Chapter 5: Rose
'That' turned out to be a manhole, imbedded in some slimy flagstones a few meters away. Nodding to him, they made their way to the vent, trying to ignore the red steam rising from below. Releasing her hand, the Doctor squatted down and aimed his screwdriver at the manhole. Rose lifted her face to watch the Autons. Narrowing her eyes, she studied them as they studied her right back. Again the urge to bare her teeth and snarl at them had to be suppressed but her eyes flashed again. They didn't move.
They just kept staring.
"I think they were herding us, Doctor," she muttered softly to her alien companion.
"I think you are right," he admitted, shame-faced as he glanced up at Rose. He had to do a double take. For a moment, he thought her eyes were glowing. "The Nestene wants to see us. Or we'd be dead by now, been ballerina'd to death. Which, actually, I'd like to see, but there you go."
"Only you," she sighed, turning back to the Doctor as she heard something click and the manhole released, opening for them with a burst of foul smelling steam.
"Normally, I'd say wait here, don't wander off" looking back up the stairs, not liking how intently they were staring at Rose, "but that seems a bit tricky with the Three Stooges behind us. So, let's go, Rose."
"Good," she grinned and moved to the opening. "Cos I'm coming with you anyway."
A sad smile flashed over his face for a second, "They always used to say that." He muttered before following after her, waiting for her to climb down.
"Well, if you would rather wait here," she started with a cheeky smile making him grin back.
Rose was not the others, and would never be them. She knew who he was talking about, some of them. There was never a replacement of any of them in his heart or mind. She reminded herself of that as she lowered herself slowly, mindful of her braced wrist. She was Rose Tyler and she did things her own way. Just like Ian had, and Barbara. Like Susan, and Sarah Jane. Like Peri and Charley. The Doctor climbed down above her, going at her pace, watching her. The room trembled a bit, making them pause in their descent when a roar of pure delight from deeper within shook the room.
Rose waited for the Doctor at the bottom of the ladder. Taking her hand again as if it was the most natural thing in the universe, the Doctor led them deeper. Coming across a trapdoor, Rose helped the Doctor haul it open. Inside was a metal staircase that was rusting away, opening to a platform. It was on the platform that Rose got her first look of this lifetime of the Nestene Consciousness.
Below them in a pit, the Consciousness writhed and swelled, rocking back and forth like a bottled wave, but made of molten plastic. And it roared again! So much pain and anger was in that roar that tears sprang to her eyes. It was like it was screaming, calling out in pain. Rose followed the Doctor down into the chamber, down another wide metal staircase. It kept twisting in the pit in was stuck in, as if trying to take a proper form and failing every time. The pair had stopped a moment, the Doctor testing the walkways before letting Rose cross. Footsteps behind them caused Rose to turn and look back as the tramp, ballerina, and the knight entered where they had just come from. The trio stopped at the trapdoor, but continued to stare unblinking at Rose. They were blocking any exit. Rose shuddered and drew close to the Doctor again.
"Okay," she breathed. "Well, get on with it. Go down there and try to get it to leave, or talk sense into it. Whatever it is you do."
He blinked at that. "Don't you want me to just go kill it?"
"How would that make me any better than a monster if I didn't give it a chance," she shot back. "He's hurting. Can't you hear him? He is in agony and feels so alone, lost."
The Doctor nodded at her, impressed. "Stay here," he ordered her. Oh he had no idea who he was dealing with, she thought. He walked away from her for the first time since they left the TARDIS to the edge of the platform. He called out to the being below him with all the power and absolute authority she fancied was natural to a Time Lord. "I see audience with the Nestene Consciousness!"
The mass turned its focus from whatever it had been doing to the Doctor now, his voice echoing around the cavern. It screeched out and bubbled as if boiling. Tendrils attempted to form and reach out for the Doctor, making Rose stiffen for a moment.
Like the Lord he was, the Doctor stared down at the display and was magnificently unimpressed. "I come here under peaceful contract according to Convention 15 of the Shadow Proclamation."
The Nestene Consciousness immediately withdrew the tendrils and settled itself in its pit, simmering now instead of the angry boil it was at. The screams dulled to a bubbling grumble. The Doctor smiled happily, "Thank you." He added a little regal bow of his head, making Rose shake her head in fond exasperation at his antics.
The Consciousness gurgled something back.
"Not at all," the Doctor replied politely. "If I might have permission to approach?"
A bubble rose to the top of the mass and popped, which Rose thought was a yes since the Doctor started moving again. He glanced back at her with a stern look. It said so clearly 'Stay here'. She sniffed indignantly and would have stayed put if one thing had not happened as she remembered it. A voice called out to her from the platform that was a little further down from her.
"Rose? Rose is that you?"
Turning her gaze, she spotted him instantly. It was Mickey! Joy surged up that he wasn't hurt at all this time as well. She rushed past the Doctor to her friend's side. He was dirty and bedraggled, clinging to the railing like a frightened animal. With her passing, metal clanked and chains holding the platforms up swayed and swung dangerous. She paid it all no mind as she called out, "Doctor! He's alive!"
