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And Then The TARDIS Fell Into Pete’s World. Chapter 7. (Last chapter!)
Sorry I've been so absent, but this week's been half term. However, I have managed to finish this! (I do love finishing things.) For the WIP-averse (or those catching up) the whole fic is here. As always, many thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kathyh for the look-through.
Title: And Then The TARDIS Fell Into Pete’s World.
Rating: PG
Characters: TenToo, Rose, Eleven, Amy, Rory, River.
Genre: AU crack!fic. (/character-study.)
Spoilers: ALL OF S5 OMG!!!!
Setting: Post-The Big Bang.
Summary: The TARDIS falls into Pete’s World. Stuff happens. (I don’t know yet. It’s a thing in progress. Respect the thing. It progressed into lots of character-stuff. I hope you don't mind. Also, I explore a fair few of the issues dealt with in 'Death of the Doctor' - couldn't be helped I'm afraid. No spoilers though.)
Wordcount: A little over 3000 words.
Feedback: I would love to know your thoughts! (Or just a stray line, anything'd make me happy.)
Chapter 7
For a moment they stood in silence, then River tilted her head, looking Rose over, a strange smile on her face - the sort of smile you shared with someone who was in on your joke. Rose didn't feel she was in on anything.
“It's funny…” River began, clearly choosing her words with care. “The Doctor once asked me what I'd tell you, if we ever met. Obviously thought he was just joking. But… even so, I did think about it now and again - just in case he wasn't. The thing is that now you're actually here I can't remember any of the clever things I was going to say. Probably for the best, though.”
Rose nodded, since that seemed the most logical thing to do, and River sighed.
“Really, I suppose it can all be summed up in two words: Thank you.”
Whatever Rose had been expecting, this hadn't been it.
“What for?” she asked, mystified, and River smiled gently.
“For saving him, of course. For being there, and just being you, when he needed you. Without you, goodness knows where he'd be. Dead, probably. Which would mean that I never-”
She shook her head and took a deep breath, obviously trying to calm her emotions.
“I think what I wanted to say is… He has travelled with so many people, but there are very few like you and me. Because choosing him every time comes with a price that most people balk at - and rightly so, probably. And yet, I'm sure you wouldn't change a thing. Am I right?”
Suddenly, Rose understood River's smile. (I made my choice a long time ago…)
“Oh yeah, you're right,” she said, an answering smile spreading on her own face. She'd barely had time to meet any of the Doctor's other Companions when they'd fought Davros, and her Doctor had later explained that they all had lives of their own anyway. Now and again she'd wondered how they walked away - her choice had always been 'forever'…
River looked around, then sat down on the sofa, patting it.
“Come sit down, let's have a proper talk.”
“But… Didn't you say your window was closing?”
River chuckled. “I… exaggerated a bit. There's a good half hour until we need to leave.”
At the look on Rose's face she laughed. “Oh come on - don't tell me you never stretch the truth a little when you need to manage him?”
Rose bit her lip, trying to curb a grin, and sat down as instructed.
“Now,” River said, “tell me all about that time you destroyed the Daleks.”
***
Back on Bad Wolf beach. Again. Studying the pale sand on the huge new circular screen, Rose didn't think there was a single place in any universe that she hated more, and half-wished they'd said their goodbyes along with her mother and Tony back at the mansion. The New Doctor however made straight for the door.
“You know, I've never had a proper look around. Tyler, would you mind joining me? After all, it is named after you!”
She was used to people using her surname at work, but it still took Rose a few seconds to realise that he meant her. Then the New Doctor stopped still in his tracks, holding up his index finger, looking from Rose to her Doctor.
“I just realised that you both, independently, destroyed the Daleks. There's a rather neat symmetry to that, don't you think? Although I really do wish they'd not keep coming back.”
“The Daleks came back? Again?” Rose's Doctor asked incredulously, but the New Doctor had already stepped outside, leaving River to shrug resignedly.
After a second Rose cautiously followed the New Doctor out the door. Considering that she'd have classed 'Knowledge of the Doctor' as one of her top skills, this latest version was a constant surprise.
