DW FANFIC: Doppleganger...PG-13 Parts 5-8/?
TITLE: Doppleganger
RATING: PG-13
FANDOM: Doctor Who
PAIRING: 10/Rose
WARNING: Alternate Universe
SUMMARY: Set after Doomsday...Rose is stuck in the parallel universe and discovers a Doctor in her reality but is he like her own?
DISCLAIMER: DW doesn't belong to me. Making no money off this.
Chapter Five
Rose lay on her bed and wept wishing more than anything that the Doctor was beside her comforting her and telling her everything would be alright.
“They don’t know the Doctor like I do.” She said to herself. “They don’t understand him. No one understands him except me.”
She hugged her pillow tight and stared out her window as the light began to fade outside. She wondered what the Doctor was doing and if he was nearby. She debated whether she should just go in search of him herself.
“I can’t lead his people to him.” She muttered. “The way they were talking, they’d probably shoot first and ask questions later.”
“Rose?”
Rose lifted her head up when she heard her mother’s voice coming through the door.
“Yeah?” she said after a moment’s hesitation.
“You want to come down and eat, hon?”
“No thanks. I’m not hungry.”
“You sure? I’m making burgers and chips.”
“No thanks.”
“Rose…”
“I SAID NO, MUM!” Rose said a little louder than she intended.
She sighed when she heard her mother let out a string of curses and stomp away from the door.
“That’s it; I need to get outta here for awhile.” Rose muttered as she rose from her bed.
Grabbing her jacket from the closet, she opened the door and headed out.
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(Meanwhile in the other universe…)
“So, where are we off to now, Doctor?” Martha asked as they stood by the console.
“Oh, I don’t know. How ‘bout you pick something for a change?” the Doctor replied.
Martha raised her eyebrow.
“Me? Um…Well…”
She tapped her fingertips on the console while she thought.
“Hey, how ‘bout you take me to where those Dogons live? I’d love to see the people you were reading about.” She said.
The Doctor flinched.
“I’d rather not.” He said.
“Why not?”
The Doctor shifted his feet.
“Doctor, why not?” she said.
The Doctor sighed. Martha was starting to become pushy and it was getting on his nerves.
“Because…” he said hoping that would satisfy her.
No such luck.
“Because why?” Martha pressed.
She jumped when the Doctor slammed his fist down on the console.
“BECAUSE THE DOGONS ARE EXTINCT! THEY WERE WIPED OUT IN THE TIME WAR AND I HAVE NO DESIRE TO RELIVE ANY PART OF THAT AGAIN!” he bellowed. “THERE! DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, MARTHA?”
He flinched when he saw the fear on Martha’s face as she quickly nodded.
“I…Oh Rassilon, I’m so sorry.” He quickly said. “I…I…didn’t mean to yell, Martha. It’s just that sometimes I don’t feel like answering certain questions, okay?”
“No, I’m sorry, Doctor.” Martha replied. “I shouldn’t have kept on ya about it. I didn’t realize they were wiped out in the Time War. Please forgive me.”
The Doctor shook his head.
“You don’t have to ask for forgiveness, Martha.” He said gently. “You’ve done nothing wrong. I…I…”
He sighed.
“I’m sorry, but this is hard on me having a companion again. I never should have offered a trip in the first place. It’s not fair for you to travel with me when I’m like this.”
“Doctor, I’m glad you offered to take me with you. I love being here.”
The Doctor smiled weakly at her.
“Thanks.” He said.
“Look, I understand what you had with Rose, I really do.” She said gently. “From what I’ve heard, you two had a really close relationship and…”
She paused as she looked into the Doctor’s eyes and saw he was doing it again. He was looking straight at her, but she could tell he was a million miles away. She sighed guessing who he was seeing instead of her.
“Doctor.” She said gently.
The Doctor didn’t respond.
“Doctor!” she said more forcefully.
The Doctor snapped out of his reverie.
“Hmmm?” he said looking at her with wide eyes. “I’m sorry, were you saying something?”
“It wasn’t anything important.” Martha muttered.
“Oh well, in that case, back to deciding where to go, eh?” the Doctor said cheerfully.
Martha stared at the Doctor. She recognized the cheerfulness for what it really was. A mask to hide his feelings and his pain. She hadn’t traveled with him long, but she already knew he used this face as a barrier against the world. The fact that she had finally managed to get the Doctor to lift it long enough to tell her about himself and his planet still amazed her. She didn’t think the Doctor would open up like that to her.
I’m sure with Rose, it was a different story. She thought bitterly I’m sure he poured out his hearts and soul to her.
She sighed. She had told him she wasn’t interested in him and she thought she wasn’t, but the more she got to know him the more infatuated she was becoming. She could understand Rose falling head over heels in love with him. He was charming, sweet, knowledgeable, and cute as a button. What’s not to like?
Unfortunately, at the moment, I have about as much chance with him as a plasmavore does becoming a vegetarian. She thought.
She smiled at him as he stood in front of his computer screen, thinking.
Still, I’ve never been one to give up. She thought. So I’ll just keep on throwing my line out and hopefully one day I’ll land him hook, line and sinker.
She raised her eyebrow as the Doctor’s eyes widened and a goofy grin spread across his face.
“I GOT IT!” he yelled triumphantly. “OH YES! I KNOW THE PERFECT PLACE TO GO!”
He grinned like a little boy at Christmas as he punched in the coordinates.
“Hold on, Martha Jones, you are gonna like where we’re going next!” He said conspiratorially.
Martha grinned. Yup, she could definitely settle down with a man like him.
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(Back in Pete’s world…)
John looked over at the strange man as they sat side by side in the front seat of his car. After eating the supper they had cooked for him, the man had insisted on being driven into town for supplies. After tying up Mary in the basement, he had forced him out the door and into his car.
“What are you going to do to us?” John asked hesitantly as he glanced down at the strange looking gun resting in his lap.
“Nothing as long as you cooperate.” He said.
He looked directly at him and John gulped as the man’s brown eye bored into him.
“You will cooperate…won’t you?” he said pointedly.
John nodded.
“Good. All I want to do is lay low for awhile and when the danger to me is passed, I’ll be on my way. As long as you do what I say, no harm will come to you or your wife, is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.” John said meekly.
“Excellent. And now, we’re going to exit the car and go in here for supplies. Just a quick run and we’re outta here. Got that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then, get out and no tricks. I have no qualms about killing you right here and now so remember that before you try anything.”
John gulped and nodded.
Keeping the gun out of sight below the dashboard, he kept it trained on John as he opened the door and stepped out. He waited until he was standing on the sidewalk before he put the blaster beneath his coat, opened the door and got out.
“Inside.” He said gruffly as he pointed to the nearby shop.
John nodded and went inside as the man followed close behind him.
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Rose shoved her hands in her pockets as she walked down the sidewalk.
“Should I just go ahead and start searching for him?” she muttered to herself. “Or should I wait?”
She wanted so much to run off and find him. She had visions of falling into his open arms and filling the familiar warmth as he closed them around her body. But, her mum’s and Pete’s words kept coming back to her.
“I can’t be rash.” She muttered. “I gotta think things through. After all, he’s not my Doctor. He’s a different Doctor and I can’t keep thinking he’ll treat me the same way my Doctor treated me.”
She shook her head.
“I refuse to believe he’s a criminal though.” She said. “The Doctor isn’t evil so why would this version of him be evil. It’s impossible.”