"I can see that," he droned drily, eyeing the sniveling human with distaste. "It was always a possibility."
"And you never thought to mention this?" she growled at him, hugging Mickey now.
"You never asked," he replied simply.
"You could have just told me," she huffed, watching him intensely. He was almost acting jealous.
"Let's keep the domestics outside, thank you," and he dismissed her and Mickey like that.
Oh she was going to get him later, she vowed, turning her attention back to the terrified Mickey. He was blubbering at her, crying and apologizing. Rose was starting to get a little suspicious. This was nearly the same as before.
"That thing, down there, it's alive!" Mickey stammered, his words tripping over themselves. "It's alive and it's been screaming at me."
"Everything is going to fine," she promised with a smile. "It's under control, I promise."
Turning her attention to the Consciousness and the Doctor, she failed to note that Mickey was still watching her. Unblinking, with the same intensity as the trio at the trapdoor. Below them, the Doctor walked out onto another metal platform.
"Am I addressing the Heart of the Consciousness?" A rumble was his confirmation. "Thank you," the Doctor nodded his head again. "If I might observe, you infiltrated this civilization by means of warp shunt technology. So, may I suggest with the greatest of respect, that you shunt off?"
Rose could have groaned at the pun. The sound she made was drowned out by the roar of the Nestene. Standing up to get a better view, Mickey clung to her legs. From where she stood, she could see the molten being writhing in anger.
"Oh, don't give me that!" the Doctor shouted down. "It's an invasion! Plain and simple. Don't talk about your constitutional rights!"
The Consciousness reacted as she remembered. It swelled and bellowed out. A crude face seem to form on the surface as the bellow shook the whole chamber, bits of rock from the ceiling crumbling down.
"I. Am. Talking!" The complete authority was back in the Doctor's voice as he boomed over it. The silenced the beast that had become the Nestene. Below it simmered again, brooding. Continuing in a much soft voice, the Doctor asked, "How'd you want history to remember you? A rare and fine intelligence that you are? Or a genocidal intergalactic criminal? You once had mighty empires that shone in the sky, beautiful and transparent. Now look at you, reduced to plotting in the sewers. Don't you think it's time to stop?"
The molten form slopped at the edges of its pit, sulking now.
"I know you are hurting and been through agony," the Doctor continued. "It's wasn't your fault either. But look at the Earth around you, this planet and these stupid little people have only just learnt how to walk. They are capable of so much more. I'm asking you on their behalf, please. Just go."
Rose held her breath, Mickey tugged her a little closer to him now as the pit gurgled out. This part of different, she prayed. It was asking questions, if the shift in the sounds were anything to guess at.
"There are thousands of worlds out there with skies full of dioxins. Places you could colonize without hurting anyone. The Western Heights of the Jaggit Brocade for one. Callistenia. Beynhale, Gris, just to name a few," the Doctor offered, rattling off a few more names with confidence. Rose felt pride swell in her as she could tell he was winning over the Consciousness.
But then Mickey pulled at her down to his level and hissed eyes wide in terror. "It won't listen, Rose," he whispered to her. "I've heard it. Screaming at me. It's furious, it wants us dead."
"Don't worry," she assured him, again eyeing him with suspicion.
"But it's going to destroy the whole world!"
"No, he won't," Rose insisted. "He is only in pain, Mickey. He just wants that to end. He lost his home."
"Rose, you gotta listen to me," Mickey tried again, her eyes narrowing now. "What does the Doctor plan to do if you're wrong?"
"How did you know he was the Doctor?" Rose backed away from the unblinking Mickey. "You haven't met him yet."
"Is that so?" Now Mickey grinned at her, his voice cold, the smile terrible. It surged for her and grabbed her by her hair, spinning her around, hand at her throat as its fingers became like needle points resting against her skin. It was another copy! He turned Rose and himself to face the pit, as Rose struggled against its hold on her. Opening his mouth, the copy of Mickey bellowed down at the Nestene.
The Doctor spun around and looks horrified up at her. "What are you doing?" He yelled back down at the Nestene. "Let her go! She has nothing to do with any of this! I'm here to help you!"
The copy of Mickey bellowed out alien commands as the Nestene Consciousness started to writhe and buck in its pit. Two shop dummies appeared from the shadows below, striding to the Doctor. He turned to run but found himself blocked off by one of the two. One of the Autons grabbed the Doctor, restraining him while the other dug into his pockets for something. Fear blossomed in his hearts. The Anti-plastic! If they find it, Rose was as good as dead. He wouldn't live much longer. The Auton checking his pockets and stepped back, empty handed. Confusion replaced the fear now.
"See?" Rose yelled from above. "We are here to help! Not attack!"
"Liar!" Snarled the copy of Mickey as two of the needle sharp fingers pierced her skin. "I have proof!"
