”
She didn’t usually complain aloud about her clothes. Dressing up in silly, unflattering outfits was just routine when it came to travelling with the Doctor. A small price to pay for having the universe at your feet.
But this outfit? She’d almost rather go naked.
“’Fraid so,” said the Doctor, who stood behind her, amusement on his face “I don’t think 1600s Salem is ready for hoodies or mini skirts.”
Rose, tugged at the material around her hips. Useless. The grey cotton dress was as shapeless as and unflattering as they came.
“Not really,” shrugged the Doctor “The town has some great history. Puritans, witch trials…”
“Witch trials?” echoed Rose.
She knew a bit about those, mostly from snippets of information she’d heard from TV documentaries or films, since in school the only history they’d really studied had always been related to the second world war. All Rose really knew about them was that too many innocent people had been killed as a result of extreme paranoia, not because they really had been practicing any kind of magic.
“Adventure,” he corrected.
“Which, when it comes to travelling with you, means trouble,” she turned and grinned at him “How do I look?”
“What was it you said just now about dish rags?”
“Oi!”
Spying a shirt dumped on a stool near the mirror, she picked it up and threw it at the Doctor, only for him to catch it perfectly.
“We ready then?” she asked, walking to him, trying not to trip over her floor length skirt. She wasn’t much of a skirt person these days. Jeans or other types of trousers were generally her preferred item of clothing. Far more practical for all that running about.
“Yep. Apart from one more thing,” grinning cockily, the Doctor held up a white bonnet.
“The perfect finishing touch,” Rose pulled a face of distaste, but took the item and fastened it over her head.
They went to the console room.
* * * *
“This one?” she asked, reaching for the third lever on her right.
“Close,” he replied.
“This one?” her hand moved for the second one.
“Still close,” he smiled, watching her as she tried to pilot the TARDIS. He’d been teaching her more and more about the old police box lately, not wanting her to ever be stranded somewhere and unable to get home. She’d nearly been stuck on that space station forever while he’d been busy in France with Reinette, and neither of them had wanted that to happen again. They were often separated when they went travelling, and there was bound to come a time when he wouldn’t be able to get back to her.
“Well we’ve run out of levers so it must be this one,” said Rose, and she pulled the lever closest to her.
“See? If at first you don’t succeed…”
“Keep guessing until it HAS to be right,” finished Rose.
The TARDIS sprung to life and bounced through the time vortex. Moments later they came to a halt, one so abrupt that Rose and the Doctor were both thrown to the floor, with him landing on top of her.
“Well we’ve stopped. Let’s hope the old girl got it right this time!” said the Doctor.
“Your hand’s on my boob,” she pointed out, a little breathless from the ride.
“Ah,” a little embarrassed, he quickly went to remove it, but she grabbed his hand before he managed to pull it away.
“I like it,” she approved and eased herself up on her elbows, giving him a brief peck on the mouth that quickly turned into a full on kiss.
The Doctor didn’t object. He loved being able to kiss her. For too long he’d denied himself to her and it had taken one too many near death experiences to finally bring them together.
But for now, as much as the idea of more fondling and kissing appealed, they had a whole town to explore. The Doctor chuckled and Rose scowled in irritation as he picked himself up and bounded eagerly towards the doors, his enthusiasm and energy easily enough to rival a puppy’s.
“You sure it’s safe out there with all those witch trials?” Rose asked, following him, but with a little apprehension.
“Well, you know what they say. When in Rome…Just be inconspicuous. Copy the locals. Make them think you’re one of them and you should be alright,” he advised.
No doubt the plan wouldn’t go accordingly. They couldn’t go anywhere without something dodgy happening. But then, that was all part of the fun, wasn’t it?
The Doctor went through the doors. Rose followed close behind him.
* * * *
They’d landed in an alleyway. Which was probably just as well, given what the Doctor had said about how paranoid people here were. It would probably give them all heart attacks if the TARDIS had materialised in a main street. Maybe Salem would be the one place in the universe that would actually notice the TARDIS’ comings and goings.
Salem.
She wasn’t going to experience it standing in the alley, so she went for the Doctor’s arm and looped her own through it, letting him lead her towards civilization.
Quickly, they walked to the mouth of the alley way, only for the Doctor to come to an abrupt standstill.
