When You Can (2/?)
Title: When You Can (2/?)
Pairing: Ten/Rose, special guest
Rating: PG
Timeline: Series 2; after The Age of Steel
Summary: Things are a bit off between the Doctor and Rose after Mickey stays behind - still, everything's fine...right? Well, Rose meets an intriguing stranger and the Doctor isn't so sure anymore.
A/N: Short chapters but will be updated daily probably since it's already written (gives me time to work on a new story I'm brewing!).
Want to read from the beginning? Start here
***
The Doctor remained in the console room for what seemed like forever, which was quite impressive a feeling for a Time Lord. He was sitting in front of the screen, staring hypnotically at the Gallifreyian writing, letting his mind go numb for once. Better numb than actually feel the guilt he had begun stirring inside of him while waiting for Rose to emerge from her room.
He was unaware of how long she had been in there, but his senses were telling him that it had been quite a time ago. He’d take her to the ball, he had no qualms about it…it was just that…
Before the Doctor could finish his thought, he heard the tapping of heels on the floor. Suddenly nervous, the Time Lord sprung from his chair so quickly that the tools he had left idly on the console dropped to the floor. He bent down to pick them up, cursing silently in his native language. Standing, the tools tightly in his grasp, he looked up at Rose and promptly dropped the tools, their clanging echoing in the vast ship.
He had never seen her look so…just so.
Rose’s hair was up, but there were tendrils falling, framing her face. Her usual make up was toned down and subtle, her lips slightly pink, as if swollen. She was wearing a midnight blue empire waist gown that appeared to cascade and hug her curves. There were black designs of geometric circles decorating the edges, so minute that only his eyes could have seen them from where he stood. The sleeves of the dress were short, like any ordinary t-shirt. Understated and gorgeous, like her, he thought idly before he could censor his thoughts. They showed off her slightly toned arms. All that escaping had done wonders for her, but she still maintained a softness about her, curves everywhere…
He coughed suddenly and bent down to pick up the tools he had dropped…again.
“You…you look…very…beautiful,” she looked exquisite, but she didn’t need to know how deeply his observations went.
“For a human,” she said, a slight smirk about her lips.
The Doctor looked to her as he stood up, lifting one eyebrow. The words were so normal, but he remembered the last time he’d said them to her. He was slightly surprised that she remembered. What she didn’t seem to understand was that he meant it then and he meant it now. Rose seemed to have paid more attention to the teasing than to the actual meaning of his words and behaviors.
“So…,” he continued, choosing to ignore her last statement, “we’re going to the ball?” The Doctor wanted to forget what he had seen on her face earlier.
Rose walked past him and to the Tardis doors, her heels clicking on the floor. Each step made his head spin with fear. The Doctor felt his hearts race. Was she leaving him?
She placed her hand on the door, but turned around before stepping out. “You still need to get ready because you can’t go in there with that on, they’ll think you’re mental,” she smiled softly, the Doctor’s eyes intensely on hers, “so, I’ll meet you in there.” She looked at him one last time and then pushed open the door and left.
It wasn’t like Rose to leave without him. The Doctor tried to ignore the feelings of rejection that swam over him. He didn’t like it when Rose was upset with him, but this went beyond anytime he had upset her in the past. The only moment of consolation he had, the only part that made him feel like there was an inkling of hope, was the slight stinging of teasing accompanied by her sad smile.
He made his way quickly down the corridor to the wardrobe room. He’d find something to wear and then race over to the ball and find Rose.
There had to be something behind all this and he’d find out what it was sooner or later. The Doctor preferred sooner. He didn’t want to lose her and he felt that time was of the essence.
***
All he had to do was stay quiet for a little while longer. The more he gave her some space right now the faster she could get over being left behind, Rose thought. She was walking slowly to the large building where the ball was being held. Hugging her stomach, she tried to ignore the images in her mind of the Doctor and Reinette. She was tired of thinking about them, tired of coming up for reasons why he did it. Rose knew she had to accept it. It had to be done if she wanted to continue traveling with the Doctor.
Rose sighed softly. Even while walking along by herself and staring at her feet, she knew she didn't want to leave him. Not ever. And so, that meant she would have to get over the realization that he would never truly be hers. Reinette may be gone, but there would be others. And just like her, they would be classier, more intelligent and flirtier than Rose could ever imagine herself to be.