Another grille opened up as another Mickey came tumbling out and hit the grating with a thump. Rose held her breath. It was then it seemed like all hell broke loose in that chamber. The real Mickey Smith got to his feet, wobbly and dazed. His eyes locked on his copy who was grinning at him, holding Rose tightly as beads of blood welled up on her neck. Below, the Doctor was restrained by two shop dummies. It was like what happened all over again to Mickey, except one thing. There was no anti-plastic being waved around. Before he could make a move and figure out where the anti-plastic had down, a lift above him started to move down. The two humans and the Doctor watched as the TARDIS came into view and the Consciousness let out another bellow of pure rage.
There was no time for questions between the three as the Doctor was turned again towards the furious being below them all.
"Yes, that's my ship," he called out, frantic now. "I swear to you, I'm not attacking you, I promise!"
Rose closed her eyes against the pain in her throat and against the pain that filled the room as the Consciousness forced itself on all present. It screamed of war. It spoke of pain. Of planets boiling in space as thousands of TARDISes spin, covered in flames. Then she heard it, two words bellowed in English.
"Time."
"Lord."
Then the terror and pain of her Doctor filled her mind, making her gasp.
"I couldn't help," he called out in a broken, raw voice. "I tried to stop it, stop the war. I lost everything. But it was too late. I'm sorry, but I couldn't save your world. I couldn't save mine, couldn't save any of them."
Rose could feel him breaking down. She could feel the Consciousness retreating and directing its rage up and out. It was like a thousand electric sparked were crawling over her skin as the Nestene roared out, lightning springing from the vat to the roof. White lightning blinded the trio of organics as it sparked and raged upwards, outwards. The signal being sent and the call to arms was issued to the plastics of the world. Mickey shouted out something, addressing the Doctor who yelled back that the Nestene Consciousness had started its war on humanity. Rose started to struggle against her captor, which made him grin and purr in her ear, "Feisty." The needles dug in deeper, cutting her flesh as she struggled. "I like it. And you are powerful. The Nestene will feast on you after he enjoys you. It has been so long since the Nestene as found pleasure in flesh."
The growl that had been bubbling in her chest turned now to a snarl of rage. She would have made a quip about being afraid of the big Bad wolf, but not now. She was furious. Above their heads, people were dying out there. And here she was being threatened by a cheap plastic copy of her best mate? Oh no, she didn't think so. And her eyes burst into golden flames. The copy of Mickey stumbled away from her, letting go as it started to melt. Looking at her with burning interest, it tried to reach again for her, but she slapped the hand away, more a deflection move than a simple Tyler slap. The part she touched became goo, the rest following quickly after.
Mickey rushed to Rose, holding her as she slumped to her knees. Below them, he could hear the roar of rage that ripped out of the Doctor. He was watching the pair, he saw her crumple and could smell her blood in the air.
"ROSE!"
Mickey checked over Rose as she struggled to open her eyes up and watch the copy finish its death. She didn't look good, he thought. She was pale again. He had seen this before, in Pete's world after they learned she could call on the Wolf in times of need. She had reacted like this when she first displayed it.
"See ya," it smirked at her as that rest dropped into the grating. Like before, the eyes were the last to go. They leered at Rose a second longer then popped, dissolving into nothing. Her eyes closed after that and she went limp in Mickey's arms. Looking down at the Doctor again, the Doctor could make out the look of terror and worry on his dark face. Something happened to Rose, something bad. Was she hurt again? His struggled against the Auton holding him increased as the Auton started marching him forward. How did this go so terribly pear shaped? He thought frantically.
Above their heads, out in the city, Rose's mind floated and she saw. She felt sick as she witnessed the horrors of the Consciousness' army. A golden monk was ripping through the crowds of frantic people with blades for arms. All around there was screams and the cries of the dying. Heads rolled, blood stained the ground, and bodies littered the streets of London. It was worse than she thought it could possibly be, watching as buses were pushed over and the people inside slaughtered. She could see her mother, running frantically, cell phone in hand.
'This has to stop,' Rose murmured.
It does, answered the TARDIS. Wake up and do what needs to be done.
Back in the underground chamber that shook and crumbled as the Consciousness stirred, writhing in its pit, Rose's eyes snapped open.
"She's awake," yelled out Mickey to the Doctor.
"Fantastic," the Doctor called back, still being frog walked towards the edge of the platform.
Mickey frowned as he watched this, helping Rose to stand. "What are they doing?"
"It intends to absorb the Doctor," Rose answered as she reached into her pocket, pulling out a glass vial. "It wants what he knows."
Mickey looked in askance at the vial and Rose shrugged, "Thought it would help for it to not be on the Doctor."
Mickey nodded and looked around for what he could help with. Looking at Rose now, the pair nodded before he dashed off, heading for the stairs as the white currents of lightning continued to build in the chamber. They slammed into the ceiling and walls, the Consciousness turning and bellowing out, feeling its victory and rage coming to light. The dark skinned youth moved over the grating at the same time Rose moved to a free hanging chain. The pair worked in sync as the Doctor tried to get loose from his holder. This was not how this was supposed to happen. None of this was right.