Once outside, she swiftly caught up with the New Doctor who'd started slowly walking, taking in the landscape. When she was level with him he turned and looked at her, eyes brimming with something she didn't understand (surely he wasn't still thinking about Daleks?), a smile lurking in the corner of his mouth.
“We have a secret, you and I. Just the two us. No one else in the whole universe knows. Not even him.”
He nodded back towards the TARDIS which contained Rose's Doctor, and she smiled nervously.
“We do?”
It wasn't that she didn't believe him, it just seemed… odd. “How? I mean, what is it?”
Was she supposed to know? And how could it be something that her own Doctor didn't know? The New Doctor studied her carefully.
“Do you remember New Year's Eve, 2005? You were walking home with your mum, and after she'd left, a random drunk talked to you.”
Rose's brow creased as she cast her mind back, but it was all a bit hazy.
“Yeah, I think so…”
“Here. Let me,” he said, reaching out and laying his fingertips on her temples.
And then she saw.
The memory sprang forth, bright and vivid - and she gasped as the combination of voice and half-shadowed figure hit her.
“Doctor!” she whispered, hands clasped over mouth, as he let his hands fall, watching her, head tilted.
“I was… seconds away from regeneration. But I needed to see you once more. Just once.”
She nodded, shell shocked, hearing 'I bet you're gonna have a really great year' in her mind and trying not to choke.
But the New Doctor smiled.
“Rather poetic, don't you think?”
“Poetic?” she asked, still reeling from the revelation, and having to fight to reconcile the dying man in her memory with the living one in front of her. How could he be so… calm?
“Well I think it is poetic - you were the first person I saw after I was born, and the last before I died. Unless-“
He frowned.
“Unless you count Ood Sigma, but I don't think I'll do that. Excellent fellow in his own way, but he doesn't exactly have the sort of face you want to have in your mind as you're dying.”
“…Right,” she said, swallowing against the swell of emotions. Oh God he'd been dying... Her Doctor - the real one, not this new one - all alone, just like she'd feared… And now he just stood there, talking as if it was just some quaint old memory, as if-
She could feel some kind of wall come tumbling down inside, feelings and accusations that she'd never been able to throw at her own Doctor because it wasn't him who'd- And it wasn't fair to do this now, when he'd just shared a precious memory, but when would she ever get the chance again?
“Doctor?” she said, trying to steel her voice. “Can I ask something?”
“Of course,” he answered, amiable and friendly, and she swallowed.
“Do you remember when we met Sarah Jane?”
He nodded, all encouragement.
“I asked you then if- if you'd ever leave me behind, like you had her, and you said no, not me. But today… Today is going to be the third time you do it.”
“But… aren't you happy here?”
He was studying her with a frown, and she threw her hands up in frustration.
“That's not the point! You promised! You said that I was different, that you wouldn't do that to me, but-“
She turned away, trying to control the angry tears in her eyes.
“Oh Rose,” he whispered, lightly touching her chin and turning her face towards him.
“I lied. I'm sorry. If it's any kind of consolation, I was lying to myself too. After everything I… I wanted to believe in forever, just once. And well… you did get a Doctor of your own in the end. One who can keep the promises I always break.”
“I suppose there is that,” she admitted. “But… he's not you. Well he is, but he isn't. Not now. And I-”
The gentlest of smiles touched his mouth, and he brought up both hands, cradling her face.
“Rose, Rose, Rose. I've told you this before, but I think this time you might actually listen: If you want to remember me, then you can do one thing. That's all. One thing. Have a good life. Do that for me, Rose. Have a fantastic life.”
He watched her, so close she could have leaned in and kissed him if she wanted - and maybe it was the fact that his eyes were grey, again, or maybe it was the fact that the words brought back that first, real, goodbye (he'd been just a projection, sending her away to save her…), but she suddenly found the tears she'd held back earlier taking over, her whole body shaking as she sobbed like she had the first time she stood in Bad Wolf Bay. (She hated this beach.)
Despite everything - the stupid new face, the odd clothes and the strange companions - he was still her Doctor, somehow. Her Doctor that she'd been willing to sacrifice everything for, repeatedly, because all she wanted was him.
He pulled her into his arms as she cried, softly stroking her hair and making little shushing noises, much like her mother used to when she was little, and when she'd calmed down, brought out a huge handkerchief.
