Written for @timepetalsprompts this is for the “Story Time” prompt.
Nine x Rose
Fluff/a little hurt/comfort
Word Count: 1753
Nightlights and Mobile Phones
Rose hummed as she pulled empty hangers from the wardrobe. She gathered them into a small pile and sat them on the bed, glancing over to the basket full of freshly cleaned clothes.
The TARDIS had its own laundry facilities, of course, but she did love to go home to do laundry at her mum’s when they had the time. The familiar scent of Persil drifted up from the basket, making her smile. She picked up a shirt and started the process of putting away her things.
The Doctor scratched his head, yawned, and ultimately decided to take a break from his tinkering. Standing up and stretching, he gave the console a pat and worked a kink out of his back before heading back to Rose’s room.
Strolling leisurely down the hallways, the Doctor finally came upon the door to her room. Tapping gently on the door, he heard a faint “Come in!” The door swung in revealing Rose sitting on her bed surrounded by a pile of socks.
“Almost done?” he asked, smiling.
She nodded. “Just finished pairing these up- didn’t realize it was getting so late.” Rose pointed at the clock on her nightstand which read 11:57.
“Absolutely,” the Doctor replied, teasing, “we need you getting your beauty sleep, don’t we?”
She stuck out her tongue and started gathering up the rest of the socks. After they were tucked safely away in the drawer, Rose pulled a pair of pajamas from the bureau and scooted up to the loo. “Be right back!”
“No hurry,” he remarked dryly. It is a time machine, if you’re forgotten.”
He heard her giggle as the door to the bath closed with an audible click. He sat down on the chair at the side of her bed and sighed, smiling fondly. His little ape.
Glancing around the room casually, he caught sight of something he hadn’t noticed before. A small light was plugged into the outlet in the corner of the room. He wondered why on earth she would have something so tiny. No real light could be produced from it…she wouldn’t even be able read with it switched. The Doctor pursed his lips, feeling genuinely confused- a rare feeling for the Time Lord.
His thoughts were interrupted by Rose exiting the loo, her hair pulled up in a soft pony tail. Her pajamas were light blue with moons in little night caps printed all over them. She gave him a shy smile.
“Ready for bed, then?” he asked, pulling back the covers and patting the mattress.
She hesitated and shifted her weight. “You could…you could read awhile, if you wanted to.” Rose bit her lip. “You don’t have to, though.”
He chuckled softly. The past month or so, it had become their new routine. She seemed to enjoy the stories and the sight of her drifting off to sleep calmed him in a way that he couldn’t explain. “Of course, Rose. Come on, pop up into bed and get yourself comfy.”
He pulled the duvet back and she crawled into the queen-sized bed, settling herself down into the nest of blankets and pillows.
He picked up the novel they’d been reading, a twenty-eighth century adventure series that was wildly popular, and clicked on the bedside lamp. The ship dimmed the lights in the rest of the room so that only a gentle glow filled the space. The Doctor’s deep northern voice filled the room as he recounted the adventures of Azron and his friends Nilmore and Larrrethe.
After two chapters, despite clever subplots and a daring maneuver by the heroes, Rose’s eyes began to grow heavy. She struggled to stay awake as the Doctor continued, stopping briefly to lick his finger and turn the page. He was reading the last paragraph of the chapter when Rose let out an enormous yawn.
The Doctor tucked his index finger between the pages of the book and gave her a smile. “Had enough for tonight, haven’t you?”
She nodded wearily. “Think so. Sorry.”
He slipped the black ribbon back in the book, marking the page, and set it down on the night stand. Clicking off the bedside lamp, he stood and bent down, kissing the top of her head. “Good night, Rose. Sleep well.”
“Thanks, Doctor,” she said quietly.
He stepped out of the room and the door latched with a soft click.
Rose’s eyes popped open. She sat up and quietly walked across the floor, snapping on the tiny nightlight. Crossing the room, she pulled her phone out of her purse and checked the battery (though there was no point, now that the Doctor had fixed it, her mobile held a charge indefinitely) and sat it down carefully on her nightstand. She was almost back into bed when the doorknob turned and the Doctor’s familiar form returned.
“Forgot my jacket,” he said, pointing at the chair. “I thought you’d be asleep, Rose. You were almost dozing off when I was reading. Why are you up and out of bed?”
The mattress sank a bit under her weight as she sat down. “I just needed to do something first.”
He picked up his jacket and shrugged it on. “Oh?”
Her face flushed. “I-I…that is, sometimes I like to have a nightlight on.” She braced herself, waiting for him to tease her.
“A night light?” His angular face was confused.
She pointed to the corner.
His face lit up. “That’s what it’s for, then!” he said, sounding genuinely pleased. “I wondered about that earlier and couldn’t figure it out. Do all people use these, Rose? It’s not something I’ve come across.”
The red in her face burned brighter. “Um. Sometimes. Mostly just kids, but…”
“Just a bit of light, then? That’s all it’s for?”
She nodded. “Yeah. ‘S all it’s for.”
Crossing the room, the Doctor settled next to her on the mattress. “Want to tell me why you use it?” He glanced down. “Your phone’s on the nightstand, too.” He paused. “Is something wrong?”
“Just a habit, I guess,” she said quietly.
“Have I done something to make you…” he trailed off.
“Oh, God no. No, it’s not you at all, Doctor.”
He stood up. “C’mon. Back into bed.”
The bed creaked gently as she shifted her weight, lying on her side. The Doctor pulled the blankets up on top of her. He plopped down in the chair next to her bed. “Will you tell me about it?”
“It’s nothing. Just…I told you about Jimmy, didn’t I?”
“The boyfriend you had before Ricky?”
She gave him an annoyed look. “Mickey. You know it’s Mickey, Doctor. And yeah.” She pressed her lips together. “We lived together for a couple months.”
“You and Mickey?”
She shook her head. “No. Jimmy and I.”
He was quiet. “Rose…”
“The flat was small. It wasn’t in a good part of town and I didn’t really like staying there, but we were doing it together, so I didn’t mind as much. He played in a band- they played late some nights. I didn’t know it, but he was selling on the side.”
“Selling what?” he asked.
Her jaw tensed. “Stolen prescription tablets.” She looked up at him. “I didn’t know.”
“What happened?” he asked cautiously
“I was sleeping…or almost asleep. The door was locked but I didn’t put the chain up because Jimmy hadn’t come home yet. Anyway, I was asleep and I heard something in the other room. I thought Jimmy was home, so I walked out to see him and there was a strange man in the apartment. He had broken in, searching for Jimmy’s stash of pills cause he knew he was out playing a gig. I screamed and ran back into the bedroom, but the phone was the whole way in the other room and I didn’t have my mobile so I couldn’t call anyone. I could hear him tearin’ apart the living room and I was afraid he was going to break into the bedroom and hurt me.”
The Doctor leaned forward and put a hand on her arm. “Did he?”
She shook her head. “No. He left, but not before he tore the place apart. I didn’t move until Jimmy came home.”
“What happened?”
“Jimmy was mad. He swore up and down he’d find out who it was and make them pay, but he never did. He changed the locks and told me to keep the phone close. That was the end of it.”
“But it wasn’t for you, was it, Rose?” he asked gently.