Vaulting over the railing, Mickey landed on the platform with the Doctor and the two Autons. Neither of the plastic soldiers paid him any mind, too focused on the Time Lord. Rose above him tucked the vial between her teeth, holding it there as she wrapped the chain around her bad wrist and arm. She needed to be able to grip the anti-plastic properly for this to work. She moved to the edge of the platform she was standing on, trying to control her erratic breathing.
Their movement caught the Doctor's attention. He looked at the boy, Rickey, who had been cradling Rose moments again then to Rose as she stood, poised for something, chain in hand. Rose and the Doctor's eyes locked for a precious second, he felt the brush of a mind against his own for a part of that second, soothing him. It was gone nearly as fast as it came. The Doctor shook his head as the TARDIS instructed him to duck when it was time. Rose had the anti-plastic, he noted. She took it off him. How? Before he could properly ask or yell, Mickey darted forward, fists pulled up in a boxing stance as he moved towards the Doctor.
Mickey had always wanted a chance to punch the Doctor, he thought gleefully. Might get that chance now, he preened, as he rounded on the leather wearing, big eared alien who had, once upon a time, stolen his girlfriend from him. Grinning from ear to ear in a handsome boyish way, he watched as the Auton holding the Doctor finally turned towards him. The Doctor ducked as two things happened at once. Rose swung out on the chain, kicking the second Auton into the pit below and Mickey placed a beautiful right hook on the Auton holding him in the jaw. It loosened its hold, allowing the Doctor to do a somewhat clumsy Judo like throw, tossing his opponent into the pit as well to rejoin with the Consciousness.
Turning on his heels, the Doctor watched as Rose began her backwards swing. Letting go of the chain with her good hand, she took the vial of anti-plastic from between her lips and dropped it. The Consciousness roared at her, tendrils reaching for her desperately as the glass hit it. The heat of the molten plastic cracked the glass as it suck into its body. The Doctor moved to catch Rose as she came back to the platform, folding her in his protective, leather arms. Holding her close to him, he breathed in her scent, assuring himself in that moment she was safe. Rose buried her face against his chest, breathing in his unique scent, gripping him tightly. Mickey walked up to stand beside the couple and looked into the pit. He had missed this last time in his fear of the entire situation.
Another earth shaking roar filled the underground as sudden bursts of fire filled the air. Far below, the Consciousness began its death throes. The anti-plastic coursed through it, forming blue tree branch like lines throughout the surface. The pain was terrible as it writhed and tried to pull itself free, to leave. The lightning that had filled the air, striking the ceiling died to nothing, fire bursts taking their place. The room seemed to warp under the small explosions the came from the Consciousness itself. Three sets of eyes watched the Nestene Consciousness' final moments.
"Now we're in trouble," the Doctor grinned, looking at Rose who laughed and shook her head.
Mickey looked at the two of them with a bland look and muttered, "You're both trouble."
A blast of fire in front of them forced the trio a step back, the Doctor still holding Rose Tyler in his arms. Above them, the sound of metal pulled against metal, the ringing ripping sound as it was giving way. The groan of it, like something massive losing strength was enough to make all three look up. In the ceiling of the chamber, two stanchions that anchored the London Eye down were moving. One was tipping up towards the floor as its twin was sinking. The movement was tearing away at the ceiling as chunks of rock began to rain down around them.
The Doctor began to laugh as the internal structure fell and battered at the dying Consciousness. Still holding onto Rose, he turned to Mickey, grinning like a manic, "Come on." And he tore for the stairs going up to where the TARDIS sat, looking pretty in blue, and very unconcerned for the destruction happening around her. Mickey didn't even hesitate as he turned and ran after the Doctor. This was just so like him, thought the hacker, being all gleeful and stupid in the middle of a crisis. Behind them, the stairs the tramp, the ballerina and the knight had once held their guard tumbled down into the lake of fire that once was a brilliant being that calling creative would have been an understatement. Now, the Doctor's old friend and enemy was no more, and it took its children with it.
"It's destroying itself," the Doctor murmured, looking back down as the platform they had stood clattered down into the inferno. Rose looked at him. He was still sporting that manic grin, but his eyes were dark, like a stormy sky and full of agony. All she could do was squeeze his hand in comfort. Glancing back at her, he noted the slight sheer of sweat on her pale face. The clench of her jaw and the look of stubborn strength in her eyes once again, all made her want to draw her in close, protect her forever.
Focusing on the task at hand, he led Rose and Mickey to a ladder that would take them up to where the TARDIS was parked. "Up!" He ordered Mickey, his hands around Rose's waist, helping her up the ladder before he made sure Mickey was making his way. With one last glance at another lost piece of his past, the Doctor followed the two humans up. It was a slow process, slower than he would have liked, but Rose was struggling against fatigue and throbbing pain.