“Oh dear. Better clean you up a little or I fear I shall get into trouble with your husband."
"Thanks," she said, blowing her nose and oddly enough not feeling stupid at all. Then he took her hand - and it was different, and yet OK, and they walked back to the TARDIS. As they got closer the door opened and Rose's Doctor stepped out, for a second faltering a little as he noticed their entwined hands, but the New Doctor laughed and propelled her forwards, letting her go.
Gratefully clasping her own Doctor's hand, she saw that he still looked a bit… tense.
“I've been talking to River,” he said, watching the New Doctor.
“Or rather, she's been talking to me. She… seems to like teasing… us.”
The New Doctor chuckled.
“She does rather, yes. Although she's got reason to be cheerful - this is her first trip since she was released from Stormcage.”
Rose's Doctor stared.
“Stormcage? Why on earth was she in Stormcage?”
The New Doctor studied him levelly.
“She killed a man.”
“She what?”
Shell shocked would be too kind a word for the look on her Doctor's face, and Rose shot the New Doctor a stern look. It wasn't nice to tease. She'd just got her head around River being someone she could understand…
But the New Doctor completely ignored her scolding look, and instead smiled, studying her Doctor, something dancing in his eyes.
“A good man,” he continued. “The best man she has ever known.”
“No… No,” Rose's Doctor slowly shook his head, before he turned and looked at the closed door to the TARDIS, as if River would magically appear.
“But how? Why? That's…”
He looked the New Doctor over, disbelieving, from floppy hair over the bowtie and hands crammed into trouser pockets down to sturdy black boots, and back up again. The New Doctor was still smiling.
“No idea. But it makes for an interesting future, don't you think?”
For a second Rose's Doctor watched him in silence, then shook his head firmly.
“No.”
“Excellent!” the New Doctor replied, happily, slapping Rose's Doctor's arm. “Knew that Donna-ness would be good for something. No point to your life if you're pining after mine!”
The TARDIS door opened, and Amy's head appeared.
“Sorry to interrupt the mutual admiration, but River says that we've got to go - unless you want to stay here for good and have some kind of threesome. Which she won't blame you for, she just wants to know.”
The New Doctor blinked.
“Oh no. No no no. What a thought.” He turned to Rose. “Um... no offence.”
Shooting Amy a look, he held up a finger.
“Just one more minute.”
“Okey-dokey!” she said, and disappeared again.
The New Doctor looked at them both. “There were so many more things I was going to tell you, but nevermind. However, I do want you to have this.”
He stepped up to Rose's Doctor and rested their foreheads together for a moment, fingertips to temples, eyes closed.
Something like a sob escaped Rose's Doctor, and the New Doctor's eyes opened, a smile on his face, as Rose's Doctor abruptly grabbed hold of him, hugging him tightly.
“Thank you,” he whispered, and the New Doctor patted his back.
“Thought you'd like to know.”
Rose's Doctor nodded, face buried in his other self's shoulder. After another second he slowly let go, aiming for a smile but not quite succeeding.
“Good luck with it all.”
“Thank you,” the New Doctor said, “and likewise.”
He spun round, and then opened the TARDIS door, before stopping in the doorway and turning to look at them. For a second it looked as if he was going to say something, but he only winked - like they were all in on some brilliant secret - and then the door closed.
Rose grasped her Doctor's hand as the wheezing engines started up again, before the most wonderful blue box in the world disappeared. The wind blew her hair in her face like always, and she tried her best not to cry again.
“What did he show you?” she asked after a moment, and her Doctor swallowed.
“Memories. Stories. All those who used to be mine, their wonderful lives, people that were lost, that he saw again…” His voice trailed off, clearly too moved to continue.
Then the realisation hit that they were once more stranded on a Norwegian beach with no way of getting home. (Stupid, stupid one-way teleport!) Rose was just about to complain about this when she noticed something in the sand where the TARDIS had stood.
“Look!”
She stepped forward, realising that it was a small gift box and a letter addressed to the two of them.
Picking up the box, she gave the letter to the Doctor, and he studied the red writing with a frown, before tearing open the envelope and reading the message inside out loud.