As she turned a corner, something inside told her to look over. When she did, she stopped short.
“Oh my God, it can’t be.” She said when she spotted a familiar looking man coming out of a nearby shop carrying a bag in his hands.
Tears came to her eyes as she watched him and another man walking to a car parked in front of the shop. As he sat the bag on the roof and opened the driver’s side door, she suddenly couldn’t contain her joy any longer. Throwing all caution to the wind, she hurried across the street as she screamed out…
“DOCTOR!”
Chapter Six
The Doctor jumped and stared at the strange woman hurrying across the street towards him.
“Rassilon, they found me already?” he muttered
He paused. The woman didn’t look like a Gallifreyan; she looked human. But, he had never been to this planet before, how could the woman know who he was? His hand went down to his side and his fingers flexed as he readied himself to fire his blaster if need be.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know you. I think you made a mistake.” He said to her as she stopped in front of him.
He cast a warning glance at John when he noticed he was trying to sneak away and smirked when he froze in his tracks. He turned his attention back to the woman.
“I know you don’t know who I am,” She said. “But I know you. My name is Rose Tyler and you are the Doctor.”
The Doctor placed his hand on his blaster inside his coat.
“Please, before you go, just hear me out.” Rose pleaded. “I know it sounds crazy, but what I’m about to say to you is the God honest truth.”
The Doctor took his hand off the blaster for the moment, but kept it nearby.
“Like I said, you don’t me but I know you and the reason I know you is…because originally I came from an alternate universe.”
The Doctor raised his eyebrow, but remained quiet.
“And in that universe, I met an alternate version of you and you invited me on board your TARDIS and eventually…I…uh…we fell in love.”
The Doctor stared at her. John looked at him and began to inch away when he saw this woman had his full attention.
“I’m sorry. We did what?” the Doctor asked her.
Rose smiled. He had the same voice too.
“We fell in love.” She repeated gently.
The Doctor stared at her. He figured the humans were off their rockers, but this was a bit much. Still, the woman seemed to trust him and he knew that trust was a thing that could be readily exploited. So, he restrained himself from killing her outright and listened to what she had to say.
“So…why are you here?” he asked. “Why aren’t you with this other Doctor now?”
He frowned when he noticed tears coming to her eyes.
“We got separated. I got pulled into this dimension after I helped him save my Earth from a Dalek and Cybermen invasion and the gap closed so we have no way to get back to each other.”
“Yeah…”
“So, now I’m stuck here working at this place called Torchwood and yesterday this delegation from your planet came to visit us and told us they were looking for you because you were a criminal and they asked my boss and me to help them find you.”
The Doctor’s hand went back on the blaster.
“But…you don’t have to worry. I’m not gonna tell anyone you’re here.” Rose said quickly.
The Doctor frowned.
“Really? And why is that?” he asked.
“Because I don’t believe you’re a criminal. My other Doctor wasn’t a criminal, but his people thought he was and I know your people think the same way. So I want to help you hide from them.”
His hand went off the blaster.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked warily. “Why do you want to help me so badly?”
“Because I love…well, I love the other version of you and I don’t want to see you get caught and executed for some misunderstanding and…”
She shuffled her feet.
“I want you to take me with you.”
“Take you with me?” the Doctor said confused.
“Yeah, you know, take me in your TARDIS after this whole thing has been sorted out. I want to travel with you again…or well, I guess it would be a new thing for you. Unless…you had a Rose too?”
The Doctor shook his head.
“No, I’ve never met you before in my lives.” He said.
“Oh, well, can I still come with ya then?” she asked hopefully.
The Doctor stared at her wondering if this was some sort of trap devised by his people. She had said she worked at this Torchwood so maybe she was sent to stall him and give them enough time to apprehend him. Yet, she looked and sounded sincere. Maybe she was telling the truth. And if she was willing to help him, then that could be useful as well. Very useful. He decided to play along; at least for the time being.
“Um…yes…if you help me escape from here, then I’ll take you along in my TARDIS.” He said.
He gasped when Rose threw his arms around him and sobbed with a mixture of joy and relief. Unsure what to do, he gave her back two quick pats.
“Oh thank you, you won’t regret this!” Rose said, stepping back.
“Um…no, I probably won’t.” the Doctor replied.
“And I hope in time you can learn to love me the way my other Doctor did.” She said.
Rassilon, My other self was in love with a human? He thought. How wimpy can you get?
Still, he was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth especially when the horse was this eager to help him escape.
“Maybe I will.” He said shrugging. “Why don’t we get to know one another first though before we share a bed or something?”
“Oh, oh, yeah, I mean, we’ve only just met here so I don’t expect us to be a couple. It took awhile for the other Doctor and me to fall in love too. But…”
She beamed.
“I’m just so glad I found you again, Doctor.” She said.
“I’m glad I found you too.”
My naive little helper. He finished in his head.
Rose looked around him as she finally noticed that John was missing.
“That man that was with you, he’s gone now.” She said.
The Doctor spun around and cursed in Gallifreyan when he saw she was right.
“Was he a friend of yours?”
The Doctor turned back to her.
“Um, no, I don’t know the guy.” He said quickly.
Rose frowned. She pointed to the bag on top of the car.
“But you were carrying his bags out, weren’t you?” she asked.
“Um…well…I was just being…helpful.” The Doctor replied. “He had a full load and…I thought I would just help him so he wouldn’t have to make two trips.”
Rose smiled.
“Aw, that’s so sweet of you.” She said laying her hand against his cheek.
The Doctor resisted the urge to pull away and forced a smile onto his face.
“I know. I’m a very sweet guy.” He said hating the words as they came out of his mouth.
“Yes, you are.”
The Doctor grinned. This Rose was more gullible than he thought. He no longer cared if John got away. Let him go to the police. The little fool in front of him would hide him and protect him, and all he had to do was act like her other Doctor and lead her on.
Who knows? He thought Maybe I can get this lovesick human to do other things for me as well; like steal and kill. And if she ends up getting killed…well, it’s her fault for being too trusting, I guess.
In order to keep up the ruse though, he had to have more information about this other Doctor.
“So…” he said as casually as he could. “Your other Doctor was on the run from his people, as well?”
“Oh no, by the time I met him, his people were completely wiped out.”
The Doctor did a double take.
“What?” he said not sure if he heard right.
“There was this Time War between the Gallifreyans and the Daleks and Gallifrey ended up being destroyed. The Doctor was the only survivor.”
“So…he’s all by himself in this other reality?”
Rose nodded.
“And…there’s no way for us to get over to this other universe?” the Doctor asked.
“I don’t think so.”
“Are you sure of that?”
“I don’t think so. Why?”
“Oh, just curious.” The Doctor said quickly. “I just thought it was fascinating that the Doctor was the last Time Lord in your dimension.”
And if he is the last Time Lord maybe I can figure out a way to get over there and kill him. He thought. And then with nobody around to pester me, I can do what I want when I want and no one will stop me.
“Um…Rose…” he said as casually as he could. “I don’t want to sound insensitive, but…wouldn’t you rather be with your old Doctor instead of me? I mean, with me, you’ll have to start from scratch relationship wise and I mean who knows if it’ll be the same with me as it was with him. Wouldn’t it be better to try to find a way over into your old dimension instead?”
“But, how? My Doctor told me if he came through with his TARDIS, both universes would collapse and be destroyed. That’s why he hasn’t come back to get me.”
