Doctor Who fic-Alternates (3/?)
Jul. 29th, 2006 06:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
walkwithheroesTitle: Alternates (3/?)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
walkwithheroes
Rating: PG for language.
Spoilers:Up to “Doomsday”
Word Count: 4, 284
Disclaimer: The Doctor, Rose Tyler, Mickey Smith, Jack Harkness, Jackie and Pete Tyler, Torchwood, etc aren’t owned by me.
Pairings: Ten/Rose, Hints at others.
A/N: Another post-Doomsday fic. The Doctor discovers millions of rips in time. Millions of rips that have caused several alternate time-lines to run into one another, something that could cause the end of all things. The italic bits are ‘spoken’ by two different people, ala Rose’s narration in ‘Doomsday’. Each companion will get a small narration, okay? Note: "Talitha Koumi" is Aramaic for "Girl, arise [as in from the dead]". It is taken from Mark 5: 41. (This will appear in chapter 4) Thanks to my betas.
Summary:Everyone gets to Torchwood. The Doctor and Rose have a reunion.
Title: Alternates (3/?)
Rating: PG for language.
Spoilers:Up to “Doomsday”
Word Count: 4, 284
Disclaimer: The Doctor, Rose Tyler, Mickey Smith, Jack Harkness, Jackie and Pete Tyler, Torchwood, etc aren’t owned by me.
Pairings: Ten/Rose, Hints at others.
A/N: Another post-Doomsday fic. The Doctor discovers millions of rips in time. Millions of rips that have caused several alternate time-lines to run into one another, something that could cause the end of all things. The italic bits are ‘spoken’ by two different people, ala Rose’s narration in ‘Doomsday’. Each companion will get a small narration, okay? Note: "Talitha Koumi" is Aramaic for "Girl, arise [as in from the dead]". It is taken from Mark 5: 41. (This will appear in chapter 4) Thanks to my betas.
Summary:Everyone gets to Torchwood. The Doctor and Rose have a reunion.
I knew a man once. History will never remember him; though that is the way he would have wanted it. The important thing is that I remember him. He was a man with a traveling machine, who could change his face. He was simply called ‘The Doctor’. And one day, with a grin and a wink, he saved the whole of existence.
__________________________________________________________________
Earth, this is where I was born. This is where I died.
Once upon a time, I met a man called the Doctor. A man who laughed in the face of danger; a man who wasn’t a man; a man who took me away in his magic box. He showed me the whole of space and time. I thought it would last forever. But, then came the rips in time, the armies, the Torchwoods, and war on Earth.
This is a story of how the Doctor saved the universe. This is the story of how I died.
__________________________________________________________________
Jackie Tyler sat in Pete’s office, gingerly rocking baby Mary back to sleep. Things were certainly strange today. Not that they weren’t a bit strange every day. There were millions of tiny rips in space. And, there were four TARDIS signals throughout London. Mickey, Rose, Jake had taken teams to see what was going on. Which TARDIS had the real Doctor? It was enough to make Jackie’s head spin.
She looked lovingly down at Mary. “You’ve had a big day, haven’t you?” Jackie kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Your Daddy and Rose think the Doctor’s come back. I hope he has, Rose has missed him so much.”
Jackie was about to stand, when her ears caught the low whirling sound of something very familiar. She watched in a mix of shock and fear as the TARDIS materialized in front of her eyes. Jackie held in her breath as the doors opened. A man that she didn’t know came causally walking out, followed by none other than the Doctor.
The Doctor glanced around the office. “I thought I set it for outside.” He shrugged lightly, before noticing Jackie. “Jackie? Hello!” Jackie could only stare at the Doctor. “Jackie?” The Doctor smiled his cheeky smile, rushed to her and gave Jackie Tyler a small hug. “Now,” he said, releasing the shocked woman.“First things first: where is Rose Tyler?”
“What do you mean? She’s gone looking for you!” Jackie somehow managed to shove the Doctor in the arm. “Pete and the others have been getting TARDIS signals all over London. Three of them at last count.”
The handsome man, who’d come out of the TARDIS before the doctor, raised a questioning eyebrow.“That’s not supposed to happen, is it?”
“No, Jack, it really isn’t.”
__________________________________________________________________
Tess Hartnell was not a happy woman. She sat, slightly cramped, in the back of a truck. The Doctor sat in the seat beside her. He kept trying to peek at himself in the rear-view mirror, his foot tapping in rhythm to a song only he could hear. Meanwhile, the woman called Rose Tyler sat in the front of the truck; she kept glancing back at the Doctor.
Tess didn’t like the looks Rose was throwing in their direction. She looked needy, lost, and just about ready to stand up and scream questions like: ‘Why don’t you remember me, Doctor?!?’ It made Tess want to stand up and scream answers like: ‘He’s said he’s never met you, so he’s never met you! Now, fix our broken TARDIS!’ Of course, that would have been rude.
Tess smiled fondly as she glanced over at the Doctor. His last persona had been very rude. Tess wondered what this one would be like. She already knew that he was quick to annoyance and anger, though he was generally less rude about things. She caught Rose staring again, and Tess moved slightly closer to the Doctor. She hadn’t spent the last four years with the Doctor to lose him to some woman who claimed to know him.
“So, where is this Torchwood?” Tess questioned, hoping to sound relaxed and casual. In reality, she was sacred to death and confused beyond all reason. It didn’t help that the Doctor was currently looking over his outfit in slight disgust; apparently pinstripes weren’t his thing anymore.
“Nearby;” was Rose’s somewhat grunted reply.
Tess’s Doctor absentmindedly fiddled with his coat sleeve. “You know, Tess, I think I want jeans.” He let one hand trail up to his face. “And a shave.”
