Chapter 7: … Tomorrow for Me
"Just tell me who you are!" the Doctor fairly roared in Rose's face.
Not one to back down, she glared at him, almost daring him to speak like that to her again.
"This is who I am, right here," Rose yelled right back at him, "right now, all right?"
"No, it's not," was his growling reply.
"All that counts is here and now," she snapped back at him, that growling tremor to her voice a deadly warning the Doctor just ignored, "and this. Is. Me."
"You are only here because I brought you here," he reminded her, stepping in close to the infuriating human. Somehow again he found himself standing nose to nose with her again.
"I know, all right?" Rose hissed at him, her whiskey brown eyes flashing up at him, holding his ice storm blue gaze.
"Fine," the Doctor bit out, storming away from her.
Silence filled the private observation room the pair had detoured into during the course of their argument. Behind him, the Doctor heard Rose let out a breath. He could picture her behind him, trying to pull her temper back in. How did it come to this, he wondered as he stared out the massive window down at the Earth below them. Closing his eyes, he tried to push away his own anger. She wouldn't even answer a simple question from him. Why? Why did it hurt so much that she wouldn't talk to him? Shoving his hands into his jacket pockets, he studied the giant red sun as it pulsed and strained against the satellites holding it back.
Rose walked down the steps to stand at his side, still silent as she looked up at the stars beyond. He did not turn to her. He wouldn't let her win again. It still hurt him too much to look at those eyes and know there is something hidden behind them. One she refused to share with him. The Doctor could almost feel her desire to reach out to him, the need to touch him. He felt it too. In those seconds since they stopped yelling and lapsed into silence, he was aching to touch her, hold her again. A fear bloomed in his chest at the idea she would asked to leave now.
It seemed like it was ages ago now that they had been in the main hall, laughing, touching, just being with each other. The call over the speakers had drawn him from the room, and Rose followed him, laughingly tell him she wanted to put the clipping of the Elder of Cheam safely into the TARDIS with the intention of planting him in one of the many under used gardens. The Doctor smiled and offered his arm to her which she took happily. As they had started out of the room, Jabe had stopped them with a smile. Then a light flashed at the pair of them, making them blink and the tree woman just gave her thanks and walked away. Shrugging, the pair left the main hall, unaware of two sets of eyes that followed them out the door.
The pair had met with the Stewart who was cross with them again. Apparently they violated a few more rules with where they had parked the TARDIS. The space and time machine was squealing like a child with glee in the Doctor's mind as the staff moved her from the private observation room to a room assigned to him and Rose. He was a bit surprised to learn that a suite had been prepped for them. They were party crashers after all. He asked Rose if she wanted to drop off the presents in the room, but she had insisted that the metal ball stay with her. That may have been where the argument started really. He had asked, then he demanded answers. And his beautiful pink and gold human had flat out refused to answer him, denied his accusations.
And here they were now. Standing like two book ends, backs to each other in silence. Neither of them willing to back down, both thinking they were right. The Doctor felt the TARDIS nudge his mind, encouraging him to break the silence and try to smooth things over.
'Why me? She's the one hiding things,' he huffed back at the TARDIS, who sent him the equivalent of a smack upside the head as an answer.
Don't be stupid.
"Earth death in twenty minutes," the female computerized voice announced over the platform. "Earth death in twenty minutes."
A sigh behind him brought the Doctor back to the present and to Rose. He could feel her mentally stepping back again, like she had in the ship. She was submitting to him again. The darkness in him stirred, fairly tasting her submission and growled with want. The hands in his pockets became fists as he forced the arousal back down.
"All right," Rose sighed, "you're right, you brought me here. And as my mate Shareen always says, don't argue with the designated driver."
That made him smile. He knew what she was doing, and found he adored her for it. She was trying to smooth things over with him, backing down so he didn't have to. He also recognized she was attempted to redirect his attention. He would let it go.
For now.
"Sides, can't exactly call a taxi," she continued, making his turn a little to look at her over his shoulder. She was holding up her little cell phone as if looking for a signal. "No signal. We're out of range. Just a bit."
She was smiling at him again, and he caved. Turning back to her, he grinned as if they did not just have another yelling match and held out his hand.
