Fic: Seeing Double
Title: Seeing Double
Author: silvia_duchessa
Fandom: Doctor Who
Rating: 12(UK) T(US)
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Humour, Fantasy
Summary: The Doctor and Rose discover a girl identical to Rose in almost every way, and their new bond shares a curse that threatens both their lives. But as time lines get mixed up and Tasha's story becomes complicated, can they ever find peace? 10Rose, Jack
Previous chapter can be found here: Chapter 1
“A few minutes ago you were all, ‘Stay away Rose. Don’t go anywhere near her Rose’, and now we’re standing on her doorstep waiting to interrogate her,” muttered Rose.
“It’s your powers of persuasion,” the Doctor said, deadpan, and Rose let o out a reluctant giggle, rolling her eyes. The Doctor knocked once, twice, three times with a large brass knocker in the shape of a lion on the front door, the sound echoing off the dark wood and round the neat front garden. A tiny gnome sat on the lawn, brandishing a miniature garden fork and slightly unnerving smile. The sunlight glinted off its shiny bald head and for a few moments the couple stood in the peaceful silence in the warmth, until the front door opened and the sound of country music danced out.
A short, slightly plump woman stood in the doorway, the momentary look of surprise at the unknown visitors on her doorstep replaced by a wide smile. Years of breeding had taught her impeccable manners, but it was her passionate and loving Russian husband who had brought out in her warmth and friendliness to all who crossed her path.
“Hello!” grinned the couple in unison, exchanging a secret smile before the Doctor turned back to the woman.
“I’m very sorry for disturbing you, Mrs…”
“Johnson,” smiled the woman. “I’m Jane Johnson. And it’s no trouble at all. What can I help you with sir?”
“The Doctor,” the Doctor insisted, with another smile, flashing his psychic paper. “I’m here with my assistant, Rose Tyler” - he nodded to Rose, who beamed - “looking to interview a few families across the town. Mind if we come in?” he said, and without waiting for an answer he moved forward across the threshold, Mrs Johnson obediently moving back with a bemused expression.
“Lovely house you’ve got,” smiled Rose, looking round as they walked through an immaculate cream hallway into an equally elegant room next door, which from the coffee coloured sofas, appeared to be a living room. “So tidy. You don’t have any kids, do you?” she asked, with an innocent smile. Jane, who had followed them into the living room gestured for them to sit down.
“Yes I do in fact,” she said, smiling proudly. “Two. A boy and a girl.”
“Would you mind if I went and spoke to them, just a bit?” asked Rose, getting up slowly from the sofa.
“Erm,” hesitated Jane, looking apprehensive.
“Excuse my assistant, she’s very new to this,” apologised the Doctor. “What she meant to say is could she bring your children down here to have a chat, informally of course. And in the meantime I could ask you a few questions?”
“Yes, yes that would be fine,” said Jane, looking less worried. The Doctor exchanged a look with Rose, who wandered out of the room smiling at him slightly mischievously.
Hearing the sound of music coming from the first floor, she slowly climbed the stairs, peering at the photos lining the wall. Many were of a young, skinny boy with messy blonde hair doing various sports, in some holding trophies; Rose presumed she was Tasha’s younger brother. A few were of Jane and a strong-jawed dark man, with a thick beard and intelligent eyes. At the top of the staircase was a small photo which made Rose stop, and take a closer look. This photo contained Tasha’s smiling parents as well, younger; but in between the crouching figures was a small, very blonde, and extremely happy toddler, whose resemblance to Rose was so uncanny that she looked round to check that she was indeed in this girls house, and not her own.
A door opened. “Mum, what time is…” The young voice, it’s Cockney accent out of place in this affluent household, stopped abrubtly. Rose looked round to see it’s owner standing at the top of the stairs, staring down at Rose as if she’d seen a ghost.
“I’m sorry,” said Rose quickly, gaping slightly; up close the resemblances between her and this strange girl were much more obvious, much more eerie. I was just…”
“Who are you?” asked the girl quietly, frowning at her, and looking slightly scared.
“I’m Rose.”
There was a pause.
“I’m Tasha.”