She shrugged. “It took awhile to get over it. I know I’m being stupid. It’s just…it’s comforting to have the light on and the phone nearby.”
“Because you’re alone,” he realized.
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“If it gives you the slightest measure of comfort, then please, do it.” He smiled. “I want you to feel safe here. This is your home as much as it is mine.”
Her lower lip trembled and she nodded, her eyes bright. “Thanks,” she whispered.
He stood and sat next to her. “Come here,” he said softly, pulling her close.
Rose leaned into the Doctor’s hug and closed her eyes. After a minute, the Doctor pulled away and patted her pillow. “C’mon, then. You’re tired and you need sleep.” He looked up. “Will you be alright?”
“’M fine,” she said softly.
He reached over to the side table and picked up their adventure book, thumbing through the pages. “Would you mind, though, if I stayed awhile and re-read a bit of this? ‘M not sure I caught it all the first time.”
Her heart melted; he was staying, and only for her sake. “I don’t mind. But Doctor, you don’t-”
“I know.” His blue eyes looked up into hers. “But I’d like to. That okay?”
She smiled. “Yeah.”
Snuggled down into her cozy bed, Rose fell asleep with the gentle glow of the bedside lamp, and the deep Northern tones of the Doctor humming in her ears. She felt safe and warm and drifted off easily.
The Doctor continued, first reading aloud, and finally reading to himself after Rose fell asleep. She would be fine- he knew she would be. She was brave and courageous and determined. But tonight, just this once, she wouldn’t have to be alone. He settled into the chair and thumbed the page of the book, listening to the quiet hum of his ship. No, tonight Rose wouldn’t have to be alone; and neither would he.
Written for @timepetalsprompts, this story was written for the “Ten x Rose - You’re my IT man and I can’t do anything on this stupid computer please help! AU“ prompt. I hope it meets with your satisfaction!
Ten x Rose
Word Count: 2655
Friendship, Getting to know each other
This is no way, shape, or form my office, my job, my boss, my cubemate, or...you know, generally how my day goes. ;) While Rose has only worked her job for a year, I’ve been chained to my desk for 10. lol And much like Jim said to his roommate about Dwight, “Ron” is all too real. Even if his name is made up. lol
Help Desk
The first into her office, Rose Tyler flicked on the lights for the Data Processing Department and tread lightly down the carpeted hallway, passing multiple cubes until she hit her own on the end. The dark blue cubes and the beige walls blended together innocuously, causing her to give them little more than a passing glance. She pulled the old maroon chair out from under her desk and pressed the start button on her computer, letting her purse fall heavily on the desk.
Humming softly to herself, Rose walked down the hallway to the break room where she pulled out the coffee and filters. After flipping a few switches, the percolator started hissing and she sighed in satisfaction. Only ten minutes till coffee time. Of course, tea was lovely, too, but she did have a special place in her heart for a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. She walked back to her desk and sat down- might just as well get started while the coffee was brewing.
The first half hour passed quickly. The rest of the girls filed in one at a time until her entire department was full. She set about entering data from the spreadsheets dropped off to her inbox the night before. The coffee was good, the caffeine was working, and she was ticking off rows rapidly.
Her boss, Jenn, was walking the new IT person around the office. Their last IT employee had been a nightmare. Strictly “by the book” he was a snarky know-it-all that had a smart answer for everything yet rarely fixed any of the machines the first try. Everyone in the office breathed a sigh of relief when he grandly announced he’d been offered a job elsewhere with better pay. Rose only hoped the replacement would be a bit more human.
Jenn finally escorted him over to her department. “John, this is the Data Processing department. These ladies process payments, input new customers, enter data into our system from present customers, etc, etc.”
She heard him hum appreciatively. “Where the meat of the operations happens,” he said softly.
“Exactly,” Jenn chuckled and led him to her cube. “John, this is Rose Tyler. John’s going to be our new IT help person.” She smiled. “Rose processes most of the current data that is brought in throughout the day. She uses a number of our databases, both online and offline, so you might be hearing from her should one of the systems crash…” She paused. “They do tend to do that, don’t they Rose?”
Rose giggled. “Only when I’m ridiculously busy and don’t have time for one of them to go down.” She observed the newcomer- he wasn’t a bad looking bloke- slim and tall with a brown pinstriped suit and spiky hair. She adjusted the hem of her skirt, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious.
He gave her a friendly smile. “Well, perhaps we’ll be getting to know each other quite well then, Miss Tyler.”
“Oh, it’s Rose. And it’s good to meet you.”
“And you, Rose,” he said softly, as Jenn ushered him away.
The day progressed slowly. She went over a few different reports, pulling the information she needed and proceeded to compile it into a new spreadsheet which would then be distributed to all the department heads. Halfway through, she looked at the clock and sighed. It was finally time for lunch.
John sat in the break room alone, eating a plain looking sandwich and flipping through his phone. He glanced up when she walked in and smiled.
“Oh, hello! It’s um…Rose?”
She nodded. “Good job! Considering you must have been introduced to forty people this morning, I’m impressed.”
His smile widened. “Well, I am pretty impressive, come to think of it. Is it your lunch break, too? Care to join me?”
Rose hesitated. She’d planned on going through some personal emails on her break, but his friendly smiled and demeanor convinced her. “Sure,” she said warmly. “Sounds lovely.”
“Tell me…did- did you have problems with the last IT rep? I’ve been given some awfully wary looks. It’s almost like people are afraid to ask me for help. Granted, I’m new and possibly that’s why, but…” he trailed off.
She pulled out her lunch box and sat down beside him. “He was um…”
“A bit of a pill?”
She smiled. “You said it, not me.”
“Not to worry- I’m not like that. Or at least, I hope I’m not.”
“You don’t know how relieved everyone will be to hear it,” she replied thoughtfully. “Honestly, if he wasn’t berating us for not submitting tickets properly to the IT desk, he was belittling our attempts to explain the issues. It-it wasn’t ideal.”
“Well, I hope to change all that,” said John quietly. “Everyone here seems competent enough. I see no reason to berate people if they’re not technically inclined. After all, we’re all good at different things!”
She raised her eyebrows. He certainly seemed better than the last bloke; already he was much kinder and more friendly. “What brought you here, if you don’t mind my asking?”
His brown eyes were sad as he looked away. “Oh…the usual. Ad in the paper,” he said softly.
“Sorry- I wasn’t tryin’ to be nosey. Forgive me.”
He frowned and shook his head. “There’s nothing to forgive, Rose. So, have you been here long? Do you like it?”
She shrugged. “It’s nice enough, I suppose. The people here are great, but the pay is rubbish. My boss is really nice and she trusts us all to do our jobs, so there’s no micro-managing. Been here about a year.”
The lunch hour passed quickly and Rose found herself genuinely liking John. She reluctantly looked at the clock and sighed. “S’pose I ought to get back. I’ve got a spreadsheet that needs finishing up.”
“Well, that certainly sounds like a riveting way to spend your afternoon,” he said with a smile.
“Let’s not forget the payment listing I have to compile, too!” she giggled.
He shook his head. “Rose Tyler, you are a lucky, lucky girl.”
Rolling her eyes, she picked up her rubbish and tossed in the bin. “You don’t have to tell me.”
Her smile lingered as she walked back to her desk and sat down. After wiggling her mouse, to wake up her PC, she spun around.