Both Rose and Tess turned to look at the Doctor, their mouths slightly open, their eyebrows raised in slight confusion. Was he really talking about clothing and a shave at such a such a moment? The Doctor looked over to both women, an unsure expression on his face. “What?” Rose and Tess simply answered by rolling their eyes and sighing heavily. Really.
Everyone was silent for a few moments, before Tess cleared her throat. “Um, one last question. . .…the TARDIS, where is it? Can you people help us make things right? It’s my Dad’s birthday and-”
“That was two questions;” the Doctor cut-in. He gave her a loop-sided smile, showing he was trying to be helpful.
Tess scowled slightly. “Doctor, I was just saying. Aren’t you curious or worried or anything? We’re practically being kidnapped by an agency with a name that sounds like it was taken from a porno.” The Doctor let out a small laugh, but Rose only glared at Tess. “And, if that’s not bad enough, the TARDIS is no longer the TARDIS. Can’t you worry about shaving later? We’ve got real problems here.”
Rose snickered from the front of the truck. Her Doctor would never have been this absent-minded.
Tess’s pretty eyes narrowed at Rose. “I shall slap your wrist, if you keep that up.” Tess turned her attention to the Doctor. “Doctor, are you alright? ‘Cause you’ve been awfully confused since the regeneration.”
He offered her a small smile. “Never better.” The Doctor winked. “Just...taking it all in, Tess.” Tess looked more closely at her traveling companion. “Just...”
“Larkin’ ‘bout?” Tess gave the Doctor a wink. He responded by slipping his hand into hers. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by Rose. “That’s alright, then.”
Rose cleared her throat, as she opened her cell phone and dialed a number. She spoke sharply into the phone. “This is Rose Tyler. My team and I are coming in with one of the Doctors. The TARDIS to follow.”
Tess and her Doctor exchanged a look. She leaned closer to him, and whispered in his ear. “One of the Doctors? You’re the only Doctor, aren’t you?” The Doctor only held her hand tighter.
__________________________________________________________________
“You know, this is totally insane.” Mickey Smith glanced back to see the guy who called himself ‘The Doctor’ staring at him. “You’re treating us like common criminals or dangerous aliens.” The Doctor sat up straighter. “I’m the Doctor. The Doctor.”
Mickey shook his head. “No, you’re not.” He stated firmly, as if that would take care of the whole matter. “You’re a fake. And, as soon as we get you back to Torchwood, we’ll prove it. You’re a fake and so’s your girlfriend.”
“Companion!” Leven Campbell protested. A slight blush rose to her cheeks. “I’m not the Doctor’s girlfriend. I...we...it isn’t like that!!” She nodded to herself. “Mummy and Mr. Jones would never...and the Doctor...and...”
Leven was cut off by the Doctor, who gave her a comforting smile. “It’s alright, Leven.” He glared hard at Mickey. “These people will soon figure out that they’ve got it wrong. I’m the Doctor, no, matter what they want to believe.” He chewed on his lower lip for a moment. “As for my TARDIS, what’ve you done with it?”
Mickey let out a small laugh. “Your TARDIS? You mean the empty police box?”
“EMPTY?” The Doctor leaned forward, grabbing Mickey by the shirt. “What do you mean it’s empty? What have you done to my ship?”
Mickey pulled the so-called ‘Doctor’ off of him. “It was empty. Just a regular ol’ police box.” He smiled smugly, pushing the Doctor back into his seat. “But, I’m guessing you knew that. So, shut up!”
“But, it can’t be empty.” Leven protested quietly. “It can’t be. That’s impossible. A ship just can’t disappear.” She gave her Doctor a look. “Can it?”
“No. Not unless. . .oh, something is very wrong.” Looking darkly at Mickey, the Doctor asked: “What the hell have you idiotic apes been up to? What the hell have you done? You idiots have caused this whole mess, you mark my words!!” He folded his arms over his chest. “Mark my words, Mickey Smith, you people are the cause of everything that’s wrong here.”
Leven shook her head slightly, not fulling understanding the gravity of the situation. “What’s wrong, Doctor? What do you think they’re doing?”
“They’re destroying the universe is what. If, if the TARDIS is really gone, that means something has happened that isn’t supposed to have happened. Clearly, someone has gone and changed a major event, which must not be changed. It would be like answering the classic question about the chicken and the egg. Once that is answered, there’s no more need for the question. Thus, it stops being real. So, if it gets changed, everything that happened afterward changes. Which means, it all stops being real.” The Doctor nodded to himself, seemingly thinking that what he had just said made perfect sense to everyone in the truck.
Truthfully, he was wrong.
__________________________________________________________________
Lily Tyler rolled her pretty eyes upward. This was totally stupid, it really was. Jake, the man who had brought them to Torchwood, was currently standing in front of them. They were in a small room, no doubt used for interrogation. Jake had asked that the Doctor take off his coat, his tie, and give up his sonic screwdriver and psychic paper. The Doctor had protested: the tie was silk and had been a gift from Lily. And, no one was allowed to touch his sonic screwdriver. In the end, Lily had told him: “Just do it, already. We’ll get them back.”
Jake gave Lily the once over. “Now you: jacket off, watch, any weapons. Plus, the engagement ring and wedding band.” Lily scoffed. “Now, come on!”
“I understand wanting the sonic screwdriver, the psychic paper, even the tie and jackets. But, you are not taking my rings.” Lily stuck her chin out. “What could we do with my rings? Play table hockey?”
From beside her, the Doctor snickered. “Come on, let her keep them, yeah? She hasn’t taken them off yet, and she’s been a widow forever.” He shook his head, sighed lightly, and flopped down in a chair. “Oh, and do be careful with my things, lad.”