The Doctor grinned. He knew just the thing.
“Weeeeell, actually I know a way we can go between universes and do it safely.” He said.
Rose’s eyes were as wide as dinner plates.
“You do?” she asked barely containing her joy.
“Oh yes, but it’ll be risky.” He said. “But I’m sure seeing your Doctor again is worth it?”
“Oh God, yes.”
The Doctor smiled. This was way too easy.
“Well, see, on Gallifrey there is this library I know of that has a book that contains a schematic for making a machine to cross dimensions.” He said.
He was telling the truth. He had considered getting the book after escaping from his cell so he could cross into another dimension and escape, but the alarm had been sounded and there had been no time.
I’ll have loads of time now though. He thought. I’m sure those idiots would never think of me going back to Gallifrey especially if they are looking for me here on Earth, and besides, I have a gullible little human standing in front of me who is desperate to get back to her Doctor. She’ll do just about anything to be with him, sounds like.
And judging from the overjoyed expression on her face, he was absolutely right.
“Oh God, you mean there might be a chance I could see my Doctor again.” She said in disbelief.
“Yes, but you have to help me, Rose. And some things we might do may not be on the level. We’ll have to steal the book, for one. Are you okay with that?”
“For a chance at seeing my Doctor again, I’ll do anything.” Rose replied.
The Doctor smirked.
Who knows? If I worm my way into her heart enough she might not mind if I kill her Doctor. She’ll probably stay with me willingly. He thought. But if she doesn’t, then she can die as well. It makes no difference to me.
“Then, Rose, if you are willing to help me get this book and the materials we’ll need to construct. I’ll be willing to construct it and take you back across the void to your reality so you can be with your Doctor again. Okay?”
“Yes!”
Rose let out a squeal and threw her arms around the Doctor.
“Oh God, Doctor, thank you.” She gushed as she hugged him tight. “Thank you so much.”
The Doctor smirked as he held her.
“You’re welcome, Rose.” He replied.
The smirk widened when she pulled back and looked at him happily.
At last I’ll finally be able to escape from this dimension. He thought and a stupid little ape is going to help me do it.
Chapter Seven
The Doctor yawned and stretched as the morning sun came through the slats in the boarded up window beside him. After they had finished their conversation, Rose had helped him find an abandoned building to hide in. After making sure he was okay, she had went home for the night.
The Doctor peered through a gap in the boards and watched the morning commuters walking in front of the building. He had time to relax now unlike the last couple of days. Rose had told him that she would lead her boss and the delegation away from his hiding place and return later in the evening with some bedding and supplies. The Doctor had pretended to be grateful and had even forced himself to kiss her cheek knowing that It would endear herself to him and cement her trust. If he was going to use her, he had to be sure she wasn’t going to betray him at some point. He needed her help to get over to the other dimension and kill the other Doctor.
He snorted to himself. Before leaving, Rose had told him more of her Doctor and from what he had heard, he figured that his alter ego was nothing more than a wimpy goody two shoes. Instead of using his TARDIS to plunder and rule the universe, he was going around helping people and fighting monsters.
“How pathetic can you get?” he muttered.
For a brief moment, he imagined himself convincing the other Doctor to become like him and join forces.
“Nah, from what Rose told me, I doubt the little Boy Scout would go for it.” He said. “Better to just put the stupid prig out of his misery and take control of his universe.”
The Doctor settled back and reached into the bag beside him. He pulled out some crisps, opened the bag and munched on them while he thought out how they were going to get the book from the library.
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(The Other Universe…)
Martha flopped down onto the bed in the spare room the Doctor had given her. She let out an angry sigh and shook her head.
“Guess that just proves there’s someone for everyone.” She said. “God, that sounded so idiotic, and what’s worse, I got him to think of her again.”
She lay back on the bed and put her hands behind her head.
“As if he doesn’t think of her enough without me helping him.” She said. “God, I get so tired of hearing him talk about Rose nonstop. The woman is gone and from what I understand, she’s not coming back. He needs to learn to let go of the past and move on.”
She rolled over onto her side.
“Even if he doesn’t move on with me.” She added. “I just wish he could get past her.”
“But I don’t want to get past her, Martha.”
Martha rolled over onto her back and stared at the Doctor who was standing in the doorway.
“Doctor, I…”
“You don’t know Rose. You don’t know what it was like being with her, so you have no right to criticize me for not moving on with my life.” He said angrily.
“Doctor, I’m sorry. It’s just that she’s in the past now and-“
“Oh no,” the Doctor interrupted. “She is very much a part of my present. Whenever I go to sleep, she’s right there, talking to me and telling me how much she loves me. Whenever I step outside those TARDIS doors, she is right beside me in spirit. When the carrionite caused you to pass out, she tried to guess my real name and when she didn’t, she taunted me with Rose’s name instead, and as I told her, it was a big mistake because that name keeps me fighting and you know what, Martha, it does. Knowing that she is alive and well and living her life gives me the strength to go on. If she had died that day, I don’t know what I would have done or where I would be right now. She meant more to me than any companion I’ve ever had and losing her shook me to the core of my very being.”
He walked over to the side of the bed and glared down at her.
“And you being jealous of a woman you’ve never even met strikes me as both childish and petty. I warned you when you first entered this TARDIS that you would not be replacing Rose and you agreed to that. You also told me that you weren’t interested in dating aliens, so I don’t understand why you are so upset that I talk about her. Talking about her and keeping her memory alive makes me happy and brings me comfort. Now I don’t know what your intentions are regarding me, but I can assure you I have not missed the flirting you’ve been doing. I may be grieving and in pain, but I’m not blind, Martha. I don’t want another romantic relationship right now and I doubt if I will want one ever again. So you are just wasting your time and effort trying to pursue something that will never happen.”
“Doctor, I’m sorry, I really am. I just…I hate seeing you grieving over Rose like this. I’m sorry if I do seem jealous, and I know what I said, but these past few trips have been amazing, and you’re an amazing man and I don’t know, I feel myself falling in love with you.”
“Then I think it’s time for you to leave, Martha Jones.”
Martha stared at him in disbelief.
“What?”
“You heard me. I gave you four trips when I offered you only one. I gave you a generous reward in return for saving my life, and now it’s time for you to leave and pursue your medical career.”
“Doctor, wait, please-“
“I will take you home now, Martha Jones, so you can return to your life, and that will be that.”
Without another word, the Doctor turned and walked out of the room leaving Martha staring after him in stunned silence.
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(Pete’s World…)
Rose opened the door and peeked inside making sure her mother and Pete were nowhere in sight. Seeing no one was around, she closed the door behind her and hurried towards the stairs. She wanted to stay long enough to get some bedding for the Doctor and a few other things he might need and she didn’t want her mother and Pete asking her any questions. She reached the stairs and started up.
“Rose, there you are.”
Rose stopped short and turned to look at her mother who was walking out of the kitchen.
“You’re home early.” Jackie said.
“Yeah, just for a moment though mum, I have to go back and catch up on my paperwork.”
She paused.
“And…um…Jill from work is working late as well so she asked me to spend the night with her so I’m going to get a blanket and some pillows and head over there after I’m done, okay? So, don’t wait up for me.”
She started up the stairs.
“Did you find him?”
Rose paused.
“Find who?”
“The Doctor.”
Rose put on a neutral expression.
