Fic ~ "Just Us" 3/4
Title: Just Us - 3/4
Characters/Pairing: Ten/Rose, Mickey, Sarah Jane
Rating: PG
Warnings: Spoilers for School Reunion
Beta: kalleah & leighleighla
Summary: Between explosions and saying goodbye to an old friend, there are things left undone and unsaid.
A/N: Previous chapters here at Teaspoon.
"We can’t just leave him!” Rose whispered when she had finally caught up with him.
He glanced sideways at her. “Can and will!”
“Why?”
The Doctor dropped the items on the counter by the register and the clerk began ringing the items up. “Because. That’s why.”
“Seriously? You think that’s good enough?”
“Yup! Come on. He’s not going to want anything to eat and we’re due. Let’s make a run for it and then take a break.” He paused, then turned to her and spoke earnestly. “Just us.” With that he turned back to the clerk and paid the bill.
Rose stood in shock for a minute. She had thought this had been about getting rid of Mickey the Idiot. Now it almost sounded like it was more about them being together. Alone.
Before she had time to fully process what he had said, he grabbed the bag off the counter, took her hand and led her to the doors. He glanced over his shoulder a few times to make sure the coast was clear. Mickey was still talking with the sales lady about some computer cabling.
The Doctor paused and dropped Rose’s hand long enough to stuff all six batteries into the pocket of his long brown coat. Rose stifled a giggle. “What, are they bigger on the inside too?”
He gave her a goofy grin. “Yup!” Grabbing her hand and pulling her close to his side, he leaned over and gave her a mischievous look. “Run!”
___________________________
They were running for a good twenty meters before Rose even thought to look back to check for Mickey. She glanced behind her and saw he was nowhere in sight. The Doctor was just ahead of her, checking back continuously to make sure she was keeping up. Sensing her faltering steps as she turned, he looked back over her shoulder, almost running backwards. He looked down at her and grinned. She couldn’t help grinning back. Everything felt like it should again.
They ran to the end of the next block then slowed down. Out of breath, she gasped, “I think…I need a break.”
He smiled. “Nothing like a good run to work up the appetite.”
“Or a good side cramp. Ow, by the way.” She laughed breathily and placed her free hand on her ribs.
He immediately turned serious. “You okay?”
“Yeah, but I’d rather walk from this point on if you don’t mind.”
“That can be arranged. In fact, how about we head just over there?” he asked, pointing to a chip shop just across the street.
“Sounds like a plan. But you’re buying this time.”
He wove through the crowds, leading her to their destination. “I’ll have you know, Rose Tyler, I won the bet. So you owe me ten quid.”
She laughed, “Oh, it doesn’t work like that. We said double or nothing. That meant either you pay me double what you owe, or the slate is wiped clean. Either way, I don’t owe you anything.”
The Doctor stood there dumbfounded, holding the door open for her to pass through. He gaped like a fish out of water for a moment and then wrinkled his nose. “Well, that’s just not fair!”
Rose suppressed a smile and got in line ahead of him. “I figured you knew what you were doing. I mean, a nine hundred year old Time Lord being conned by a twenty year old shop girl does not speak well for your reputation.”
“You cheated. I said you played dirty and I was right.” He sulked but squeezed her hand affectionately.
She smiled at him, and grabbed their chips. The shop was small and fairly crowded but one of the small, round metal tables by the window was empty so they went over and took a seat.
Rose groaned as she sat down. The Doctor raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Just tired. And sore from all the running and dodging alien bats. It’s been a long day.” She smiled wearily.
He nodded his agreement. “That it has.” As he reached for the vinegar, she cocked an eyebrow at him. A war of eyes took place over the next few seconds. The Doctor was watching Rose with a daring look and she returned his gaze with the same force, a small smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.
“Do it, and you’ll definitely live to regret it.”
He sighed and took one of the small paper cups for condiments and filled it with vinegar to dip the chips in. They sat quietly for a few minutes as they ate. Finally, it was Rose who broke the silence while staring out the window at nothing in particular.
“She misses this, you know. She said it was hard for her to adjust back to life on Earth. I don’t know how she did it.”
He gave her a grin. “Oh, she moved on. She’s still doing what we always did. Just a little closer to home is all.”
Something suddenly occurred to her. “How long has it been for you?”
“Since I last saw her? Half a lifetime.” He paused and then gave sad smile. “More like half a dozen lifetimes.”
Rose gaped. “Are you serious about half a lifetime? That’s over four hundred years for you.”
He shrugged. “Nah, it’s been more like around two hundred.” He looked up at the ceiling. “-ish.” He added as an afterthought. “Maybe a bit less than that actually.”
“And you never bothered to go back, even just to say hello?”
“What would be the point?” He asked with a genuinely puzzled look on his face. “She had her own life and moved on from mine. No different than switching jobs, I’d imagine. Takes some adjustment for all my companions, but it’s for the best in the end.”