Lily neatly sat in a chair beside him. She directed her attention to Jake. “You may go now.” She waved a hand, as if dismissing him. “We’ll speak to someone high up, alright?”
Jake, mouth agape, gathered everything up and exited the room, leaving, the so-called ‘Doctor’ and Lily Tyler alone.
A moment pasted.
Then another.
Finally. . .
The Doctor stood up from his chair. He began walking casually up and down the room, just looking at the walls. “You know, I don’t think this is our Earth. No, not at all.”
“If it were, Torchwood would be violating at least three codes of honor by doing this to us. We asked to speak to a leader, not get locked up in a room.” Lily agreed, nodding.
The Doctor stopped in front of a wall. Even though there was no mirror, he began fixing his white dress shirt’s collar. “Now, since this isn’t our version of Torchwood, do you suppose they have the hidden camera somewhere else? Or do you suppose it’s still here?” He glanced back to Lily, who was smiling confidently at him.
The Doctor looked back to the spot on the wall and waved. “Hello. Guess we found you.”
__________________________________________________________________
“Just like yours, Doctor.” Jack held up the sonic screwdriver, looking it over with all the interest of a scientist. “Just like yours.” He picked up the silk tie. “Yellow? Ugh.” Jack let the tie fall from his hands and back onto the table.
Meanwhile, the Doctor and Pete were watching the other so-called 'Doctor' and his companion in the room. The ginger doctor was currently waving at the camera, smiling happily.
“Could it be possible that he’s just a future you, that somehow ended up coming through one of the rips?” Pete asked, eyebrows raised.
“No.” The Doctor shook his head. “No, that’s not me.” He paused in thought for a moment. “The girl, she says her name is Lily Tyler. Tyler. . .as in Pete and Jackie Tyler. As in Rose Tyler.”
Pete shook his head, not wanting to believe that the girl was any relation to him. “Tyler’s a very common last name. Could they have stolen the TARDIS?”
“TARDIS doesn’t just work for any idiot off the street.” Jack reminded Pete, as he came up to look at the computer screen. The ginger Doctor and his companion, Lily, were now sitting calmly in their chairs. They seemed to be whispering to one another, though Jack couldn’t make out what they were saying.
“Attractive duo, though.” Pete and the real Doctor shot Jack a look. “What? They are.”
Pete decided it was best to ignore the strange man, who kept flirting with everyone–including him. “Uh, Mickey’s brought another set in.” He tapped a few keys on his key board, causing another screen to pop up.
It was another room, just like the other one. Small and white, with nothing but a table and three chairs. Mickey had apparently already left the duo. The girl, petite and blond, and apparently scared, sat stiffly in a chair. Her Doctor, a brown haired fellow dressed in a rather unattractive shirt, sat beside her. He was whispering, telling her over and over: “It’ll be alright. It’s going to be fine.”
Jack had to smirk to himself. “Well, that may or may not be you, Doctor. But, one thing’s for sure.” The Doctor and Pete glanced back at Jack, questioning looks on their faces. “Doctors have a thing for blonds.”
The Doctor and Pete’s replies were exasperated groans. The Doctor was about to open his mouth to tell Jack to get serious, when the door to Pete Tyler’s office opened.
Mickey came walking in. “Brought them in, he’s a nutter that thinks. . .…” He trailed off the moment he spotted the Doctor and Jack. “Jumping Jack Flash? Doctor?!”
“Mickey!” A joyous smile crossed the Doctor’s face. “How are you?” He rushed over and gave Mickey a quick hug, made slightly awkward by the fact that Mickey looked as if he had just seen a ghost.
“Hey, Rickey.” Jack gave a slight wave.
“It’s Mickey.” Mickey corrected, momentarily forgetting that the Doctor was there, when he wasn’t supposed to be there. “Whoa. . .so, there’s four different Doctors? Future incarnations?”
“No.” The Doctor answered sharply. “They aren’t me.”
“But...”
The Doctor whirled around to glare at Pete. “They aren’t me!”
Jack swallowed, wanting to be calm and not upset the Doctor any further. “So, who are they and why do they each have a TARDIS that’s now just a police box?”
That was one question no one could answer. There was something going on, no doubt thanks to all those rips in space.
“Rose has returned.” Everyone glanced back to Pete, whose computer screen now revealed another room. The screen showed Rose with another Doctor and another blond girl. Jack held his tongue about Doctors and blonds, because,there was Rose. Mickey’s Rose, Jack’s Rose, the Doctor’s Rose. She was standing in the room, directing the two newcomers, both of whom looked annoyed. Pete turned the sound up.
“Just give them up and I’ll give you the razor.” Rose was saying.
“Is that not a weapon?” The blond girl retorted.
“It’s dull.” Rose replied.
“Then, it won’t shave me well, will it?” The Doctor in the room asked smugly.
Rose groaned, slamming the razor and shaving cream on the table, along with a pile of clothing. She wasn’t being as harsh with these two as she should have been. All four men watching the activities guessed it was because Rose still thought that the Doctor in the room with her was her Doctor, only without his memories of her.
Rose held out a hand. “Now?”
The Doctor shrugged. “Here.” He handed her a couple of things, among which the sonic screwdriver and the physic paper. “I’ll be wanting those back.” Turning his full attention to the other girl in the room, the Doctor in the room smiled flirtatiously. “Tess, I haven’t got a mirror or a changing area...” He trailed off, letting the suggestion hang in the air.
Rose groaned.
“No, you don’t.” Tess responded, in the same tone. The Doctor raised his eyebrows. Rose groaned again, and turned to leave.
Tess seemed to think on it for a moment. “Uh, no.” Tess turned to face the wall. “Let me know when you’re done.”