"Tell you what," the Doctor took her phone and popped the back of it off with ease. "With a little bit of jiggery pokery."
Rose came over to him, laying a hand on his leather clad bicep, her chin rested on his shoulder as she watched him, grinning. The darkness in him purred at the close contact.
"Is that a technical term, jiggery pokery?" she asked, the tip of her little tongue peeking out again.
"Yeah," he laughed. "Came first in jiggery pokery. How 'bout you?"
"Nah, I failed that one," Rose teased him. "Came in top of the class at Hullabaloo, though."
Running his sonic over the exposed back while they were talking, he glanced down into her round face and smiled. She was against him again, touching him. He felt all the tension in him just melt away at her warmth. Looking away from her, he put the sonic screwdriver back into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a black flat battery. Fitting the new battery looking pack into the back of the phone, he snapped the cover back on and handed it to her.
"Here you go. Where were you hiding that anyway?"
"Spoilers," Rose winked, as he was looking her over, trying to figure out where in that dress she could possibly had hid her phone.
There was a moment that Rose paused, thinking of another friend she would never see again. She had quoted that friend just then. It hit her she may never see that crazy, dear woman again. The Doctor's sharp eyes caught Rose's moment, but wisely decided to not ask about it.
Yet.
Looking up at the Doctor, Rose questioned him with her eyes. He just waved at her to go on. The cell phone lit up in her hand, showing five bars and perfect reception. Scrolling through her contacts, she selected "Mum" and hit send.
"Hullo?" Jackie's voice answered after a single ring.
"Mum?"
"Rose!" Jackie perked up. "How are you, sweetheart? How's the job going? Is everything okay? Ut-oh, what's wrong? You never call me during the day. Oh this red top is falling to bits. You should try getting your money back. Go on."
Rose chuckled as her mother rambled on.
"What's so funny?" Jackie huffed.
"Nothing," Rose grinned into the phone. "I'm good, Mum. Great even. Top of the world. Job's got me moving around a lot, so calling might be a bit hard. It's a good job, lots of new people to meet."
"Well that's good. Oh! Could you toss a quid into the lottery for me? I'll pay you back," Jackie asked, clearly not fully paying attention.
"Listen, Mum, I have to go. I'll call as soon as I can again. Love you."
And Rose hung up with a laugh.
"That was five billion years ago," she grinned up at the Doctor. "I just talked to my Mum while standing above the Earth as it is about to burn, five billion years later."
"Barrel of laughs, you are," the Doctor snarked playfully. He did not miss the way Rose had spoken to her mother. It just gave him more questions than answers. "Think that's amazing, you should see the bill."
She was smiling at him again, that soft smile he dubbed his smile. It was like it was just for him and no one else. Rose drifted to him and slipped her arms around his waist, under the leather jacket and held him close. It took less than a second for his arms to wrap around her, tucking the top of her head under his chin.
"Thank you," she whispered and he just smiled.
"You're welcome."
They stood there in the quiet of the private observation room for a few more minutes, forgiving each other for the fight. Then a tremor shook the whole platform and they parted slightly. Arms still around each other's waist, the Doctor toyed with the exposed skin of Rose's back as he grinned down at her.
"That's not supposed to happen."
Rose glanced to where she set the metal ball down, eyes narrowing.
The ball was open. And empty.
"Honored guests may be reassured that gravity pockets may cause slight turbulence, thank you," the Stewart's voice echoed over the platform.
The Doctor and Rose were greeted when they returned to the Main Observation gallery to a litany of voices, all talking at once. Panicked and hushed, but added together to become a dull roar. Groups had moved and were intermingled now. The only group that had yet to move from their post was the Adherents of the Repeated Meme. Rose turned her attention to them for a moment, tensing. The Doctor found himself wondering, not for the last time he was sure, what she was hiding from him. What did she know that he didn't about them that put her so on edge.
"Indubitably, this is the Bad Wolf scenario," the Moxx of Balhoon muttered to the Face of Boe and the Curator, the other two bobbing their heads in agreement.
"She did give warnings," the Curator agreed, popping a Jelly Baby into his mouth.
The Face of Boe said nothing.