“So, I just had lunch with the new IT guy,” she said softly.
Julie, her cubemate, perked up. “Is he better than Ron?”
Rose rolled her eyes. “Anyone would be better than Ron. But, yeah. He’s actually really nice. I’ve got hope! Honestly, Jules, I think this one might be good!”
Julie looked past her. “What’s up with your screen?”
She spun around. “Looks like it froze again. It can’t handle my being away,” she joked. “It just needs restarted. It’s been doing this a lot lately.”
“Did you ever ask Ron about it?”
“Yeah, but he kind of brushed it off. Told me to submit a ticket if restarting it didn’t work, but it always works, so I’m not all that worried about it. It’s just weird, though, that it lost that spreadsheet last week. I know I saved it, but it was gone the next day.”
Julie adjusted her glasses. “Maybe the new bloke can help? John?”
Rose shrugged. “It’s his first day. I don’t want to bother him already.” She pushed the start button and held it in, forcing the machine to shut down. After waiting a few seconds, the button was pushed again. Rose waited impatiently, drumming her fingers on her desktop. Forced reboots always took forever.
“Um…” Julie said, hesitating.
She looked up. The screen was blue. “No, no, no, no, no! You need to work! I’ve got so much I have to do this afternoon!”
“Go get John,” her cubemate said sensibly. “I’ll put in an IT ticket for you.”
She smiled at her friend. “Thank you. Wish me luck.”
Julie laughed. “I thought you said he was nice!”
Rose sighed. “I meant for my poor computer.”
Walking quickly, she crossed the office to the lone walled cubicle that made up the IT “department”. She knocked politely and stuck her head in. “Back so soon? Did you forget something?” he inquired.
“Um…I’m having a bit of a problem…”
He grinned. “You’re my very first customer, then! What’s the problem? Locked out of the system?”
She shook her head. “Afraid it’s a bit more serious than that.” She explained the frozen screen, the forced shut down, and the dreaded blue screen.
He crinkled his eyebrows. “Has it been giving you problems for awhile?”
She nodded. “Yes, but if I just did the restart thing it was usually okay. It takes it awhile, but it comes back. Last week it was clicking, but everything was fine. Oh, and it lost one of my spreadsheets last week. I know I saved it, but it was gone in the morning when I came back in.”
“Did you tell the other IT fellow?” he asked.
She nodded. “He told me just to restart it…that it was just an older machine and that’s what happens.”
John shook his head. “That’s ridiculous. It sounds like your hard drive has been starting to fail for awhile now. Let’s go take a look.”
She followed him down the hall. “That’s bad, right?”
“You could say that. I’ll see what I can do.”
Rose let out a big sigh as they rounded the corner.
“Oh dear,” said John, approaching the blue screen.
“Yeah,” she said rather sadly. “Can it be fixed? My spreadsheet is saved, but if you can’t get it back…”
“May I?” he asked, indicating her chair.
“Oh, yes. Anything you can do. Honestly, though. I’ll be very sad if I lose all the material on that spreadsheet.”
He sighed. “I might not be able to retrieve it, Rose. I need to see exactly what’s happening here.”
“Sorry- I know it’s not your fault. It’s just…”
“Frustrating?”
She smiled ruefully and nodded.
John restarted the machine, booting it up in safe mode. “I’m going to run the check disk and see what’s happening,” he explained.
Rose nodded and bit her lip. She glanced over to the window, noting the cloudy skies rather matched her mood at the moment. If she lost the figures she’d spent all morning entering…
“Good news,” he said softly after a few minutes. “Your hard drive has a few bad sectors, but I should be able to repair it. Tomorrow I’ll switch your PC out for a new one.”
“You- you can recover everything and I’m getting a new computer?” she asked. “Really? I’ve been asking for a newer one since…well, since I started.”
He was quiet for a few minutes as the computer hummed loudly. Finally, he turned around. “I fixed the hard drive and you should be able to use it the rest of today, but when you leave, I’ll pull it and give you a new machine first thing. Sound okay?” he asked.
She offered up a genuine smile. “It sounds fantastic. What do you need me to do?”
He smiled. “Don’t need you to do a thing, although I don’t recommend turning this off again. What I’ve done should fix the problem, but I’m not sure how long it will last- could be months, it could go kaput tomorrow. I’ll be back with a jump drive to get everything off of your desktop; that way you’ll still have all of your files.”
“John, thanks!” she said brightly.
He smiled and turned. “Just glad to be of help!”
As he disappeared around the corner, Julie looked up. “You’re right. He’s about a million times better than Ron. I already like him. Plus, he seems to know what he’s doing.”
Rose was finishing up for the day, when John came by with a flash drive. “I’ll back up all your files and documents on this so you’ll have them on the new computer. Is there anything else you need me to save?”
She shook her head. “I’ve got most of my stuff backed up on the W drive that I need for day-to-day things. Did anyone tell you about that?”
John scratched his head. “Is it a shared drive?”
Rose nodded affirmatively. “Yeah, anyone in the office can access it. Intranet?” she asked dubiously.
He grinned. “Very good! Well, I assume so. I haven’t actually seen this fabled drive, but, if it’s a shared drive that everyone in the office has access to, it would make sense.”
She smiled. “Thank you so much for your help. I know that you just started and all, but you really saved the day.”
He straightened his tie. “Of course. That’s what I’m here for! I’m glad I was able to help. I’m afraid I know nothing of the systems you use, other than some are web-based and some are just databases, but give me a bit of time, and I’ll be able to help with those sort of issues, too.”
Rose nodded. “There’s always a learning curve when you’re just starting.” She paused. “At least your first day wasn’t boring.”
“Right you are, Rose.” He pulled the flash drive out of her PC and gave it a little shake. “There we are, all safe and sound; it’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
She smiled. “Wonderful! Do you need anything else, or can I?” she gestured to the door.
“No, no! Absolutely. Go right on ahead, don’t let me hold you up.”
“Thanks again! See you tomorrow, then.”
He nodded. “Until tomorrow.”
“Night Jules!”
Julie smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
Rose picked up her purse and headed for the exit. She walked to the glass door and stopped. A steady rain fell down, the fat drops splattering on the wet pavement outside. Misty gray fog hung in the air and she watched as people bustled by on the sidewalk, wearing raincoats or holding umbrellas. Dressed in a skirt and flats, she couldn’t very well run for it, and she’d forgotten her umbrella. The bus stop she needed was three blocks away.
The inner door opened and Rose whirled around to see who was leaving. “Hello again,” John said, sounding genuinely happy to see her.
She gave him a smile. “’M afraid it’s raining pretty hard out there right now.”
He pulled out an umbrella. “I’ve come prepared.”
“Good thinking,” she smiled. “I’m afraid I’ve forgotten mine.”
He shrugged. “Which direction are you headed?”
She pointed straight ahead. “Bus stop three blocks that way.”
He popped open the black umbrella and stepped outside. “Then let me walk you there.”
“Oh, no! I don’t want to trouble you. I’ll just wait here till it dies down a bit.”
John laughed. “You’ll be spending the night here. It’s supposed to rain all evening.”
Her face fell. “I can’t ask you to-”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering. Come on, Rose. Let the new IT bloke prove he’s a gentleman.” He grinned.