Pete decided that was a good enough moment to turn that camera off on his computer, less everyone in his office get a free peep show. “Three Doctors, three broken TARDIS machines, three companions...…”
“Blonds.” Jack coughed.
Pete gave him a warning look. “Three companions, rips in space, you here. All connected, I’m sure.”
“Yeah.” Mickey nodded in agreement. “All connected, but,” he cleared his throat. “Uh, what about the Doctor and Rose? I think she’ll be shocked to see him, yeah?”
The Doctor’s face grew grave for a moment. “Maybe she shouldn’t see me at all.”
“What?” Jack and Mickey echoed. Jack scoffed lightly. “Don’t say that. Of course she should see you! You should see her.”
Mickey nodded. “She loves you, Doctor. You know you came here to make sure she’s alright. She’s not alright. Not until she’s with you, again.”
When had Mickey gotten so wise? The Doctor couldn’t argue with that bit of logic. He sighed deeply. “Where’s Rose? Jack and I should say hello.”
__________________________________________________________________
Jackie spotted Rose heading toward Pete’s office, and she and quickly jogged to catch up with her oldest. “Rose!” Her daughter turned around, smiling half-heartily. “Rose, sweetheart, fancy a coffee?”
“Mum, we’re kind of in the middle of something.” Rose said, only a little annoyed that she had been stopped. “I was just going to see Dad. Jake said Mickey was already there, so...” she trailed off, pointing in the direction of Pete’s office.
“But...coffee. You can come with me to the daycare and play with Mary. Mickey and Pete can take care of everything.”
“Mum! We’ve got rips in space, three different men claiming to be the Doctor, and three empty TARDISes.” With that, Rose started again on her march toward Pete’s office.
“Sweetheart!” Jackie rushed after her daughter. “Rose, you shouldn’t. . .…”
Jackie was cut off by the sound of a door opening. Rose stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the man coming out of Pete’s office. Captain Jack Harkness stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Rose. A long moment of silence stretched between them. Then Jack smiled and Rose followed close behind. They rushed into each other’s arms, tears burning in their eyes.
“How. . .…” Rose’s muffed voice trailed off. “I thought I’d never see you again. I thought. . .”…”
Stroking her hair, Jack just enjoyed the feel of Rose for a few moments. No doubt the Doctor was behind, quietly awaiting his turn. “I caught a ride.” Jack gently let go of Rose and held her at arms length. “The rips are making it a lot easier to go between worlds.” He made to head back into Pete’s office. “There’s someone whose been waiting to see you.”
It couldn’t be. A part of her didn’t want to let herself believe it. She slowly peered into the room, only to find the Doctor-her Doctor-standing inside the office. His hands were shoved into his coat pockets, a small smile creeping onto his face. A sob caught in Rose’s throat. “Doctor?” It came out as a quiet whisper. “Is it really you?”
“Yes;” He nodded, his smile growing wider and warmer with every second that passed. “Yes, it’s me. Rose Tyler I. . .” He trailed off, feeling tears stream down his cheeks.
“I thought. . .I’ve missed you.” Rose half laughed, half sobbed.
At that moment, it was just Rose and the Doctor. In their minds, no one else was there, it was just the two of them. Each wanted to say and do so many things, but it was so surreal. Was it real or was Rose dreaming? Was it real or was the Doctor having another daydream?
Slowly, the Doctor walked over to her and gingerly placed a hand on her cheek. “Hello, my Rose.”
With his free hand, he took one of her hands into his. The two glanced briefly down to their joined hands and then looked back up at one another. The Doctor gazed into Rose’s eyes, and then gently, just has he had years before on the satellite, the Doctor leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
From the other side of the room, Mickey and Jack exchanged a smile. “It’s about time, wouldn’t you say, Rickey?”
“It’s Mickey!”
The Doctor and Rose pulled away from one another, both smiling a bit shyly. The Doctor cleared his throat, turning serious. “Now, about these other so-called Doctors and the rips.” With the hand that wasn’t holding Rose’s, he took out his glasses and put them on. “I think it’s time to get to work. Let’s save the universe!!”
Mickey threw his fist into the air. Jack smiled widely. “Team TARDIS is back in action.”
Pete cleared his throat. “First task, speaking to the men that claim to be the Doctor, along with their companions. Mickey, you’ll take the set you brought in. I’ll take the two that say they’ll only speak to a higher up. Captain Jack, would you take the set Rose brought in?”
“What about me?” Rose questioned.
Jackie, who had been standing in the hall, spoke up. “You and the Doctor take a few minutes to yourselves, sweetheart.” Jackie and Pete locked gazes. It hadn’t been that long ago that they had been re-getting to know one another. “Later, maybe Jake and the science lads could use your help downstairs.”
The Doctor gave Jackie a thankful look. “Good thinking, Jackie.”
Everyone soon filed out of the office, but Jack stayed behind for a moment. “I’m glad we’re a team again. But, I don’t want to come back and find you two shagging on the couch.” He grinned, gave them each a pat on the arm, and then quickly rushed to catch up with the others.
Rose felt a blush rise to her cheeks. “I...you never finished. . .in … Norway.” Her voice was soft, nervous. She didn’t want to push, but it had been nearly eight months since that day. At least for her. She hadn’t even thought about how long it could have been for the Doctor.
The Doctor half-laughed, half-smiled at her, much as he had that day on the beach. “Well, if I finally get a chance to say it. . .… Rose Tyler. . .,I…I love you.” And just like that, it was said. He kissed her again, this time with a bit more passion. They both pulled away a moment later, breathless. “Sorry I kept you waiting.”
Rose grinned from ear to ear. “It was worth it, Doctor.”
He nodded. “Quite right.” Tightening his hold on her hand, he started them into the hallway. “Now, to take a look at all the TARDISes that aren’t TARDISes. Time to prove the fakes ones from the real ones.”