Rose stopped walking for a moment, releasing the Doctor's arm and turned to look at the trio. If the Doctor had thought she was tense before, it was nothing compared to now.
"That was no gravity pocket," the Doctor informed anyone who would listen. "I know gravity pockets and they don't feel like that. What do you think, Jabe? Lute?"
Lute and Jabe had walked over to the Doctor and Rose when the Doctor had begun talking. The pair looked at each other and shrugged a little.
"Listen to the engines," the Doctor told them. "They've pitched up about thirty Hertz. That dodgy or what?"
"Sounds like metal to me," Lute offered, his gaze traveling over to Rose who drew up into the conversation. The tree man offered Rose a smile which she returned.
"It doesn't make sense to me," Jabe shrugged, her gaze also traveling to Rose with a speculating look in her eyes.
"Where's the engine room?" the Doctor turned to find a member of staff to ask when Jabe cut him off.
"I don't know, but there is a maintenance duct just behind out suite," she offered with a smile at the pair of them. "I would be happy to show you and your wife."
"Huh? Oh, she's not my wife," the Doctor corrected.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noted the way Rose threw him a dirty look. In fact she looked down right annoyed at where this was heading.
"Partner?" Jabe suggested, still watching the pair.
"Ah, no." That got a shake of the head from the Doctor.
"Concubine?" Jabe kept questioning, noting the cold look coming into Rose's eyes as the Doctor continued to refuse to name her relationship to him.
"Mate?" offered Lute now, watching them now with a nearly hopeful look.
"Whatever I am, I must be invisible," Rose cut in now, looking very annoyed. "Do you mind? Before either of you go any farther down that list, I'm his Companion. Take it as you want. Ugh." The Doctor had to stop himself from kissing the feisty little human. She was breathtaking as her eyes flashed at the two tree people. She was almost acting jealous.
"You know what. Why don't you two go and… pollinate. I'll stay here," Rose nearly growled then turned to leave in a huff.
"I would be happy to stay and entertain you, Miss Tyler," Lute offered with a smile. Rose stopped at the sound of Lute speaking to her and blinked, surprise on her face. And delight.
The Doctor's smile faded a little seeing that.
"Sounds like a plan," the Doctor grinned down at Jabe, offering her his arm. He fought to pretend the idea of the tree man near Rose did not anger him. "I'm all yours."
For a second there was a flash of pure jealousy that pierced though his mind, a wave of possessiveness followed then it was gone. He watched as Jabe smiled at him and Lute offered his arm to Rose. The gold and pink girl smiled up at the tree man and accepted his offer, murmuring to him her thanks. The feelings were no longer as intense as they were, but they lingered as he watched Rose and Lute turn away from him.
"And I want you home by midnight," Rose called out to the Doctor, Jabe snickering at his side.
"Your mate is very possessive," Jabe grinned at him as they strolled out of the room. He just gaped at the tree woman, who gave him a knowing smile.
"She isn't-" he started to protest but stop from the look on Jabe's face. Instead he just gave her his trademark daft grin, and the pair strolled from the room.
Rose watched the Doctor and Jabe walk from the room, and could not stop the look of worry that flashed over her face.
"They will be fine, Miss Tyler," Lute chuckled. He took two flutes of champagne from a passing staff member, offering her one. "Jabe is curious about him. Your mate is safe."
"Oh, he's not my-" Rose began to protest with a hot blush. Lute just gave her a knowing look, sipping his champagne.
"My lovely Miss Tyler," he began, still smiling in that knowing way, "you do not need to protest what is obvious to us. We of the Forest are very good at observations. The sheer scent of the two of you is that of a soon-to-be mated pair."
If possibly, Rose's blush got hotter and spread to her ears. Not knowing what to say, she took a drink of her own champagne. Lute took that moment to lean in and whisper in her ear, his rough tenor tone rubbing pleasantly along her senses. His words made her eyes widen in shock.
"It is a known fact that Gallifreyians are very possessive of their mates as well," he whispered softly.
Turning her face to him, the tree man leaned back and winked at her.
"I assume you wanted this kept secret, thus I will not share," Lute toasted Rose, a warm friendly smile on his lips. "For now, I do have a question for you, if you don't mind."