“No, didn’t find him, mum.” She said as calmly as she could.
“Oh, well, I’m glad, frankly.”
Rose sighed.
“Mum…”
“He’s dangerous, Rose.”
“No, he’s not!”
“Rose, I was watching the telly and they had a man on the news saying that him and his wife had been held hostage in their home by a man, and he managed to escape from him and alert the authorities.
“Yeah, so?”
“When they showed the police sketch of the man, it looked exactly like the Doctor.”
Rose frowned.
“What? That can’t be right.” She said.
Jackie sighed.
“Rose, I’ve seen the Doctor enough times to know what he looks like and that was him. The only thing different about him from our Doctor was the eye patch and the scar on his face. Other than that, he looked exactly the same. Rose, they’re saying that he took these people hostage and threatened to kill them. Now, please listen to me and don’t go looking for him by yourself. You’re gonna get killed!”
“Mum, it’s got to be a misunderstanding. The Doctor is on the run from his people. They want to execute him for crimes he didn’t commit.”
“How do you know he didn’t commit them?”
“I just…know, alright?”
“No, it’s not alright! This Doctor is a criminal, Rose! The man told the police that the Doctor threatened to kill him and his wife with some kind of gun. Has your Doctor ever used a gun?”
“A couple of times.”
“Did he threaten to kill anyone?”
“Yeah.”
Jackie folded her arms over her chest.
“Were the people he threatened to kill innocent bystanders who were just minding their own business when the Doctor burst into their house?”
“Um…no…”
“Yeah? Well, these people were, Rose. He is not your Doctor! Not everything here is the same as it was on our Earth and that includes the Doctor. Now, if you are being ordered to look for him then do it, but for God’s sake, Rose, take people with you! Don’t be foolish, Rose! I don’t want to turn on the telly and find the Doctor holding you hostage somewhere. Think!”
Rose sighed. She didn’t know what to think. She knew her mother was right, but still something inside her was telling her the Doctor was innocent. Still, she decided to play along if only to get out of the house.
“Alright, mum, you’re right. I won’t look for the Doctor on my own.” She said.
“Oh thank God, you’re finally listening to reason.” Jackie said.
She went up the stairs and embraced her daughter.
I am going to ask the Doctor about all this. Rose thought. Just to ease my mind and put my fears to rest once and for all.
Chapter Eight
(Pete’s World…)
The Doctor looked out the window while he drank a bottle of Coke. Swallowing, he grimaced at the taste.
“Ugh, humans actually drink this stuff?” he said.
He took another swallow.
“Still, it’s better than nothing, I suppose.”
He looked over as Rose entered the room.
“Oh, you’re back. Good. I--”
“Tell me the truth, Doctor.”
The Doctor frowned.
“About what?” he said.
“Why are your people after you?”
“I…I don’t know. They seem to think I’m a criminal and-“
“Are you?”
“Well…no, I’m not a criminal, Rose.”
“Then why did you hold a man and his wife hostage in their house?”
The Doctor cursed under his breath. He knew he should have killed John when he had the chance.
“It didn’t happen like that, Rose.” The Doctor said trying to keep calm. “It’s all a big misunderstanding. I needed shelter and so I asked that man and his wife if I could spend the night. I carry a blaster with me for protection and I guess the man thought I was holding them hostage with it.”
“The man…he was the one with you when I first saw you?”
“No, that was someone else. I’m not a criminal, Rose, honestly.”
“Your people think you are.”
“Well, my people are wrong.”
He leaned forward.
“Didn’t you mention that your Doctor had also been falsely accused several times and put on trial?”
“Yes.”
“So, in his reality, he was also branded a criminal, yes?”
“Well, they called him a renegade.”
“Well, that’s what they also call me. I’m a renegade.” The Doctor said.
Forcing down the revulsion he felt inside, he stood and took Rose’s hands in his. He stared into her eyes trying to look as emotional as he could.
“Rose,” he said. “I’m on the run because my people don’t understand me. They see me as a threat to the universe when all I want to do is help.”
He forced himself to put his hand against her cheek.
“But you know differently, don’t you?” he said in a soft voice. “You know I would never do the things they accused me of, right?”
Rose stared into his good eye and saw that the Doctor was being sincere. She nodded.
“I believe you, Doctor.” She said. “I know you’re not evil. You couldn’t be.”
The Doctor beamed and Rose felt her heart skip a beat. If it weren’t for the scar and eye patch she would swear it were her Doctor standing in front of her. She felt her eyes tear up when the Doctor began to stroke her cheek lovingly.
“I’m so glad you trust me, Rose.” The Doctor said. “I can see why my double fancies you so much, I think I’m beginning to see what he sees.”
He leaned forward and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Now,” he whispered in her ear. “What about your boss and the delegation, did you give them the slip so we can make our escape?”
“I didn’t go in to work today.” Rose replied. “I left so my mum wouldn’t suspect and I went to a pay phone and called in sick. Then, I waited a few hours and went back for some bedding for you. That’s when my mum saw me and told me that the police were looking for you.”
“And what did you say to your mum about you being home?”
“I told her I was going to work late and spend the night with a friend and I was home to pick up some bedding to take over to her house.”
The Doctor looked at her hands.
“And the bedding?”
“It’s in the hallway by the door.”
“Okay.”
“I got a torch and a couple of books too. I figured you could pass the time while we wait to go.”
“Actually, I want to leave late tonight.” The Doctor replied.
“Oh, I didn’t know you wanted to leave so soon. I wouldn’t have brought the bedding otherwise.”
“No, no, it’s okay. I need some sleep before we go. I appreciate everything you did.”
He kissed her cheek and smirked when he heard Rose let out a contented sigh.
“What time do you want to leave?” Rose asked.
“Around midnight. That way, there won’t be many people out and we won’t be detected.”
Rose nodded.
“What about you, where will you go?” the Doctor asked.
“Um…well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to stay here and get a nap as well.” She said.
The Doctor shrugged.
“Fine with me. Just go ahead and I’ll go to sleep in about an hour or two.”
Rose nodded. She gave the Doctor a friendly peck on the cheek.
“I’ll see you later then.” She said.
The Doctor nodded. He watched as Rose headed into the other room to get the bedding.
“Sucker.” He said.
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(The Other Universe…)
The Doctor lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling. He hated what he had said to Martha. He didn’t want to be harsh towards her especially since she was a nice person and a great help to him, but he was tired of her jealous looks and her long exasperated sighs whenever he mentioned Rose. He knew it was irritating for her to constantly hear about how great she was and how much he missed her, but he loved her more than anything and talking about her made her come alive again in his mind. He knew it hadn’t been fair to ask Martha to accompany him. He hadn’t been ready to take on another companion. He still had a lot of grief and pain to work through, but Martha had saved his life and he was grateful for that and the obvious reward was a trip in the TARDIS. He had gone through one adventure with Donna and she had left right after that so, he reasoned, why should Martha be any different? Except Martha was different. Unlike Donna, she didn’t shriek and thrust Rose’s shirt in his face and ride his back demanding he get her to the church on time. She was sweet and smart and in a lot of ways exactly like Rose. He sometimes caught himself envisioning Rose after Martha had said or done something that she would have said or done and he had to bring himself back to reality, embarrassed that he had let himself drift off to his own little dream world again. He hated that he had gotten angry with Martha and told her that he was taking her home, but Martha deserved better than this. She needed to get on with her life and he needed to continue to piece together his.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
RATING: PG-13
FANDOM: Doctor Who
PAIRING: 10/Rose
WARNING: Alternate Universe
SUMMARY: Set after Doomsday...Rose is stuck in the parallel universe and discovers a Doctor in her reality but is he like her own?
