Moving Forward Series - Part 03 - Chapter 44 - Double Trouble
Title: Moving Forward Series Part 03 - Chapter 44 - Double Trouble
Author: othermewriter
Chapter Rating: PG - Series Rating: Adult
Characters: 9/Rose Disclaimer: not mine, and so not making money from this I try not to dwell on it too much :(
A/N: Thank you one and all for your continued support in spite of my erratic posting lately.
Previous chapter: Chapter 43 - Rest & Relaxation
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I know I shouldn't be eavesdropping like I am but he did sort of offer, so I watch as he leaves my walls and heads out in search of companionship of a bit more tactile nature. His concern is sweet, but I will admit only to myself how lonely it is without the songs of the others to keep me company while my Theta is out adventuring. I know how hard it is on him, there being no more Time Lords, and never again will let on how deeply I feel the loss of both our people and steady of flow of both information and energy from Gallifrey; his burden of guilt is heavy enough without me adding my loneliness to his list and telling Jack isn't going to help, so I skirt the issue and send him on his way.
I watch as Jack travels down the lift and heads over to the closest bar to look for company and feel a pang of regret that it is not so simple for Theta or I. As Jack begins to talk to a purple-eyed blonde, I begin to get a bad feeling so I reach to touch her mind briefly to assure myself that she is what she appears and I am surprised to find an impressive mental wall. I really don’t like that. Most beings only have that kind of shielding with training and I check the hotel registry to see what I can find out from there. As I work through the security protocols of the hotel, I marvel at how much of an affect she is having on him.
Increased blood pressure and respiration and the sudden spike in pheromones and testosterone make it exceedingly obvious as to what was on his mind, even if I wasn’t getting a selection of images that if I were a biped would have me blushing. As I note these changes I realize that in spite of the teasing he does of both my Theta and Rose he doesn’t actually have any intentions on carrying them through to actions and doesn’t really expect for either of them to at any point take him up on his propositions. His reactions now tell me of exactly how interested he is in mating with this female, though, and I hope in spite of my reservations that she will make him happy. I realize it is not meant to be when as soon as they enter the lift she injects him with some drug.
I notify Theta even as I enter the hotel security. I identify first that there is no being registered under the name she provided Jack and then begin to download all the information on the floor plans. I am a bit embarrassed as I realized how surprised Theta is that I was tracking Jack and I know I have given away the fact that I was eavesdropping on him. I push the emotion away as I don’t have time for that now as the woman is joined by two men and Jack slides into complete unconsciousness. They almost immediately move him to a shielded area and I have to concentrate to maintain my connection with him; I am unsure if I will be able to reestablish it if I do.
I feel a pang of regret as I realize the distress I have caused Theta as I hesitate to answer his question and quickly reassure him so I can get back to figuring out how to get Jack back.
I try to look for the threads of Jack's future to see if I can glean a sense of where they might take him or even why they have kidnapped him at all. But that avenue is thwarted as it is so frequently with Jack - yet another enigma about Jack.
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I look around at all the options that Harold the young tree gentleman is showing me and I am amazed by the selection. As he shows me the spa area I know that is what I want to do first. "You know Harold, I think maybe the spa," at his terrified expression I revise that idea, "or maybe get my roots touched up." At my second suggestion I can see his relief.
"Yes, yes that sounds like a fine idea. I am sure Angela will be able to do something beautiful as she is very skilled with hair."
As we move off down a side corridor I begin to get nervous and finally he so stops abruptly I run in to him. "Harold, what?"
"Madam Rose, you are in grave danger here! You need to find some excuse to leave. Do you have a way to contact your friend?" he asks in a whispered rush.
I shake my head no and suddenly wish I hadn't left my phone back at the TARDIS. "What is going on? You see, my friend is really good at being able to sort things out."
"Harold, what are you doing dawdling around?" Comes the harsh tones of a tall imposing woman with purple skin.
