Don't Feed the Pigeons
Don't Feed the Pigeons
Ten/Rose & Mickey, G, 2,557
Set after 2x04 The Girl in the Fireplace
Note: I'm sorry this is nearly a day late! Hand injuries are no fun at all. If being late is a problem, I guess this can be deleted and I'll post it elsewhere. :/
Don't Feed the Pigeons
Black smoke billowed out of the TARDIS as three figures stumbled out. The Doctor slammed the door shut behind them and his companions both slumped to the ground, coughing uncontrollably. The sonic screwdriver whizzed above Rose's head as the Doctor took some readings.
"What's wrong, old girl?" the Doctor asked, stroking the outer door and trying to make sense of the readings.
Mickey cleared his throat, "Could it have been my fault?"
The Doctor pocketed his screwdriver and crossed his arms. "That depends. What were you doing?"
Suddenly finding his thumb very interesting, Mickey avoided his gaze. "Making toast?"
"That's all?"
"It may have been more black than brown...."
The Doctor sighed and shook his head. "I really rather doubt making toast would have caused all that."
"It may have caught on fire."
"What?"
"But the TARDIS put it right out and the kitchen isn't damaged at all. Seriously, everything's fine in there."
The Doctor took out his sonic and began scanning again, rubbing his free hand furiously through his hair. He began muttering words like "mechanics" and "multidimensional" and "idiot".
Rose, still coughing a bit, took in their surroundings. They had landed in a peaceful looking park with a path winding ahead with a tree or park bench dotting the scenery. She tapped Mickey on the shoulder, "Why don't you just scout ahead. I'll deal with him."
Mickey gave her a grateful smile and quietly left the group, pulling a bag of toffee out of his jacket pocket.
"Doctor? Is everything all right?" she asked once Mickey was a safe distance away.
"Not really, no. We may be stuck her awhile until she airs out. Toxic, smelly smoke...I'm not sure if your boyfriend is to blame this time though."
"Mickey's not my boyfriend," Rose protested. "He hasn't been for a long time and you know it."
Her sharp tone made him pause in his scanning. "Sorry," he said, "I was being rude again, wasn't I?” He pocketed his sonic again and shuffled his feet. “And you’re right, I do know it."
"Good," Rose said simply.
The Doctor sat down next to her, picked a piece of lint off his pants, and stared straight ahead.
After a period of silence, Rose glanced at him and noted his glum expression. “Is it that bad?”
He sighed. “Yes and no. I don’t think there’ll be any permanent damage. But we can’t go inside until the smoke has cleared. If the extractor fans were working we’d be back inside right now, but…”
“They’re not working,” Rose finished for him. “So if they’re not working, how long until it clears?”
“An hour or two? Three hours tops.”
“Then why so gloomy?” she asked. “We’re in a lovely park, it’s a nice day, and I’d love a walk.” She stood up and held out her hand to help him up.
The Doctor looked at her hand and shook his head. “Wouldn’t you rather walk with Mickey?”
“If I had wanted a walk with Mickey then I would have gone with him. He’s up ahead somewhere. I choose to stay with you, just like I’ve always done.”
He gave her a faint glimmer of a smile and stood up, taking her hand in his. “Wandered off again, has he? We’d better find him before he gets into too much trouble.” He started forward but Rose pulled him back. He looked at her with questioning eyes.
“I just…surely Mickey will be okay. It’s quiet and peaceful here. We don’t have to hurry, right?”
“I suppose not. A leisurely stroll with Rose Tyler…what could be better?”
Off they went, hand in hand. The sun was warm and birds were singing in the trees. Well, most of the birds were singing. A few sitting in the shadows of branches were silent and watched the passersby with beady eyes and curious interest. Absorbed in their own thoughts, the Doctor and Rose took no notice of them.
“Doctor…” Rose ventured, “…this is the first time we’ve been alone since…since the spaceship. I thought I’d lost you forever. And…are you all right?”
He chewed his lip for a moment before responding. “I’m always all right.”