Rose stared up at the girl, absorbing every detail about her, observing what was similar, what was different; and she could see from the look in the girl’s eyes that she was doing the same. It was like looking a slightly younger version of herself, but with deliberate mistakes. Her lips were slightly smaller, her cheekbones less pronounced; her eyes were a little bigger, and a deep, chocolate shade of brown.
The girls eyes met Rose’s, and for a second everything went cold and Time itself seemed to stop, as the feeling, the knowledge that she knew this girl from another life, another world coursed through her. Tiny goose bumps appeared on Rose’s arms, and she knew she looked just as scared now as the girl standing almost opposite her.
“Why are you here?” asked the girl, almost conversationally; yet it was less to Rose being in her house, but more to Fate and the universe as to why this girl had been brought into her life, why this moment in time?
The answer Rose had prepared suddenly did not seem sufficient anymore, and gaped slightly. “I came to ask you some questions.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. And your brother,” added Rose, remembering her cover story. She regretted it instantly; the spark that had lit up the girls eyes when she saw Rose was instantly snuffed out, apparently at the mention of her sibling. She wanted Rose for herself.
“Rose, where have you got to- oh, hello!”
Rose turned round to see the Doctor standing up at the bottom of the stairs, looking delightedly up at the girl behind her. She turned back round to see the girl looking past her at the strange man in a rather tight pinstripe suit, torn between confusion and amusement.
“Hi,” she said, with a hint of a smile. “You’re with Rose?” she asked, as if she’d known his companion for years, not minutes.
“Yes indeed I am,” said the Doctor happily, making his way up the stairs to stand behind Rose. “You’ve introduced yourself I see?”
***
The next half hour passed far too quickly for Rose, who sat, unusually quietly, on a sofa next to the Doctor, who was happily quizzing the Johnsons on every aspect of their life. She was happy to let his voice wash over her as she tried to process the hundreds of thoughts fighting for dominance in her head, whilst sneaking an occasional glance at Tasha who appeared to be doing the same thing.
"Well, I think that'll be fine," said the Doctor eventually, trying to cover his immense bored with a smile as he got up from the sofa.
“Could we have a photo?” asked Rose quickly, standing up. “Just… of the three of you.”
“Yes, of course,” smiled Jane. “Where would you like us?” she asked, looking around at her children.
“Just… there. By the wall,” said Rose, gesturing to the creamy expanse to her right. The Doctor smirked. Jane moved over to where Rose was pointing, beckoning her children. Ben jumped up straight away; Tasha followed reluctantly.
“Mum, you know I hate photos,” she said quietly.
“Just come and stand over here Tasha,” Jane said, with a slightly forced smile.
“Can’t it just be you and Ben? That would be OK, wouldn’t it?” she asked Rose, looking directly at her for the first time in that half hour.
“Erm, yeah,” said Rose, nodding.
“Natasha, stop being so silly,” said Jane sharply, her forced smile barely concealing her annoyance now. “Get over here.”
“But Rose says I don’t have to!” replied Tasha.
“Now!” repeated her mother angrily.
“Why are you insisting when I don’t have to?!” demanded Tasha, looking both upset and deeply embarrassed.
“Will you stop making a scene and get over here,” hissed Jane. Her impeccable manners were slipping; only her infuriating daughter could do that to her. Where had she gone so wrong?
“Really, it’s OK…” said Rose, but Tasha cut over her.
“Why do you always do this?!” she exploded. It doesn’t even matter! You just want to have your ‘happy family’ in the newspaper so all your rich friends can see how perfect we are!” Jane swelled like a bullfrog. “You’d never have done this back on the estate!” And with that she ran from the room, her eyes shining.
The Doctor looked awkward, tugging on his ear. Rose was staring at Jane in shock; partly the unfair and quite abusive treatment of her daughter she’d just seen, partly the fact that Tasha had clearly grown up on an estate not dissimilar to Rose’s. She should have realised; her accent, her dress, the whole way she acted. She could take care of herself; that Rose remembered from growing up on the Powell Estate.
“I am so sorry,” said Jane in a low, apologetic voice to her guests. She laughed slightly awkwardly, but she was barely controlling her anger. “Perhaps another time?”
“Of course,” smiled the Doctor. “Come on Rose,” he said firmly, taking her arm and leading the shocked, slightly gaping girl from the room.