I quickly interpose myself between her and Harold and reply for him, "I asked him to hold up. You see I seem to have misplaced my purse. I really do need to retrace my steps to find it as soon as possible." With that, I quickly dart past her, back the way I came.
I don't want to think about what may happen to Harold while I am gone but hopefully what I have said will be enough protection until we get back. I do know that I need to find the Doctor or Jack immediately. Harold was trying to warn me, and it is obvious something is going on here; I shouldn’t be surprised - it never fails, really - we show up and trouble isn't far behind. Some days it almost seems as if the universe is out to get the Doctor in any way it can.
As I head through the main entrance I breathe a sigh of relief and turn a corner into a small shop to think colliding with one of the objects of my intended search. "Oh! I can't tell you how glad I am to see you!"
"Well hello beautiful, nice to meet you too," he replies, gently steadying me and giving me the once over.
"Have you seen the Doctor?"
"No, should I? Is he cute?"
"We don't have time for this!" As I say this, I realize what he has just said as well as that he looks considerably younger and is wearing something completely different than when he left the TARDIS. Before he can respond, I ask, "Do you know who I am?"
"No, but wouldn't mind getting to know you," he states, turning on all of the Harkness charm.
"Oh no! This can't be good, you don’t know me yet.” I state, as I look around wondering if Reapers are going to suddenly show up.
The almost innocent look he had been giving me vanishes as his hand closes about my arm. “I think we need to talk,” he states as he moves us off into one of the more secluded areas of the shop.
“Jack, you have to let me go. I don’t want reapers showing up,” I plead as I begin to try to wrestle my arm from his grip.
The look he gives me is sharp as he stops dead in his tracks giving me a reassessing stare. “Not here! I know someplace private,” is his reply and I nod.
Whatever the case I know we need to get him away from here. I suspect that the lot from the salon is going to be looking for me and I don’t know where the version of him I know is so we are at risk of running into him so in private will be much better.
Moments later we emerge into a smaller hotel room and as he closes the door he throws the lock.
“It should be safe to speak here. Now who are you and what does the Time Agency think it’s doing sending such a rank rookie like you out in the field.” He snaps.
I stare at him for a moment marveling at the change from the playboy to soldier that I have only seen a couple of times since I have meet him and think how to explain this without telling him too much about his future.
“Okay, first off I’m not with the Time Agency.” As he goes to interrupt, I put up my hand to stop him. “No, I can’t tell you how I know you because I’m not sure how much I can tell you without causing a paradox. What I will tell you is I travel with an older you. We need to find him as soon as possible, but I don’t know where the Jack I know is at right now. You see the Doctor is… Well he’s kind of an expert with time so he will know what we can and can’t do without messing things up. What ever the case when you meet me again you can’t let me know that you have met me already got that?”
He nods his head looking a bit bemused.
With his agreement I continue, “Also there is something going on in the hotel spa and…”
He interrupts “It’s a slavery ring, and as to the Doc, I know all about him. I am working with him to get this mess cleaned up I'm actually meeting him in twenty minutes.”
“What? Ah okay I just have one thing I have to do first." Oh dear we really need to find my Doctor. If Jack knows the Doctor already it can only mean that this is either a younger version of the man I know or someone completely different that just happens to go by his title, either way I am not sure he is going to be able to help. The quickest way I can think to track him down is to talk to Verity as I am sure she will be able to contact him.
“As for me I don’t think we have to worry, I am pretty sure I have enough sense to avoid myself.” Jack continues and I bite my lip, as I suspect this Jack hasn't lost his memories yet, and the worst part is I dare not tell him. A moment later I realize I have given something away as he says, “There something I need to know?”
“Just keep an eye out for you.” The look he gives me is troubled as he nods but I know I dare not say anything more and thankfully, he doesn’t ask.
"By the way, what is your name?"
As I hesitate, he states, "If what you have told me already hasn't brought down reapers then I don't think you telling me your name is likely to!” He gives me the smile I have come to associate with his assurances that it really will be okay and I smile as he continues, "and it's much better than hey you."
"Rose, Rose Tyler."