She smiled. “Thanks. I really mean it. Not just for this, but for fixing my computer, and for being so nice at lunch, and…”
“Would it be too forward of me to ask if you’d like to stop on the way to the bus for a cuppa? A chilly, rainy, gray day like this- one needs a bit of tea. It…it keeps the synapses firing properly.”
She coughed. “Where did you hear that?”
John made a face. “Just came up with it. No good?”
“No, no…it’s lovely. Just, you know, unusual.”
“So,” he asked softly, “would you like to?”
Rose bit her lip and smiled. “Have a cuppa together? Sure. Why not?”
He opened the door and stepped outside with the umbrella, holding it out so she could join him. “Right then, Rose,” he smiled. “Next stop, the tea house. Allons-y!”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Allons-y?”
“Of course!” he said, enthusiastically. “It means ‘let’s go’!”
So...I might possibly have gotten a teensy bit carried away with this fic. Forgive me. Written for @timepetalsprompts weekly ficlet, this week’s prompt was: “camping”
Summary: A/U John Smith is spending his summer fixing up a cabin from his childhood. Rose Tyler and Jimmy Smith are spending a month in a caravan park. Who knows what could happen?
Word Count: 5555 (I swear I didn’t do it on purpose.)
Characters: Human Nine, Rose Tyler, Jimmy Stone
Happenstance
John Smith pulled up to the run-down cabin in his old Land Rover, smiling at the sight of the dilapidated building. After spending two hours on the road, he was itching to get out and stretch.
He surveyed the outside- the roof was still holding up, but only just. The garden was a tangled mess of overgrown weeds and grasses, tall stalks blowing gently in the breeze. The porch sagged and the entire place had an abandoned, disused look about it. He grinned. Fixing up the old place would be a summer project he could handle. Far from the hustle and bustle of Manchester, it sat on a mostly unused section of wooded land.
He pulled a key out of his pocket. The rickety porch groaned under his weight and he smiled as the old key slid into the lock. A musty smell of dust, dirt, and closed up air assaulted his nostrils as he walked across the cracked linoleum floor. Within a few moments, he’d pushed the fuses back into the power box and hesitantly turned on a light. The bulb flickered and came on steady, a golden glow filling the dank darkness of the cabin.
The ancient refrigerator, complete with worn cloth cord, started up as soon as he plugged it in, and within a few minutes was blowing ice-cold air, humming away merrily. He opened all the windows, hoping to remove some of the musty smell. John surveyed the scene in front of him; he’d definitely have plenty to keep him busy.
By the end of the day he’d managed to get the well pump running, had swept out and mopped the cracked flooring in the kitchen, and tested the decades-old stove and oven combination. Satisfied it was all in working order, he smiled. The water from the sink faucet was finally starting to run clear, too; all in all, not a bad day’s work.
He set up a cot on the kitchen floor and stretched out, watching the stars from the dusty window. He wondered what the summer held in store.
~OOoOO~
Rose sat on her hands, biting her lip nervously. Her boyfriend Jimmy had asked her to stay part of the summer in a caravan park where his band had been hired to play the weekend dances. She’d jumped at the chance, mostly to spark outrage in her mum. It was hours away from London, way up north, and seemed like a grand adventure. Now she just hoped they’d make it there alive. Jimmy swerved in and out of traffic, muttering under his breath about the trip taking too long. They drove for hours before he finally pulled into the caravan park.
“C’mon, Rosie,” he grinned, leading her to his family’s trailer. “Just you and me in here. It’ll be cosy, right?”
Now that they were safe and Jimmy’s second-hand car was parked, she smiled. It would be cosy…they would be a proper couple, living and spending time together.
Rose nodded, “It’s going to be great.”
Jimmy pushed his suitcase into her arms, causing her to nearly drop it. “Careful, Rose. All my stuff’s in there.” He picked up a two bed pillows and smiled. “Let’s get this put away. Then you can fix us tea.”
She stared after him, slightly annoyed. They’d only been in the caravan park for ten minutes and he was already bossing her about. Her hand tightened around the suitcase handle, but when he glanced back and gave her his patented cheeky grin, she felt the annoyance slip away.
~OOoOO~
His first week had been productive. John sat back in the recliner, surveying his progress. It’d cleaned up rather nicely. True, it still needed work, but was well on its way to becoming a livable little dwelling.
He’d replaced the mattresses on both beds. The tiny bedroom held one queen sized bed and one full sized bed. Although the bed frames were old and a bit rickety, they were still in fair shape. He cleaned them carefully, adding a nail here and there to sturdy them up. In an hour, both were serviceable. The same could not be said for the mattresses. One had a hole near the bottom, which, he found, was home to a family of mice. The other was dirty and sagged badly in the middle. With the old mattresses tossed and the new ones in their place, he finally had a decent bed to sleep in. The cot had been sufficient, but nothing compared to a good night’s sleep in a real bed. John wandered outside, looking over the property.
Twilight was quickly approaching, and with it, a sense of fond remembrance; a stringer of fish, scary tales told in the firelight, and a creaky old porch swing that had been gone so long that two rusted eyebolts were the only proof it ever existed at all. He’d spent much of his childhood here, running about outside, fishing with his father and grandfather, and staying up late playing cards. After his grandfather passed, he’d come up with his father. They reminisced about the good times, had a few beers, and left after only one weekend. Two years ago, his father passed away suddenly from a heart attack. He’d inherited the property, but hadn’t had it in him to come back until now.
In the back of his mind, John thought about the place every now and again, a niggling sense of guilt ever-present. He knew his father wouldn’t approve of the cabin sitting empty. Hell, it could have collapsed for all he’d known. John just paid the taxes on the place, and the occasional bill from the electric company, for keeping the service on. The more he thought about it, the more believed that going up for a few months was the right decision. So, he closed up his small practice for the summer, referred his patients to a friend, and packed a few bags.
He opened a beer and sighed softly, feeling at peace. Coming up to the quiet tranquility of the cabin had been the right thing to do. True, he might be a bit lonely, but he had plenty to keep him busy. Quiet reflection, he mused, also had its own appeal.
~OOoOO~
It was late, but Jimmy wasn’t back yet. Rose decided to sit out the show since she already had a headache. They finished playing at midnight; it was now five minutes after two. She bit her lip and fluffed her pillow, trying to ignore the nervous fluttering of her heart. In truth, he’d been more distant this week. Three days ago a beautiful girl with dark brown hair and amazing legs named Pippa had come to stay at the caravan park. Her green eyes had all the boys tongue-tied, but she seemed to have a thing for Jimmy.
Rose sighed. Jimmy was Jimmy- and she knew him well. He was getting drunk or high, or possibly both with his band mates. She rolled her eyes at worrying over nothing and flipped over, finally permitting herself to drift off.
The next morning he strolled in, smelling of stale cigarettes and beer, telling her he’d stayed at Mike and Dan’s trailer and didn’t want to wake her in the middle of the night. He ate a little breakfast and meandered back out, insinuating he’d be practicing with the guys.