DISCLAIMER: DW doesn't belong to me. Making no money off this.
Chapter Five
Rose lay on her bed and wept wishing more than anything that the Doctor was beside her comforting her and telling her everything would be alright.
“They don’t know the Doctor like I do.” She said to herself. “They don’t understand him. No one understands him except me.”
She hugged her pillow tight and stared out her window as the light began to fade outside. She wondered what the Doctor was doing and if he was nearby. She debated whether she should just go in search of him herself.
“I can’t lead his people to him.” She muttered. “The way they were talking, they’d probably shoot first and ask questions later.”
“Rose?”
Rose lifted her head up when she heard her mother’s voice coming through the door.
“Yeah?” she said after a moment’s hesitation.
“You want to come down and eat, hon?”
“No thanks. I’m not hungry.”
“You sure? I’m making burgers and chips.”
“No thanks.”
“Rose…”
“I SAID NO, MUM!” Rose said a little louder than she intended.
She sighed when she heard her mother let out a string of curses and stomp away from the door.
“That’s it; I need to get outta here for awhile.” Rose muttered as she rose from her bed.
Grabbing her jacket from the closet, she opened the door and headed out.
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(Meanwhile in the other universe…)
“So, where are we off to now, Doctor?” Martha asked as they stood by the console.
“Oh, I don’t know. How ‘bout you pick something for a change?” the Doctor replied.
Martha raised her eyebrow.
“Me? Um…Well…”
She tapped her fingertips on the console while she thought.
“Hey, how ‘bout you take me to where those Dogons live? I’d love to see the people you were reading about.” She said.
The Doctor flinched.
“I’d rather not.” He said.
“Why not?”
The Doctor shifted his feet.
“Doctor, why not?” she said.
The Doctor sighed. Martha was starting to become pushy and it was getting on his nerves.
“Because…” he said hoping that would satisfy her.
No such luck.
“Because why?” Martha pressed.
She jumped when the Doctor slammed his fist down on the console.
“BECAUSE THE DOGONS ARE EXTINCT! THEY WERE WIPED OUT IN THE TIME WAR AND I HAVE NO DESIRE TO RELIVE ANY PART OF THAT AGAIN!” he bellowed. “THERE! DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, MARTHA?”
He flinched when he saw the fear on Martha’s face as she quickly nodded.
“I…Oh Rassilon, I’m so sorry.” He quickly said. “I…I…didn’t mean to yell, Martha. It’s just that sometimes I don’t feel like answering certain questions, okay?”
“No, I’m sorry, Doctor.” Martha replied. “I shouldn’t have kept on ya about it. I didn’t realize they were wiped out in the Time War. Please forgive me.”
The Doctor shook his head.
“You don’t have to ask for forgiveness, Martha.” He said gently. “You’ve done nothing wrong. I…I…”
He sighed.
“I’m sorry, but this is hard on me having a companion again. I never should have offered a trip in the first place. It’s not fair for you to travel with me when I’m like this.”
“Doctor, I’m glad you offered to take me with you. I love being here.”
The Doctor smiled weakly at her.
“Thanks.” He said.
“Look, I understand what you had with Rose, I really do.” She said gently. “From what I’ve heard, you two had a really close relationship and…”
She paused as she looked into the Doctor’s eyes and saw he was doing it again. He was looking straight at her, but she could tell he was a million miles away. She sighed guessing who he was seeing instead of her.
“Doctor.” She said gently.
The Doctor didn’t respond.
“Doctor!” she said more forcefully.
The Doctor snapped out of his reverie.
“Hmmm?” he said looking at her with wide eyes. “I’m sorry, were you saying something?”
“It wasn’t anything important.” Martha muttered.
“Oh well, in that case, back to deciding where to go, eh?” the Doctor said cheerfully.
Martha stared at the Doctor. She recognized the cheerfulness for what it really was. A mask to hide his feelings and his pain. She hadn’t traveled with him long, but she already knew he used this face as a barrier against the world. The fact that she had finally managed to get the Doctor to lift it long enough to tell her about himself and his planet still amazed her. She didn’t think the Doctor would open up like that to her.
I’m sure with Rose, it was a different story. She thought bitterly I’m sure he poured out his hearts and soul to her.
She sighed. She had told him she wasn’t interested in him and she thought she wasn’t, but the more she got to know him the more infatuated she was becoming. She could understand Rose falling head over heels in love with him. He was charming, sweet, knowledgeable, and cute as a button. What’s not to like?
Unfortunately, at the moment, I have about as much chance with him as a plasmavore does becoming a vegetarian. She thought.
She smiled at him as he stood in front of his computer screen, thinking.
Still, I’ve never been one to give up. She thought. So I’ll just keep on throwing my line out and hopefully one day I’ll land him hook, line and sinker.
She raised her eyebrow as the Doctor’s eyes widened and a goofy grin spread across his face.
“I GOT IT!” he yelled triumphantly. “OH YES! I KNOW THE PERFECT PLACE TO GO!”
He grinned like a little boy at Christmas as he punched in the coordinates.
“Hold on, Martha Jones, you are gonna like where we’re going next!” He said conspiratorially.
Martha grinned. Yup, she could definitely settle down with a man like him.
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(Back in Pete’s world…)
John looked over at the strange man as they sat side by side in the front seat of his car. After eating the supper they had cooked for him, the man had insisted on being driven into town for supplies. After tying up Mary in the basement, he had forced him out the door and into his car.
“What are you going to do to us?” John asked hesitantly as he glanced down at the strange looking gun resting in his lap.
“Nothing as long as you cooperate.” He said.
He looked directly at him and John gulped as the man’s brown eye bored into him.
“You will cooperate…won’t you?” he said pointedly.
John nodded.
“Good. All I want to do is lay low for awhile and when the danger to me is passed, I’ll be on my way. As long as you do what I say, no harm will come to you or your wife, is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.” John said meekly.
“Excellent. And now, we’re going to exit the car and go in here for supplies. Just a quick run and we’re outta here. Got that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then, get out and no tricks. I have no qualms about killing you right here and now so remember that before you try anything.”
John gulped and nodded.
Keeping the gun out of sight below the dashboard, he kept it trained on John as he opened the door and stepped out. He waited until he was standing on the sidewalk before he put the blaster beneath his coat, opened the door and got out.
“Inside.” He said gruffly as he pointed to the nearby shop.
John nodded and went inside as the man followed close behind him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rose shoved her hands in her pockets as she walked down the sidewalk.
“Should I just go ahead and start searching for him?” she muttered to herself. “Or should I wait?”
She wanted so much to run off and find him. She had visions of falling into his open arms and filling the familiar warmth as he closed them around her body. But, her mum’s and Pete’s words kept coming back to her.
“I can’t be rash.” She muttered. “I gotta think things through. After all, he’s not my Doctor. He’s a different Doctor and I can’t keep thinking he’ll treat me the same way my Doctor treated me.”
She shook her head.
“I refuse to believe he’s a criminal though.” She said. “The Doctor isn’t evil so why would this version of him be evil. It’s impossible.”