“Remember to treat her with great care. And behave yourselves.
The Doctor”
Rose frowned.
“That's a bit… patronising, isn't it?”
But her Doctor wasn't listening. Something wild and joyful suddenly lit up in his eyes as he stared at the box.
“Open it,” he whispered.
“As you wish,” she said, removing the silk ribbon and lifting off the lid.
Inside was a small golden-glowing… something. Gently picking it up she thought that it felt strangely new, yet familiar, in the same way the New Doctor's hand had.
“What is it?” she asked, confused, as the look on her Doctor's face suggested that he might just be on the verge of exploding.
“It's a TARDIS,” he said, and even though she didn't understand yet, she eagerly responded to his rapturous kiss.
***
“And they lived happily ever after,” the Doctor said contentedly, as the TARDIS shuddered and the couple on the beach vanished from the screen.
There was something about his tone of voice - a strange surety - that made Rory take notice.
“And how do you know that?” he asked warily.
River chuckled.
“Oh you had a little sneak-peek, didn't you Sweetie?”
The Doctor didn't answer, just smiled knowingly and turned a dial.
“Hang on,” Amy said. “Did we just leave them stranded on a beach in Norway? How are they going to get home?”
The look on the Doctor's face showed that this problem had clearly never occurred to him.
“Well they've managed well enough in the past,” he said, a little defensively, and Amy shook her head.
“Well, it's good to know that you leave yourself behind too.”
“Good point,” River chimed in. “There's poetic justice in there somewhere.”
Amy's eyes narrowed, and Rory prepared himself for whatever was coming next. He knew that look far too well.
“Say River,” Amy began, “what do you think about stealing the TARDIS and leaving him behind for once?”
“It has… possibilities…” River said slowly, as the Doctor began wagging his finger at them.
“Now that's… quite enough of that. You know, Rose never… ganged up on me!”
“That's not what Sarah Jane says,” River sing-songed, and the Doctor sighed deeply, and turned to Rory.
“Rory. Would you be so kind as to be the voice of sanity in this madhouse? Where would you like to go, now we're back in our own universe?”
Feeling somewhat self-conscious, Rory nonetheless did have a wish.
“Um... Rose mentioned this Glass Pyramid? I can't remember exactly...”
“The Glass Pyramid of San Kloon! Excellent choice, Rory. Hold on everybody - here we go!”
Not much later they were walking down the streets of an alien planet, and Rory tried not to be too overwhelmed at the ease with which these things happened. He should be used to it by now.
River was busy explaining the history of everything around them, and it took a while before Rory realised that the Doctor had fallen behind. Letting Amy and River continue - arm in arm and laughing over something Rory hadn't heard - he slowed his steps until he was level with the Doctor.
He was worried that maybe this hadn't been a good idea after all - surely the Doctor had to have a lot of memories from his previous visit… and yet he had agreed so readily that it seemed foolish to question his decision.
Still - it had to be incredibly hard seeing a woman you loved married to a copy of yourself. Rory tried to think of what would have happened if plastic-him and real-him had ever co-existed, and Amy would have had to choose… It made for a very painful image, although one that helped him understand some things better. But he wanted to be sure.
“Doctor?” he started cautiously, and the Doctor turned to him, shaken out of whatever thoughts he'd been lost in.
“Yes Rory?”
“I was wondering, if you don't mind me asking, but… If Rose and the other Doctor hadn't showed up on the beach… would you have gone to see them?”
There was a long silence - so long that Rory began to feel distinctly uncomfortable - before the Doctor finally answered.
“No.”
Rory slowly nodded, his hunch confirmed.
“So… when Amy and I leave we won't see you again… Unless you drop by accidentally?”
The Doctor stopped, his hands looking as if they were popping invisible bubble wrap, and eyes studying Rory with great seriousness and sadness.
“No. Looking back is… too difficult. Sorry.”
Rory nodded again.
“I understand. I… thought that might be the case. And don't worry about it - I'm sure we'll be fine.”
“Thank you Rory.”
Then a sudden bright smile lit up the Doctor's features, like sunshine on a cloudy day, and he reached out and patted Rory's arm.