“Okay…looks like the TARDIS got a bit mixed up,” said the Doctor.
“Again,” sighed Rose “It’s like a lottery with her. All right. Where are we?”
The Doctor turned from the empty side street that they’d walked into and out onto the main street where there were people. Seconds later, he was back.
“Not quite Salem. We’re a few hundred years out and in an entirely different State from Massachusetts.”
“Well where-ever we are, there’s one good thing about the TARDIS getting it wrong,” said Rose.
The Doctor looked at her questioningly.
“I can change out of this awful outfit,” she finished, eyes twinkling.
* * * *
After a double back to the time ship, the Doctor and Rose re-emerged into the main street. Rose had swapped her plain dress for one that was a lot prettier, much more colourful and with ruffles and lace for decoration. She’d taken off the bonnet and pinned up her hair in a rather messy bundle.
She was glad the TARDIS had got the location wrong. A Wild West town sounded much more exciting. Why the ship had decided to bring them to late 1800s California was a bit of a mystery, but they’d find out soon enough.
Hands entwined, she and the Doctor walked aimlessly along the street, taking in the sights. It was a small town. To one side of the dirt road was a line of stores that led out on to a boardwalk. To the other was a saloon, a bank, a nice looking restaurant and a town hall. So far, that was all she could see.
“You’re not sorry about Salem?” asked the Doctor as they wandered; having to jump out of the way when a horse-pulled stagecoach sped passed them.
“Nah. Looks like there’s more fun to be had here,” she answered “Where are we, anyway?”
“Don’t know. Should find out, though. Let’s go and ask the locals.”
“Seems nice so far,” commented Rose as she took in the scenery. There were people milling about. A few elderly men lounged in deck chairs on the boardwalk, one reading a newspaper, the other sleeping. People walked through the street. Some young children played a game of hopscotch in the edge of the road.
“Bit quiet for the wild west,” said Rose “Where’re all the gun battles, bank robberies, and cowboys and Indians and cattle stampedes?”
“In dime novels and John Wayne films,” replied the Doctor “The west has its fair share of action, but creative liberty has been taken a lot when it comes to the myths of old west history. I’d like to know why the TARDIS landed here. She doesn’t usually go off course unless there’s trouble,” said the Doctor.
“Can’t see any trouble,” replied Rose, looking around.
“Although I’ve been with you long enough to know that things ain’t always what they seem,” she added.
With that in mind, she stayed close to him. Once she found out if it really was as safe as it appeared, then she’d think about wandering off.
Since the close shave with the void at Torchwood, she’d become much more careful with herself. She still loved the adventure and the danger, but what had happened at the Torchwood Institute had shaken her. It had been such a near miss. Too near. She never wanted to leave him, not ever. She held his hand a little tighter and felt him give hers a gentle squeeze back.
“Fancy a drink?” he asked, jerking his head towards the saloon.
She could faintly hear lively piano music spilling out from behind the batwing doors.
“Sounds good to me,” she agreed eagerly, knowing that the drink was also an excuse for the Doctor to go in and ask some questions. He’d find out soon enough through the locals if there was any reason to stick around.
He let go of her hand and offered her his arm. She grinned as he escorted her inside.
* * * *
Cramped.
Dingy.
Smelly.
Those were Rose’s first impressions of a real Wild West saloon.
A clock that hung behind the bar stated that it was 4:20 and a simple calendar claimed that it was January 25th.
The clientele sat dotted around at various tables, all with glasses of alcoholic drinks, with whiskey seeming to be the most popular choice of beverage. Some played cards; others just sat alone drinking themselves into a stupor. In the corner a timid looking young man played the piano, while behind the bar served a red-haired middle aged woman who looked surprisingly respectable for a bargirl. Rose had always pictured women of this time wearing layers upon layers of lace and too much rouge. Did those movies exaggerate everything?
“Afternoon, strangers,” greeted the woman pleasantly “What can I do you for?”
Rose wondered how the Doctor would pay for the drink. He never carried any money, and she didn’t have any suitable for the place and time they were in.
“We’re saloon inspectors from New York,” the Doctor pulled out his psychic paper, showing it to the woman briefly “We travel around the country and do surprise inspections on saloons, making sure the owners are following the proper guidelines.”
