The Possibility of Ways
Dec. 2nd, 2006 02:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
teleidoplexTitle: The Possibility of Ways, Chapter 3 -- The Gift of Time
Rating: NC17 (eventually)
Media: Doctor Who (Season 2 AU)
Characters: Nine/Rose
Summary: In an infinite Universe nothing is set and everything is possible, but in choosing an alternate route there are always repercussions.
Spoilers: Doctor Who, New Seasons 1 & 2, Old Season 16
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who, but I wouldn't mind ten minutes alone in the TARDIS
Archive: At A Teaspoon and an Open Mind. If you want it, check with me first.
“Are you sure you have to go? You couldn’t stay on just a few more days?”
It was Epiphany, and Rose and her mum were standing in the Council Estate lot next to the TARDIS, saying goodbye for what felt to Rose like the 20th time. Her mum was tugging Rose’s scarf closer around her neck, probably more to ward off imaginary dangers than the real chill of the January morning.
“Great-aunt Marion’s coming down weekend next for her annual. She was just saying the other day how it’s been ages since she’s seen you. We could go shopping, have afternoon tea at Claridge’s…her treat, of course…”
Rose rolled her eyes, but gave her mum a quick hug of apology, “No, mum. We’ve already talked about this. I’m going. You said you wouldn’t make a fuss.”
“Well, it’s just it’s been so nice having you for such a long visit—”
“So, you’re off again, then?” Rose glanced over in surprise as Mickey rounded the corner and walked up to them. His hands were shoved deep in the pockets of his coat, the way he always did when he was angry. She’d said her goodbyes to him the night before, and he’d seemed resigned to her leaving. Spending the night alone must have changed his mind. She should have known it was a mistake to spend so much time with him over the holidays. It raised his hopes unfairly, despite the fact that for all intents and purposes they were through as a couple. He stood before her now, shoulders hunched forward, head cocked to one side, “Got tired of us normal folk so you’re just swanning off with him.”
Rose sighed, “I told you both. There’s these ripple things, and if we stay here it could put everyone in danger.”
Encouraged by Mickey’s sullen presence, her mum started in on the same arguments that Rose had spent hours defusing the night before, “But what about you, sweetheart? That man’s placing you in danger again. I don’t like it. I’ve half a mind to—”
“Mum…” Rose’s tone held a wealth of warning. This was the reason she hadn’t wanted to say goodbye to both of them at the same time. They just fed each other’s misgivings. Jackie sighed and clicked her tongue.
“Oh, alright. You’ll just do what you want, getting into all sorts of trouble. You’re mad, the both of you. Well, go on. Get out of here before I change my mind.”
“Thanks, mum.” Rose hugged her tight, taking a deep breath of the mix of perfume and hair products that she always associated with her mum. She pulled away, not meeting the older woman’s eyes because she knew they’d both start crying if she did. Hitching her duffle over her shoulder, she walked towards Mickey.
“So…” she began.
“So…” the perpetually sullen look was fixed on his features. He opened his mouth, probably to make another snarky comment. Rose wrapped her arms around him before he could say anything.
“Don’t,” she whispered over his shoulder, “just let’s say goodbye and leave it. Please?”
He pushed back slightly to search her eyes, a wealth of arguments flitting across his face, before he pulled her close again, hugging her tightly.
“Go on with you then,” he pulled back once more and there were suspiciously wet eyes on both their parts, “but if he hurts you…” Mickey’s mouth worked as he tried to come up with a credible threat. He finally closed it and glared, letting the implied threat hang. Rose smiled bittersweetly and backed away to the TARDIS’ door.
“You both have the number for the Superphone. And I’ll remember to call. Promise,” and with that she slipped into the blue police box. She closed the door and rested her forehead against it briefly. She loved them both, and understood that their protectiveness sprung from their love for her, but at times like these it became stifling. Overwhelming. It made her wish they had something else in their lives besides her. Something else they could focus that love on. Something like—”
“You ready to go, then? Goodbyes said and all that?”
Rose turned towards the interior of the TARDIS. The Doctor was moving around the console with his usual energy, leaning to one side to spin a strange, pram-wheel contraption before skidding around to the other side to yank a lever back and forth while simultaneously pumping a dangling bladder-looking object full of air. As always, his enthusiasm was instantly infectious, chasing away her sadness. She sauntered forward, pulling a small, gaily wrapped package from her duffle as she went.