“How could you compare it to just a job? You were best mates, yeah? And you just left her behind without telling her you wouldn’t come back for her.” She sounded sad.
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “We were best friends, yes. But not like us.” He pointed back and forth between them. “We’re…well…what do you want me to do, Rose? I can’t turn back time on this one. She’s got a brilliant life.”
“I don’t know. We’re giving her a new K-9.” She paused and thought for a moment. “Well, I guess you can’t say new. Still the same inside. Sort of.”
“New, New K-9.” the Doctor laughed.
Rose laughed too, but it was tinged with regret and she couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye. “I think Sarah Jane will handle it a bit better than I did.”
“It’s always hard.” he replied softly “She went through a regeneration too, you know. You could…well…maybe talk to her. If you want to. About that. I mean, if you don’t want to talk to me about it.” He ducked his head down until his chin almost rested on his chest. Rose chanced glancing up and reached across the table and took his hand.
“Do you want to talk about it? We never really have talked about things like that.”
“Well, it’s just one of those things we, and when I say ‘we’, I mean Time Lords…wait, what ‘things’?” he asked, looking up abruptly, suddenly confused “That implies there’s more than just the regeneration that bothers you.”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me so much now. I know about it by getting a crash course. I just wonder what else I don’t know about you.” Picking at the chips, she wondered how deep into the conversation they would get before he changed the subject. How much information he would volunteer.
He sighed. “There’s a lot to know. I’m just not used to telling someone without an immediate need to know.” She pulled her hand back slightly, but he held it firmly. “I can’t promise I’ll think to tell you every little detail. But I can promise to always answer any questions as best as I can.”
Rose’s eyes drifted from their clasped hands to his face, studying it. He promised to answer her questions and not avoid her completely. She could see from the earnest look on his face that he meant it. That was really all she could ask of him.
She shifted and straightened in her seat, deciding to change the subject somewhat. “Well, if you want me to have girl-talk, we could always ask her to come along with us.” She grinned and her tone changed to a teasing one. “I could use some help looking after you anyway. Always wandering off. You’re too jeopardy friendly for me to keep safe by myself. And she comes with experience.”
He rolled his eyes dramatically with a laugh and pointed at her. “Oh, please. You, Rose Tyler, are one to talk. I’m not the one who ended up in a basement with a werewolf.” Then, as if what she had said just caught up with him, he paused. When he spoke again, his voice was low. “You want me to ask her to travel again? Are you sure? I thought it would be nice for us to be on our own.” He was almost pouting. “Is my company that bad that you want someone else along with us?”
Rose smiled and shook her head. “No, I like it when it’s just us. I just thought maybe even just one trip would be nice for her. As a thank you. The K-9 is brilliant, and if she says no then you still have that to give her. If she says yes, then we take her where she wants to go and when we get back you can give her the K-9. Either way, she’ll be happy. I’d like to see that.”
He gave her a goofy grin. “You really are the best.”
“I know.” She managed to say with a curt nod and straight face before bursting into giggles.
___________________________
Mickey walked along the street, lugging five overstuffed and rather heavy shopping bags. He had no idea where Rose and the Doctor had gone, but he was sure they had already forgotten about him. That was to be expected, he thought. Tin dogs get left behind.
He rounded the corner and saw them sitting in the well-lit window of a chip shop. Both were grinning madly, heads together as if conspiring. Most likely were, he thought with a snort. He shifted the bags and headed for the shop.
___________________________
The jingling of the bells on the door of the shop didn’t draw the attention of either the Doctor or Rose. They were far too engrossed in making plans for where to go next. The commotion surrounding the person who entered did snap them out of their conversation though.
“Sorry. Oof. Sorry. Oops. Oh, sorry!” said Mickey as he made his way through the tightly packed shop, turning this way and that to accommodate the large bags he was carrying like a pack mule.
“Mickey!” Rose cried as she darted over to help him put the bags in the spare chair at their table. She grunted under the weight of one of them. “Oi. What’s in this thing? Gold bricks?”
Mickey flashed a satisfied grin and pointed at the Doctor. “Might as well be for the stack of cash he gave me.”
Pulling up a seat and snatching one of the now cold chips, he took a bite, wrinkled his nose and stuck out his tongue in an expression of disgust. He glanced over in time to see the Doctor stand up.
“Time to go. We’ve got work to do.” the Doctor declared. Rose stood, cleared the table and dumped everything in the waste bin.
Mickey sighed and stood up. “Any chance you two could give me a hand?”
Rose answered by grabbing a shopping bag and shoving it into the Doctor’s chest. He looked down at the bag then at her. She gave him a smile and his shoulders sagged. He mumbled something about the items in question not fitting in his pockets but took the bag. She gave him a big smile and scooped up one of the other packages as she nudged him towards the door.