“I’ve not heard of such a thing before…” the woman frowned, then glanced suspiciously to Rose “Seems to be a strange job for a lady like you to be doin’.”
“I do the paper work, mostly,” lied Rose, knowing through experience when to play along.
“Hmm…well, I guess I should offer to show you around, huh?” suggested the woman “My name’s Margaret Bishop, I own this place. What do I call you?”
“We’re John and Rose Smith,” he replied.
Rose gave him a curious look, wondering why he had given her a different last name. Sometimes he used the John Smith pseudonym when ‘The Doctor’ simply wouldn’t work, but he’d not ever used a false name for her.
“Brother and sister?” asked Margaret.
“Yes,” confirmed the Doctor without pause.
Rose couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed. Brother and sister? Why couldn’t he have said “husband and wife” if they had to fake anything? The idea of pretending to be siblings wasn’t one that filled Rose with glee. She gave him a look, but he just raised his eyebrows slightly, silently telling her to just go along with it all.
“Well, let’s start that tour,” said Margaret.
“Would rather have a drink first, if you don’t mind,” said the Doctor “We’ve been on the road since sunrise.”
“That’ll be -”
One more quick flash of the psychic paper from the Doctor persuaded Margaret to give them the drinks for free, though she was clearly unhappy about it. But she complied, obviously wanting to get the ‘inspectors’ out of her saloon as soon as possible.
“Will you be in Blue River long?” she asked as she prepared their whiskey.
“Not long. Though if there’s anything interesting to see…speaking of which, has anything out of the ordinary happened here lately?”
For a blink-and-miss it second, Margaret stiffened and a haunted look filled her eyes, but she was back to normal so fast that the Rose half wondered if she’d imagined it. But she knew she hadn’t. She was too experienced now to brush off things like that as her mind playing tricks on her. Never dismiss anything when you were with the Doctor. That was her motto.
“Margaret?” he gave her a look of concern, a look that also told her he was already suspicious even though she’d yet to open her mouth in response.
“It’s nothing that two saloon inspectors -” Margaret used the label with distaste “- can help with. Maybe you should just hurry along here and be on your way.”
“Tell me what’s wrong,” he insisted, though he kept his tone soft, caring.
“Finish your drinks!” she snapped, obviously without meaning to, but she was disturbed by the Doctor’s suspicion. “Then we can begin the inspection.”
Visibly upset, Margaret stormed away, her friendly attitude replaced by one of annoyance and even fear.
“Well we know something’s wrong,” sighed the Doctor “Now we need to find out what.”
“Maybe our ‘saloon inspection’ will help?” said Rose “And about that - why did you tell her we were brother and sister?”
“Because it’s not done in these times,” he replied.
“What’s not done?”
“Boyfriend and girlfriend sharing a room - which we might have to while we’re here. Not unless you’re married. Otherwise it would create an amazing scandal,” the Doctor explained, taking a sip of his beer and looking very satisfied.
Rose smiled.
“What?” he looked mildly worried. Why was she looking all happy like that?
“I think that’s the first time you’ve actually out loud called me your girlfriend,” her smile widened.
“It is? Oh. Well. Yes. Good, then.”
Rose laughed.
The Doctor downed the remainder of his drink, but just moments later, what sounded like something crashing or a large item falling to the ground rang out from upstairs. More similar sounds followed, along with muffled, angry voices and, eventually, sobs.
“What the hell’s that?” Rose’s eyes widened.
She looked around. Nobody else was taking the slightest bit of notice of the commotion, either too drunk or just not giving a damn.
But then the noise stopped as abruptly as it had started. A little unnerved, Rose looked at the Doctor. Whatever was going on here, she had a feeling they’d soon find out.
* * * *
“You’re in luck. We have a shortage of boarders at the moment, so each of you can have your own room. Will probably be a pleasant change for you - I know from experiences siblings often have to share.”
Margaret, having recovered from earlier, had shown the Doctor and Rose to the upstairs section of the saloon where the rooms she rented out were located.
The upstairs living quarters was fairly large and nicely decorated; better kept than the bar area. The gold wallpaper with an emerald green flower pattern was clean and rich in colour and the floorboards were graced with a long emerald green rug. Not Rose’s choice of décor, but it all looked well cared for and respectable.