“I really truly hope you'll be as fine as can be. Especially-”
Whatever else he was going to say was lost as Amy shouted at them, telling them to 'Come on! Look what we've found!' and they had to run to catch up with the girls, whose discovery - not surprisingly - led to yet another adventure.
But that is a story for another day.
The End
kathyh for the look-through.Title: And Then The TARDIS Fell Into Pete’s World.
Rating: PG
Characters: TenToo, Rose, Eleven, Amy, Rory, River.
Genre: AU crack!fic. (/character-study.)
Spoilers: ALL OF S5 OMG!!!!
Setting: Post-The Big Bang.
Summary: The TARDIS falls into Pete’s World. Stuff happens. (
Wordcount: A little over 3000 words.
Feedback: I would love to know your thoughts! (Or just a stray line, anything'd make me happy.)
For a moment they stood in silence, then River tilted her head, looking Rose over, a strange smile on her face - the sort of smile you shared with someone who was in on your joke. Rose didn't feel she was in on anything.
“It's funny…” River began, clearly choosing her words with care. “The Doctor once asked me what I'd tell you, if we ever met. Obviously thought he was just joking. But… even so, I did think about it now and again - just in case he wasn't. The thing is that now you're actually here I can't remember any of the clever things I was going to say. Probably for the best, though.”
Rose nodded, since that seemed the most logical thing to do, and River sighed.
“Really, I suppose it can all be summed up in two words: Thank you.”
Whatever Rose had been expecting, this hadn't been it.
“What for?” she asked, mystified, and River smiled gently.
“For saving him, of course. For being there, and just being you, when he needed you. Without you, goodness knows where he'd be. Dead, probably. Which would mean that I never-”
She shook her head and took a deep breath, obviously trying to calm her emotions.
“I think what I wanted to say is… He has travelled with so many people, but there are very few like you and me. Because choosing him every time comes with a price that most people balk at - and rightly so, probably. And yet, I'm sure you wouldn't change a thing. Am I right?”
Suddenly, Rose understood River's smile. (I made my choice a long time ago…)
“Oh yeah, you're right,” she said, an answering smile spreading on her own face. She'd barely had time to meet any of the Doctor's other Companions when they'd fought Davros, and her Doctor had later explained that they all had lives of their own anyway. Now and again she'd wondered how they walked away - her choice had always been 'forever'…
River looked around, then sat down on the sofa, patting it.
“Come sit down, let's have a proper talk.”
“But… Didn't you say your window was closing?”
River chuckled. “I… exaggerated a bit. There's a good half hour until we need to leave.”
At the look on Rose's face she laughed. “Oh come on - don't tell me you never stretch the truth a little when you need to manage him?”
Rose bit her lip, trying to curb a grin, and sat down as instructed.
“Now,” River said, “tell me all about that time you destroyed the Daleks.”
Back on Bad Wolf beach. Again. Studying the pale sand on the huge new circular screen, Rose didn't think there was a single place in any universe that she hated more, and half-wished they'd said their goodbyes along with her mother and Tony back at the mansion. The New Doctor however made straight for the door.
“You know, I've never had a proper look around. Tyler, would you mind joining me? After all, it is named after you!”
She was used to people using her surname at work, but it still took Rose a few seconds to realise that he meant her. Then the New Doctor stopped still in his tracks, holding up his index finger, looking from Rose to her Doctor.
“I just realised that you both, independently, destroyed the Daleks. There's a rather neat symmetry to that, don't you think? Although I really do wish they'd not keep coming back.”
“The Daleks came back? Again?” Rose's Doctor asked incredulously, but the New Doctor had already stepped outside, leaving River to shrug resignedly.
After a second Rose cautiously followed the New Doctor out the door. Considering that she'd have classed 'Knowledge of the Doctor' as one of her top skills, this latest version was a constant surprise.
Once outside, she swiftly caught up with the New Doctor who'd started slowly walking, taking in the landscape. When she was level with him he turned and looked at her, eyes brimming with something she didn't understand (surely he wasn't still thinking about Daleks?), a smile lurking in the corner of his mouth.
“We have a secret, you and I. Just the two us. No one else in the whole universe knows. Not even him.”