As she turned a corner, something inside told her to look over. When she did, she stopped short.
“Oh my God, it can’t be.” She said when she spotted a familiar looking man coming out of a nearby shop carrying a bag in his hands.
Tears came to her eyes as she watched him and another man walking to a car parked in front of the shop. As he sat the bag on the roof and opened the driver’s side door, she suddenly couldn’t contain her joy any longer. Throwing all caution to the wind, she hurried across the street as she screamed out…
“DOCTOR!”
Chapter Six
The Doctor jumped and stared at the strange woman hurrying across the street towards him.
“Rassilon, they found me already?” he muttered
He paused. The woman didn’t look like a Gallifreyan; she looked human. But, he had never been to this planet before, how could the woman know who he was? His hand went down to his side and his fingers flexed as he readied himself to fire his blaster if need be.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know you. I think you made a mistake.” He said to her as she stopped in front of him.
He cast a warning glance at John when he noticed he was trying to sneak away and smirked when he froze in his tracks. He turned his attention back to the woman.
“I know you don’t know who I am,” She said. “But I know you. My name is Rose Tyler and you are the Doctor.”
The Doctor placed his hand on his blaster inside his coat.
“Please, before you go, just hear me out.” Rose pleaded. “I know it sounds crazy, but what I’m about to say to you is the God honest truth.”
The Doctor took his hand off the blaster for the moment, but kept it nearby.
“Like I said, you don’t me but I know you and the reason I know you is…because originally I came from an alternate universe.”
The Doctor raised his eyebrow, but remained quiet.
“And in that universe, I met an alternate version of you and you invited me on board your TARDIS and eventually…I…uh…we fell in love.”
The Doctor stared at her. John looked at him and began to inch away when he saw this woman had his full attention.
“I’m sorry. We did what?” the Doctor asked her.
Rose smiled. He had the same voice too.
“We fell in love.” She repeated gently.
The Doctor stared at her. He figured the humans were off their rockers, but this was a bit much. Still, the woman seemed to trust him and he knew that trust was a thing that could be readily exploited. So, he restrained himself from killing her outright and listened to what she had to say.
“So…why are you here?” he asked. “Why aren’t you with this other Doctor now?”
He frowned when he noticed tears coming to her eyes.
“We got separated. I got pulled into this dimension after I helped him save my Earth from a Dalek and Cybermen invasion and the gap closed so we have no way to get back to each other.”
“Yeah…”
“So, now I’m stuck here working at this place called Torchwood and yesterday this delegation from your planet came to visit us and told us they were looking for you because you were a criminal and they asked my boss and me to help them find you.”
The Doctor’s hand went back on the blaster.
“But…you don’t have to worry. I’m not gonna tell anyone you’re here.” Rose said quickly.
The Doctor frowned.
“Really? And why is that?” he asked.
“Because I don’t believe you’re a criminal. My other Doctor wasn’t a criminal, but his people thought he was and I know your people think the same way. So I want to help you hide from them.”
His hand went off the blaster.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked warily. “Why do you want to help me so badly?”
“Because I love…well, I love the other version of you and I don’t want to see you get caught and executed for some misunderstanding and…”
She shuffled her feet.
“I want you to take me with you.”
“Take you with me?” the Doctor said confused.
“Yeah, you know, take me in your TARDIS after this whole thing has been sorted out. I want to travel with you again…or well, I guess it would be a new thing for you. Unless…you had a Rose too?”
The Doctor shook his head.
“No, I’ve never met you before in my lives.” He said.
“Oh, well, can I still come with ya then?” she asked hopefully.
The Doctor stared at her wondering if this was some sort of trap devised by his people. She had said she worked at this Torchwood so maybe she was sent to stall him and give them enough time to apprehend him. Yet, she looked and sounded sincere. Maybe she was telling the truth. And if she was willing to help him, then that could be useful as well. Very useful. He decided to play along; at least for the time being.
“Um…yes…if you help me escape from here, then I’ll take you along in my TARDIS.” He said.
He gasped when Rose threw his arms around him and sobbed with a mixture of joy and relief. Unsure what to do, he gave her back two quick pats.
“Oh thank you, you won’t regret this!” Rose said, stepping back.
“Um…no, I probably won’t.” the Doctor replied.
“And I hope in time you can learn to love me the way my other Doctor did.” She said.
Rassilon, My other self was in love with a human? He thought. How wimpy can you get?
Still, he was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth especially when the horse was this eager to help him escape.
“Maybe I will.” He said shrugging. “Why don’t we get to know one another first though before we share a bed or something?”
“Oh, oh, yeah, I mean, we’ve only just met here so I don’t expect us to be a couple. It took awhile for the other Doctor and me to fall in love too. But…”
She beamed.
“I’m just so glad I found you again, Doctor.” She said.
“I’m glad I found you too.”
My naive little helper. He finished in his head.
Rose looked around him as she finally noticed that John was missing.
“That man that was with you, he’s gone now.” She said.
The Doctor spun around and cursed in Gallifreyan when he saw she was right.
“Was he a friend of yours?”
The Doctor turned back to her.
“Um, no, I don’t know the guy.” He said quickly.
Rose frowned. She pointed to the bag on top of the car.
“But you were carrying his bags out, weren’t you?” she asked.
“Um…well…I was just being…helpful.” The Doctor replied. “He had a full load and…I thought I would just help him so he wouldn’t have to make two trips.”
Rose smiled.
“Aw, that’s so sweet of you.” She said laying her hand against his cheek.
The Doctor resisted the urge to pull away and forced a smile onto his face.
“I know. I’m a very sweet guy.” He said hating the words as they came out of his mouth.
“Yes, you are.”
The Doctor grinned. This Rose was more gullible than he thought. He no longer cared if John got away. Let him go to the police. The little fool in front of him would hide him and protect him, and all he had to do was act like her other Doctor and lead her on.
Who knows? He thought Maybe I can get this lovesick human to do other things for me as well; like steal and kill. And if she ends up getting killed…well, it’s her fault for being too trusting, I guess.
In order to keep up the ruse though, he had to have more information about this other Doctor.
“So…” he said as casually as he could. “Your other Doctor was on the run from his people, as well?”
“Oh no, by the time I met him, his people were completely wiped out.”
The Doctor did a double take.
“What?” he said not sure if he heard right.
“There was this Time War between the Gallifreyans and the Daleks and Gallifrey ended up being destroyed. The Doctor was the only survivor.”
“So…he’s all by himself in this other reality?”
Rose nodded.
“And…there’s no way for us to get over to this other universe?” the Doctor asked.
“I don’t think so.”
“Are you sure of that?”
“I don’t think so. Why?”
“Oh, just curious.” The Doctor said quickly. “I just thought it was fascinating that the Doctor was the last Time Lord in your dimension.”
And if he is the last Time Lord maybe I can figure out a way to get over there and kill him. He thought. And then with nobody around to pester me, I can do what I want when I want and no one will stop me.
“Um…Rose…” he said as casually as he could. “I don’t want to sound insensitive, but…wouldn’t you rather be with your old Doctor instead of me? I mean, with me, you’ll have to start from scratch relationship wise and I mean who knows if it’ll be the same with me as it was with him. Wouldn’t it be better to try to find a way over into your old dimension instead?”
“But, how? My Doctor told me if he came through with his TARDIS, both universes would collapse and be destroyed. That’s why he hasn’t come back to get me.”