Clearing her throat and taking a deep swig of her drink, Rose willed herself to swallow the blush and relax. He was not threatening in the least to her or the Doctor. A smile bloomed over pink glossy lips, Rose nodded to Lute.
"Of course," she played at posh, making him laugh now.
"Did you know what your gift would be like to us when you gave it?"
"Spoilers," Rose giggled. Lute just shook his head, enchanted by this woman before him. The dance of her eyes told him she knew exactly what the gift of the air from her lungs was to them.
"To be truthful with you, it was a very sweet and thoughtful gift Jabe, you and Coffa offered. Possibly the most thoughtful of all the gifts given tonight." Rose motioned around the room lightly. "I thought about giving you in return three hairs of my head, but that seemed a bit of a snub."
Lute listened as Rose spoke and felt his respect of her grow as they walked slowly to the large windows.
"I do know that what I did was very intimate, but it seemed the only thing I had that could compare to Jabe's offering of a clip of her Grandfather," Rose admitted with a smile. "I didn't mean to offend."
"Oh no offense was taken, Miss Tyler," Lute grinned. "And yes, while intimate, it was very thoughtful. Though, between you and me," he leaned in, glancing side ways around them. His actions reminded Rose far too much of someone she knew before. "I would welcome more."
Laughter bubbled out of Rose before she could stop herself. Lute leaned back with an innocent smile on his face, as if he said nothing at all. "You, sir," Rose got out between her laughter, "are a flirt."
They shared a another moment of laughter, Rose looked outside again. "I have never been to one of these before," she admitted, Lute turning to her, listening. "Who is in charge of Platform One? Is there like a Captain?"
"Oh no, there is just the Stewart and staff," Lute explained, a little surprised at her confession. "The rest is all controlled by the metal mind."
"You mean the computer, yeah?" Lute nodded at her question. "Who controls the computer then?"
"That would be the Corporation," the tree man looked outside, down at the Earth. "They move the Platforms from one artistic event to another."
The sound of disgust in his voice was evident.
"So the Corporation controls the Platforms, but no one is actually on board?" Rose was starting to understand better how things had unfolded before now.
"Apparently, they are not needed during the events," Lute shrugged, looking back at Rose. "This facility is purely automatic. The height of the Alpha class. Nothing can go wrong."
"Except when it does," Rose chuckled humorlessly. "You are saying this place is basically 'unsinkable'."
"If you prefer," Lute laughed at the reference to ships, appropriate as it may be.
"Sounds like a story from Earth ancient past," Rose muttered. "I knew a ship that was called that once. Unsinkable. A friend of mine was on board. Ended up clinging to an iceberg in the middle of the ocean at winter as a result."
"Sounds," Lute searched his memory for an good word to use here that the woman would understand, "awful."
"Yep," Rose popped her 'p' as she took another drink of her champagne. "If something does go wrong, there is no one to help us, yeah?"
"I'm afraid not," Lute offered a smile to her. He never thought about it that way.
"Fantastic," Rose muttered, sarcastically. Now she understood so much more.
"How in any way," Lute asked, confused, "is that fantastic, exactly?"
Rose gave Lute a wink, which made him grin. This woman was a delightful mystery to him. After what Jabe showed him about her and her date, the one called the Doctor, he began to suspect a few things. Her reaction to his whispered comment cemented a few of his suspicions.
"So," Rose turned to him again, smiling that sweet open smile that Lute had a feeling made people flock to her. "Tell me, Lute. What's a tree like you doing in a place like this?
He had to laugh at the very cheesy chat up line, "Would you believe respect for the Earth?"
Rose said nothing, merely took another sip of her champagne, a brow arching as she watched him over the rim of her glass.
"That, and a case of having to be seen at the proper occasions," Lute confessed, finishing his own drink off. "I'm sure you know that we are owners of a very prosperous corporation. Jabe alone is worth zillions." Sighing, he placed a hand on the thick glass. "We take no pleasure in watching this happen to our ancestral home, but… well, I am sure you know how stocks work and greed is."
Rose nodded, following his gaze, "I do. All too well, know how greed works."