Rose tugged him to a halt and grasped both his hands. “It’s okay if you’re not,” she said quietly. “Because I’m not all right. Longest five and a half hours of my life-“ her voice caught and she struggled to maintain her composure.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, looking at her with sad eyes.
“Me too. She was brilliant, wasn’t she? Reinette was brilliant and lovely…and so brave. I’m glad we were able to save her.”
The Doctor pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you, Rose,” he said simply.
She buried her face into his coat and shivered slightly. “I…just keep wondering if I’m going to break your heart like that one day.”
He kissed the top of her head and tightened his embrace. “Someday…our journey will come to an end. But it’s not over yet. And why should we dwell on gloomy thoughts when there’s adventure to be had?”
Rose gave him a watery smile. “And running to be done?”
“So much running,” he said, giving her a wobbly smile in return. The Doctor released her and, giving her hand a squeeze, started walking again. “C’mon. Let’s see what awaits us around the next bend.”
As they ambled along, the Doctor dug in his pocket with his free hand and produced a small cellophane packet. “Care for a biscuit?”
“Of course,” Rose responded and accepted the treat handed to her.
A flutter of wings erupted from the trees and the sound of birdsong suddenly ceased. Before they had time to react, they heard several soft thumps behind them.
The Doctor and Rose turned around to see about a dozen small pigeons on the path. The birds were watchful and eerily motionless.
“What’s this all about?” Rose wondered.
The Doctor glanced at the half-eaten delight in his hand. “I think they’re after our biscuits.”
Rose felt unnerved by the beady eyes studying her. “I’m not sharing, are you?”
“Well…I would, but it’s a really good biscuit,” he replied and promptly stuffed the rest of it in his mouth.
Rose grinned and followed his example. Then they continued down the path.
The pigeons cocked their heads and half-flew, half-hopped after them. Every once in a while one would stop and peck at the path looking for stray crumbs.
“I wonder where Mickey’s got to?” the Doctor pondered aloud.
“He should be just up ahead, probably sitting on a bench. Like that one,” Rose pointed to a small wrought iron bench just ahead.
The Doctor squinted, looking beyond the bench to a glass dome sitting on the grass. It too had ironwork sandwiched between triangles of glass. It appeared to be large enough to accommodate several people. “What’s that for?”
Rose cocked her head, considering. “Perhaps it’s for gardening? Or a greenhouse?”
“Too small for a greenhouse…well, unless you’re only growing a very little bit inside. Maybe it’s a shed? Funny for a garden shed to be made of glass though.”
“Maybe it’s so they can make sure all the tools are there without opening the door?” Rose suggested.
“Perhaps…” the Doctor trailed off, not sounding convinced.
They were drawing closer to the bench and there was a plaque standing nearby. “Maybe it’s a memorial or something?” Rose motioned to the sign. “That might help.”
They stepped up to the plaque and stilled as they read the words.
PLEASE
Do Not Feed
The Pigeons
THEY DO THINGS
“Good thing we didn’t share,” the Doctor commented, glancing at the path behind them.
About twenty pigeons stared back at him.
“Rose…” he started slowly, “…don’t be alarmed, but we may have issues getting back to the TARDIS.”
“Oh….” Rose breathed when she saw them. “Was that your last biscuit?”
“Yes, I think so,” the Doctor answered, not taking his eyes off the birds for a moment.
“Good,” she relaxed a little. “There’s a bit more on the sign. It says, ‘In case of pigeon incursion, use dome’. What do you think ‘pigeon incursion’ means, Doctor?”
At that moment a loud squawking noise came from that path ahead. It sounded as if hundreds of birds were calling out to each other. The pigeons waiting on the path tensed and were eyeing them and the path ahead with renewed interest.
“Uh-oh, looks like we’re about to find out,” the Doctor exclaimed, pulling out his sonic screwdriver.
A sinking feeling entered Rose’s stomach as she realized it was just the two of them. “Mickey,” she gasped. “Doctor! Mickey’s out there on his own!”