The Doctor grinned. He knew just the thing.
“Weeeeell, actually I know a way we can go between universes and do it safely.” He said.
Rose’s eyes were as wide as dinner plates.
“You do?” she asked barely containing her joy.
“Oh yes, but it’ll be risky.” He said. “But I’m sure seeing your Doctor again is worth it?”
“Oh God, yes.”
The Doctor smiled. This was way too easy.
“Well, see, on Gallifrey there is this library I know of that has a book that contains a schematic for making a machine to cross dimensions.” He said.
He was telling the truth. He had considered getting the book after escaping from his cell so he could cross into another dimension and escape, but the alarm had been sounded and there had been no time.
I’ll have loads of time now though. He thought. I’m sure those idiots would never think of me going back to Gallifrey especially if they are looking for me here on Earth, and besides, I have a gullible little human standing in front of me who is desperate to get back to her Doctor. She’ll do just about anything to be with him, sounds like.
And judging from the overjoyed expression on her face, he was absolutely right.
“Oh God, you mean there might be a chance I could see my Doctor again.” She said in disbelief.
“Yes, but you have to help me, Rose. And some things we might do may not be on the level. We’ll have to steal the book, for one. Are you okay with that?”
“For a chance at seeing my Doctor again, I’ll do anything.” Rose replied.
The Doctor smirked.
Who knows? If I worm my way into her heart enough she might not mind if I kill her Doctor. She’ll probably stay with me willingly. He thought. But if she doesn’t, then she can die as well. It makes no difference to me.
“Then, Rose, if you are willing to help me get this book and the materials we’ll need to construct. I’ll be willing to construct it and take you back across the void to your reality so you can be with your Doctor again. Okay?”
“Yes!”
Rose let out a squeal and threw her arms around the Doctor.
“Oh God, Doctor, thank you.” She gushed as she hugged him tight. “Thank you so much.”
The Doctor smirked as he held her.
“You’re welcome, Rose.” He replied.
The smirk widened when she pulled back and looked at him happily.
At last I’ll finally be able to escape from this dimension. He thought and a stupid little ape is going to help me do it.
Chapter Seven
The Doctor yawned and stretched as the morning sun came through the slats in the boarded up window beside him. After they had finished their conversation, Rose had helped him find an abandoned building to hide in. After making sure he was okay, she had went home for the night.
The Doctor peered through a gap in the boards and watched the morning commuters walking in front of the building. He had time to relax now unlike the last couple of days. Rose had told him that she would lead her boss and the delegation away from his hiding place and return later in the evening with some bedding and supplies. The Doctor had pretended to be grateful and had even forced himself to kiss her cheek knowing that It would endear herself to him and cement her trust. If he was going to use her, he had to be sure she wasn’t going to betray him at some point. He needed her help to get over to the other dimension and kill the other Doctor.
He snorted to himself. Before leaving, Rose had told him more of her Doctor and from what he had heard, he figured that his alter ego was nothing more than a wimpy goody two shoes. Instead of using his TARDIS to plunder and rule the universe, he was going around helping people and fighting monsters.
“How pathetic can you get?” he muttered.
For a brief moment, he imagined himself convincing the other Doctor to become like him and join forces.
“Nah, from what Rose told me, I doubt the little Boy Scout would go for it.” He said. “Better to just put the stupid prig out of his misery and take control of his universe.”
The Doctor settled back and reached into the bag beside him. He pulled out some crisps, opened the bag and munched on them while he thought out how they were going to get the book from the library.
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(The Other Universe…)
Martha flopped down onto the bed in the spare room the Doctor had given her. She let out an angry sigh and shook her head.
“Guess that just proves there’s someone for everyone.” She said. “God, that sounded so idiotic, and what’s worse, I got him to think of her again.”
She lay back on the bed and put her hands behind her head.
“As if he doesn’t think of her enough without me helping him.” She said. “God, I get so tired of hearing him talk about Rose nonstop. The woman is gone and from what I understand, she’s not coming back. He needs to learn to let go of the past and move on.”
She rolled over onto her side.
“Even if he doesn’t move on with me.” She added. “I just wish he could get past her.”
“But I don’t want to get past her, Martha.”
Martha rolled over onto her back and stared at the Doctor who was standing in the doorway.
“Doctor, I…”
“You don’t know Rose. You don’t know what it was like being with her, so you have no right to criticize me for not moving on with my life.” He said angrily.
“Doctor, I’m sorry. It’s just that she’s in the past now and-“
“Oh no,” the Doctor interrupted. “She is very much a part of my present. Whenever I go to sleep, she’s right there, talking to me and telling me how much she loves me. Whenever I step outside those TARDIS doors, she is right beside me in spirit. When the carrionite caused you to pass out, she tried to guess my real name and when she didn’t, she taunted me with Rose’s name instead, and as I told her, it was a big mistake because that name keeps me fighting and you know what, Martha, it does. Knowing that she is alive and well and living her life gives me the strength to go on. If she had died that day, I don’t know what I would have done or where I would be right now. She meant more to me than any companion I’ve ever had and losing her shook me to the core of my very being.”
He walked over to the side of the bed and glared down at her.
“And you being jealous of a woman you’ve never even met strikes me as both childish and petty. I warned you when you first entered this TARDIS that you would not be replacing Rose and you agreed to that. You also told me that you weren’t interested in dating aliens, so I don’t understand why you are so upset that I talk about her. Talking about her and keeping her memory alive makes me happy and brings me comfort. Now I don’t know what your intentions are regarding me, but I can assure you I have not missed the flirting you’ve been doing. I may be grieving and in pain, but I’m not blind, Martha. I don’t want another romantic relationship right now and I doubt if I will want one ever again. So you are just wasting your time and effort trying to pursue something that will never happen.”
“Doctor, I’m sorry, I really am. I just…I hate seeing you grieving over Rose like this. I’m sorry if I do seem jealous, and I know what I said, but these past few trips have been amazing, and you’re an amazing man and I don’t know, I feel myself falling in love with you.”
“Then I think it’s time for you to leave, Martha Jones.”
Martha stared at him in disbelief.
“What?”
“You heard me. I gave you four trips when I offered you only one. I gave you a generous reward in return for saving my life, and now it’s time for you to leave and pursue your medical career.”
“Doctor, wait, please-“
“I will take you home now, Martha Jones, so you can return to your life, and that will be that.”
Without another word, the Doctor turned and walked out of the room leaving Martha staring after him in stunned silence.
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(Pete’s World…)
Rose opened the door and peeked inside making sure her mother and Pete were nowhere in sight. Seeing no one was around, she closed the door behind her and hurried towards the stairs. She wanted to stay long enough to get some bedding for the Doctor and a few other things he might need and she didn’t want her mother and Pete asking her any questions. She reached the stairs and started up.
“Rose, there you are.”
Rose stopped short and turned to look at her mother who was walking out of the kitchen.
“You’re home early.” Jackie said.
“Yeah, just for a moment though mum, I have to go back and catch up on my paperwork.”
She paused.
“And…um…Jill from work is working late as well so she asked me to spend the night with her so I’m going to get a blanket and some pillows and head over there after I’m done, okay? So, don’t wait up for me.”
She started up the stairs.
“Did you find him?”
Rose paused.
“Find who?”
“The Doctor.”
Rose put on a neutral expression.
“No, didn’t find him, mum.” She said as calmly as she could.