Author:
walkwithheroesRating: PG for language.
Spoilers:Up to “Doomsday”
Word Count: 4, 284
Disclaimer: The Doctor, Rose Tyler, Mickey Smith, Jack Harkness, Jackie and Pete Tyler, Torchwood, etc aren’t owned by me.
Pairings: Ten/Rose, Hints at others.
A/N: Another post-Doomsday fic. The Doctor discovers millions of rips in time. Millions of rips that have caused several alternate time-lines to run into one another, something that could cause the end of all things. The italic bits are ‘spoken’ by two different people, ala Rose’s narration in ‘Doomsday’. Each companion will get a small narration, okay? Note: "Talitha Koumi" is Aramaic for "Girl, arise [as in from the dead]". It is taken from Mark 5: 41. (This will appear in chapter 4) Thanks to my betas.
Summary:Everyone gets to Torchwood. The Doctor and Rose have a reunion.
Title: Alternates (3/?)
Rating: PG for language.
Spoilers:Up to “Doomsday”
Word Count: 4, 284
Disclaimer: The Doctor, Rose Tyler, Mickey Smith, Jack Harkness, Jackie and Pete Tyler, Torchwood, etc aren’t owned by me.
Pairings: Ten/Rose, Hints at others.
A/N: Another post-Doomsday fic. The Doctor discovers millions of rips in time. Millions of rips that have caused several alternate time-lines to run into one another, something that could cause the end of all things. The italic bits are ‘spoken’ by two different people, ala Rose’s narration in ‘Doomsday’. Each companion will get a small narration, okay? Note: "Talitha Koumi" is Aramaic for "Girl, arise [as in from the dead]". It is taken from Mark 5: 41. (This will appear in chapter 4) Thanks to my betas.
Summary:Everyone gets to Torchwood. The Doctor and Rose have a reunion.
I knew a man once. History will never remember him; though that is the way he would have wanted it. The important thing is that I remember him. He was a man with a traveling machine, who could change his face. He was simply called ‘The Doctor’. And one day, with a grin and a wink, he saved the whole of existence.
__________________________________________________________________
Earth, this is where I was born. This is where I died.
Once upon a time, I met a man called the Doctor. A man who laughed in the face of danger; a man who wasn’t a man; a man who took me away in his magic box. He showed me the whole of space and time. I thought it would last forever. But, then came the rips in time, the armies, the Torchwoods, and war on Earth.
This is a story of how the Doctor saved the universe. This is the story of how I died.
__________________________________________________________________
Jackie Tyler sat in Pete’s office, gingerly rocking baby Mary back to sleep. Things were certainly strange today. Not that they weren’t a bit strange every day. There were millions of tiny rips in space. And, there were four TARDIS signals throughout London. Mickey, Rose, Jake had taken teams to see what was going on. Which TARDIS had the real Doctor? It was enough to make Jackie’s head spin.
She looked lovingly down at Mary. “You’ve had a big day, haven’t you?” Jackie kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Your Daddy and Rose think the Doctor’s come back. I hope he has, Rose has missed him so much.”
Jackie was about to stand, when her ears caught the low whirling sound of something very familiar. She watched in a mix of shock and fear as the TARDIS materialized in front of her eyes. Jackie held in her breath as the doors opened. A man that she didn’t know came causally walking out, followed by none other than the Doctor.
The Doctor glanced around the office. “I thought I set it for outside.” He shrugged lightly, before noticing Jackie. “Jackie? Hello!” Jackie could only stare at the Doctor. “Jackie?” The Doctor smiled his cheeky smile, rushed to her and gave Jackie Tyler a small hug. “Now,” he said, releasing the shocked woman.“First things first: where is Rose Tyler?”
“What do you mean? She’s gone looking for you!” Jackie somehow managed to shove the Doctor in the arm. “Pete and the others have been getting TARDIS signals all over London. Three of them at last count.”
The handsome man, who’d come out of the TARDIS before the doctor, raised a questioning eyebrow.“That’s not supposed to happen, is it?”
“No, Jack, it really isn’t.”
__________________________________________________________________
Tess Hartnell was not a happy woman. She sat, slightly cramped, in the back of a truck. The Doctor sat in the seat beside her. He kept trying to peek at himself in the rear-view mirror, his foot tapping in rhythm to a song only he could hear. Meanwhile, the woman called Rose Tyler sat in the front of the truck; she kept glancing back at the Doctor.
Tess didn’t like the looks Rose was throwing in their direction. She looked needy, lost, and just about ready to stand up and scream questions like: ‘Why don’t you remember me, Doctor?!?’ It made Tess want to stand up and scream answers like: ‘He’s said he’s never met you, so he’s never met you! Now, fix our broken TARDIS!’ Of course, that would have been rude.
Tess smiled fondly as she glanced over at the Doctor. His last persona had been very rude. Tess wondered what this one would be like. She already knew that he was quick to annoyance and anger, though he was generally less rude about things. She caught Rose staring again, and Tess moved slightly closer to the Doctor. She hadn’t spent the last four years with the Doctor to lose him to some woman who claimed to know him.
“So, where is this Torchwood?” Tess questioned, hoping to sound relaxed and casual. In reality, she was sacred to death and confused beyond all reason. It didn’t help that the Doctor was currently looking over his outfit in slight disgust; apparently pinstripes weren’t his thing anymore.
“Nearby;” was Rose’s somewhat grunted reply.
Tess’s Doctor absentmindedly fiddled with his coat sleeve. “You know, Tess, I think I want jeans.” He let one hand trail up to his face. “And a shave.”