The squawking was getting closer and they could just make out a voice calling out in the din. It wasn’t long before they heard Mickey yelling, “Doctor! Rose! Help!”
The Doctor began to rapidly switch settings on his screwdriver. They could see Mickey now, running down the path with hundreds of pigeons close behind.
“Rose!” the Doctor shouted to be heard. “Go to the dome and see if there’s anything in there to help. I’ll try to disperse the flock and if I can’t, Mickey and I will be right behind you.”
She ran full speed to the dome and arrived in under a minute. It took several hard tugs to get the door open, but at last she was successful. Frantically her eyes searched the space. A few nets were propped up on one side, but were too small to be of any use against hundreds of pigeons. A stack of boxes stood next to the nets and on top of one was what looked to be an air horn. She picked it up, trying to figure out how to use it but before she could, a loud commotion outside attracted her attention.
Rose turned in time to see Mickey being lifted horizontally into the air by hundreds of tiny talons. He was kicking and screaming, but his flailing had no effect. She watched, horrified, as he disappeared in a flurry of feathers. The Doctor had stopped waving around his screwdriver and was jumping, trying to grab hold of Mickey’s shoe but it was out of his reach. He brandished his sonic screwdriver in the air, yelling something she couldn’t make out. A few pigeons broke off from the main group and went after him. The Doctor yelped and ran full pelt to the dome.
Moments later, Rose opened the door for him and he crashed into the boxes. She quickly closed the door as the pigeons began attacking the glass walls, looking for a way inside. “Are you okay?” she asked, kneeling by his side.
“Fine, just fine,” he gasped, catching his breath.
“And Mickey?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, Rose. I couldn’t do a thing. Find anything useful?”
She held up the air horn.
“Ah, no. Not against that many. And it would drive them away more than bring them back. What about that?” He motioned to a box hanging near the door.
Rose turned. “Is that a telephone?” She opened the box to see a telephone that one would expect in most public phone boxes. “What should I try?”
“Perhaps ‘0’ for the operator? Assuming there is one.”
She pressed the button and waited.
After a moment, a crisp voice answered, “Ellohay? Isthay isay ethay operatoray.”
“Um…hello?” Rose responded.
“Owhay aymay Iay ebay ofay assistanceay?”
“What are they saying?” the Doctor asked.
“I have no idea,” Rose responded confused. “It’s not translating.”
“I wonder if they’re talking pidgin.”
“It doesn’t sound like she’s talking bird.”
The Doctor rose and took the phone from her. “Not pigeon, pidgin. It’s a language created between groups that don’t have a language in common. Used mostly for trading and the like.” He put the receiver to his ear. “Hello?”
As he listened, a delighted smile grew on his face. “Yesay! Eway eednay elphay! Ymay iendfray asway abducteday ybay igeonspay.”
Rose stared at him uncomprehendingly.
He raised his eyebrows at her and whispered, “It’s Pig Latin.”
“Oh,” she mouthed back. She watched as the Doctor told the operator what Mickey looked like and which direction the flock had taken him. The exchange took all of five minutes. At the end, the Doctor said, “Ankthay youay!” and hung the phone back on its hook. Turning to Rose, he grinned. “Iay itequay ikelay eakingspay Igpay Atinlay.”
She stuck her tongue out at him and responded slowly, “Iay eednay oremay acticepray.”
“Aw, you’ve almost got it!”
She lightly smacked him on the arm. “What about Mickey?”
“Oh, he’ll be fine. Apparently the pigeons are taking him to their nests in the mountains. The operator says it’s quite lovely there. Anyway, he must have given them food or something which is why they snatched him.”
“He had toffee in his jacket pocket!” Rose interrupted.
The Doctor continued, “They’re going to set him down and search his pockets and then have a feast in his honor. Set him up on a throne and everything.”
“Are you serious?”