“Did you see the way…?!” Rose fumed as soon as they were away from the house.
“Yes,” said the Doctor quietly.
“My mum yelled at me, I mean, she really yelled at me,” said Rose darkly. “But that?! She didn’t even have a reason!”
“She did,” countered the Doctor. “Just not a good one.”
“And she grew up on an estate!” continued Rose, turning constantly as she spoke to gage the Doctor’s reaction. “Oh my God,” she said quietly, laughing slightly.
“I’m not gonna be able to drag you away am I?” grinned the Doctor, scratching the back of his neck.
“No way!” laughed Rose. There was sound of heavy footsteps behind them, and the two turned round to see a young girl running with all her might towards the pair, blonde hair streaming behind her.
“Hey!” she said, as she reached them. Then she uttered the most life-changing words anyone ever can:
“Can I come with you?”
There was a long pause, in which the whole world seemed to hold its breath. Rose walked slowly towards the girl, her mouth moving slightly as if she was trying to speak, but couldn’t find the words.
“I know you,” she said quietly. Tasha’s eyes widened, her brow creasing slightly in pain.
“I was just… that’s what…” she bit down on her bottom lip, her already red eyes shining again.
“Hey,” said Rose softly, moving so fast she was a blur to wrap one, then two arms around the girl as she began to cry.
The Doctor stood watching silently, hands in his pockets, frowning; he knew what this was. He knew what this meant.
“You OK?” asked Rose quietly, moving back so the two girls could look eat each other properly, one arm still around the younger girl’s shoulder.
“I’m fine,” she said firmly, taking a deep breath. “Just shock I think,” she added, laughing slightly. Rose smiled, her own lips wibbling slightly.
“You’re about to be a lot more shocked,” she said, gently teasing. The girl looked at her carefully, unsure what to think.
Then the unearthly, echoing sound of engines of the TARDIS filled the air, as familiar to those who travelled in the ship as breathing. Tasha looked past Rose to see the impressive, almost majestic sight of the Doctor standing with his sonic screwdriver in the air, his time machine materialising behind him.
Author: silvia_duchessa
Fandom: Doctor Who
Rating: 12(UK) T(US)
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Humour, Fantasy
Summary: The Doctor and Rose discover a girl identical to Rose in almost every way, and their new bond shares a curse that threatens both their lives. But as time lines get mixed up and Tasha's story becomes complicated, can they ever find peace? 10Rose, Jack
Previous chapter can be found here: Chapter 1
“A few minutes ago you were all, ‘Stay away Rose. Don’t go anywhere near her Rose’, and now we’re standing on her doorstep waiting to interrogate her,” muttered Rose.
“It’s your powers of persuasion,” the Doctor said, deadpan, and Rose let o out a reluctant giggle, rolling her eyes. The Doctor knocked once, twice, three times with a large brass knocker in the shape of a lion on the front door, the sound echoing off the dark wood and round the neat front garden. A tiny gnome sat on the lawn, brandishing a miniature garden fork and slightly unnerving smile. The sunlight glinted off its shiny bald head and for a few moments the couple stood in the peaceful silence in the warmth, until the front door opened and the sound of country music danced out.
A short, slightly plump woman stood in the doorway, the momentary look of surprise at the unknown visitors on her doorstep replaced by a wide smile. Years of breeding had taught her impeccable manners, but it was her passionate and loving Russian husband who had brought out in her warmth and friendliness to all who crossed her path.
“Hello!” grinned the couple in unison, exchanging a secret smile before the Doctor turned back to the woman.
“I’m very sorry for disturbing you, Mrs…”
“Johnson,” smiled the woman. “I’m Jane Johnson. And it’s no trouble at all. What can I help you with sir?”
“The Doctor,” the Doctor insisted, with another smile, flashing his psychic paper. “I’m here with my assistant, Rose Tyler” - he nodded to Rose, who beamed - “looking to interview a few families across the town. Mind if we come in?” he said, and without waiting for an answer he moved forward across the threshold, Mrs Johnson obediently moving back with a bemused expression.
