A Natural Disaster 4
Title: A Natural Disaster
Disclaimer : Not mine
Rating : PG13
Spoilers : thru S2
Beta :
commodoreschick ,
Summary : Nature is unpredictable. An AU story set in Pete's World after Doomsday.
Previous parts : Teaspoon
A/N : Here is part 4. Still building the foundation, so thanks to anyone reading for sticking with it. As always constructive criticism is welcome.
A Natural Disaster
Chapter 4
Typical, thin cardboard, chinese take-out containers lay tipped and scattered across the table, most half empty, partially stacked around plates displaying bits of remains, pushed off to the side, sitting ignored. Jake taking another pull from his beer, let out a mighty belch, and laughed when a grimacing Mickey shoved his shoulder, echoing his own in response. The momentum from the push propelled Jake towards the fridge, pulling out two more cold ones he saw Mickey pull the laptop around.
"Give it a rest."
"You've jus' gotta watch it. If you don't see what I'm telling you is there, I'll stop bothering you."
The blonde resigned himself, knowing as stubborn as his mate was, he wouldn't relent until Jake agreed to watch the video again. Leaning his forehead against the cool veneer, he wondered momentarily if knocking himself out would offer a reprieve. Closing his eyes tightly, he knew the answer. He'd still be forced to watch that damned video, only with a headache. Taking a long swig, he turned back to his flat-mate.
Knock, knock, knock.
Both men started at the sound. Jake was the first to reach the door, pulling it wide, he stood face to face with --
"Rose!"
Mickey shoved past Jake, embracing the young blond woman in a tight hug, swinging her exuberantly in the confined hallway. Laughter ensued, the trio talking all at once, amidst more hugs.
The clearing of a throat, and a neighbor's glare from the end of the corridor, prompted the threesome's happy renunion to adjourn back into the privacy of the flat, but not before Mickey fixed the offended fellow with his own, 'bugger off' look. Turning away as he heard the faint click of the door closing, he picked up Rose's oversized backpack, then joined Jake and Rose who were having an animated conversation.
Dropping to the floor, leaning against the telly Mickey watched Rose for a few moments.
"Where ya been this time, Rose?"
The room grew silent. Jake shifted uncomfortably, mumbled an excuse, then slipped away to the other room.
Rose looked apologetically towards Mickey. "I jus' needed to get away, yeah?" She shrugged, pulling her eyes away, taking in the far corner of the room.
"Yeah." Mickey retorted chidingly. He half expected to hear the same cliched excuses: too much work, too confined in the city, life was just too plain, boring.
She had adventured for two years with a being known as the Doctor. An alien who looked human enough, but traveled in a ship that could traverse both time and space.
Mickey had even journeyed with the two of them, until they'd landed in an alternate universe, parallel to their earth in most ways. He had discovered his Gran still lived, battled Cybermen with an alternate version of himself, that had been killed by the metal men, and made the decision to remain behind, when the Doctor and Rose returned to their own universe.
A while later the void had been reopened and during the Battle of Canary Wharf, the two universes had shared a link between them. When sealing the fate of the two alien races known as the Daleks and Cybermen, Rose had been trapped here, along with Jackie, her mother. As ecstatic as Mickey had been to have Rose back with him again, he knew deep down she would always wish she hadn't been separated from the Doctor.
He still clearly recalled the day, watching on that cold lonely beach in Norway, the Doctor, in holographic form had told her goodbye, before sealing the final tiny hole between the two worlds. She had moved on with her life, becoming a consultant for Torchwood, traveling extensively, debunking numerous false sightings of aliens, but she wasn't the same carefree girl he had grown up with. There was a hidden sadness that seemed to relentlessly dog her, and for that, deep inside he felt a tiny bit of hatred for the Doctor.
"I miss him, Mickey." She pulled her knees to her chest, encircling her arms around them. A faraway look in her eyes, now brimming with tears.
Not since that day on the beach had she mentioned the Doctor, usually avoiding the subject, unwilling to discuss him. Then Mickey realized: it had been two years. Joining her on the couch he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him.
"He would've come back," Rose laid her head his shoulder, wet tears soaking his t-shirt. "Maybe it is impossible." She murmured, remembering the Doctor's last words, when she'd asked if she would see him again.
"You can't. It's impossible."
He had defied the odds, time and again, proving one could do the impossible. Now this time, she wasn't so sure he would be able to.
Mickey sat silently, offering what comfort he could, knowing that nothing he said would change what was. "Never say never, ever." She sniffed, then began sobbing. Mickey held her, rocking her gently.
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tbc