She spent the afternoon trying to fix something different for tea. Since they’d arrived two weeks ago, Rose’s limited cooking skills had ensured a steady diet of tinned food, sandwiches, and beans on toast. After speaking to Bet Larsen, the kind elderly woman in the caravan next to theirs, she’d come back with a bit of minced beef and a packet of instant potatoes, hoping that Jimmy would appreciate an almost-homemade shepherd’s pie. Rose fixed it carefully, following the written instructions provided by Bet. She didn’t have an oven, so it couldn’t bake, but when she was through it looked nice enough.
He hadn’t been back since breakfast. Rose stood outside the trailer and scanned the caravan park for Jimmy’s gray tee-shirt. He was nowhere to be found. Longingly, she looked back at the Shepherd’s pie, hot and steaming on the counter. It had been a long wait since lunch and her stomach was rumbling. Making up her mind, she covered the dish with a bit of aluminum foil and carefully closed the door, ready to find him.
She set off at a good pace, knowing exactly where Jimmy would be. Rose knocked on Dan and Mike’s caravan. Mike answered the door, smelling of weed and stale booze.
“’S happenin’ love?” he asked her.
Rose wrinkled her nose. “Lookin’ for Jimmy,” she smiled. “Just made tea and thought he might like to eat while it was hot.”
“He hasn’t been around all day. We thought he’d been shacked up with you all afternoon,” he said, raising his eyebrows suggestively.
A cold little lump settled in her stomach. “No,” she said softly. “He left this mornin’ sayin’ you were going to be practising. I haven’t seen him for hours. He stayed with you guys last night, right?”
He looked confused. “Uh…well…” he trailed off.
“He wasn’t here?” Her stomach flipped.
“Maybe I just didn’t notice,” he offered up lamely.
Rose put a hand on the side of the caravan to steady herself, and took a deep breath. “’Kay then. Thanks.”
Mike gave her a sad smile.
She turned and left without waiting for him to come up with another excuse. They both knew where he was.
The wind picked up and the skies started to turn gray as Rose walked towards Pippa’s caravan. She didn’t even need to open the door. Through the screened window she could see and hear all she needed to know. Pippa’s long legs were wrapped around Jimmy and he was slowly pushing himself in and out of her. He whispered something in her ear and she whimpered as he kissed her neck.
Rose stifled back a sob, feeling sick. Jimmy, her Jimmy, was cheating on her... Right here. Right now…right now he was having sex with her. The world started to spin and she gasped for breath. Inside the trailer, Jimmy groaned in pleasure, causing her to close her eyes. She couldn’t compete with a girl like that. After all, she was just a girl from the estates with no A-levels. A chav.
She had to get out. Rose took off running. She climbed the disused path behind the caravan park to the woods on the top of the hill. She ran blindly, wanting to put space between herself and the situation. How could she be so stupid? Why had she agreed to come along? She’d been nothing but a servant to him for the two weeks that they’d been there. She couldn’t call her mum- her mobile barely had reception up here…but even if she could, what would she say? Her mum was the whole way in London, hours away. She had no car or other way of getting home; she was essentially trapped. She kept running, not knowing or caring where she was going. After awhile the burn of her lungs and the pumping of her legs almost seemed therapeutic. It wasn’t until the sun sank low in the sky that she realized her predicament. Rose wasn’t sure where she was- or how to get back.
She turned to see the path where she’d came from and was surprised that there was no path; she’d just been running through the woods. As darkness fell, she found herself tripping over roots and branches that lay low on the floor of the forest. Leaves rustled in the trees and she felt nervous- what were you supposed to do in this sort of situation? Keep walking?
She continued on cautiously, picking her way through the darkening dense wood. The crickets started chirping noisily, and along with the crickets came swarms of hungry mosquitoes. She was defenseless in her shorts and vest top. The noisy insects droned and buzzed around her, sampling her as they saw fit. Frustrated, scared, and emotionally exhausted, she tried running away, hoping she could find relief by fleeing the tiny nuisances. She only made it a few steps before feeling her foot catch on something, followed by a sharp pain in her left ankle. Rose fell to the forest floor, grabbing her leg. She whimpered, overwhelmed by the throbbing sensation. The mosquitoes she’d tried to escape found her easily and resumed their feast. Thirsty, hot, and in pain, Rose began crying earnestly. Would Jimmy even try to find her? Did he know she was missing yet? …or was he still wrapped around Pippa?
~OOoOO~
John listened as an owl hooted in the distance, and smiled to himself. The mosquitoes had been thick the past few nights, but since he’d replaced the window screening, they weren’t an issue anymore. A fan in the corner kept a breeze circulating and he sighed feeling quite content. Sleep would come easy tonight.
He rose early, stumbling out to the little kitchen where he put the kettle on. He surveyed his food supply and frowned. The radio called for fair weather in the morning, but strong storms by the afternoon and evening. Gusty winds and even hail were possible- a rarity in these parts. It was best to make a run to the grocery store. After enjoying a lightly-sweetened mug of tea and a piece of toast, he locked up the cabin and set out for town, a good twenty-five minute drive.
He returned an hour and a half later, armed with a healthy stock of groceries as well as a cooler filled with ice, should the storms knock out power and cause the refrigerator to temporarily fail. The air was thick, heavy, and still. He didn’t like it.
~OOoOO~
It had been a dreadful night. Rose spent half of her time trying to swat away the bugs and the other half dozing on and off. Twice a twig cracked in the darkness and she’d startled awake, certain she was about to be killed by a wolf or some other wild animal. When nothing appeared and the chirp of the crickets returned, she finally relaxed, leaning herself up against a tree. Wearily, she slapped at mosquitoes until exhaustion took over, allowing her to drift into a fitful sleep.
The thin gray light of morning woke her, along with a cacophony of birds. Rose rubbed her eyes and stretched. Her back cracked in protest and she groaned softly. Her mouth was pasty and thick; if only she had a cup of water. She again wondered if anyone was looking for her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car engine turning over- she was sure of it. It was to the left, a good ways off, but that meant people were nearby. She struggled to her feet, trying to keep most of the weight off of her injured ankle that was now swollen and stiff. She tested it gingerly, hissing at the pain, but managed to take a few experimental steps.
Fifteen minutes in, Rose realized this wouldn’t be an easy task. Walking was difficult and painful and she had no idea exactly where she was going or what she’d find when she got there. The caravan park was supposed to be one of the only populated places in the area. What if no one found her? Would she die out here, alone?
She shook her head; this would never do. One step, then another…and another. She encouraged herself, silently cheering with each pace. Little by little Rose headed in the direction of the engine she’d heard. It returned some time later and she groaned. She’d been a bit off- the sound was now coming in a direction more to her west…but still, it was much closer than before. A car door slammed, and she licked her lips. Slowly, steadily, she made her way to the sounds. In fifteen minutes, she could see a clearing. A dilapidated old cabin stood in the clearing, a faded black Land Rover parked next to it. She’d made it.
~OOoOO~
John was unbagging groceries and setting his foodstuffs up on the little shelves when he heard a woman call out. He paused, sure he’d been mistaken, when she called out again.
“Please- please is someone there? Can you help me?”
It was faint, but distinct. He put on his leather jacket and stepped out on the porch, scanning the woods around his cabin.
“Hello?” he called out experimentally. “Is someone there?”
Rose gasped when a man in a black leather jacket stepped out of the run-down cabin. She eyed him warily, feeling very uncertain. She didn’t know this man- what if he was a murderer…or a rapist? She bit her lip; it wasn’t like she could sprint away if he came after her.