Both Rose and Tess turned to look at the Doctor, their mouths slightly open, their eyebrows raised in slight confusion. Was he really talking about clothing and a shave at such a such a moment? The Doctor looked over to both women, an unsure expression on his face. “What?” Rose and Tess simply answered by rolling their eyes and sighing heavily. Really.
Everyone was silent for a few moments, before Tess cleared her throat. “Um, one last question. . .…the TARDIS, where is it? Can you people help us make things right? It’s my Dad’s birthday and-”
“That was two questions;” the Doctor cut-in. He gave her a loop-sided smile, showing he was trying to be helpful.
Tess scowled slightly. “Doctor, I was just saying. Aren’t you curious or worried or anything? We’re practically being kidnapped by an agency with a name that sounds like it was taken from a porno.” The Doctor let out a small laugh, but Rose only glared at Tess. “And, if that’s not bad enough, the TARDIS is no longer the TARDIS. Can’t you worry about shaving later? We’ve got real problems here.”
Rose snickered from the front of the truck. Her Doctor would never have been this absent-minded.
Tess’s pretty eyes narrowed at Rose. “I shall slap your wrist, if you keep that up.” Tess turned her attention to the Doctor. “Doctor, are you alright? ‘Cause you’ve been awfully confused since the regeneration.”
He offered her a small smile. “Never better.” The Doctor winked. “Just...taking it all in, Tess.” Tess looked more closely at her traveling companion. “Just...”
“Larkin’ ‘bout?” Tess gave the Doctor a wink. He responded by slipping his hand into hers. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by Rose. “That’s alright, then.”
Rose cleared her throat, as she opened her cell phone and dialed a number. She spoke sharply into the phone. “This is Rose Tyler. My team and I are coming in with one of the Doctors. The TARDIS to follow.”
Tess and her Doctor exchanged a look. She leaned closer to him, and whispered in his ear. “One of the Doctors? You’re the only Doctor, aren’t you?” The Doctor only held her hand tighter.
__________________________________________________________________
“You know, this is totally insane.” Mickey Smith glanced back to see the guy who called himself ‘The Doctor’ staring at him. “You’re treating us like common criminals or dangerous aliens.” The Doctor sat up straighter. “I’m the Doctor. The Doctor.”
Mickey shook his head. “No, you’re not.” He stated firmly, as if that would take care of the whole matter. “You’re a fake. And, as soon as we get you back to Torchwood, we’ll prove it. You’re a fake and so’s your girlfriend.”
“Companion!” Leven Campbell protested. A slight blush rose to her cheeks. “I’m not the Doctor’s girlfriend. I...we...it isn’t like that!!” She nodded to herself. “Mummy and Mr. Jones would never...and the Doctor...and...”
Leven was cut off by the Doctor, who gave her a comforting smile. “It’s alright, Leven.” He glared hard at Mickey. “These people will soon figure out that they’ve got it wrong. I’m the Doctor, no, matter what they want to believe.” He chewed on his lower lip for a moment. “As for my TARDIS, what’ve you done with it?”
Mickey let out a small laugh. “Your TARDIS? You mean the empty police box?”
“EMPTY?” The Doctor leaned forward, grabbing Mickey by the shirt. “What do you mean it’s empty? What have you done to my ship?”
Mickey pulled the so-called ‘Doctor’ off of him. “It was empty. Just a regular ol’ police box.” He smiled smugly, pushing the Doctor back into his seat. “But, I’m guessing you knew that. So, shut up!”
“But, it can’t be empty.” Leven protested quietly. “It can’t be. That’s impossible. A ship just can’t disappear.” She gave her Doctor a look. “Can it?”
“No. Not unless. . .oh, something is very wrong.” Looking darkly at Mickey, the Doctor asked: “What the hell have you idiotic apes been up to? What the hell have you done? You idiots have caused this whole mess, you mark my words!!” He folded his arms over his chest. “Mark my words, Mickey Smith, you people are the cause of everything that’s wrong here.”
Leven shook her head slightly, not fulling understanding the gravity of the situation. “What’s wrong, Doctor? What do you think they’re doing?”
“They’re destroying the universe is what. If, if the TARDIS is really gone, that means something has happened that isn’t supposed to have happened. Clearly, someone has gone and changed a major event, which must not be changed. It would be like answering the classic question about the chicken and the egg. Once that is answered, there’s no more need for the question. Thus, it stops being real. So, if it gets changed, everything that happened afterward changes. Which means, it all stops being real.” The Doctor nodded to himself, seemingly thinking that what he had just said made perfect sense to everyone in the truck.
Truthfully, he was wrong.
__________________________________________________________________
Lily Tyler rolled her pretty eyes upward. This was totally stupid, it really was. Jake, the man who had brought them to Torchwood, was currently standing in front of them. They were in a small room, no doubt used for interrogation. Jake had asked that the Doctor take off his coat, his tie, and give up his sonic screwdriver and psychic paper. The Doctor had protested: the tie was silk and had been a gift from Lily. And, no one was allowed to touch his sonic screwdriver. In the end, Lily had told him: “Just do it, already. We’ll get them back.”
Jake gave Lily the once over. “Now you: jacket off, watch, any weapons. Plus, the engagement ring and wedding band.” Lily scoffed. “Now, come on!”
“I understand wanting the sonic screwdriver, the psychic paper, even the tie and jackets. But, you are not taking my rings.” Lily stuck her chin out. “What could we do with my rings? Play table hockey?”
From beside her, the Doctor snickered. “Come on, let her keep them, yeah? She hasn’t taken them off yet, and she’s been a widow forever.” He shook his head, sighed lightly, and flopped down in a chair. “Oh, and do be careful with my things, lad.”
Lily neatly sat in a chair beside him. She directed her attention to Jake. “You may go now.” She waved a hand, as if dismissing him. “We’ll speak to someone high up, alright?”