“Oh yes. It happens quite often around here. Usually there’s enough food in the mountains but the pigeons occasionally get the taste for manmade food. Oddly enough, the Pigeon Rescue Squad-“
“There’s a Pigeon Rescue Squad?”
“I know! Isn’t that amazing? Anyway, they’ll give the pigeons a pile of food and then, while they’re distracted, grab Mickey and bring him back here.”
“Good,” she said, relieved. “What about us?” she asked, motioning to the pigeons still scrabbling against the walls.
“Oh, they’ll fly away eventually. Once they realize there’s a feast elsewhere.”
Rose rubbed her forehead and pursed her lips, looking troubled.
“What’s wrong? He’s going to be fine and we’re safe so….”
She bit her lip. “It’s my fault.”
“What is?”
“The smoke. In the TARDIS. That was me?”
“How?”
She sighed. “Remember when we went to that planet and I picked up a rock and you told me not to get it wet under any circumstances?”
He lifted his eyebrows at her. “Yes.”
“I think I left it in my pocket.”
“And?”
“The pocket in the pair of jeans I was washing this afternoon.”
“Ah,” he responded, pressing his lips together.
“I’m never going to see those jeans again, am I?”
“Nope.” He struggled to keep a neutral expression, failed, and let out a peal of laughter.
Rose stared at him in astonishment.
When he could breathe again, the Doctor giggled, “Poor Mickey! The look on his face when the TARDIS landed, thinking it was his fault!”
She shook her head and couldn’t stop the smile. “Should we tell him the real reason he was stolen by pigeons?”
“Absolutely not,” the Doctor responded. “The experience might keep him from wandering off in the future, but I doubt it. You humans…” he trailed off. Gazing at her with a twinkle in his eyes, he held out his arms to her. “Come here.”
She went to him and he drew her into a hug. He kissed the crown of her head and whispered, “I don’t think Mickey will feed the birds ever again!”
Rose laughed with him this time and the outside world seemed to vanish. The danger, the pigeons, the black smoke in the TARDIS disappeared. All that was left was the Doctor and Rose, hugging, laughing, and grateful to be together.
Ten/Rose & Mickey, G, 2,557
Set after 2x04 The Girl in the Fireplace
Note: I'm sorry this is nearly a day late! Hand injuries are no fun at all. If being late is a problem, I guess this can be deleted and I'll post it elsewhere. :/
Don't Feed the Pigeons
Black smoke billowed out of the TARDIS as three figures stumbled out. The Doctor slammed the door shut behind them and his companions both slumped to the ground, coughing uncontrollably. The sonic screwdriver whizzed above Rose's head as the Doctor took some readings.
"What's wrong, old girl?" the Doctor asked, stroking the outer door and trying to make sense of the readings.
Mickey cleared his throat, "Could it have been my fault?"
The Doctor pocketed his screwdriver and crossed his arms. "That depends. What were you doing?"
Suddenly finding his thumb very interesting, Mickey avoided his gaze. "Making toast?"
"That's all?"
"It may have been more black than brown...."
The Doctor sighed and shook his head. "I really rather doubt making toast would have caused all that."
"It may have caught on fire."
"What?"
"But the TARDIS put it right out and the kitchen isn't damaged at all. Seriously, everything's fine in there."
The Doctor took out his sonic and began scanning again, rubbing his free hand furiously through his hair. He began muttering words like "mechanics" and "multidimensional" and "idiot".
Rose, still coughing a bit, took in their surroundings. They had landed in a peaceful looking park with a path winding ahead with a tree or park bench dotting the scenery. She tapped Mickey on the shoulder, "Why don't you just scout ahead. I'll deal with him."
Mickey gave her a grateful smile and quietly left the group, pulling a bag of toffee out of his jacket pocket.
"Doctor? Is everything all right?" she asked once Mickey was a safe distance away.
"Not really, no. We may be stuck her awhile until she airs out. Toxic, smelly smoke...I'm not sure if your boyfriend is to blame this time though."