“Rooms A and B. They’ll cost you a dollar a night, each. For baths, Miss Wilkes has a place that has bathing sections for both ladies and gentleman…you’ll find it close to the church on the edge of town. It’s about a ten minute stroll north of here.”
“Right, thanks. Guess we’re sorted, then,” he smiled.
“Where would you like to begin the inspection? Downstairs?” she asked.
The Doctor nodded and allowed Margaret to lead him along the landing and back to the staircase. Rose followed them; hoping things would get a bit more exciting than this. She’d caught Margaret’s reaction to the Doctor asking if anything unusual had happened, but so far there weren’t any signs of abnormality at all. The little place called Blue River was a lot quieter than she’d expected any Wild West town to be, movies or no movies. It was almost disappointing.
But it was early days. They’d only just got here. Maybe they’d find some trouble to get into. Maybe the Doctor would at least be able to find out what had Margaret spooked.
Rose followed the Doctor and Margaret down the staircase with newfound optimism, but as she went, she was unaware of a young lady lingering on the landing above, who had been watching her every move.
(To be continued...)
Author: juliejordan
Rating: R
Spoilers: Through to and including "Doomsday"
Summary: The Tenth Doctor and Rose find themselves in a Wild West town in 1800s California where young women are being turned into monsters and a cataclysmic event threatens the security of the entire planet. Can they put things right again before it's too late?
Author Notes: This story was written for the wendymr's and dark_aegis Rose Tyler Ficathon. I wrote this fic for grace61, who wanted any Doctor including Nine or Ten, romance but within a plot and no heavy angst. Special thanks to brienze for being such an incredible beta reader. This is a Ten/Rose tale set in a slightly AU where Rose remains with the Doctor in her own world after events of the episode "Doomsday", and contains some graphic scenes of a sexual nature.
Using her key, Rose Tyler opened the TARDIS doors and entered the ship. He’d waited for her, as always, parked in the grounds of the Powell Estate.
Inside, the Doctor was where she had left him; tinkering around with the controls. He turned as she entered, rolling his eyes.
“What?” she looked down at herself. Okay, so she looked kind of stupid, but when Shareen had begged and pleaded her to help host her little cousin’s Halloween party, Rose hadn’t had the heart to say thanks but no thanks.
“You lot. Think Halloween’s all fun and games. An excuse for dressing up in a really silly costume and eating too many sweets. Right?”
“So? That’s what it’s for, yeah?”
“Once upon a time people used to actually fear witches. A few centuries ago, if you walked around dressed like that you’d probably find yourself on the end of a rope quicker than you can say ‘black cat’.”
“Oh come on! I know they were a bit superstitious but those people wouldn’t hurt me…”
“You think?” he arched an eye brow. “Right, come on then.”
“Where? Where’re we going?”
“To prove you wrong. Come on, wardrobe room!”
* * * *
“I look like a dish rag,” announced Rose as she stood in front of the Wardrobe Room’s full length mirror, frowning at the image that was being reflected back at her in the glass “Do I really have to wear this?”
She didn’t usually complain aloud about her clothes. Dressing up in silly, unflattering outfits was just routine when it came to travelling with the Doctor. A small price to pay for having the universe at your feet.
But this outfit? She’d almost rather go naked.
“’Fraid so,” said the Doctor, who stood behind her, amusement on his face “I don’t think 1600s Salem is ready for hoodies or mini skirts.”
Rose, tugged at the material around her hips. Useless. The grey cotton dress was as shapeless as and unflattering as they came.
“Not really,” shrugged the Doctor “The town has some great history. Puritans, witch trials…”
“Witch trials?” echoed Rose.
She knew a bit about those, mostly from snippets of information she’d heard from TV documentaries or films, since in school the only history they’d really studied had always been related to the second world war. All Rose really knew about them was that too many innocent people had been killed as a result of extreme paranoia, not because they really had been practicing any kind of magic.
“Adventure,” he corrected.
“Which, when it comes to travelling with you, means trouble,” she turned and grinned at him “How do I look?”
“What was it you said just now about dish rags?”
“Oi!”
Spying a shirt dumped on a stool near the mirror, she picked it up and threw it at the Doctor, only for him to catch it perfectly.