“Lovely house you’ve got,” smiled Rose, looking round as they walked through an immaculate cream hallway into an equally elegant room next door, which from the coffee coloured sofas, appeared to be a living room. “So tidy. You don’t have any kids, do you?” she asked, with an innocent smile. Jane, who had followed them into the living room gestured for them to sit down.
“Yes I do in fact,” she said, smiling proudly. “Two. A boy and a girl.”
“Would you mind if I went and spoke to them, just a bit?” asked Rose, getting up slowly from the sofa.
“Erm,” hesitated Jane, looking apprehensive.
“Excuse my assistant, she’s very new to this,” apologised the Doctor. “What she meant to say is could she bring your children down here to have a chat, informally of course. And in the meantime I could ask you a few questions?”
“Yes, yes that would be fine,” said Jane, looking less worried. The Doctor exchanged a look with Rose, who wandered out of the room smiling at him slightly mischievously.
Hearing the sound of music coming from the first floor, she slowly climbed the stairs, peering at the photos lining the wall. Many were of a young, skinny boy with messy blonde hair doing various sports, in some holding trophies; Rose presumed she was Tasha’s younger brother. A few were of Jane and a strong-jawed dark man, with a thick beard and intelligent eyes. At the top of the staircase was a small photo which made Rose stop, and take a closer look. This photo contained Tasha’s smiling parents as well, younger; but in between the crouching figures was a small, very blonde, and extremely happy toddler, whose resemblance to Rose was so uncanny that she looked round to check that she was indeed in this girls house, and not her own.
A door opened. “Mum, what time is…” The young voice, it’s Cockney accent out of place in this affluent household, stopped abrubtly. Rose looked round to see it’s owner standing at the top of the stairs, staring down at Rose as if she’d seen a ghost.
“I’m sorry,” said Rose quickly, gaping slightly; up close the resemblances between her and this strange girl were much more obvious, much more eerie. I was just…”
“Who are you?” asked the girl quietly, frowning at her, and looking slightly scared.
“I’m Rose.”
There was a pause.
“I’m Tasha.”
Rose stared up at the girl, absorbing every detail about her, observing what was similar, what was different; and she could see from the look in the girl’s eyes that she was doing the same. It was like looking a slightly younger version of herself, but with deliberate mistakes. Her lips were slightly smaller, her cheekbones less pronounced; her eyes were a little bigger, and a deep, chocolate shade of brown.
The girls eyes met Rose’s, and for a second everything went cold and Time itself seemed to stop, as the feeling, the knowledge that she knew this girl from another life, another world coursed through her. Tiny goose bumps appeared on Rose’s arms, and she knew she looked just as scared now as the girl standing almost opposite her.
“Why are you here?” asked the girl, almost conversationally; yet it was less to Rose being in her house, but more to Fate and the universe as to why this girl had been brought into her life, why this moment in time?
The answer Rose had prepared suddenly did not seem sufficient anymore, and gaped slightly. “I came to ask you some questions.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. And your brother,” added Rose, remembering her cover story. She regretted it instantly; the spark that had lit up the girls eyes when she saw Rose was instantly snuffed out, apparently at the mention of her sibling. She wanted Rose for herself.
“Rose, where have you got to- oh, hello!”
Rose turned round to see the Doctor standing up at the bottom of the stairs, looking delightedly up at the girl behind her. She turned back round to see the girl looking past her at the strange man in a rather tight pinstripe suit, torn between confusion and amusement.
“Hi,” she said, with a hint of a smile. “You’re with Rose?” she asked, as if she’d known his companion for years, not minutes.
“Yes indeed I am,” said the Doctor happily, making his way up the stairs to stand behind Rose. “You’ve introduced yourself I see?”
***
The next half hour passed far too quickly for Rose, who sat, unusually quietly, on a sofa next to the Doctor, who was happily quizzing the Johnsons on every aspect of their life. She was happy to let his voice wash over her as she tried to process the hundreds of thoughts fighting for dominance in her head, whilst sneaking an occasional glance at Tasha who appeared to be doing the same thing.
"Well, I think that'll be fine," said the Doctor eventually, trying to cover his immense bored with a smile as he got up from the sofa.
“Could we have a photo?” asked Rose quickly, standing up. “Just… of the three of you.”