Chapter 45 - Introductions & Explanations
Moving Forward Index 1
Author: othermewriter
Chapter Rating: PG - Series Rating: Adult
Characters: 9/Rose Disclaimer: not mine, and so not making money from this I try not to dwell on it too much :(
A/N: Thank you one and all for your continued support in spite of my erratic posting lately.
Previous chapter: Chapter 43 - Rest & Relaxation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know I shouldn't be eavesdropping like I am but he did sort of offer, so I watch as he leaves my walls and heads out in search of companionship of a bit more tactile nature. His concern is sweet, but I will admit only to myself how lonely it is without the songs of the others to keep me company while my Theta is out adventuring. I know how hard it is on him, there being no more Time Lords, and never again will let on how deeply I feel the loss of both our people and steady of flow of both information and energy from Gallifrey; his burden of guilt is heavy enough without me adding my loneliness to his list and telling Jack isn't going to help, so I skirt the issue and send him on his way.
I watch as Jack travels down the lift and heads over to the closest bar to look for company and feel a pang of regret that it is not so simple for Theta or I. As Jack begins to talk to a purple-eyed blonde, I begin to get a bad feeling so I reach to touch her mind briefly to assure myself that she is what she appears and I am surprised to find an impressive mental wall. I really don’t like that. Most beings only have that kind of shielding with training and I check the hotel registry to see what I can find out from there. As I work through the security protocols of the hotel, I marvel at how much of an affect she is having on him.
Increased blood pressure and respiration and the sudden spike in pheromones and testosterone make it exceedingly obvious as to what was on his mind, even if I wasn’t getting a selection of images that if I were a biped would have me blushing. As I note these changes I realize that in spite of the teasing he does of both my Theta and Rose he doesn’t actually have any intentions on carrying them through to actions and doesn’t really expect for either of them to at any point take him up on his propositions. His reactions now tell me of exactly how interested he is in mating with this female, though, and I hope in spite of my reservations that she will make him happy. I realize it is not meant to be when as soon as they enter the lift she injects him with some drug.
I notify Theta even as I enter the hotel security. I identify first that there is no being registered under the name she provided Jack and then begin to download all the information on the floor plans. I am a bit embarrassed as I realized how surprised Theta is that I was tracking Jack and I know I have given away the fact that I was eavesdropping on him. I push the emotion away as I don’t have time for that now as the woman is joined by two men and Jack slides into complete unconsciousness. They almost immediately move him to a shielded area and I have to concentrate to maintain my connection with him; I am unsure if I will be able to reestablish it if I do.
I feel a pang of regret as I realize the distress I have caused Theta as I hesitate to answer his question and quickly reassure him so I can get back to figuring out how to get Jack back.
I try to look for the threads of Jack's future to see if I can glean a sense of where they might take him or even why they have kidnapped him at all. But that avenue is thwarted as it is so frequently with Jack - yet another enigma about Jack.
-----------------------------
I look around at all the options that Harold the young tree gentleman is showing me and I am amazed by the selection. As he shows me the spa area I know that is what I want to do first. "You know Harold, I think maybe the spa," at his terrified expression I revise that idea, "or maybe get my roots touched up." At my second suggestion I can see his relief.
"Yes, yes that sounds like a fine idea. I am sure Angela will be able to do something beautiful as she is very skilled with hair."
As we move off down a side corridor I begin to get nervous and finally he so stops abruptly I run in to him. "Harold, what?"
"Madam Rose, you are in grave danger here! You need to find some excuse to leave. Do you have a way to contact your friend?" he asks in a whispered rush.
I shake my head no and suddenly wish I hadn't left my phone back at the TARDIS. "What is going on? You see, my friend is really good at being able to sort things out."
"Harold, what are you doing dawdling around?" Comes the harsh tones of a tall imposing woman with purple skin.
I quickly interpose myself between her and Harold and reply for him, "I asked him to hold up. You see I seem to have misplaced my purse. I really do need to retrace my steps to find it as soon as possible." With that, I quickly dart past her, back the way I came.