Looking up, Rose stopped abruptly. She was in awe of the majestic building in front of her. It was exquisite with intricated designs that Rose didn’t recognize carved into its sides. There were hordes of people streaming in and out, all dressed elegantly and some were laughing joyously. Rose smiled half-heartedly at the people. Maybe she should have waited for the Doctor.
As if on cue, she felt someone take her hand. She looked to the right of her, startled. Her lips quickly upturned into a smile when she saw the Doctor dressed in a black suit, right next to her. He grinned brightly right back at her.
“Shall we, Dame Rose?” his voice was husky and low in her ear.
Her mouth went dry, and she attempted to get the words out, “Always, Sir Doctor.” Her throat felt tight.
With one more look at each other, their hands clasped, they walked up the stairs to the massive building where the ball and an eventful night awaited them.
***
Rose and the Doctor walked into the large room and Rose immediately noticed that everyone was staring at her. Looking at the rest of the women on the floor, she could see why. Her dress didn’t look anything like theirs. The dresses they had on had cinched waists, puffy sleeves and puffy skirts. They were so bell-shaped that you couldn’t see their shoes, though Rose could bet that if she could, it would be one more thing they didn’t have in common. She felt a sudden blush come over her cheeks from embarrassment. Tugging on the Doctor’s sleeve, he startled and followed her to the side.
“Rose, what’s wrong?” he asked, clearly worried about her.
“Doctor,” she said, looking around her, “I don’t look anything like these women.”
The Doctor looked her over, lingering a bit longer than necessary, Rose thought. It must be her sudden and uncharacteristically present self-consciousness. Then, seemingly shaking himself out of it, he whispered to her, “All you need to do is act like you belong…just like we always do.” He smiled warmly at her.
She wished he would have said something else to her. Rose had given up on anything ever happening with the Doctor, but there was a small part of her that still wanted it…would always want it.
Suddenly, the Doctor released her hand and placed it on the small of her back and whispered in her ear, “I’m going to get something to drink. Would you like something?”
Rose felt her heart stutter. His breath tickled her earlobe and made her tremble. All she could do was nod. With a smile, he let her go and made his way through the crowd to the refreshment table. She looked after him as he walked away. The suit made him look that much more gorgeous.
Sighing sadly, she came to the realization that there was no way he was made for her.
***
The Doctor reached the refreshment table and grabbed two glasses of punch. He turned around to see where Rose had gotten to and realized that she hadn’t moved from her spot against the wall. Taking a moment to look over her, he shook his head and chuckled. Of course she didn’t fit in…Rose Tyler could never fit in. She was too unique, too wonderful and the dress had absolutely nothing to do with it. Except, of course, that it fit her spectacularly well. It hugged her in all the right places, and the material felt so smooth under his hand when he placed it…
He felt a heat rush through him which automatically stopped his thoughts. Concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, the Doctor was making his way toward Rose when he was stopped suddenly by a ginger-headed woman. She was about Rose’s height and was dressed in a golden ball gown. The Doctor looked over at Rose quickly and tried to sidestep the woman, but she refused to let him pass. Trying his best to not be rude for once, he uttered a frustrated, “ ‘ello” and tried to get past her once more, all while attempting not to spill the drinks in his hands. But she only followed his steps again. Then, abruptly, she took the drinks out of his hand, placed them harshly on the table where he got them and pulled him on the floor.
It all happened so quickly that he didn’t know to react. Instinctively, he followed her footsteps, if only to get a grip on the situation. Did he know her? He looked at her, the bright ginger hair, stormy green eyes and fair skin. A mischievous smile was playing on her lips… But the Doctor found that he couldn’t place her. The Doctor looked up toward where Rose had been standing. As soon as he did so, however, he felt his stomach plummet. The look on her face at that moment…the way he and this woman must have looked to her… Well, the teary eyes and painful frown on her lips said it all. Coming to his senses, he removed himself from the woman’s tight grasp and ran toward Rose. Seeing this, her face locked in determination, Rose ran skillfully away from him and got lost in the crowd. The Doctor looked around frantically for her but she was no where to be seen.