“Yes, of course,” smiled Jane. “Where would you like us?” she asked, looking around at her children.
“Just… there. By the wall,” said Rose, gesturing to the creamy expanse to her right. The Doctor smirked. Jane moved over to where Rose was pointing, beckoning her children. Ben jumped up straight away; Tasha followed reluctantly.
“Mum, you know I hate photos,” she said quietly.
“Just come and stand over here Tasha,” Jane said, with a slightly forced smile.
“Can’t it just be you and Ben? That would be OK, wouldn’t it?” she asked Rose, looking directly at her for the first time in that half hour.
“Erm, yeah,” said Rose, nodding.
“Natasha, stop being so silly,” said Jane sharply, her forced smile barely concealing her annoyance now. “Get over here.”
“But Rose says I don’t have to!” replied Tasha.
“Now!” repeated her mother angrily.
“Why are you insisting when I don’t have to?!” demanded Tasha, looking both upset and deeply embarrassed.
“Will you stop making a scene and get over here,” hissed Jane. Her impeccable manners were slipping; only her infuriating daughter could do that to her. Where had she gone so wrong?
“Really, it’s OK…” said Rose, but Tasha cut over her.
“Why do you always do this?!” she exploded. It doesn’t even matter! You just want to have your ‘happy family’ in the newspaper so all your rich friends can see how perfect we are!” Jane swelled like a bullfrog. “You’d never have done this back on the estate!” And with that she ran from the room, her eyes shining.
The Doctor looked awkward, tugging on his ear. Rose was staring at Jane in shock; partly the unfair and quite abusive treatment of her daughter she’d just seen, partly the fact that Tasha had clearly grown up on an estate not dissimilar to Rose’s. She should have realised; her accent, her dress, the whole way she acted. She could take care of herself; that Rose remembered from growing up on the Powell Estate.
“I am so sorry,” said Jane in a low, apologetic voice to her guests. She laughed slightly awkwardly, but she was barely controlling her anger. “Perhaps another time?”
“Of course,” smiled the Doctor. “Come on Rose,” he said firmly, taking her arm and leading the shocked, slightly gaping girl from the room.
“Did you see the way…?!” Rose fumed as soon as they were away from the house.
“Yes,” said the Doctor quietly.
“My mum yelled at me, I mean, she really yelled at me,” said Rose darkly. “But that?! She didn’t even have a reason!”
“She did,” countered the Doctor. “Just not a good one.”
“And she grew up on an estate!” continued Rose, turning constantly as she spoke to gage the Doctor’s reaction. “Oh my God,” she said quietly, laughing slightly.
“I’m not gonna be able to drag you away am I?” grinned the Doctor, scratching the back of his neck.
“No way!” laughed Rose. There was sound of heavy footsteps behind them, and the two turned round to see a young girl running with all her might towards the pair, blonde hair streaming behind her.
“Hey!” she said, as she reached them. Then she uttered the most life-changing words anyone ever can:
“Can I come with you?”
There was a long pause, in which the whole world seemed to hold its breath. Rose walked slowly towards the girl, her mouth moving slightly as if she was trying to speak, but couldn’t find the words.
“I know you,” she said quietly. Tasha’s eyes widened, her brow creasing slightly in pain.
“I was just… that’s what…” she bit down on her bottom lip, her already red eyes shining again.
“Hey,” said Rose softly, moving so fast she was a blur to wrap one, then two arms around the girl as she began to cry.
The Doctor stood watching silently, hands in his pockets, frowning; he knew what this was. He knew what this meant.
“You OK?” asked Rose quietly, moving back so the two girls could look eat each other properly, one arm still around the younger girl’s shoulder.
“I’m fine,” she said firmly, taking a deep breath. “Just shock I think,” she added, laughing slightly. Rose smiled, her own lips wibbling slightly.
“You’re about to be a lot more shocked,” she said, gently teasing. The girl looked at her carefully, unsure what to think.
Then the unearthly, echoing sound of engines of the TARDIS filled the air, as familiar to those who travelled in the ship as breathing. Tasha looked past Rose to see the impressive, almost majestic sight of the Doctor standing with his sonic screwdriver in the air, his time machine materialising behind him.