“Oh, well, I’m glad, frankly.”
Rose sighed.
“Mum…”
“He’s dangerous, Rose.”
“No, he’s not!”
“Rose, I was watching the telly and they had a man on the news saying that him and his wife had been held hostage in their home by a man, and he managed to escape from him and alert the authorities.
“Yeah, so?”
“When they showed the police sketch of the man, it looked exactly like the Doctor.”
Rose frowned.
“What? That can’t be right.” She said.
Jackie sighed.
“Rose, I’ve seen the Doctor enough times to know what he looks like and that was him. The only thing different about him from our Doctor was the eye patch and the scar on his face. Other than that, he looked exactly the same. Rose, they’re saying that he took these people hostage and threatened to kill them. Now, please listen to me and don’t go looking for him by yourself. You’re gonna get killed!”
“Mum, it’s got to be a misunderstanding. The Doctor is on the run from his people. They want to execute him for crimes he didn’t commit.”
“How do you know he didn’t commit them?”
“I just…know, alright?”
“No, it’s not alright! This Doctor is a criminal, Rose! The man told the police that the Doctor threatened to kill him and his wife with some kind of gun. Has your Doctor ever used a gun?”
“A couple of times.”
“Did he threaten to kill anyone?”
“Yeah.”
Jackie folded her arms over her chest.
“Were the people he threatened to kill innocent bystanders who were just minding their own business when the Doctor burst into their house?”
“Um…no…”
“Yeah? Well, these people were, Rose. He is not your Doctor! Not everything here is the same as it was on our Earth and that includes the Doctor. Now, if you are being ordered to look for him then do it, but for God’s sake, Rose, take people with you! Don’t be foolish, Rose! I don’t want to turn on the telly and find the Doctor holding you hostage somewhere. Think!”
Rose sighed. She didn’t know what to think. She knew her mother was right, but still something inside her was telling her the Doctor was innocent. Still, she decided to play along if only to get out of the house.
“Alright, mum, you’re right. I won’t look for the Doctor on my own.” She said.
“Oh thank God, you’re finally listening to reason.” Jackie said.
She went up the stairs and embraced her daughter.
I am going to ask the Doctor about all this. Rose thought. Just to ease my mind and put my fears to rest once and for all.
Chapter Eight
(Pete’s World…)
The Doctor looked out the window while he drank a bottle of Coke. Swallowing, he grimaced at the taste.
“Ugh, humans actually drink this stuff?” he said.
He took another swallow.
“Still, it’s better than nothing, I suppose.”
He looked over as Rose entered the room.
“Oh, you’re back. Good. I--”
“Tell me the truth, Doctor.”
The Doctor frowned.
“About what?” he said.
“Why are your people after you?”
“I…I don’t know. They seem to think I’m a criminal and-“
“Are you?”
“Well…no, I’m not a criminal, Rose.”
“Then why did you hold a man and his wife hostage in their house?”
The Doctor cursed under his breath. He knew he should have killed John when he had the chance.
“It didn’t happen like that, Rose.” The Doctor said trying to keep calm. “It’s all a big misunderstanding. I needed shelter and so I asked that man and his wife if I could spend the night. I carry a blaster with me for protection and I guess the man thought I was holding them hostage with it.”
“The man…he was the one with you when I first saw you?”
“No, that was someone else. I’m not a criminal, Rose, honestly.”
“Your people think you are.”
“Well, my people are wrong.”
He leaned forward.
“Didn’t you mention that your Doctor had also been falsely accused several times and put on trial?”
“Yes.”
“So, in his reality, he was also branded a criminal, yes?”
“Well, they called him a renegade.”
“Well, that’s what they also call me. I’m a renegade.” The Doctor said.
Forcing down the revulsion he felt inside, he stood and took Rose’s hands in his. He stared into her eyes trying to look as emotional as he could.
“Rose,” he said. “I’m on the run because my people don’t understand me. They see me as a threat to the universe when all I want to do is help.”
He forced himself to put his hand against her cheek.
“But you know differently, don’t you?” he said in a soft voice. “You know I would never do the things they accused me of, right?”
Rose stared into his good eye and saw that the Doctor was being sincere. She nodded.
“I believe you, Doctor.” She said. “I know you’re not evil. You couldn’t be.”
The Doctor beamed and Rose felt her heart skip a beat. If it weren’t for the scar and eye patch she would swear it were her Doctor standing in front of her. She felt her eyes tear up when the Doctor began to stroke her cheek lovingly.
“I’m so glad you trust me, Rose.” The Doctor said. “I can see why my double fancies you so much, I think I’m beginning to see what he sees.”
He leaned forward and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Now,” he whispered in her ear. “What about your boss and the delegation, did you give them the slip so we can make our escape?”
“I didn’t go in to work today.” Rose replied. “I left so my mum wouldn’t suspect and I went to a pay phone and called in sick. Then, I waited a few hours and went back for some bedding for you. That’s when my mum saw me and told me that the police were looking for you.”
“And what did you say to your mum about you being home?”
“I told her I was going to work late and spend the night with a friend and I was home to pick up some bedding to take over to her house.”
The Doctor looked at her hands.
“And the bedding?”
“It’s in the hallway by the door.”
“Okay.”
“I got a torch and a couple of books too. I figured you could pass the time while we wait to go.”
“Actually, I want to leave late tonight.” The Doctor replied.
“Oh, I didn’t know you wanted to leave so soon. I wouldn’t have brought the bedding otherwise.”
“No, no, it’s okay. I need some sleep before we go. I appreciate everything you did.”
He kissed her cheek and smirked when he heard Rose let out a contented sigh.
“What time do you want to leave?” Rose asked.
“Around midnight. That way, there won’t be many people out and we won’t be detected.”
Rose nodded.
“What about you, where will you go?” the Doctor asked.
“Um…well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to stay here and get a nap as well.” She said.
The Doctor shrugged.
“Fine with me. Just go ahead and I’ll go to sleep in about an hour or two.”
Rose nodded. She gave the Doctor a friendly peck on the cheek.
“I’ll see you later then.” She said.
The Doctor nodded. He watched as Rose headed into the other room to get the bedding.
“Sucker.” He said.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(The Other Universe…)
The Doctor lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling. He hated what he had said to Martha. He didn’t want to be harsh towards her especially since she was a nice person and a great help to him, but he was tired of her jealous looks and her long exasperated sighs whenever he mentioned Rose. He knew it was irritating for her to constantly hear about how great she was and how much he missed her, but he loved her more than anything and talking about her made her come alive again in his mind. He knew it hadn’t been fair to ask Martha to accompany him. He hadn’t been ready to take on another companion. He still had a lot of grief and pain to work through, but Martha had saved his life and he was grateful for that and the obvious reward was a trip in the TARDIS. He had gone through one adventure with Donna and she had left right after that so, he reasoned, why should Martha be any different? Except Martha was different. Unlike Donna, she didn’t shriek and thrust Rose’s shirt in his face and ride his back demanding he get her to the church on time. She was sweet and smart and in a lot of ways exactly like Rose. He sometimes caught himself envisioning Rose after Martha had said or done something that she would have said or done and he had to bring himself back to reality, embarrassed that he had let himself drift off to his own little dream world again. He hated that he had gotten angry with Martha and told her that he was taking her home, but Martha deserved better than this. She needed to get on with her life and he needed to continue to piece together his.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.