“We ready then?” she asked, walking to him, trying not to trip over her floor length skirt. She wasn’t much of a skirt person these days. Jeans or other types of trousers were generally her preferred item of clothing. Far more practical for all that running about.
“Yep. Apart from one more thing,” grinning cockily, the Doctor held up a white bonnet.
“The perfect finishing touch,” Rose pulled a face of distaste, but took the item and fastened it over her head.
They went to the console room.
* * * *
“This one?” she asked, reaching for the third lever on her right.
“Close,” he replied.
“This one?” her hand moved for the second one.
“Still close,” he smiled, watching her as she tried to pilot the TARDIS. He’d been teaching her more and more about the old police box lately, not wanting her to ever be stranded somewhere and unable to get home. She’d nearly been stuck on that space station forever while he’d been busy in France with Reinette, and neither of them had wanted that to happen again. They were often separated when they went travelling, and there was bound to come a time when he wouldn’t be able to get back to her.
“Well we’ve run out of levers so it must be this one,” said Rose, and she pulled the lever closest to her.
“See? If at first you don’t succeed…”
“Keep guessing until it HAS to be right,” finished Rose.
The TARDIS sprung to life and bounced through the time vortex. Moments later they came to a halt, one so abrupt that Rose and the Doctor were both thrown to the floor, with him landing on top of her.
“Well we’ve stopped. Let’s hope the old girl got it right this time!” said the Doctor.
“Your hand’s on my boob,” she pointed out, a little breathless from the ride.
“Ah,” a little embarrassed, he quickly went to remove it, but she grabbed his hand before he managed to pull it away.
“I like it,” she approved and eased herself up on her elbows, giving him a brief peck on the mouth that quickly turned into a full on kiss.
The Doctor didn’t object. He loved being able to kiss her. For too long he’d denied himself to her and it had taken one too many near death experiences to finally bring them together.
But for now, as much as the idea of more fondling and kissing appealed, they had a whole town to explore. The Doctor chuckled and Rose scowled in irritation as he picked himself up and bounded eagerly towards the doors, his enthusiasm and energy easily enough to rival a puppy’s.
“You sure it’s safe out there with all those witch trials?” Rose asked, following him, but with a little apprehension.
“Well, you know what they say. When in Rome…Just be inconspicuous. Copy the locals. Make them think you’re one of them and you should be alright,” he advised.
No doubt the plan wouldn’t go accordingly. They couldn’t go anywhere without something dodgy happening. But then, that was all part of the fun, wasn’t it?
The Doctor went through the doors. Rose followed close behind him.
* * * *
They’d landed in an alleyway. Which was probably just as well, given what the Doctor had said about how paranoid people here were. It would probably give them all heart attacks if the TARDIS had materialised in a main street. Maybe Salem would be the one place in the universe that would actually notice the TARDIS’ comings and goings.
Salem.
She wasn’t going to experience it standing in the alley, so she went for the Doctor’s arm and looped her own through it, letting him lead her towards civilization.
Quickly, they walked to the mouth of the alley way, only for the Doctor to come to an abrupt standstill.
“Okay…looks like the TARDIS got a bit mixed up,” said the Doctor.
“Again,” sighed Rose “It’s like a lottery with her. All right. Where are we?”
The Doctor turned from the empty side street that they’d walked into and out onto the main street where there were people. Seconds later, he was back.
“Not quite Salem. We’re a few hundred years out and in an entirely different State from Massachusetts.”
“Well where-ever we are, there’s one good thing about the TARDIS getting it wrong,” said Rose.
The Doctor looked at her questioningly.
“I can change out of this awful outfit,” she finished, eyes twinkling.
* * * *
After a double back to the time ship, the Doctor and Rose re-emerged into the main street. Rose had swapped her plain dress for one that was a lot prettier, much more colourful and with ruffles and lace for decoration. She’d taken off the bonnet and pinned up her hair in a rather messy bundle.
She was glad the TARDIS had got the location wrong. A Wild West town sounded much more exciting. Why the ship had decided to bring them to late 1800s California was a bit of a mystery, but they’d find out soon enough.