Jake, mouth agape, gathered everything up and exited the room, leaving, the so-called ‘Doctor’ and Lily Tyler alone.
A moment pasted.
Then another.
Finally. . .
The Doctor stood up from his chair. He began walking casually up and down the room, just looking at the walls. “You know, I don’t think this is our Earth. No, not at all.”
“If it were, Torchwood would be violating at least three codes of honor by doing this to us. We asked to speak to a leader, not get locked up in a room.” Lily agreed, nodding.
The Doctor stopped in front of a wall. Even though there was no mirror, he began fixing his white dress shirt’s collar. “Now, since this isn’t our version of Torchwood, do you suppose they have the hidden camera somewhere else? Or do you suppose it’s still here?” He glanced back to Lily, who was smiling confidently at him.
The Doctor looked back to the spot on the wall and waved. “Hello. Guess we found you.”
__________________________________________________________________
“Just like yours, Doctor.” Jack held up the sonic screwdriver, looking it over with all the interest of a scientist. “Just like yours.” He picked up the silk tie. “Yellow? Ugh.” Jack let the tie fall from his hands and back onto the table.
Meanwhile, the Doctor and Pete were watching the other so-called 'Doctor' and his companion in the room. The ginger doctor was currently waving at the camera, smiling happily.
“Could it be possible that he’s just a future you, that somehow ended up coming through one of the rips?” Pete asked, eyebrows raised.
“No.” The Doctor shook his head. “No, that’s not me.” He paused in thought for a moment. “The girl, she says her name is Lily Tyler. Tyler. . .as in Pete and Jackie Tyler. As in Rose Tyler.”
Pete shook his head, not wanting to believe that the girl was any relation to him. “Tyler’s a very common last name. Could they have stolen the TARDIS?”
“TARDIS doesn’t just work for any idiot off the street.” Jack reminded Pete, as he came up to look at the computer screen. The ginger Doctor and his companion, Lily, were now sitting calmly in their chairs. They seemed to be whispering to one another, though Jack couldn’t make out what they were saying.
“Attractive duo, though.” Pete and the real Doctor shot Jack a look. “What? They are.”
Pete decided it was best to ignore the strange man, who kept flirting with everyone–including him. “Uh, Mickey’s brought another set in.” He tapped a few keys on his key board, causing another screen to pop up.
It was another room, just like the other one. Small and white, with nothing but a table and three chairs. Mickey had apparently already left the duo. The girl, petite and blond, and apparently scared, sat stiffly in a chair. Her Doctor, a brown haired fellow dressed in a rather unattractive shirt, sat beside her. He was whispering, telling her over and over: “It’ll be alright. It’s going to be fine.”
Jack had to smirk to himself. “Well, that may or may not be you, Doctor. But, one thing’s for sure.” The Doctor and Pete glanced back at Jack, questioning looks on their faces. “Doctors have a thing for blonds.”
The Doctor and Pete’s replies were exasperated groans. The Doctor was about to open his mouth to tell Jack to get serious, when the door to Pete Tyler’s office opened.
Mickey came walking in. “Brought them in, he’s a nutter that thinks. . .…” He trailed off the moment he spotted the Doctor and Jack. “Jumping Jack Flash? Doctor?!”
“Mickey!” A joyous smile crossed the Doctor’s face. “How are you?” He rushed over and gave Mickey a quick hug, made slightly awkward by the fact that Mickey looked as if he had just seen a ghost.
“Hey, Rickey.” Jack gave a slight wave.
“It’s Mickey.” Mickey corrected, momentarily forgetting that the Doctor was there, when he wasn’t supposed to be there. “Whoa. . .so, there’s four different Doctors? Future incarnations?”
“No.” The Doctor answered sharply. “They aren’t me.”
“But...”
The Doctor whirled around to glare at Pete. “They aren’t me!”
Jack swallowed, wanting to be calm and not upset the Doctor any further. “So, who are they and why do they each have a TARDIS that’s now just a police box?”
That was one question no one could answer. There was something going on, no doubt thanks to all those rips in space.
“Rose has returned.” Everyone glanced back to Pete, whose computer screen now revealed another room. The screen showed Rose with another Doctor and another blond girl. Jack held his tongue about Doctors and blonds, because,there was Rose. Mickey’s Rose, Jack’s Rose, the Doctor’s Rose. She was standing in the room, directing the two newcomers, both of whom looked annoyed. Pete turned the sound up.
“Just give them up and I’ll give you the razor.” Rose was saying.
“Is that not a weapon?” The blond girl retorted.
“It’s dull.” Rose replied.
“Then, it won’t shave me well, will it?” The Doctor in the room asked smugly.
Rose groaned, slamming the razor and shaving cream on the table, along with a pile of clothing. She wasn’t being as harsh with these two as she should have been. All four men watching the activities guessed it was because Rose still thought that the Doctor in the room with her was her Doctor, only without his memories of her.
Rose held out a hand. “Now?”
The Doctor shrugged. “Here.” He handed her a couple of things, among which the sonic screwdriver and the physic paper. “I’ll be wanting those back.” Turning his full attention to the other girl in the room, the Doctor in the room smiled flirtatiously. “Tess, I haven’t got a mirror or a changing area...” He trailed off, letting the suggestion hang in the air.
Rose groaned.
“No, you don’t.” Tess responded, in the same tone. The Doctor raised his eyebrows. Rose groaned again, and turned to leave.
Tess seemed to think on it for a moment. “Uh, no.” Tess turned to face the wall. “Let me know when you’re done.”
Pete decided that was a good enough moment to turn that camera off on his computer, less everyone in his office get a free peep show. “Three Doctors, three broken TARDIS machines, three companions...…”
“Blonds.” Jack coughed.