"All the same, we of Cheam respect the Earth as family," Lute smiled at her again. "So many species came from that beautiful planet below. Mankind is but one. Our ancestors were transplanted from the planet below. I am proud to say I am a direct descendant of the sequoias. Jabe is of a proud line from the rain forest. What of you, my Lady? What brings you and your mate from your home to this?"
Rose blinked, and then smiled. "Honestly, it was his idea."
Lute laughed at that, "Sounds like the Lord Commander."
"Who?"
Behind the two, Glenn Miller's 'Moonlight Serenade' began to play from the 'iPod'.
"Oh," Lute blinked now, looking at her confused. "How-"
"Pardon me," a voice interrupted the two. The Curator stood behind them, cane in hand, smiling widely at Lute and Rose, "do you mind if I cut in?"
Rose had to fight back the silliest vision of the old man in an insanely long, multi colored scarf. As the thought faded, she could hear the musical laughter of the TARDIS in her mind.
"Not at all," Lute bowed his head slightly, his smile never dimming. He was happy for the distraction. Something about this 'Miss Tyler' was concerning him now. "As a matter of fact, I should go check on Coffa. Make sure he is enjoying himself. Please, excuse me. Miss Tyler, Curator."
As Lute retreated to rejoin his companion, Rose and the Curator smiled at each other. He offered her his hand and gracing her with a smile full of teeth and charm, "May I have this dance?"
Ignoring the glares that Cassandra throwing her way, Rose refused to engage the woman this time. She knew she wouldn't be able to stop herself from getting into a fight. Instead she took the outstretched hand with a little curtsy, "You may."
Moving with a speed that was a bit of a surprise for his age and size of his girth, the Curator swept Rose into his arms and started to dance with her with an ageless grace, away from the windows and the hateful stares of Cassandra O'Brien.
"As I said before, always a pleasure to be in your company, my sweet lady," the Curator told her with a wink.
"You speak as if you know me, Mr. Noble," she asked. Rose was terribly curious about this man. "Though I have to ask, is 'John Noble' your real name? I have to admit, you look more like a 'John Smith' to me."
"Well now," he grinned at her. "What is a name? Just a title really. But I am sure you of all people know all about that."
"There is power in names, I'm told," was her cheeky reply. It only made the Curator smile widen, amusement and knowledge glowing in his guarded blue eyes.
"That there is, my Lady," he agreed as he steered her in their dance further into the room, cleverly avoiding other dances and patrons. "But do names truly define a person. Maybe I am John Noble, maybe I am John Smith. Names, like time. It's all in flux."
Rose narrowed her eyes now at him. Opening her mouth to ask him about that saying, she quickly snapped her mouth shut as she felt that familiar warmth brush her mind. It urged her to be at ease and invoked trust deep in her heart. On instinct, she reached her own mind out and brushed it back against the Curator's in a greeting. Idly she wondered how his face didn't split in half from the size of his grin. Silence fell between them as they danced to the end of the song.
They stopped near the Face of Boe and the Curator took her hands in his, taking the now empty flute from her and handing it over to a member of staff. His smile never faded but his eyes were serious as he lifted her hands to his lips once again, brushing a kiss over her knuckles. It was like he was trying to extend the moment.
"Are you going to answer my original question, Curator?" She asked, smiling at his behavior.
"Oh, my Lady," his eyes twinkled with mischief now. He merely released her hands and ran his index finger down his beak like nose and winked, "Who knows?"
Then he strolled off, leaving her with the Face of Boe.
Rose chuckled softly to herself at the antics of Curator. Smoothing her dress a little, she turned to greet the being they called the Face of Boe. His eyes, she noted, were ancient. So much older than the Doctor's were. She hadn't spoke to him before that last time around. With a smile, she reached out and placed a hand on the glass.
Hello, Rose offered with her mind, reaching out. She could feel Boe's amusement and surprise at her greeting.
My Lady, he returned in greeting. His mental voice was smooth as skin, deep and enticing. What do I owe this pleasure, as the Curator calls it? Or is it finally my turn to bask in your light?
Rose laughed at the blatant flirt. Can I not just greet an old friend?