***
Three
Pairing: Ten/Rose, special guest
Rating: PG
Timeline: Series 2; after The Age of Steel
Summary: Things are a bit off between the Doctor and Rose after Mickey stays behind - still, everything's fine...right? Well, Rose meets an intriguing stranger and the Doctor isn't so sure anymore.
A/N: Short chapters but will be updated daily probably since it's already written (gives me time to work on a new story I'm brewing!).
Want to read from the beginning? Start here
***
The Doctor remained in the console room for what seemed like forever, which was quite impressive a feeling for a Time Lord. He was sitting in front of the screen, staring hypnotically at the Gallifreyian writing, letting his mind go numb for once. Better numb than actually feel the guilt he had begun stirring inside of him while waiting for Rose to emerge from her room.
He was unaware of how long she had been in there, but his senses were telling him that it had been quite a time ago. He’d take her to the ball, he had no qualms about it…it was just that…
Before the Doctor could finish his thought, he heard the tapping of heels on the floor. Suddenly nervous, the Time Lord sprung from his chair so quickly that the tools he had left idly on the console dropped to the floor. He bent down to pick them up, cursing silently in his native language. Standing, the tools tightly in his grasp, he looked up at Rose and promptly dropped the tools, their clanging echoing in the vast ship.
He had never seen her look so…just so.
Rose’s hair was up, but there were tendrils falling, framing her face. Her usual make up was toned down and subtle, her lips slightly pink, as if swollen. She was wearing a midnight blue empire waist gown that appeared to cascade and hug her curves. There were black designs of geometric circles decorating the edges, so minute that only his eyes could have seen them from where he stood. The sleeves of the dress were short, like any ordinary t-shirt. Understated and gorgeous, like her, he thought idly before he could censor his thoughts. They showed off her slightly toned arms. All that escaping had done wonders for her, but she still maintained a softness about her, curves everywhere…
He coughed suddenly and bent down to pick up the tools he had dropped…again.
“You…you look…very…beautiful,” she looked exquisite, but she didn’t need to know how deeply his observations went.
“For a human,” she said, a slight smirk about her lips.
The Doctor looked to her as he stood up, lifting one eyebrow. The words were so normal, but he remembered the last time he’d said them to her. He was slightly surprised that she remembered. What she didn’t seem to understand was that he meant it then and he meant it now. Rose seemed to have paid more attention to the teasing than to the actual meaning of his words and behaviors.
“So…,” he continued, choosing to ignore her last statement, “we’re going to the ball?” The Doctor wanted to forget what he had seen on her face earlier.
Rose walked past him and to the Tardis doors, her heels clicking on the floor. Each step made his head spin with fear. The Doctor felt his hearts race. Was she leaving him?
She placed her hand on the door, but turned around before stepping out. “You still need to get ready because you can’t go in there with that on, they’ll think you’re mental,” she smiled softly, the Doctor’s eyes intensely on hers, “so, I’ll meet you in there.” She looked at him one last time and then pushed open the door and left.
It wasn’t like Rose to leave without him. The Doctor tried to ignore the feelings of rejection that swam over him. He didn’t like it when Rose was upset with him, but this went beyond anytime he had upset her in the past. The only moment of consolation he had, the only part that made him feel like there was an inkling of hope, was the slight stinging of teasing accompanied by her sad smile.
He made his way quickly down the corridor to the wardrobe room. He’d find something to wear and then race over to the ball and find Rose.
There had to be something behind all this and he’d find out what it was sooner or later. The Doctor preferred sooner. He didn’t want to lose her and he felt that time was of the essence.
***
All he had to do was stay quiet for a little while longer. The more he gave her some space right now the faster she could get over being left behind, Rose thought. She was walking slowly to the large building where the ball was being held. Hugging her stomach, she tried to ignore the images in her mind of the Doctor and Reinette. She was tired of thinking about them, tired of coming up for reasons why he did it. Rose knew she had to accept it. It had to be done if she wanted to continue traveling with the Doctor.
Rose sighed softly. Even while walking along by herself and staring at her feet, she knew she didn't want to leave him. Not ever. And so, that meant she would have to get over the realization that he would never truly be hers. Reinette may be gone, but there would be others. And just like her, they would be classier, more intelligent and flirtier than Rose could ever imagine herself to be.