Pete gave him a warning look. “Three companions, rips in space, you here. All connected, I’m sure.”
“Yeah.” Mickey nodded in agreement. “All connected, but,” he cleared his throat. “Uh, what about the Doctor and Rose? I think she’ll be shocked to see him, yeah?”
The Doctor’s face grew grave for a moment. “Maybe she shouldn’t see me at all.”
“What?” Jack and Mickey echoed. Jack scoffed lightly. “Don’t say that. Of course she should see you! You should see her.”
Mickey nodded. “She loves you, Doctor. You know you came here to make sure she’s alright. She’s not alright. Not until she’s with you, again.”
When had Mickey gotten so wise? The Doctor couldn’t argue with that bit of logic. He sighed deeply. “Where’s Rose? Jack and I should say hello.”
__________________________________________________________________
Jackie spotted Rose heading toward Pete’s office, and she and quickly jogged to catch up with her oldest. “Rose!” Her daughter turned around, smiling half-heartily. “Rose, sweetheart, fancy a coffee?”
“Mum, we’re kind of in the middle of something.” Rose said, only a little annoyed that she had been stopped. “I was just going to see Dad. Jake said Mickey was already there, so...” she trailed off, pointing in the direction of Pete’s office.
“But...coffee. You can come with me to the daycare and play with Mary. Mickey and Pete can take care of everything.”
“Mum! We’ve got rips in space, three different men claiming to be the Doctor, and three empty TARDISes.” With that, Rose started again on her march toward Pete’s office.
“Sweetheart!” Jackie rushed after her daughter. “Rose, you shouldn’t. . .…”
Jackie was cut off by the sound of a door opening. Rose stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the man coming out of Pete’s office. Captain Jack Harkness stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Rose. A long moment of silence stretched between them. Then Jack smiled and Rose followed close behind. They rushed into each other’s arms, tears burning in their eyes.
“How. . .…” Rose’s muffed voice trailed off. “I thought I’d never see you again. I thought. . .”…”
Stroking her hair, Jack just enjoyed the feel of Rose for a few moments. No doubt the Doctor was behind, quietly awaiting his turn. “I caught a ride.” Jack gently let go of Rose and held her at arms length. “The rips are making it a lot easier to go between worlds.” He made to head back into Pete’s office. “There’s someone whose been waiting to see you.”
It couldn’t be. A part of her didn’t want to let herself believe it. She slowly peered into the room, only to find the Doctor-her Doctor-standing inside the office. His hands were shoved into his coat pockets, a small smile creeping onto his face. A sob caught in Rose’s throat. “Doctor?” It came out as a quiet whisper. “Is it really you?”
“Yes;” He nodded, his smile growing wider and warmer with every second that passed. “Yes, it’s me. Rose Tyler I. . .” He trailed off, feeling tears stream down his cheeks.
“I thought. . .I’ve missed you.” Rose half laughed, half sobbed.
At that moment, it was just Rose and the Doctor. In their minds, no one else was there, it was just the two of them. Each wanted to say and do so many things, but it was so surreal. Was it real or was Rose dreaming? Was it real or was the Doctor having another daydream?
Slowly, the Doctor walked over to her and gingerly placed a hand on her cheek. “Hello, my Rose.”
With his free hand, he took one of her hands into his. The two glanced briefly down to their joined hands and then looked back up at one another. The Doctor gazed into Rose’s eyes, and then gently, just has he had years before on the satellite, the Doctor leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
From the other side of the room, Mickey and Jack exchanged a smile. “It’s about time, wouldn’t you say, Rickey?”
“It’s Mickey!”
The Doctor and Rose pulled away from one another, both smiling a bit shyly. The Doctor cleared his throat, turning serious. “Now, about these other so-called Doctors and the rips.” With the hand that wasn’t holding Rose’s, he took out his glasses and put them on. “I think it’s time to get to work. Let’s save the universe!!”
Mickey threw his fist into the air. Jack smiled widely. “Team TARDIS is back in action.”
Pete cleared his throat. “First task, speaking to the men that claim to be the Doctor, along with their companions. Mickey, you’ll take the set you brought in. I’ll take the two that say they’ll only speak to a higher up. Captain Jack, would you take the set Rose brought in?”
“What about me?” Rose questioned.
Jackie, who had been standing in the hall, spoke up. “You and the Doctor take a few minutes to yourselves, sweetheart.” Jackie and Pete locked gazes. It hadn’t been that long ago that they had been re-getting to know one another. “Later, maybe Jake and the science lads could use your help downstairs.”
The Doctor gave Jackie a thankful look. “Good thinking, Jackie.”
Everyone soon filed out of the office, but Jack stayed behind for a moment. “I’m glad we’re a team again. But, I don’t want to come back and find you two shagging on the couch.” He grinned, gave them each a pat on the arm, and then quickly rushed to catch up with the others.
Rose felt a blush rise to her cheeks. “I...you never finished. . .in … Norway.” Her voice was soft, nervous. She didn’t want to push, but it had been nearly eight months since that day. At least for her. She hadn’t even thought about how long it could have been for the Doctor.
The Doctor half-laughed, half-smiled at her, much as he had that day on the beach. “Well, if I finally get a chance to say it. . .… Rose Tyler. . .,I…I love you.” And just like that, it was said. He kissed her again, this time with a bit more passion. They both pulled away a moment later, breathless. “Sorry I kept you waiting.”
Rose grinned from ear to ear. “It was worth it, Doctor.”
He nodded. “Quite right.” Tightening his hold on her hand, he started them into the hallway. “Now, to take a look at all the TARDISes that aren’t TARDISes. Time to prove the fakes ones from the real ones.”