“Where are we going then?” she asked, joining him. He was leaning over the display screen, arms spread wide to rest on the edges of the console. She tried to peer over his shoulder, but the TARDIS’ output always looked like gibberish to her. She pulled back slightly as he glanced up at her. His look was dramatic and devilish, with a wide cheshire grin. She grinned right back. She loved that he loved showing off for her.
“Where are we going? How about…” he spun a nearby doohickey and slammed his hand down on what looked like an old shop bell, probably for dramatic emphasis, and the central column of light began pumping and wheezing, “Further than we’ve ever gone before. Beyond the end of the world!”
“Sounds good to me,” she felt the shuddering jerk that usually accompanied them entering the Time Vortex, and knew this meant that the Doctor would have a small break between the frantic lever-pulling that seemed to constitute flying the TARDIS. Rose pulled the package out from behind her back and thrust it forward.
“What’s this, then?” His look was part curiosity, part trepidation, as if he wasn’t quite sure the thing in her hands was entirely safe. Rose clicked her tongue and sighed, still smiling as she proffered the package.
“It’s your Christmas present. It’s a bit late, sorry.” He slowly reached to take it, glancing between the package and her face. The look on his own face was unreadable, and made her wonder when was the last time someone had given him something. Her smile gentled.
“S’not much. But it’s the thought that counts, right?” He still seemed stunned, turning over the bright package in his hands. She shifted impatiently, “Go on. Open it.’
He glanced at her one more time, then began tearing away the paper. He was so concentrated on opening his present that he didn’t notice her smile growing wider and wider. The paper fell away and he was left staring at the object in his hands. It squished as his fingers tightened slightly around it, the blue gel that filled it gently displacing and causing the torus to shift back and forth.
“It’s called a Water Snake,” she explained, laughter lurking at the back of her words, “I figured an old hand like you could show me how to work it.”
He looked up at her, mouth agape, hands gently cradling the novelty toy. He began chuckling, and she followed suit.
“Happy Christmas, Doctor.”
Their shared riotous laughter rang through the ship as they hurtled on to their next adventure.
Rating: NC17 (eventually)
Media: Doctor Who (Season 2 AU)
Characters: Nine/Rose
Summary: In an infinite Universe nothing is set and everything is possible, but in choosing an alternate route there are always repercussions.
Spoilers: Doctor Who, New Seasons 1 & 2, Old Season 16
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who, but I wouldn't mind ten minutes alone in the TARDIS
Archive: At A Teaspoon and an Open Mind. If you want it, check with me first.
“Are you sure you have to go? You couldn’t stay on just a few more days?”
It was Epiphany, and Rose and her mum were standing in the Council Estate lot next to the TARDIS, saying goodbye for what felt to Rose like the 20th time. Her mum was tugging Rose’s scarf closer around her neck, probably more to ward off imaginary dangers than the real chill of the January morning.
“Great-aunt Marion’s coming down weekend next for her annual. She was just saying the other day how it’s been ages since she’s seen you. We could go shopping, have afternoon tea at Claridge’s…her treat, of course…”
Rose rolled her eyes, but gave her mum a quick hug of apology, “No, mum. We’ve already talked about this. I’m going. You said you wouldn’t make a fuss.”
“Well, it’s just it’s been so nice having you for such a long visit—”
“So, you’re off again, then?” Rose glanced over in surprise as Mickey rounded the corner and walked up to them. His hands were shoved deep in the pockets of his coat, the way he always did when he was angry. She’d said her goodbyes to him the night before, and he’d seemed resigned to her leaving. Spending the night alone must have changed his mind. She should have known it was a mistake to spend so much time with him over the holidays. It raised his hopes unfairly, despite the fact that for all intents and purposes they were through as a couple. He stood before her now, shoulders hunched forward, head cocked to one side, “Got tired of us normal folk so you’re just swanning off with him.”
Rose sighed, “I told you both. There’s these ripple things, and if we stay here it could put everyone in danger.”