Hands entwined, she and the Doctor walked aimlessly along the street, taking in the sights. It was a small town. To one side of the dirt road was a line of stores that led out on to a boardwalk. To the other was a saloon, a bank, a nice looking restaurant and a town hall. So far, that was all she could see.
“You’re not sorry about Salem?” asked the Doctor as they wandered; having to jump out of the way when a horse-pulled stagecoach sped passed them.
“Nah. Looks like there’s more fun to be had here,” she answered “Where are we, anyway?”
“Don’t know. Should find out, though. Let’s go and ask the locals.”
“Seems nice so far,” commented Rose as she took in the scenery. There were people milling about. A few elderly men lounged in deck chairs on the boardwalk, one reading a newspaper, the other sleeping. People walked through the street. Some young children played a game of hopscotch in the edge of the road.
“Bit quiet for the wild west,” said Rose “Where’re all the gun battles, bank robberies, and cowboys and Indians and cattle stampedes?”
“In dime novels and John Wayne films,” replied the Doctor “The west has its fair share of action, but creative liberty has been taken a lot when it comes to the myths of old west history. I’d like to know why the TARDIS landed here. She doesn’t usually go off course unless there’s trouble,” said the Doctor.
“Can’t see any trouble,” replied Rose, looking around.
“Although I’ve been with you long enough to know that things ain’t always what they seem,” she added.
With that in mind, she stayed close to him. Once she found out if it really was as safe as it appeared, then she’d think about wandering off.
Since the close shave with the void at Torchwood, she’d become much more careful with herself. She still loved the adventure and the danger, but what had happened at the Torchwood Institute had shaken her. It had been such a near miss. Too near. She never wanted to leave him, not ever. She held his hand a little tighter and felt him give hers a gentle squeeze back.
“Fancy a drink?” he asked, jerking his head towards the saloon.
She could faintly hear lively piano music spilling out from behind the batwing doors.
“Sounds good to me,” she agreed eagerly, knowing that the drink was also an excuse for the Doctor to go in and ask some questions. He’d find out soon enough through the locals if there was any reason to stick around.
He let go of her hand and offered her his arm. She grinned as he escorted her inside.
* * * *
Cramped.
Dingy.
Smelly.
Those were Rose’s first impressions of a real Wild West saloon.
A clock that hung behind the bar stated that it was 4:20 and a simple calendar claimed that it was January 25th.
The clientele sat dotted around at various tables, all with glasses of alcoholic drinks, with whiskey seeming to be the most popular choice of beverage. Some played cards; others just sat alone drinking themselves into a stupor. In the corner a timid looking young man played the piano, while behind the bar served a red-haired middle aged woman who looked surprisingly respectable for a bargirl. Rose had always pictured women of this time wearing layers upon layers of lace and too much rouge. Did those movies exaggerate everything?
“Afternoon, strangers,” greeted the woman pleasantly “What can I do you for?”
Rose wondered how the Doctor would pay for the drink. He never carried any money, and she didn’t have any suitable for the place and time they were in.
“We’re saloon inspectors from New York,” the Doctor pulled out his psychic paper, showing it to the woman briefly “We travel around the country and do surprise inspections on saloons, making sure the owners are following the proper guidelines.”
“I’ve not heard of such a thing before…” the woman frowned, then glanced suspiciously to Rose “Seems to be a strange job for a lady like you to be doin’.”
“I do the paper work, mostly,” lied Rose, knowing through experience when to play along.
“Hmm…well, I guess I should offer to show you around, huh?” suggested the woman “My name’s Margaret Bishop, I own this place. What do I call you?”
“We’re John and Rose Smith,” he replied.
Rose gave him a curious look, wondering why he had given her a different last name. Sometimes he used the John Smith pseudonym when ‘The Doctor’ simply wouldn’t work, but he’d not ever used a false name for her.
“Brother and sister?” asked Margaret.
“Yes,” confirmed the Doctor without pause.
Rose couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed. Brother and sister? Why couldn’t he have said “husband and wife” if they had to fake anything? The idea of pretending to be siblings wasn’t one that filled Rose with glee. She gave him a look, but he just raised his eyebrows slightly, silently telling her to just go along with it all.
“Well, let’s start that tour,” said Margaret.
“Would rather have a drink first, if you don’t mind,” said the Doctor “We’ve been on the road since sunrise.”