Rose Tyler could feel her energy draining her. It had been a mistake to use her incompletely powers and no anchor but it had been needed. She forced herself to ignore the pain and fatigue, only thinking about grabbing the next rung and hauling herself up. A violet shake of the room paused her movement as she let out a cry, clinging to the ladder. Above her head, the roof was starting to buckle now. It wouldn't be long before of the stanchions gave out completely and this place would be buried. Pulling herself up, Rose scrambled for her footing and ran for the TARDIS. Debris rained down around her, making her duck and dodge around chunks that if they hit, well they would find out quick if any of the physical changes had carried out.
Mickey put his hand on her back and pushed her towards the TARDIS. "No slowing down now," he grinned at her, propelling her along. Behind them, the heavy boot falls of the Doctor sounded as he ran. Rose and Mickey made it to the TARDIS first. Trying to open the door, Rose nearly screamed in frustration. Turning she looked back at her Doctor, Mickey pressing over her as if trying to protect her with his body.
"Key!" Rose yelled over the noise in the air.
The Doctor did not even think, he pulled the key from his pocket and tossed it to her. She caught it easily with her good hand. For a second, once again, their eyes locked on each other, brilliant blue and whiskey brown. She nodded at him slightly before turning and slotting the key into the lock, she knew what that meant to him. She had earned his trust. He was trusting her with his most precious of treasures, the TARDIS herself.
Shoving the doors open, Rose darted in, followed by Mickey. The Doctor entered last. Spinning quickly, he stood in the doorway, gazing down as the Nestene tore itself apart, nothing but blue fleshy chunks in the fire. Rose came to his side and they watched, mourning the loose of life that was. The war claiming another victim. Above all the noise, the sound of the heart of the Consciousness wept.
"I'm so sorry," the Doctor murmured, staring down with eyes like skies made of ice. Stepping back, he nudged Rose back and slammed the doors shut. Sealing inside the TARDIS, her hum of greeting washing over him as he quickly strode to the console, his long legs carrying him in only a few steps. Walking around the console, he slipped a big red lever and the sounds outside died to nothing. Sinking to the ground, Rose closed her eyes as the sounds of the engines coming to life, and the sounds of the TARDIS promised her, they were safe.
The trio took a few moments to collect themselves. Looks were traded around the console room before someone started to laugh. The low laughter was quickly joined by another, then a third as the three just laughed. It was a release of tension, of emotions as they realized, they were still alive. They had won the day and Earth was saved. Chuckling, the Doctor moved over to where Rose was seated on the ramp and helped her stand. The smile she gave him made him suddenly feel light. Clearing his throat, he grinned at her.
"Let me see," he told her, his accent thick as his tone. He cleared his throat again, trying to ease the tightness there, he gently took her chin in hand and lifted. The movement allowed him a better view of the three needle marks on her neck. Tilting her head to the right gently then to the left, he nodded. Using the sonic screwdriver, he ran the light blue tip over the marks, making a shiver run down her spine.
"Want to tell me why you had the anti-plastic?"
"No," she grinned, lowering her chin once he was done. His hand moved from her chin to her cheek, pushing her hair behind an ear. "But I will tell you. I took it when you loaned me your jacket."
"That's a when," he grinned.
"Clever," she taunted, her tongue slipping out to curl around a tooth. "Why I did it was 'cos if the Nestene found it, it would have thought bad of you. Thought you were there to kill it. So I took it. Not that it did any good. Still needed to use it in the end." She sounded so sad, lowering her gaze.
The Doctor watched her before drawing her into his arms for a hug. Glancing over, he noted that Mickey was just watching the two of them, arms crossed over his chest, looking like the tough guy older brother keeping an eye on the little sister. But still he said nothing, just half glared at the two. The Doctor threw his own icy glare back to the boy, and was surprised when all he did was smirk back.
"I should call my mum," Rose muttered. "Make sure she is okay and all that."
With a nod, the Doctor stepped back from her to give her space and headed back to the console. Mickey looked over at him like he was about to ask if there was something he could help with, but opted against it. Instead the dark skinned human moved to take a seat on the grating, his back against one of the struts, watching Rose as she pulled out her cell phone and punched in her mother's contact information.
"Oh my God! Sweetheart," Jackie's voice could be heard loud and clear to all in the room, "is that you? Are you alright?"
"Nevermind me, mum, are you okay? Where are you?" Rose never thought she would be so glad to hear her mother's voice again after this morning.
"What about you?"
"I'm fine," Rose smiled. "Honestly, I'm fine. Mickey is here with me too and another friend."
"But where are you?" Jackie sounded confused.
"I'm traveling right now, Mum."
"What the hell does that mean?" Jackie snapped, demandingly.
Rose had to stop from laughing, even as Mickey's shoulders shook with his own.
"Nevermind, Mum," Rose grinned. "I should be home soon." Turning her gaze to the Doctor, she tilted her head in question, arching a brow. He just held up one finger and she nodded. "I should be there in about one second, apparently."