"Mickey's not my boyfriend," Rose protested. "He hasn't been for a long time and you know it."
Her sharp tone made him pause in his scanning. "Sorry," he said, "I was being rude again, wasn't I?” He pocketed his sonic again and shuffled his feet. “And you’re right, I do know it."
"Good," Rose said simply.
The Doctor sat down next to her, picked a piece of lint off his pants, and stared straight ahead.
After a period of silence, Rose glanced at him and noted his glum expression. “Is it that bad?”
He sighed. “Yes and no. I don’t think there’ll be any permanent damage. But we can’t go inside until the smoke has cleared. If the extractor fans were working we’d be back inside right now, but…”
“They’re not working,” Rose finished for him. “So if they’re not working, how long until it clears?”
“An hour or two? Three hours tops.”
“Then why so gloomy?” she asked. “We’re in a lovely park, it’s a nice day, and I’d love a walk.” She stood up and held out her hand to help him up.
The Doctor looked at her hand and shook his head. “Wouldn’t you rather walk with Mickey?”
“If I had wanted a walk with Mickey then I would have gone with him. He’s up ahead somewhere. I choose to stay with you, just like I’ve always done.”
He gave her a faint glimmer of a smile and stood up, taking her hand in his. “Wandered off again, has he? We’d better find him before he gets into too much trouble.” He started forward but Rose pulled him back. He looked at her with questioning eyes.
“I just…surely Mickey will be okay. It’s quiet and peaceful here. We don’t have to hurry, right?”
“I suppose not. A leisurely stroll with Rose Tyler…what could be better?”
Off they went, hand in hand. The sun was warm and birds were singing in the trees. Well, most of the birds were singing. A few sitting in the shadows of branches were silent and watched the passersby with beady eyes and curious interest. Absorbed in their own thoughts, the Doctor and Rose took no notice of them.
“Doctor…” Rose ventured, “…this is the first time we’ve been alone since…since the spaceship. I thought I’d lost you forever. And…are you all right?”
He chewed his lip for a moment before responding. “I’m always all right.”
Rose tugged him to a halt and grasped both his hands. “It’s okay if you’re not,” she said quietly. “Because I’m not all right. Longest five and a half hours of my life-“ her voice caught and she struggled to maintain her composure.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, looking at her with sad eyes.
“Me too. She was brilliant, wasn’t she? Reinette was brilliant and lovely…and so brave. I’m glad we were able to save her.”
The Doctor pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you, Rose,” he said simply.
She buried her face into his coat and shivered slightly. “I…just keep wondering if I’m going to break your heart like that one day.”
He kissed the top of her head and tightened his embrace. “Someday…our journey will come to an end. But it’s not over yet. And why should we dwell on gloomy thoughts when there’s adventure to be had?”
Rose gave him a watery smile. “And running to be done?”
“So much running,” he said, giving her a wobbly smile in return. The Doctor released her and, giving her hand a squeeze, started walking again. “C’mon. Let’s see what awaits us around the next bend.”
As they ambled along, the Doctor dug in his pocket with his free hand and produced a small cellophane packet. “Care for a biscuit?”
“Of course,” Rose responded and accepted the treat handed to her.
A flutter of wings erupted from the trees and the sound of birdsong suddenly ceased. Before they had time to react, they heard several soft thumps behind them.
The Doctor and Rose turned around to see about a dozen small pigeons on the path. The birds were watchful and eerily motionless.
“What’s this all about?” Rose wondered.
The Doctor glanced at the half-eaten delight in his hand. “I think they’re after our biscuits.”
Rose felt unnerved by the beady eyes studying her. “I’m not sharing, are you?”
“Well…I would, but it’s a really good biscuit,” he replied and promptly stuffed the rest of it in his mouth.
Rose grinned and followed his example. Then they continued down the path.
The pigeons cocked their heads and half-flew, half-hopped after them. Every once in a while one would stop and peck at the path looking for stray crumbs.
“I wonder where Mickey’s got to?” the Doctor pondered aloud.