Looking up, Rose stopped abruptly. She was in awe of the majestic building in front of her. It was exquisite with intricated designs that Rose didn’t recognize carved into its sides. There were hordes of people streaming in and out, all dressed elegantly and some were laughing joyously. Rose smiled half-heartedly at the people. Maybe she should have waited for the Doctor.
As if on cue, she felt someone take her hand. She looked to the right of her, startled. Her lips quickly upturned into a smile when she saw the Doctor dressed in a black suit, right next to her. He grinned brightly right back at her.
“Shall we, Dame Rose?” his voice was husky and low in her ear.
Her mouth went dry, and she attempted to get the words out, “Always, Sir Doctor.” Her throat felt tight.
With one more look at each other, their hands clasped, they walked up the stairs to the massive building where the ball and an eventful night awaited them.
***
Rose and the Doctor walked into the large room and Rose immediately noticed that everyone was staring at her. Looking at the rest of the women on the floor, she could see why. Her dress didn’t look anything like theirs. The dresses they had on had cinched waists, puffy sleeves and puffy skirts. They were so bell-shaped that you couldn’t see their shoes, though Rose could bet that if she could, it would be one more thing they didn’t have in common. She felt a sudden blush come over her cheeks from embarrassment. Tugging on the Doctor’s sleeve, he startled and followed her to the side.
“Rose, what’s wrong?” he asked, clearly worried about her.
“Doctor,” she said, looking around her, “I don’t look anything like these women.”
The Doctor looked her over, lingering a bit longer than necessary, Rose thought. It must be her sudden and uncharacteristically present self-consciousness. Then, seemingly shaking himself out of it, he whispered to her, “All you need to do is act like you belong…just like we always do.” He smiled warmly at her.
She wished he would have said something else to her. Rose had given up on anything ever happening with the Doctor, but there was a small part of her that still wanted it…would always want it.
Suddenly, the Doctor released her hand and placed it on the small of her back and whispered in her ear, “I’m going to get something to drink. Would you like something?”
Rose felt her heart stutter. His breath tickled her earlobe and made her tremble. All she could do was nod. With a smile, he let her go and made his way through the crowd to the refreshment table. She looked after him as he walked away. The suit made him look that much more gorgeous.
Sighing sadly, she came to the realization that there was no way he was made for her.
***
The Doctor reached the refreshment table and grabbed two glasses of punch. He turned around to see where Rose had gotten to and realized that she hadn’t moved from her spot against the wall. Taking a moment to look over her, he shook his head and chuckled. Of course she didn’t fit in…Rose Tyler could never fit in. She was too unique, too wonderful and the dress had absolutely nothing to do with it. Except, of course, that it fit her spectacularly well. It hugged her in all the right places, and the material felt so smooth under his hand when he placed it…
He felt a heat rush through him which automatically stopped his thoughts. Concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, the Doctor was making his way toward Rose when he was stopped suddenly by a ginger-headed woman. She was about Rose’s height and was dressed in a golden ball gown. The Doctor looked over at Rose quickly and tried to sidestep the woman, but she refused to let him pass. Trying his best to not be rude for once, he uttered a frustrated, “ ‘ello” and tried to get past her once more, all while attempting not to spill the drinks in his hands. But she only followed his steps again. Then, abruptly, she took the drinks out of his hand, placed them harshly on the table where he got them and pulled him on the floor.
It all happened so quickly that he didn’t know to react. Instinctively, he followed her footsteps, if only to get a grip on the situation. Did he know her? He looked at her, the bright ginger hair, stormy green eyes and fair skin. A mischievous smile was playing on her lips… But the Doctor found that he couldn’t place her. The Doctor looked up toward where Rose had been standing. As soon as he did so, however, he felt his stomach plummet. The look on her face at that moment…the way he and this woman must have looked to her… Well, the teary eyes and painful frown on her lips said it all. Coming to his senses, he removed himself from the woman’s tight grasp and ran toward Rose. Seeing this, her face locked in determination, Rose ran skillfully away from him and got lost in the crowd. The Doctor looked around frantically for her but she was no where to be seen.
***
Three