"I'm still up West. Did you see it? All the dummies?" Jackie started rapid firing questions into Rose's ear. She followed the questions up with a rapidly spoke recount of the crazy things Jackie had witnessed while out. Rose never asked where exactly her mum was because she already knew her mother had gone shopping after getting the bloody compensation papers.
"Yeah, Mum," Rose tried to interrupt. "Mum! Listen, I have go. I may not be home when you get there. I might be gone a bit, I got a job offer and am heading out to see what it's all about, kay?"
"Wait, Rose," the panic in Jackie's voice went up a pitch. "What do you mean? Where are you going?"
"I'll call you with details. Gotta go, Mum. Love you!" And she hung up with a grimace. Mickey just started laughing harder.
"Where you gonna go, huh?" He laughed out, making her glare at him.
"I dunno, maybe Cardiff," she snarked.
The two went back and forth for a few more moments, acting like siblings. The Doctor was not sure why that made him relax, but it did. The boy wasn't trying to claim Rose as his own. TARDIS chimed into the Doctor's mind, I like her.
'I do too,' he admitted to his ship. Leaning his hip against the console, he felt the smirk on his face as he watched the pair banter. Crossing his arms over his chest, and crossing his ankles, he just let himself enjoy their company.
We could take her with us.
'Are you plotting, old girl?' he asked with a chuckle.
When do I plot anything, my Thief?
He refused to rise to that bait, looking over at Rose when she held up the phone and grinned. "Could I call Mars on this?"
"Yeah," he laughed, "tell 'em I want my boots back while you're at it."
"Why?" Rose blinked. "What happened to them?"
"I left them there, obviously," he teased. Even when joking, he was still so rude.
A roar echoed down one of the three hallways, drawing Mickey's attention. He looked back at the Doctor, a little slack jawed and jerked a thumb in the direction of the roar. "What was that?"
"That'll be the dragon," the Doctor told him, looking completely innocent and serious at the same time. Mickey let that one drop.
Gently, Rose massaged her bad wrist through the brace. It was aching from the use of it and the adventure. Lifting her gaze, she watched the Doctor, as if memorizing him. Time was so precious, she knew from bitter experience.
"So, where are we right now?" she asked. "I mean, like this, right now, what are we doing? Are we in flight?"
"Sort of," he smirked. "Yeah."
"But in flight, where?" she pressed.
"Like I said," he kept grinning like a kid with a secret, "one second away."
Rose leveled him with a stare that was challenging and playful. "But it's taking more than a second. So while we're in flight, we're not flying like a plane, so where are we?"
Mickey let out a tiny groan as he watched them flirt shamelessly with each other and not even realize it.
"D'you really want to see?" he asked, stepping away from the console and towards her and the doors. That challenge in his gaze, the smile pure wicked sin.
"Yeah," Rose returned, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth and grinned at him.
Reaching her, he put a hand on her waist before curving it to guide her, holding her to him as his other hand reached out and opened the left-handed door of the TARDIS. And the sight beyond took Rose's breath away. It took her a few seconds to adjust to it, the angle, the vastness, the beauty. The Doctor nudged her forward, a little closer, even as his grip around her waist tightened securely.
They were in flight over the Earth. Looking down, Rose could see the whole of the planet, all of it within her sight. She could see Great Britain from where they floated. Down there, the fires and alarms would still be sounding, people rushing to aid each other. But up here, it was peaceful and quiet. To her left, there was the spiral of clouds gathering over the Atlantic, the edge was fringed with the golden hues of sunlight. Up and out, there were the stars. Infinite amounts of them. The sky was so much more up here, it wasn't a simple black. It never was. It was paler and yet richer than that. The complexities of the sky, infused with maroons, reefs of light blues, the glints of yellow on enchanting clouds of the purest greens. She chuckled as she leaned back into the Doctor's frame. Van Gough could see it when no one else could. How simply fantastic, she mused.
Turning her gaze to the right, the plans of Russia were laid out to her gaze. The planet surface curving and dipping with the landscape. Rose waited now, her breath held as she watched. As she watched, as she had expected, she witnessed the change as the Earth below her, glorious and majestic, turned.
"I can feel it," she breathed softly as the Doctor turned his face to bury his nose in her hair. It was a surprisingly tender move. "The turn of the Earth."
He only smiled, his eyes closed as he savored this moment a little longer. The feel of her warmth in his arms, the weight of her leaning against him, the subtle scent of her moved through him, warming him. He wanted this to last forever, so much he found himself wishing for it. Forever with this golden and pink human at his side.
After a bit, they stepped back and he closed the door. In silence they separated, he walked away to the console. His hearts ached as he put in the coordinates. He had to take her home. He watched her without her noticing as she walked over to Mickey. The other human stood and took her in his arms. The Doctor nearly growled at the sight. Part of him, that instinct and darkness within him, wanted to rip her out of the other man's arms. Looking way, he forced the darkness back down. She was not his. She was hurt because she had been with him. The TARDIS brushed his mind, a low sad song made her feelings clear to him. She wanted Rose to stay as well.