He nodded back towards the TARDIS which contained Rose's Doctor, and she smiled nervously.
“We do?”
It wasn't that she didn't believe him, it just seemed… odd. “How? I mean, what is it?”
Was she supposed to know? And how could it be something that her own Doctor didn't know? The New Doctor studied her carefully.
“Do you remember New Year's Eve, 2005? You were walking home with your mum, and after she'd left, a random drunk talked to you.”
Rose's brow creased as she cast her mind back, but it was all a bit hazy.
“Yeah, I think so…”
“Here. Let me,” he said, reaching out and laying his fingertips on her temples.
And then she saw.
The memory sprang forth, bright and vivid - and she gasped as the combination of voice and half-shadowed figure hit her.
“Doctor!” she whispered, hands clasped over mouth, as he let his hands fall, watching her, head tilted.
“I was… seconds away from regeneration. But I needed to see you once more. Just once.”
She nodded, shell shocked, hearing 'I bet you're gonna have a really great year' in her mind and trying not to choke.
But the New Doctor smiled.
“Rather poetic, don't you think?”
“Poetic?” she asked, still reeling from the revelation, and having to fight to reconcile the dying man in her memory with the living one in front of her. How could he be so… calm?
“Well I think it is poetic - you were the first person I saw after I was born, and the last before I died. Unless-“
He frowned.
“Unless you count Ood Sigma, but I don't think I'll do that. Excellent fellow in his own way, but he doesn't exactly have the sort of face you want to have in your mind as you're dying.”
“…Right,” she said, swallowing against the swell of emotions. Oh God he'd been dying... Her Doctor - the real one, not this new one - all alone, just like she'd feared… And now he just stood there, talking as if it was just some quaint old memory, as if-
She could feel some kind of wall come tumbling down inside, feelings and accusations that she'd never been able to throw at her own Doctor because it wasn't him who'd- And it wasn't fair to do this now, when he'd just shared a precious memory, but when would she ever get the chance again?
“Doctor?” she said, trying to steel her voice. “Can I ask something?”
“Of course,” he answered, amiable and friendly, and she swallowed.
“Do you remember when we met Sarah Jane?”
He nodded, all encouragement.
“I asked you then if- if you'd ever leave me behind, like you had her, and you said no, not me. But today… Today is going to be the third time you do it.”
“But… aren't you happy here?”
He was studying her with a frown, and she threw her hands up in frustration.
“That's not the point! You promised! You said that I was different, that you wouldn't do that to me, but-“
She turned away, trying to control the angry tears in her eyes.
“Oh Rose,” he whispered, lightly touching her chin and turning her face towards him.
“I lied. I'm sorry. If it's any kind of consolation, I was lying to myself too. After everything I… I wanted to believe in forever, just once. And well… you did get a Doctor of your own in the end. One who can keep the promises I always break.”
“I suppose there is that,” she admitted. “But… he's not you. Well he is, but he isn't. Not now. And I-”
The gentlest of smiles touched his mouth, and he brought up both hands, cradling her face.
“Rose, Rose, Rose. I've told you this before, but I think this time you might actually listen: If you want to remember me, then you can do one thing. That's all. One thing. Have a good life. Do that for me, Rose. Have a fantastic life.”
He watched her, so close she could have leaned in and kissed him if she wanted - and maybe it was the fact that his eyes were grey, again, or maybe it was the fact that the words brought back that first, real, goodbye (he'd been just a projection, sending her away to save her…), but she suddenly found the tears she'd held back earlier taking over, her whole body shaking as she sobbed like she had the first time she stood in Bad Wolf Bay. (She hated this beach.)
Despite everything - the stupid new face, the odd clothes and the strange companions - he was still her Doctor, somehow. Her Doctor that she'd been willing to sacrifice everything for, repeatedly, because all she wanted was him.
He pulled her into his arms as she cried, softly stroking her hair and making little shushing noises, much like her mother used to when she was little, and when she'd calmed down, brought out a huge handkerchief.
“Oh dear. Better clean you up a little or I fear I shall get into trouble with your husband."