Encouraged by Mickey’s sullen presence, her mum started in on the same arguments that Rose had spent hours defusing the night before, “But what about you, sweetheart? That man’s placing you in danger again. I don’t like it. I’ve half a mind to—”
“Mum…” Rose’s tone held a wealth of warning. This was the reason she hadn’t wanted to say goodbye to both of them at the same time. They just fed each other’s misgivings. Jackie sighed and clicked her tongue.
“Oh, alright. You’ll just do what you want, getting into all sorts of trouble. You’re mad, the both of you. Well, go on. Get out of here before I change my mind.”
“Thanks, mum.” Rose hugged her tight, taking a deep breath of the mix of perfume and hair products that she always associated with her mum. She pulled away, not meeting the older woman’s eyes because she knew they’d both start crying if she did. Hitching her duffle over her shoulder, she walked towards Mickey.
“So…” she began.
“So…” the perpetually sullen look was fixed on his features. He opened his mouth, probably to make another snarky comment. Rose wrapped her arms around him before he could say anything.
“Don’t,” she whispered over his shoulder, “just let’s say goodbye and leave it. Please?”
He pushed back slightly to search her eyes, a wealth of arguments flitting across his face, before he pulled her close again, hugging her tightly.
“Go on with you then,” he pulled back once more and there were suspiciously wet eyes on both their parts, “but if he hurts you…” Mickey’s mouth worked as he tried to come up with a credible threat. He finally closed it and glared, letting the implied threat hang. Rose smiled bittersweetly and backed away to the TARDIS’ door.
“You both have the number for the Superphone. And I’ll remember to call. Promise,” and with that she slipped into the blue police box. She closed the door and rested her forehead against it briefly. She loved them both, and understood that their protectiveness sprung from their love for her, but at times like these it became stifling. Overwhelming. It made her wish they had something else in their lives besides her. Something else they could focus that love on. Something like—”
“You ready to go, then? Goodbyes said and all that?”
Rose turned towards the interior of the TARDIS. The Doctor was moving around the console with his usual energy, leaning to one side to spin a strange, pram-wheel contraption before skidding around to the other side to yank a lever back and forth while simultaneously pumping a dangling bladder-looking object full of air. As always, his enthusiasm was instantly infectious, chasing away her sadness. She sauntered forward, pulling a small, gaily wrapped package from her duffle as she went.
“Where are we going then?” she asked, joining him. He was leaning over the display screen, arms spread wide to rest on the edges of the console. She tried to peer over his shoulder, but the TARDIS’ output always looked like gibberish to her. She pulled back slightly as he glanced up at her. His look was dramatic and devilish, with a wide cheshire grin. She grinned right back. She loved that he loved showing off for her.
“Where are we going? How about…” he spun a nearby doohickey and slammed his hand down on what looked like an old shop bell, probably for dramatic emphasis, and the central column of light began pumping and wheezing, “Further than we’ve ever gone before. Beyond the end of the world!”
“Sounds good to me,” she felt the shuddering jerk that usually accompanied them entering the Time Vortex, and knew this meant that the Doctor would have a small break between the frantic lever-pulling that seemed to constitute flying the TARDIS. Rose pulled the package out from behind her back and thrust it forward.
“What’s this, then?” His look was part curiosity, part trepidation, as if he wasn’t quite sure the thing in her hands was entirely safe. Rose clicked her tongue and sighed, still smiling as she proffered the package.
“It’s your Christmas present. It’s a bit late, sorry.” He slowly reached to take it, glancing between the package and her face. The look on his own face was unreadable, and made her wonder when was the last time someone had given him something. Her smile gentled.
“S’not much. But it’s the thought that counts, right?” He still seemed stunned, turning over the bright package in his hands. She shifted impatiently, “Go on. Open it.’
He glanced at her one more time, then began tearing away the paper. He was so concentrated on opening his present that he didn’t notice her smile growing wider and wider. The paper fell away and he was left staring at the object in his hands. It squished as his fingers tightened slightly around it, the blue gel that filled it gently displacing and causing the torus to shift back and forth.
“It’s called a Water Snake,” she explained, laughter lurking at the back of her words, “I figured an old hand like you could show me how to work it.”
He looked up at her, mouth agape, hands gently cradling the novelty toy. He began chuckling, and she followed suit.
“Happy Christmas, Doctor.”
Their shared riotous laughter rang through the ship as they hurtled on to their next adventure.
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Date: 2007-08-01 02:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-03 05:30 am (UTC)