He called out again. “Is anybody out there?”
She closed her eyes and said a little prayer. “I-I’m over here,” she said quickly, hoping to God she’d made the right decision.
He walked towards her voice and finally caught a glimpse of the young woman, peeking out cautiously from behind a tree. She looked tired and afraid. Her clothes were rumpled and had smudges of dirt ground into the left side. Mosquito bites covered her arms and legs. She looked miserable.
“C-can I have some water?” she asked softly.
He nodded, incredulous. “How long have you been out here? What happened?”
Rose bit her lip. “I got lost.”
“You spent the night in the woods?”
She nodded her reply.
“C’mon in, then. I’ll get you something to drink. ‘M sure you’re probably hungry, too.” He walked away from her, towards the house.
Rose took two limping steps before he looked back.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, concerned.
“N-no,” she said warily. “’M fine. Leg must’ve fallen asleep.”
Her stance was wrong- her right leg was supporting all of her weight. She had to have injured her ankle. John looked up and saw the trepidation in her eyes- it dawned on him why. She was young, hurt, scared, and alone…and she didn’t know if he would take advantage of that.
“I’m a Doctor,” he said quietly. “I can see you’ve been injured, just by the way you’re standin’. I won’t hurt you, I promise. Name’s John. What’s yours?”
She swallowed thickly. “Rose.”
“Rose. It’s nice to meet you. What brings you up to this part of the country? You’re from London?”
She licked her lips. “Yeah- yes…from London. I’m staying at the caravan park.”
He gave her a surprised look. “The nearest caravan park is at least seven miles from here. You walked all that way?”
She nodded.
He looked up at the sky and back down to Rose. “S’posed to storm this afternoon, you know. Come on. Let’s get you inside.” Cautiously, he walked over to her and picked up her arm, wrapping it around his shoulder. He felt her body tense. “Relax, Rose. Just lean in and use me for support, alright?”
Slowly, carefully, they made the trip back to the cabin.
“Are you really a doctor?” she asked.
“Yes. Have my own practice in Manchester.” He pointed to the ground. “Careful, there’s a hollow right here. Don’t want you turning your other ankle, too.”
She avoided the small obstacle and looked up. He was handsome, she decided, but not in a conventional way. He had high cheekbones and a large nose that somehow worked well together. His ears stuck out a bit too, but also seemed to suit him. Close cropped brown hair framed his face, but his eyes were what she noticed most. They were bright blue, and twinkled when he smiled. A few creases at the corners added rugged character. Somehow, everything melded together perfectly, creating the attractive man who was helping her.
They reached the cabin door and he helped her through to the table, where she collapsed on a kitchen chair. “First things first,” he said, pulling a bottle of water from the tiny refrigerator. “Try to drink it slowly. Just a few sips at a time, okay?”
When the first drop hit her lips, it was all she could do to keep from downing the water in one gulp. She took three big swallows, half emptying the bottle.
“Take a break,” John said, resting his hand on the plastic bottle. “Drinking it too quickly will upset your stomach. You can have as much as you want, Rose. I promise. Just not so fast, alright?”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
“How long were you out there?”
“Since yesterday. Saw somethin’ that upset me and I just started running. I s’pose that sounds stupid, but I was angry and I didn’t know what else to do, so I ran. Ended up realisin’ I was lost when it started to get dark, but by then I didn’t know where I was or where I’d come from. Then the mosquitoes came out.” She rolled her eyes. “I tried runnin’ away from them. Sound mental, I know, but they were just everywhere and I couldn’t get away.” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, it was dark and I tripped and…” she indicated her left ankle.
He slid his chair over till he was across from her. “Okay if I look it over?”
“Yeah,” she said softly.
John bent over and untied her shoe, carefully slipping it off. He removed her sock and cocked an eyebrow. The injury was evident, her ankle not only swollen but also bruised.
“Your ankle turned in when you rolled it?”
Rose nodded. “I stepped down on the outside of my foot, yeah. Heard it pop.” She paused a moment. “It really hurt.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it did. Can you lift it up? I want to make sure it’s not broken before I do anything else.”
She nodded, lifting her leg and lowered her foot to rest on his knee.
John carefully felt around the area. Without an X-ray he couldn’t be sure, but it didn’t appear that she’d broken anything. He gave her a smile. “Well, you’ve given yourself a nice sprain, Rose, but it doesn’t look like anything’s broken. I’d like for you to elevate and ice it for awhile, then I’ll wrap it for you.” He stood up and disappeared into a tiny bathroom, bringing out a first aid kit. He handed her a little packet of paracetamol. “Take these, they’ll help with the swelling and the pain.”
She swallowed them down obediently with another sip of water. The bottle was nearly empty. “Could I…” she trailed off.
“Of course.” He pulled another bottle out and handed it to her. “Slowly, remember?”
Rose nodded.
He pulled out a pink bottle of calamine lotion and a few cotton balls. “This,” he smiled, “will help with all the mosquito bites. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many on one person. If the itching starts botherin’ you too much, I do have some Benadryl. But first, let’s get that ankle taken care of and try to make you more comfortable.”
Soon Rose was sitting on a sofa, her ankle propped up on two pillows. The Doctor walked in with an ice pack and a towel. “Here we are,” he said cheerily, gently setting it down on the injury. He shook the bottle of calamine and picked up a cotton ball. Within a few minutes, the soothing lotion had been applied to all of her mosquito bites.
“Sixty-three,” he said. “If anything else, Rose, you’re thorough. Won’t just settle for one or two bites.” He winked. “What is it they say? Go big or go home?”
She laughed. “Think I’d’ve rather gone home.”
He sobered. “You’ve been missing since yesterday afternoon? They must be looking for you. Is there someone you can ring? Reception isn’t great, but you should be able to make a call.”
Her eyes widened. Jimmy. “Yeah, yeah. Can you get my phone? I left it on the table. I couldn’t get a signal last night.”
John shook his head. “It’s spotty out here, but I can almost always get a signal. If your mobile won’t pick up service, you can use mine to ring someone.”
She checked the phone. Two bars. Hesitantly, she rang Jimmy’s mobile. He answered on the second ring.
“Rose, where are you?” He sounded annoyed. “I didn’t see you last night at all. You didn’t even leave a note.”
Her lips pursed. “I got lost, Jimmy.”
“Lost? What the hell do you mean lost? It’s a caravan park.”
She let out an exasperated sigh. “Lost in the woods, Jimmy, not in the caravan park. I spent the night outside. I hurt my ankle.”
He sighed heavily. “Leave it to you. Can’t you just walk back? I mean, you can’t have gone far. You might want to hurry. S’posed to start storming soon.”
Rose swallowed thickly. “You don’t even care, do you? You don’t care that I was hurt or that I was lost and that I slept in the woods last night…”
“Aw, Rose, that’s not what I-”
“I did find my way to a house,” she interrupted him. “So don’t worry about me…not that you were. I won’t bother you again.” She hung up the phone.
John, who had overheard the entire conversation, cracked his knuckles. Her so-called boyfriend wasn’t even worried about her. Rose going missing seemed more of an inconvenience to him than anything. He saw her blinking rapidly, trying to hold back tears. After everything she’d been through- getting herself lost, injured, spending a night alone in the woods…now this.