Characters/Pairing: Ten/Rose, Mickey, Sarah Jane
Rating: PG
Warnings: Spoilers for School Reunion
Beta: kalleah & leighleighla
Summary: Between explosions and saying goodbye to an old friend, there are things left undone and unsaid.
A/N: Previous chapters here at Teaspoon.
"We can’t just leave him!” Rose whispered when she had finally caught up with him.
He glanced sideways at her. “Can and will!”
“Why?”
The Doctor dropped the items on the counter by the register and the clerk began ringing the items up. “Because. That’s why.”
“Seriously? You think that’s good enough?”
“Yup! Come on. He’s not going to want anything to eat and we’re due. Let’s make a run for it and then take a break.” He paused, then turned to her and spoke earnestly. “Just us.” With that he turned back to the clerk and paid the bill.
Rose stood in shock for a minute. She had thought this had been about getting rid of Mickey the Idiot. Now it almost sounded like it was more about them being together. Alone.
Before she had time to fully process what he had said, he grabbed the bag off the counter, took her hand and led her to the doors. He glanced over his shoulder a few times to make sure the coast was clear. Mickey was still talking with the sales lady about some computer cabling.
The Doctor paused and dropped Rose’s hand long enough to stuff all six batteries into the pocket of his long brown coat. Rose stifled a giggle. “What, are they bigger on the inside too?”
He gave her a goofy grin. “Yup!” Grabbing her hand and pulling her close to his side, he leaned over and gave her a mischievous look. “Run!”
___________________________
They were running for a good twenty meters before Rose even thought to look back to check for Mickey. She glanced behind her and saw he was nowhere in sight. The Doctor was just ahead of her, checking back continuously to make sure she was keeping up. Sensing her faltering steps as she turned, he looked back over her shoulder, almost running backwards. He looked down at her and grinned. She couldn’t help grinning back. Everything felt like it should again.
They ran to the end of the next block then slowed down. Out of breath, she gasped, “I think…I need a break.”
He smiled. “Nothing like a good run to work up the appetite.”
“Or a good side cramp. Ow, by the way.” She laughed breathily and placed her free hand on her ribs.
He immediately turned serious. “You okay?”
“Yeah, but I’d rather walk from this point on if you don’t mind.”
“That can be arranged. In fact, how about we head just over there?” he asked, pointing to a chip shop just across the street.
“Sounds like a plan. But you’re buying this time.”
He wove through the crowds, leading her to their destination. “I’ll have you know, Rose Tyler, I won the bet. So you owe me ten quid.”
She laughed, “Oh, it doesn’t work like that. We said double or nothing. That meant either you pay me double what you owe, or the slate is wiped clean. Either way, I don’t owe you anything.”
The Doctor stood there dumbfounded, holding the door open for her to pass through. He gaped like a fish out of water for a moment and then wrinkled his nose. “Well, that’s just not fair!”
Rose suppressed a smile and got in line ahead of him. “I figured you knew what you were doing. I mean, a nine hundred year old Time Lord being conned by a twenty year old shop girl does not speak well for your reputation.”
“You cheated. I said you played dirty and I was right.” He sulked but squeezed her hand affectionately.
She smiled at him, and grabbed their chips. The shop was small and fairly crowded but one of the small, round metal tables by the window was empty so they went over and took a seat.
Rose groaned as she sat down. The Doctor raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Just tired. And sore from all the running and dodging alien bats. It’s been a long day.” She smiled wearily.
He nodded his agreement. “That it has.” As he reached for the vinegar, she cocked an eyebrow at him. A war of eyes took place over the next few seconds. The Doctor was watching Rose with a daring look and she returned his gaze with the same force, a small smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.
“Do it, and you’ll definitely live to regret it.”
He sighed and took one of the small paper cups for condiments and filled it with vinegar to dip the chips in. They sat quietly for a few minutes as they ate. Finally, it was Rose who broke the silence while staring out the window at nothing in particular.
“She misses this, you know. She said it was hard for her to adjust back to life on Earth. I don’t know how she did it.”
He gave her a grin. “Oh, she moved on. She’s still doing what we always did. Just a little closer to home is all.”
Something suddenly occurred to her. “How long has it been for you?”
“Since I last saw her? Half a lifetime.” He paused and then gave sad smile. “More like half a dozen lifetimes.”
Rose gaped. “Are you serious about half a lifetime? That’s over four hundred years for you.”
He shrugged. “Nah, it’s been more like around two hundred.” He looked up at the ceiling. “-ish.” He added as an afterthought. “Maybe a bit less than that actually.”
“And you never bothered to go back, even just to say hello?”
“What would be the point?” He asked with a genuinely puzzled look on his face. “She had her own life and moved on from mine. No different than switching jobs, I’d imagine. Takes some adjustment for all my companions, but it’s for the best in the end.”