"Thanks," she said, blowing her nose and oddly enough not feeling stupid at all. Then he took her hand - and it was different, and yet OK, and they walked back to the TARDIS. As they got closer the door opened and Rose's Doctor stepped out, for a second faltering a little as he noticed their entwined hands, but the New Doctor laughed and propelled her forwards, letting her go.
Gratefully clasping her own Doctor's hand, she saw that he still looked a bit… tense.
“I've been talking to River,” he said, watching the New Doctor.
“Or rather, she's been talking to me. She… seems to like teasing… us.”
The New Doctor chuckled.
“She does rather, yes. Although she's got reason to be cheerful - this is her first trip since she was released from Stormcage.”
Rose's Doctor stared.
“Stormcage? Why on earth was she in Stormcage?”
The New Doctor studied him levelly.
“She killed a man.”
“She what?”
Shell shocked would be too kind a word for the look on her Doctor's face, and Rose shot the New Doctor a stern look. It wasn't nice to tease. She'd just got her head around River being someone she could understand…
But the New Doctor completely ignored her scolding look, and instead smiled, studying her Doctor, something dancing in his eyes.
“A good man,” he continued. “The best man she has ever known.”
“No… No,” Rose's Doctor slowly shook his head, before he turned and looked at the closed door to the TARDIS, as if River would magically appear.
“But how? Why? That's…”
He looked the New Doctor over, disbelieving, from floppy hair over the bowtie and hands crammed into trouser pockets down to sturdy black boots, and back up again. The New Doctor was still smiling.
“No idea. But it makes for an interesting future, don't you think?”
For a second Rose's Doctor watched him in silence, then shook his head firmly.
“No.”
“Excellent!” the New Doctor replied, happily, slapping Rose's Doctor's arm. “Knew that Donna-ness would be good for something. No point to your life if you're pining after mine!”
The TARDIS door opened, and Amy's head appeared.
“Sorry to interrupt the mutual admiration, but River says that we've got to go - unless you want to stay here for good and have some kind of threesome. Which she won't blame you for, she just wants to know.”
The New Doctor blinked.
“Oh no. No no no. What a thought.” He turned to Rose. “Um... no offence.”
Shooting Amy a look, he held up a finger.
“Just one more minute.”
“Okey-dokey!” she said, and disappeared again.
The New Doctor looked at them both. “There were so many more things I was going to tell you, but nevermind. However, I do want you to have this.”
He stepped up to Rose's Doctor and rested their foreheads together for a moment, fingertips to temples, eyes closed.
Something like a sob escaped Rose's Doctor, and the New Doctor's eyes opened, a smile on his face, as Rose's Doctor abruptly grabbed hold of him, hugging him tightly.
“Thank you,” he whispered, and the New Doctor patted his back.
“Thought you'd like to know.”
Rose's Doctor nodded, face buried in his other self's shoulder. After another second he slowly let go, aiming for a smile but not quite succeeding.
“Good luck with it all.”
“Thank you,” the New Doctor said, “and likewise.”
He spun round, and then opened the TARDIS door, before stopping in the doorway and turning to look at them. For a second it looked as if he was going to say something, but he only winked - like they were all in on some brilliant secret - and then the door closed.
Rose grasped her Doctor's hand as the wheezing engines started up again, before the most wonderful blue box in the world disappeared. The wind blew her hair in her face like always, and she tried her best not to cry again.
“What did he show you?” she asked after a moment, and her Doctor swallowed.
“Memories. Stories. All those who used to be mine, their wonderful lives, people that were lost, that he saw again…” His voice trailed off, clearly too moved to continue.
Then the realisation hit that they were once more stranded on a Norwegian beach with no way of getting home. (Stupid, stupid one-way teleport!) Rose was just about to complain about this when she noticed something in the sand where the TARDIS had stood.
“Look!”
She stepped forward, realising that it was a small gift box and a letter addressed to the two of them.
Picking up the box, she gave the letter to the Doctor, and he studied the red writing with a frown, before tearing open the envelope and reading the message inside out loud.
“Remember to treat her with great care. And behave yourselves.
The Doctor”
Rose frowned.
“That's a bit… patronising, isn't it?”
But her Doctor wasn't listening. Something wild and joyful suddenly lit up in his eyes as he stared at the box.