He cleared his throat. “Hungry?” he asked. “When did you eat last?”
She shook her head, looking miserable. “Lunch yesterday,” she mumbled. “I don’t feel like eating just now.”
He set a box of tissues beside her, changing tactics. “Why not have a kip? ‘M sure you didn’t sleep much last night. You must be exhausted.”
“Okay,” she said softly, sounded defeated.
He helped her slide down into a sleeping position on the couch, ensuring her ankle was still elevated properly. He removed the ice pack. “We’ll ice it again, later, but it’s been about twenty minutes. I’ll wrap it for you.”
John pulled out an ace bandage and carefully bound up the injured ankle. “Now, you get some beauty sleep. I’ll fix us something to eat once you’re awake again.” He pulled a fleece blanket out from the corner cupboard and covered her. “If you need something, just let me know.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “’M sorry for all the bother.”
He shook his head. “No bother at all, sweetheart. I mean it.”
Rose nodded, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
John smiled and walked into the kitchen, setting the chairs back into place. The faint sniffles and quiet little sobs that carried from the other room broke his heart. Poor girl. She’d already been through such an ordeal and then that bastard boyfriend of hers hadn’t even noticed…or cared.
~OOoOO~
A crash of thunder woke Rose from her nap and she sat up, startled. The sky had turned dark and she called out hesitantly. “John?”
He didn’t answer. Rose sat up and flinched as a bright bolt of lightning flashed through the sky. The cabin was dark and quiet. She stood up cautiously, wincing as her ankle protested the weight. Slowly, using the walls for support, she made her way through the little dwelling. “John?”
The gray clouds swirled above his head and he prayed the worst of the storm would pass to the south. It hadn’t started raining yet, but the power had already cut out and the weather reports the radio had given set him on edge a little. Could this old place stand up to a severe storm with raging winds? A loud clap of thunder made him jump and he turned around. Rose was standing in the doorway, looking nervous and uncertain.
“You shouldn’t be walking on that yet,” he said, concerned.
Rose chewed on her lip. “Looks like its going to get bad.”
He ran his fingers through his close-cropped hair. “Yeah. Power was cut a bit ago. We’ll be okay, though. This place is old, but it’s still sturdy. C’mon.” Moving alongside her, he picked her hand up, putting it across his shoulder. “Just like before, remember? Lean against me.”
She walked towards the kitchen table, but he shook his head. “Let’s go back to the living room. I want you to keep that sprain elevated. How’s it feeling?”
“Okay,” she said hesitantly, as another streak of lightning shot across the sky, followed by a loud boom of thunder.
Once settled, John looked back her direction. “If things get bad- and I mean really bad, we’ll need to get to the bath. It’s going to be the safest spot.” He smiled. “But I don’t expect it to happen. Usually the weather misses this old place; the worst of it, anyway.”
He gave her a quick smile and disappeared into the kitchen, returning moments later with two sandwiches. “No allergies, right?” he asked her.
Rose shook her head.
He smiled. “Good! Tuck in, then. You’ll feel a little better after you’ve eaten, I’m sure.”
Rose stared out the window and watched the dark swirling skies as she nibbled on the sandwich. It was peanut butter, which she wasn’t used to eating, with slices of banana. An odd combination, but it did taste good. Her stomach rumbled and she took another bite. “I’ve never had a sandwich like this,” she said, smiling. “Mum never bought much peanut butter.”
John laughed. “In my second year of uni, I was assigned a random roommate. Turned out, he was from America. These were his specialty; I grew rather fond of them myself.”
He was interrupted by a blinding flash of lightning and a deafening boom of thunder.
Rose dropped her sandwich and nervously dug her fingers into the fabric of the easy chair
“Bit too close,” he said softly, letting out a breath. “I’m surprised it hasn’t started raining yet.”
As if on cue, the wind picked up, blowing with such a force that it shook the windows in the cabin. The glass rattled in the panes as the gust front came barreling through. Another bright flash of lightning zipped across the sky, hitting a tree just off the property. John held his breath as the tree tottered and fell. It groaned and splinted, falling into the garden with a loud crash.
The rain started plinking off the glass windows, slowly at first, but soon it was an out and out deluge. The wind’s ferocity seemed to intensify and John was beginning to seriously worry about their safety when hail started banging off the old tin roof. He swallowed.
“Rose, I think it’d be best if we went into the bath now. I’m sure we’ll be fine, but-”
He was interrupted as a hailstone broke a window in the kitchen, sending bits of glass across the floor.
She let out a little shriek.
“It’s okay- the hail broke it but c’mon…let’s get away from the windows.” He cursed his luck, wishing he’d thought to bring a battery operated radio. Rose was visibly scared, her skin pale and her hands trembling. Truthfully, he didn’t blame her. He helped her into the tiny bathroom and went back into the kitchen for two chairs. At least they could sit while taking refuge. Two wooden chairs were promptly removed from the table and set in the windowless bathroom. He brought a battery operated lantern in and turned it on, filling the space with a warm glow. “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he said softly. “Well both get through this just fine.”
~OOoOO~
The storm raged outside, but Rose and John were tucked away safely in the little cabin. As the hail battered the roof and the lighting and thunder crashed around them, she confessed why she’d run and what she’d seen. He listened without judgment, but finally told her what she already knew- she shouldn’t go back. Not now, or ever. Jimmy made his decision and now she needed to make hers.
She listened as he shared stories of coming to the cabin as a boy. She giggled and smiled at the happy parts, and felt genuine sorrow when he spoke of his granddad’s and then his father’s passing.
The wind died down a little and the rain started to taper off. John opened the door and peered out a window. Another cell was building. Within a few minutes it started all over again, lighting and thunder, rain, wind, and eventually, hail.
Rose closed her eyes, wishing it would be over. He comforted her, reassuring her that they would be alright, that the cabin would hold, and that she would definitely see her mum again. She slipped her small hand into his larger one, leaning against him for support. Without realising it, Rose began easing his loneliness and gave him a sense of belonging.
This was only the first of many storms that they would weather. Outside, the wind howled and the skies rained down their fury, but they could not undo what the universe had done…which was bring John Smith and Rose Marion Tyler together.
Written for the timpetalsprompts ficlet prompt: Springtime/Spring is in the Air
Pairing: Nine x Rose with Donna Noble
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 1640
Read it at AO3
Read it at Teaspoon
Summery: The Doctor tells Rose he is going to take her someplace truly “alien”! However, he and Rose are in for the biggest shock of their lives so far when they end up in 21st century London and are faced with an incensed Donna Noble.
The TARDIS groaned as it landed. The Doctor grinned that beautiful, manic grin of his as he leaned back, arms folded across his chest.
“Well Rose, you wanted to see something completely alien, off with ya then,” he chided her nodding towards the TARDIS doors.
Rose grinned back at him, “You think y’erself so impressive. For all I know there’s some human eating plants right outside those doors,” she accused him, her hands perched on her hips.
The Doctor looked affronted, “ONE TIME an’ I’ll ne’er hear the bloody end of it!” he proclaimed, rolling his eyes at her. “If that’s how you feel Rose Tyler, I can take you some place safe, predictable… BORING,” he threatened as his hands hovered over the TARDIS’ controls.