“How could you compare it to just a job? You were best mates, yeah? And you just left her behind without telling her you wouldn’t come back for her.” She sounded sad.
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “We were best friends, yes. But not like us.” He pointed back and forth between them. “We’re…well…what do you want me to do, Rose? I can’t turn back time on this one. She’s got a brilliant life.”
“I don’t know. We’re giving her a new K-9.” She paused and thought for a moment. “Well, I guess you can’t say new. Still the same inside. Sort of.”
“New, New K-9.” the Doctor laughed.
Rose laughed too, but it was tinged with regret and she couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye. “I think Sarah Jane will handle it a bit better than I did.”
“It’s always hard.” he replied softly “She went through a regeneration too, you know. You could…well…maybe talk to her. If you want to. About that. I mean, if you don’t want to talk to me about it.” He ducked his head down until his chin almost rested on his chest. Rose chanced glancing up and reached across the table and took his hand.
“Do you want to talk about it? We never really have talked about things like that.”
“Well, it’s just one of those things we, and when I say ‘we’, I mean Time Lords…wait, what ‘things’?” he asked, looking up abruptly, suddenly confused “That implies there’s more than just the regeneration that bothers you.”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me so much now. I know about it by getting a crash course. I just wonder what else I don’t know about you.” Picking at the chips, she wondered how deep into the conversation they would get before he changed the subject. How much information he would volunteer.
He sighed. “There’s a lot to know. I’m just not used to telling someone without an immediate need to know.” She pulled her hand back slightly, but he held it firmly. “I can’t promise I’ll think to tell you every little detail. But I can promise to always answer any questions as best as I can.”
Rose’s eyes drifted from their clasped hands to his face, studying it. He promised to answer her questions and not avoid her completely. She could see from the earnest look on his face that he meant it. That was really all she could ask of him.
She shifted and straightened in her seat, deciding to change the subject somewhat. “Well, if you want me to have girl-talk, we could always ask her to come along with us.” She grinned and her tone changed to a teasing one. “I could use some help looking after you anyway. Always wandering off. You’re too jeopardy friendly for me to keep safe by myself. And she comes with experience.”
He rolled his eyes dramatically with a laugh and pointed at her. “Oh, please. You, Rose Tyler, are one to talk. I’m not the one who ended up in a basement with a werewolf.” Then, as if what she had said just caught up with him, he paused. When he spoke again, his voice was low. “You want me to ask her to travel again? Are you sure? I thought it would be nice for us to be on our own.” He was almost pouting. “Is my company that bad that you want someone else along with us?”
Rose smiled and shook her head. “No, I like it when it’s just us. I just thought maybe even just one trip would be nice for her. As a thank you. The K-9 is brilliant, and if she says no then you still have that to give her. If she says yes, then we take her where she wants to go and when we get back you can give her the K-9. Either way, she’ll be happy. I’d like to see that.”
He gave her a goofy grin. “You really are the best.”
“I know.” She managed to say with a curt nod and straight face before bursting into giggles.
___________________________
Mickey walked along the street, lugging five overstuffed and rather heavy shopping bags. He had no idea where Rose and the Doctor had gone, but he was sure they had already forgotten about him. That was to be expected, he thought. Tin dogs get left behind.
He rounded the corner and saw them sitting in the well-lit window of a chip shop. Both were grinning madly, heads together as if conspiring. Most likely were, he thought with a snort. He shifted the bags and headed for the shop.
___________________________
The jingling of the bells on the door of the shop didn’t draw the attention of either the Doctor or Rose. They were far too engrossed in making plans for where to go next. The commotion surrounding the person who entered did snap them out of their conversation though.
“Sorry. Oof. Sorry. Oops. Oh, sorry!” said Mickey as he made his way through the tightly packed shop, turning this way and that to accommodate the large bags he was carrying like a pack mule.
“Mickey!” Rose cried as she darted over to help him put the bags in the spare chair at their table. She grunted under the weight of one of them. “Oi. What’s in this thing? Gold bricks?”
Mickey flashed a satisfied grin and pointed at the Doctor. “Might as well be for the stack of cash he gave me.”
Pulling up a seat and snatching one of the now cold chips, he took a bite, wrinkled his nose and stuck out his tongue in an expression of disgust. He glanced over in time to see the Doctor stand up.
“Time to go. We’ve got work to do.” the Doctor declared. Rose stood, cleared the table and dumped everything in the waste bin.
Mickey sighed and stood up. “Any chance you two could give me a hand?”
Rose answered by grabbing a shopping bag and shoving it into the Doctor’s chest. He looked down at the bag then at her. She gave him a smile and his shoulders sagged. He mumbled something about the items in question not fitting in his pockets but took the bag. She gave him a big smile and scooped up one of the other packages as she nudged him towards the door.