All too soon there was the tell-tale thud of the TARDIS coming to a stop. Mickey and Rose walked outside and looked around.
"Where-"Mickey started to ask when Rose cut him off, addressing the Doctor.
"You said home," she smirks. "You got it wrong."
The Doctor lowered his head with a laugh, shaking it slightly. His arms were once again crossed over his chest, the leather of his jacket creaking. Leaning his shoulder against the doorway, he just shrugged. All the times he had heard that statement, he never thought he would miss it so much.
"Are we at the ruins of Hendrik's?" Mickey asked, still confused.
"Well done, Rickey," the Doctor taunted him.
"It's Mickey," Mickey shot back with a smirk. He was a little surprised to realize he had missed that old fight between him and the Doctor.
"Is he okay?" he could hear the Doctor asking Rose. He didn't even need to look back to know.
"Don't talk like I'm not here, Big Ears."
"Oi!"
Rose laughed now, lifting her face as a light rain began to fall over London. Where they were, the burnt husk that was once a massive building that employed over 300 people, she found ironic. It was where it all began for him. Twenty four hours ago in linear time, he took her hand for the first time. It had been so much longer than that for her. Opening her eyes, she turned back to the Doctor.
"So," the Doctor looked up at her, "are we done?"
Those words never seemed quite so heavy to either of them. A sudden rush filled her heart, an aching she was all too familiar with. This was it. He would leave and she would have to watch him go. Again. If he didn't ask, she would never see him again. A part of her understood how important it was that he asked twice. It still hurt knowing he would leave her behind. Trying to give an air of indifference instead of desperation, she replied, "I suppose."
"Good," the Doctor said.
"Yeah," Rose nodded.
And they both stayed where they were, watching each other, neither willing to leave. Nodding to himself, the Doctor stepped away from the doorway, "Right. I'd better go."
"Good luck," Rose called, smirking. "You'll need it."
"What makes you say that?"
"You'd be dead if it wasn't for me," Rose beamed at him, proudly. "You were useless in there."
"D'you think?" He was smiling now, blue eyes glittering now.
"Yeah, you were rubbish. Thank God I was there. And Mickey too."
"I suppose I should say thanks, then?" He put his hands in his pockets, glancing over at Mickey who was watching them again, that smirk back on his face. At some point the human male had made his way to a pile of rubble and sat down.
"Go on then," Mickey crowed, delighting in messing with the pair of them.
That earned him a glare from the Doctor, who decided to dismiss him, even if he had been helpful. Nodding again, admitting he owed it to Mickey, he said honestly, "Thank you."
"Okay," Rose beamed, looking like the cat that ate the canary.
"Well then," the Doctor said, and yet still he hesitated. Shifting his weight he turned slightly to the door, his hand tense on the wooden frame. The ache in his chest was nearly unbearable. The TARDIS poked him, fed up with him dragging his feet. Mickey narrowed his eyes now, waiting.
"D'you want to come with me?" the Doctor suddenly blurted out, turning back to Rose. He hoped he didn't look a hopeful as he felt. The plead in his eyes now, begging. "This box isn't just a London hopper. It goes anywhere. The whole universe. Free of charge. You said you wanted to travel, Rose."
Rose drew in a sharp breath, eyes wide. She looked like she wanted to cry and run to him, he thought, desperately willing her to tell him 'yes'.
His eyes begging her 'come with me, Rose. Please come with me. Don't leave me.'
"Choice is yours, Rose Tyler" he swallowed, smiling at her with that beautiful smile he so rarely showed. "You could stay here, fill your life with work, sleep, food. Or you could go… anywhere." 'With me. For the love of Rassilon, stay with me,' he wanted to add in.
Rose fingered her brace lightly and bit her lip. "It is always this dangerous?"
"Yes," his smile bloomed more.
She started to take a step to him, his hearts swelled with joy seeing that, when her cell phone erupted with the sounds of texts and missed call notifications making her stop. How many of those were someone's final message? Swallowing she looked back at Mickey. Mickey got to his feet and walked to her, glaring at the Doctor now.
"Don't, Rose," Mickey growled. "He's an alien. He's a thing."
"He's not invited," the Doctor growled back.
Mickey gripped her shoulder, and the Doctor felt his stomach plunge as her eyes closed and she slumped in his grip. He had come to know that look of defeat in her. He wanted to rage, he wanted to beg. He wanted to tear the human male apart for interfering. He refused to do anything.
"I-," she whispered, lifting her eyes to look at the Doctor, the look there breaking his hearts. Silently begging him for something. It hurt too much to keep her gaze.
His expression had fallen and become nothing when he noticed her rejection. His gaze was level as his lips pressed in a thin line. He never once met her gaze.
"Okay," in a voice that seemed to come from someone else. "See you around."