“Open it,” he whispered.
“As you wish,” she said, removing the silk ribbon and lifting off the lid.
Inside was a small golden-glowing… something. Gently picking it up she thought that it felt strangely new, yet familiar, in the same way the New Doctor's hand had.
“What is it?” she asked, confused, as the look on her Doctor's face suggested that he might just be on the verge of exploding.
“It's a TARDIS,” he said, and even though she didn't understand yet, she eagerly responded to his rapturous kiss.
“And they lived happily ever after,” the Doctor said contentedly, as the TARDIS shuddered and the couple on the beach vanished from the screen.
There was something about his tone of voice - a strange surety - that made Rory take notice.
“And how do you know that?” he asked warily.
River chuckled.
“Oh you had a little sneak-peek, didn't you Sweetie?”
The Doctor didn't answer, just smiled knowingly and turned a dial.
“Hang on,” Amy said. “Did we just leave them stranded on a beach in Norway? How are they going to get home?”
The look on the Doctor's face showed that this problem had clearly never occurred to him.
“Well they've managed well enough in the past,” he said, a little defensively, and Amy shook her head.
“Well, it's good to know that you leave yourself behind too.”
“Good point,” River chimed in. “There's poetic justice in there somewhere.”
Amy's eyes narrowed, and Rory prepared himself for whatever was coming next. He knew that look far too well.
“Say River,” Amy began, “what do you think about stealing the TARDIS and leaving him behind for once?”
“It has… possibilities…” River said slowly, as the Doctor began wagging his finger at them.
“Now that's… quite enough of that. You know, Rose never… ganged up on me!”
“That's not what Sarah Jane says,” River sing-songed, and the Doctor sighed deeply, and turned to Rory.
“Rory. Would you be so kind as to be the voice of sanity in this madhouse? Where would you like to go, now we're back in our own universe?”
Feeling somewhat self-conscious, Rory nonetheless did have a wish.
“Um... Rose mentioned this Glass Pyramid? I can't remember exactly...”
“The Glass Pyramid of San Kloon! Excellent choice, Rory. Hold on everybody - here we go!”
Not much later they were walking down the streets of an alien planet, and Rory tried not to be too overwhelmed at the ease with which these things happened. He should be used to it by now.
River was busy explaining the history of everything around them, and it took a while before Rory realised that the Doctor had fallen behind. Letting Amy and River continue - arm in arm and laughing over something Rory hadn't heard - he slowed his steps until he was level with the Doctor.
He was worried that maybe this hadn't been a good idea after all - surely the Doctor had to have a lot of memories from his previous visit… and yet he had agreed so readily that it seemed foolish to question his decision.
Still - it had to be incredibly hard seeing a woman you loved married to a copy of yourself. Rory tried to think of what would have happened if plastic-him and real-him had ever co-existed, and Amy would have had to choose… It made for a very painful image, although one that helped him understand some things better. But he wanted to be sure.
“Doctor?” he started cautiously, and the Doctor turned to him, shaken out of whatever thoughts he'd been lost in.
“Yes Rory?”
“I was wondering, if you don't mind me asking, but… If Rose and the other Doctor hadn't showed up on the beach… would you have gone to see them?”
There was a long silence - so long that Rory began to feel distinctly uncomfortable - before the Doctor finally answered.
“No.”
Rory slowly nodded, his hunch confirmed.
“So… when Amy and I leave we won't see you again… Unless you drop by accidentally?”
The Doctor stopped, his hands looking as if they were popping invisible bubble wrap, and eyes studying Rory with great seriousness and sadness.
“No. Looking back is… too difficult. Sorry.”
Rory nodded again.
“I understand. I… thought that might be the case. And don't worry about it - I'm sure we'll be fine.”
“Thank you Rory.”
Then a sudden bright smile lit up the Doctor's features, like sunshine on a cloudy day, and he reached out and patted Rory's arm.
“I really truly hope you'll be as fine as can be. Especially-”
Whatever else he was going to say was lost as Amy shouted at them, telling them to 'Come on! Look what we've found!' and they had to run to catch up with the girls, whose discovery - not surprisingly - led to yet another adventure.
But that is a story for another day.