“That’ll be -”
One more quick flash of the psychic paper from the Doctor persuaded Margaret to give them the drinks for free, though she was clearly unhappy about it. But she complied, obviously wanting to get the ‘inspectors’ out of her saloon as soon as possible.
“Will you be in Blue River long?” she asked as she prepared their whiskey.
“Not long. Though if there’s anything interesting to see…speaking of which, has anything out of the ordinary happened here lately?”
For a blink-and-miss it second, Margaret stiffened and a haunted look filled her eyes, but she was back to normal so fast that the Rose half wondered if she’d imagined it. But she knew she hadn’t. She was too experienced now to brush off things like that as her mind playing tricks on her. Never dismiss anything when you were with the Doctor. That was her motto.
“Margaret?” he gave her a look of concern, a look that also told her he was already suspicious even though she’d yet to open her mouth in response.
“It’s nothing that two saloon inspectors -” Margaret used the label with distaste “- can help with. Maybe you should just hurry along here and be on your way.”
“Tell me what’s wrong,” he insisted, though he kept his tone soft, caring.
“Finish your drinks!” she snapped, obviously without meaning to, but she was disturbed by the Doctor’s suspicion. “Then we can begin the inspection.”
Visibly upset, Margaret stormed away, her friendly attitude replaced by one of annoyance and even fear.
“Well we know something’s wrong,” sighed the Doctor “Now we need to find out what.”
“Maybe our ‘saloon inspection’ will help?” said Rose “And about that - why did you tell her we were brother and sister?”
“Because it’s not done in these times,” he replied.
“What’s not done?”
“Boyfriend and girlfriend sharing a room - which we might have to while we’re here. Not unless you’re married. Otherwise it would create an amazing scandal,” the Doctor explained, taking a sip of his beer and looking very satisfied.
Rose smiled.
“What?” he looked mildly worried. Why was she looking all happy like that?
“I think that’s the first time you’ve actually out loud called me your girlfriend,” her smile widened.
“It is? Oh. Well. Yes. Good, then.”
Rose laughed.
The Doctor downed the remainder of his drink, but just moments later, what sounded like something crashing or a large item falling to the ground rang out from upstairs. More similar sounds followed, along with muffled, angry voices and, eventually, sobs.
“What the hell’s that?” Rose’s eyes widened.
She looked around. Nobody else was taking the slightest bit of notice of the commotion, either too drunk or just not giving a damn.
But then the noise stopped as abruptly as it had started. A little unnerved, Rose looked at the Doctor. Whatever was going on here, she had a feeling they’d soon find out.
* * * *
“You’re in luck. We have a shortage of boarders at the moment, so each of you can have your own room. Will probably be a pleasant change for you - I know from experiences siblings often have to share.”
Margaret, having recovered from earlier, had shown the Doctor and Rose to the upstairs section of the saloon where the rooms she rented out were located.
The upstairs living quarters was fairly large and nicely decorated; better kept than the bar area. The gold wallpaper with an emerald green flower pattern was clean and rich in colour and the floorboards were graced with a long emerald green rug. Not Rose’s choice of décor, but it all looked well cared for and respectable.
“Rooms A and B. They’ll cost you a dollar a night, each. For baths, Miss Wilkes has a place that has bathing sections for both ladies and gentleman…you’ll find it close to the church on the edge of town. It’s about a ten minute stroll north of here.”
“Right, thanks. Guess we’re sorted, then,” he smiled.
“Where would you like to begin the inspection? Downstairs?” she asked.
The Doctor nodded and allowed Margaret to lead him along the landing and back to the staircase. Rose followed them; hoping things would get a bit more exciting than this. She’d caught Margaret’s reaction to the Doctor asking if anything unusual had happened, but so far there weren’t any signs of abnormality at all. The little place called Blue River was a lot quieter than she’d expected any Wild West town to be, movies or no movies. It was almost disappointing.
But it was early days. They’d only just got here. Maybe they’d find some trouble to get into. Maybe the Doctor would at least be able to find out what had Margaret spooked.
Rose followed the Doctor and Margaret down the staircase with newfound optimism, but as she went, she was unaware of a young lady lingering on the landing above, who had been watching her every move.
(To be continued...)