You can always greet me, Boe's mind fairly glowed with pleasure. Those words are more true than you could ever know. I would ask you to dance with me, but I fear our song has already played.
At her confusion, Boe teased a little more, But then I would need arms to hold you again, wouldn't I? At least I cannot come and sweep you off your feet anymore. Even know, I stand no chance against you.
Now her eyes were narrowing. There was literally only one person in all the multiverses that spoke to her like this. "Jack?"
The answer came in the form of a mental laugh as she asked out loud. The massive head in the jar shook a little with the laughter. Hello, Rosie. I've missed you.
Jack! It is you! What happened? How did you… when did this… oh no, was this because of- Rose rambled off, making him laugh a little more.
Calm down, Rosie. I've been like this a long, long time now, the Face of Boe confirmed. Yes, this is a result of that. But not like you think. From what I know, what I remember you telling me, what will be will happen as it is meant to. Don't worry. I came to terms with this eons ago, my beautiful Rosie.
"Earth Death in ten mintues," the computerize female voice announced, which was ignored by the old friends.
Cassandra calling out over the dull roar that filled the room interrupted them however. Rose didn't bother to stop her growl this time. The Face of Boe was able to suppress the surge of gold in her eyes, worrying him a bit at her ability to control the Wolf. Rosie, Boe warned. She nodded a little, looking back at Cassandra to hear what the bitch had to say now.
"The planet's end," Cassandra was saying. "Come gather, come gather. Let us bid farewell to the cradle of civilization." Somewhere in the room, there were two snorts quickly covered by coughing. "Let us mourn her passing with a traditional ballad."
Rose was still trying to figure out how 'Toxic' by the long dead Brittany Spears was a traditional ballad for anything. This was new to her. Last time, she was locked in a sun scorched room after all.
Now, he continued with a little chuckle at Cassandra's expense, I need to let you know a few things. There is a lot here now that you will not remember because in your original timeline, they did not exist. Don't worry about them. I know you are equally confused over a few terms you heard tonight. Again, not something you need to know yet. Just put them out of your mind. And watch out for those pesky barrage balloons. Unless of course handsome pilots are there to catch you.
The sound of Rose's laughter was the first thing the Doctor noted when he and Jabe returned to the main Observation Hall. Turning to find his pink and gold girl, he found her standing with the Face of Boe. One small hand was pressed against the glass, her forehead against the surface as well. He stopped the growl and the sweep of possessiveness again before he could stomp over the yank her away from the other being. It was her smile that caused that. That soft, gentle smile that made him ground his teeth.
It was not aimed at him, but another.
That would not do.
It seems your man has returned, Rosie, Boe warned her as they both felt the wave of rage hit their minds. He was really doing a poor job of shielding his mind, Boe thought with a sigh. Go to him. Oh, and Rosie. Don't wait too long to explain to him. Show him sooner than that. You'll understand when it's time.
Rose pulled back with a little nod then turned to go to the Doctor's side. He had already dismissed her in his anger and walked to the center of the room, Jabe in tow. Swallowing her hurt at that, Rose pulled her own mental barriers back up and moved to watch this play out.
She did not notice the tall, dark figures move behind her.
Jabe got the attention of the room with practiced ease, calling out, "The metal machine confirms. The spider devices have infiltrated the whole of Platform One."
The Doctor kept quiet for the moment, he needed to get his rage under control. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Rose watching him and Jabe. A look in her eyes caught his attention, making him turn to look back. She was not surprised at all at the news. The others in the room all gasped, small conversations were popping up, people wanting an explanation. Rose's eyes flicked over to Cassandra a moment then back to him. Arching a brow, the Doctor tried to understand what she was trying to tell him without words.
Jabe was busy explaining to the gathering about the spider she and the Doctor found while they were investigating when Cassandra broke in the fray to cry out.
"How's that possible?" Her voice grated on the Doctor's ears. As he watched Rose's gaze turned dangerous, those flecks of golden glimmering in their whiskey depths. "Our Private rooms are protected by a code wall! Oh, moisturize me, moisturize me."
"Summon the Steward then," called out the high pitched voice of the Moxx of Ballhoon. "He will explain this!"
"I'm afraid the Stewart is dead," Jabe gravely informed the gathering.