“Doncha dare!” she exclaimed, shooting him a look, “I’m goin’, I was just puttin’ you on notice is all, ” she informed him with a laugh as she made her way towards the doors of the ship. “Keep in mind, if anything happens to me; it’s you that has to deal with my mother.”
He winced at the very idea, “Don’t remind me,” he moaned before grinning at her again. He joined her in front of the doors, “ready to go?” he asked, a glint of mischief reflected in his soft blue eyes.
“Always,” she responded, not missing that glint in his eyes that caused her stomach to tighten involuntarily. Reaching for his hand, she grinned up at him with her tongue touching teeth smile that made the Doctor’s hearts race just that much faster.
“All righty then, off we go” he called to her, grasping her hand in his and pushing past the TARDIS doors. The twosome burst into the sunshine and were faced with the wild landscape of…
“London?” Rose looked up at him quizzically, “really Doctor? London? 21st century London at that,” she deadpanned, clearly disappointed.
The Doctor looked baffled. Sure, he’d been off a decade or two before, no big deal, but this?! This wasn’t even remotely close to his intended destination or time! He turned and looked at his ship, “What ‘ave you gone and done this time?!” he accused her, the annoyance practically dripping from his words.
Just then, a clearly upset redhead burst onto the scene, nearly slamming into the two of them as she came racing around the corner towards the TARDIS. She came skidding to a halt just in time, shooting them an infuriated look.
“Oi! Beat it!” she shouted at them, “you are blocking my bloody way you two!”
The Doctor noticed she had a key in her outstretched hand.
Rose shot the older ginger a look, “Um, you almost ran into us,” she emphasised, narrowing her whiskey coloured eyes at her.
Not to be outdone, the other woman levelled her gaze at her, “Look here Blondie, I don’t have time to stand here and explain to you all the ways you are only dooming the entire bloody universe by being stubborn and blocking my way to my lovely blue box behind you. So if you could be so kind as to bloody shift it before I have to physically move you myself, I’d appreciate it!” The blue-green eyes of the newcomer were practically spitting fire as she came toe to toe with Rose.
The Doctor finally stepped in, “Where did you get that key?” he asked her, clearly perplexed. Something about this woman was causing the hair on the back of his neck to stand on end. He was fascinated by her, couldn’t look away and he wasn’t sure why.
The woman groaned, “I don’t have time for this, which is actually ironic when I come to think of it,” she chuckled to herself before she groaned again, “look here Big Ears, just get out of my way will ya’? “She stretched her hand out to push past him when the exposed skin of their hands brushed against each other’s.
Suddenly, their eyes were drawn to each other, and neither one found they could look away. Donna’s breath hitched in her chest as she stared into the man’s eyes. Held within those spheres of steel blue, she could see entire galaxies! Entire galaxies, so much pain and loss and all of time and space. Looking deeper, she also could see a hand holding hers and a pair of very familiar chocolate brown eyes… She gasped and stepped back, breathing heavy and placed her hand over her heart.
The moment wasn’t lost on the Doctor either. The instant her hand touched his, the Doctor felt suddenly at peace. He felt rejuvenated. Like he was a child running barefoot through the red grass on Gallifrey. It took him by surprise and he shuddered, staring at the ginger feeling a connection with this total stranger. Her blue-green eyes shown with all of time and space and something more; something no human being should ever possess, but what? He felt drawn to this bawdy, attractive ginger, but in a way that was different, but not any less as intense as what he felt for Rose. It rattled him and he wasn’t a man who rattled easily.
For her part, Rose had stood there in silence watching as the Doctor and this mysterious, previously incensed woman, seemed to have some sort of moment. “Doctor?” she asked quietly as she touched the sleeve of his leather jacket, looking up at him with worry.
The tone of her voice seemed to pull him out from wherever he had gone, “Yes Rose?” he answered, seeking out her hand in a gesture to comfort them both and threading his fingers through hers.
An audible gasp came from the stranger. “OH.MY…. You are… and you. You are…” she suddenly didn’t seem capable of completing a sentence, her eyes wide as her hand shot up to cover her mouth briefly. “You are him, just not MY him,” she said quietly observing the Doctor before turning to Rose and taking her hand from in front of her mouth and resting it on the other’s shoulder, “and you are his Rose!” she gasped.
The Doctor stepped forward, his eyes searching her face, “Who are you?” he probed, “who are you and how do you have a key to my TARDIS?” he queried, indicating the key in her other hand.
Donna had completely forgotten about the TARDIS. “The TARDIS…” she whispered, “this isn’t our TARDIS then,” she managed to eek out shaking her head slightly. She straightened up to her full height and looked the Doctor in the eyes the best she could, “I’m Donna. Donna Noble and you, you are gonna be really glad to know me in a few years Spaceman,” she grinned at him. “However, this,” she said, waving her hands in the air, “isn’t right,” she furrowed her brow. “The Doctor and I,” she looked over at the leather clad Doctor, “I mean, the future Doctor and I, we were looking into some temporal disturbance when we found some of those Weeping Angels!” she told him with a shudder, “I was on my way back to the TARDIS to fetch Jack but instead ran into you lot!” she proclaimed with a flourish of her hands. “But why on Earth, or any other planet for that matter, would you two be here now?!” she questioned him.
The Doctor looked at her again and nodded. He had so many more questions for her, but now that she mentioned the Weeping Angels, everything was falling into place and he dared not give voice to them. He could already feel how their time lines were all in flux as it was. “Weeping Angel, eh?” Things were making more sense now. As much as he didn’t like knowing his future, he couldn’t help but smile, liking the feisty ginger he obviously had chosen to travel with him later on. “Rose and I must have gotten caught up in their shenanigans,” he groaned, knowing he was oversimplifying things. He never did like the Weeping Angels.
He turned and looked down at Rose, “’ave I ever told you about them, Rose?”
Rose simply shook her head, too confused by everything to really know what to say. She looked back at the redhead, Donna. Her name was Donna, she remembered.
“Wait, you said you and the future Doctor… What does that even mean?” she shifted her look between the two of them, expecting an answer.
Donna looked at the Doctor, and he back at her. However, neither one was exactly rushing to answer her.
Finally, the Doctor cleared his throat and brushing his thumb over the back of her hand he began, “Rose, think of me like a flower. After a long winter, instead of dying, spring comes, and I bloom again, fresh and new, the same, but a bit different. I am rejuvenated, better than ever! “he laughed a little, trying to keep the conversation light, “that’s all Donna meant, isn’t that right Donna?”
Donna nodded, “Yea, that’s it exactly,” she said softly, smiling at the two of them. “Now, as touching as all of this is, and really it is,” she insisted with a little roll of her eyes, “Weeping Angels… MY Doctor and an incredibly good looking American in a blue box,” Donna grabbed the leather clad Doctor by one hand and after tucking her TARDIS key in her pocket, Rose Tyler by the other, “COME ON THEN!” she ordered them, “Allons-y!”
“Allen what?” Rose laughed as she tugged them along.
“Allons-y,” the Doctor repeated, letting the phrase roll around on his tongue a bit, “it’s French. I rather like it,” he grinned.
“You bet you do Sunshine! Now come on you two!” Donna asserted with a laugh as they ran towards the area where she had last seen her Doctor and the Weeping Angel that had him cornered.