Rose's eyes widened. His tone, she knew that tone. He wouldn't come back this time. She didn't even have time to think before she acted. She tore herself from Mickey's grip and ran forward, the Doctor's back to her. It was like everything was happening in slow motion. In that extended moment, she could see it clearly, him stepping into the box, shutting the doors behind him. He would send the TARDIS, against her will, into the Vortex. She would be left standing there, waiting, and expecting his return. She would stay there all night, waiting for him. And the TARDIS would not return. She saw herself breaking down, Mickey dragging her away from the ruins of her job, as if he could drag her away from that world. Because it wouldn't be her world. The rest of the vision fell like dominos, the Slitheen coming, London turning into a nuclear waste land, the rest of the world following. But it would have worked out as they would have liked, not when the Sycorax come and challenge for the planet. The few humans still alive caught up in the battle. The survivors taken off world as slaves, as the planet falling into ruin. The events of Platform One never happen, followed by changes, so many changes. Justica, Bad Wolf, New Earth, Cassandra, the Master, the year that never happened, Canary Wharf. The Pandoica event. Too many more to name.
"Wait!" Rose cried out as the second stretched on. The Doctor turned back to her, his eyes widening as she raced to him.
Stepping forward, away from the TARDIS, he opened his arms to her. All too soon Rose was back in his arms, hugging him tightly. He lifted her up, clinging to her in his disbelief. His head ached as if the timelines were shifted, correcting themselves. He didn't dare look, dare check to see.
"Yes," she breathed, pulling back in his arms just enough to look him in the eyes. "Yes, always. You never have to ask me twice, Doctor."
He stared at her before a manic grin spread over his face, "Fantastic!"
She would never know it, but he would have gone off to died, believing he couldn't take any more of the universe. But he would have failed, he knew he would. Somehow, someway he would have come back for her. Asked her, begged her, as many times as it would have taken, until she said yes. Setting her down, he looked at Mickey who was glaring at him. If looks could kill, the Doctor was positive he would have gone through the rest of his regenerations right now. Rose looked too before murmuring, "Give me a 'mo."
Nodding, he stepped back and into the TARDIS, leaving the doors open. The TARDIS sang as her Thief took his place at the controls and her Wolf went to say good bye to her Not-Tin-Dog. The smug enjoyment she was feeling belied how exhausted she was right then. It had taken a lot of power to show her Wolf all those alternate timelines, to make her think that was the most likely future. Nothing would stop the TARDIS this time. She wouldn't let go this time.
The Doctor and Rose Tyler would be together, in the TARDIS. The stuff of legends. As it is meant to be.
This was their story now.
OR Alternately….
Rose closed her eyes again as he stepped back into the TARDIS and closed the door behind him. She couldn't watch it. She could not watch him leaving again, even though she was hoping beyond hope, praying he would still come back and ask a second time. Mickey held her up gently as she sagged when the engines kicked on. The wheezing sound filled the quiet area around them. A wind kicked up as well as the engines seem to protest their departure. Rose could feel the TARDIS brushing against her shields of her mind, telling her to not fear. There was no way she would let her Wolf escape again. Not after everything she went through to make this possible. As the wind died away, so did the noise of the TARDIS' engines. The ancient machine was gone.
The pair stood still, staring, waiting. Mickey squeezed her shoulders and turned her to look at him.
"I'm going to find Martha," he declared. "How are we supposed to stop your mom from thinking I murdered you?" He assumed that, like last time, the Doctor would reappear any second and ask her a second time.
"If, if he doesn't come back," Rose tried to say, her voice trembling, "I'll go to Cardiff. Travel around and see where I can help."
Mickey hugged her tightly then released her. She was trembling and acting like he wasn't going to return. So they waited a few more minutes and yet the Doctor had not returned yet. It hurt so much; she didn't realize how much it would hurt. Her eyes turned up to meet Mickey's worried gaze. He hugged her tightly knowing what she was asking him. He had no answers. She had once waited five and a half hours for the Doctor to return to her after he had run off, to another woman. She had even defended his actions against Mickey's indignant anger at being abandoned. Now, she was acting like he would not come back for her. Like he had abandoned her all over again.
After another minute of waiting, he turned her away from where the blue box once stood and started the trek to take them home. The city was in too much chaos right now for a bus and he doubted very much that any taxis were running now either. They could figure this out, he knew that. The pair had barely made it four steps when the sounds of the engines began to fade back into the time stream. Spinning quickly, Rose stared with wide eyes, holding her breath and not daring to breath. Mickey stepped back from her, knowing full well what was about to happen. The TARDIS came into view, and Rose's heart sang, mixed with the song in her mind of the old girl's joy.
Yanking the door open, the Doctor stepped out and grinned at her. "Did I mention it also travels in time?"
Rose let out a laugh and ran to him. Without thinking, she threw herself into his arms and he swept her up into a hug. Mickey just shook his head, hands in his pockets as he watched the Doctor set Rose on her feet and led her inside the TARDIS. Even he could hear the joyful song of the TARDIS.
The Doctor and Rose, together in the TARDIS once again. The stuff of legends.
This was the start of their story.