I don't want to think about what may happen to Harold while I am gone but hopefully what I have said will be enough protection until we get back. I do know that I need to find the Doctor or Jack immediately. Harold was trying to warn me, and it is obvious something is going on here; I shouldn’t be surprised - it never fails, really - we show up and trouble isn't far behind. Some days it almost seems as if the universe is out to get the Doctor in any way it can.
As I head through the main entrance I breathe a sigh of relief and turn a corner into a small shop to think colliding with one of the objects of my intended search. "Oh! I can't tell you how glad I am to see you!"
"Well hello beautiful, nice to meet you too," he replies, gently steadying me and giving me the once over.
"Have you seen the Doctor?"
"No, should I? Is he cute?"
"We don't have time for this!" As I say this, I realize what he has just said as well as that he looks considerably younger and is wearing something completely different than when he left the TARDIS. Before he can respond, I ask, "Do you know who I am?"
"No, but wouldn't mind getting to know you," he states, turning on all of the Harkness charm.
"Oh no! This can't be good, you don’t know me yet.” I state, as I look around wondering if Reapers are going to suddenly show up.
The almost innocent look he had been giving me vanishes as his hand closes about my arm. “I think we need to talk,” he states as he moves us off into one of the more secluded areas of the shop.
“Jack, you have to let me go. I don’t want reapers showing up,” I plead as I begin to try to wrestle my arm from his grip.
The look he gives me is sharp as he stops dead in his tracks giving me a reassessing stare. “Not here! I know someplace private,” is his reply and I nod.
Whatever the case I know we need to get him away from here. I suspect that the lot from the salon is going to be looking for me and I don’t know where the version of him I know is so we are at risk of running into him so in private will be much better.
Moments later we emerge into a smaller hotel room and as he closes the door he throws the lock.
“It should be safe to speak here. Now who are you and what does the Time Agency think it’s doing sending such a rank rookie like you out in the field.” He snaps.
I stare at him for a moment marveling at the change from the playboy to soldier that I have only seen a couple of times since I have meet him and think how to explain this without telling him too much about his future.
“Okay, first off I’m not with the Time Agency.” As he goes to interrupt, I put up my hand to stop him. “No, I can’t tell you how I know you because I’m not sure how much I can tell you without causing a paradox. What I will tell you is I travel with an older you. We need to find him as soon as possible, but I don’t know where the Jack I know is at right now. You see the Doctor is… Well he’s kind of an expert with time so he will know what we can and can’t do without messing things up. What ever the case when you meet me again you can’t let me know that you have met me already got that?”
He nods his head looking a bit bemused.
With his agreement I continue, “Also there is something going on in the hotel spa and…”
He interrupts “It’s a slavery ring, and as to the Doc, I know all about him. I am working with him to get this mess cleaned up I'm actually meeting him in twenty minutes.”
“What? Ah okay I just have one thing I have to do first." Oh dear we really need to find my Doctor. If Jack knows the Doctor already it can only mean that this is either a younger version of the man I know or someone completely different that just happens to go by his title, either way I am not sure he is going to be able to help. The quickest way I can think to track him down is to talk to Verity as I am sure she will be able to contact him.
“As for me I don’t think we have to worry, I am pretty sure I have enough sense to avoid myself.” Jack continues and I bite my lip, as I suspect this Jack hasn't lost his memories yet, and the worst part is I dare not tell him. A moment later I realize I have given something away as he says, “There something I need to know?”
“Just keep an eye out for you.” The look he gives me is troubled as he nods but I know I dare not say anything more and thankfully, he doesn’t ask.
"By the way, what is your name?"
As I hesitate, he states, "If what you have told me already hasn't brought down reapers then I don't think you telling me your name is likely to!” He gives me the smile I have come to associate with his assurances that it really will be okay and I smile as he continues, "and it's much better than hey you."
"Rose, Rose Tyler."
Chapter 45 - Introductions & Explanations
Moving Forward Index 1