“He should be just up ahead, probably sitting on a bench. Like that one,” Rose pointed to a small wrought iron bench just ahead.
The Doctor squinted, looking beyond the bench to a glass dome sitting on the grass. It too had ironwork sandwiched between triangles of glass. It appeared to be large enough to accommodate several people. “What’s that for?”
Rose cocked her head, considering. “Perhaps it’s for gardening? Or a greenhouse?”
“Too small for a greenhouse…well, unless you’re only growing a very little bit inside. Maybe it’s a shed? Funny for a garden shed to be made of glass though.”
“Maybe it’s so they can make sure all the tools are there without opening the door?” Rose suggested.
“Perhaps…” the Doctor trailed off, not sounding convinced.
They were drawing closer to the bench and there was a plaque standing nearby. “Maybe it’s a memorial or something?” Rose motioned to the sign. “That might help.”
They stepped up to the plaque and stilled as they read the words.
PLEASE
Do Not Feed
The Pigeons
THEY DO THINGS
“Good thing we didn’t share,” the Doctor commented, glancing at the path behind them.
About twenty pigeons stared back at him.
“Rose…” he started slowly, “…don’t be alarmed, but we may have issues getting back to the TARDIS.”
“Oh….” Rose breathed when she saw them. “Was that your last biscuit?”
“Yes, I think so,” the Doctor answered, not taking his eyes off the birds for a moment.
“Good,” she relaxed a little. “There’s a bit more on the sign. It says, ‘In case of pigeon incursion, use dome’. What do you think ‘pigeon incursion’ means, Doctor?”
At that moment a loud squawking noise came from that path ahead. It sounded as if hundreds of birds were calling out to each other. The pigeons waiting on the path tensed and were eyeing them and the path ahead with renewed interest.
“Uh-oh, looks like we’re about to find out,” the Doctor exclaimed, pulling out his sonic screwdriver.
A sinking feeling entered Rose’s stomach as she realized it was just the two of them. “Mickey,” she gasped. “Doctor! Mickey’s out there on his own!”
The squawking was getting closer and they could just make out a voice calling out in the din. It wasn’t long before they heard Mickey yelling, “Doctor! Rose! Help!”
The Doctor began to rapidly switch settings on his screwdriver. They could see Mickey now, running down the path with hundreds of pigeons close behind.
“Rose!” the Doctor shouted to be heard. “Go to the dome and see if there’s anything in there to help. I’ll try to disperse the flock and if I can’t, Mickey and I will be right behind you.”
She ran full speed to the dome and arrived in under a minute. It took several hard tugs to get the door open, but at last she was successful. Frantically her eyes searched the space. A few nets were propped up on one side, but were too small to be of any use against hundreds of pigeons. A stack of boxes stood next to the nets and on top of one was what looked to be an air horn. She picked it up, trying to figure out how to use it but before she could, a loud commotion outside attracted her attention.
Rose turned in time to see Mickey being lifted horizontally into the air by hundreds of tiny talons. He was kicking and screaming, but his flailing had no effect. She watched, horrified, as he disappeared in a flurry of feathers. The Doctor had stopped waving around his screwdriver and was jumping, trying to grab hold of Mickey’s shoe but it was out of his reach. He brandished his sonic screwdriver in the air, yelling something she couldn’t make out. A few pigeons broke off from the main group and went after him. The Doctor yelped and ran full pelt to the dome.
Moments later, Rose opened the door for him and he crashed into the boxes. She quickly closed the door as the pigeons began attacking the glass walls, looking for a way inside. “Are you okay?” she asked, kneeling by his side.
“Fine, just fine,” he gasped, catching his breath.
“And Mickey?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, Rose. I couldn’t do a thing. Find anything useful?”
She held up the air horn.
“Ah, no. Not against that many. And it would drive them away more than bring them back. What about that?” He motioned to a box hanging near the door.
Rose turned. “Is that a telephone?” She opened the box to see a telephone that one would expect in most public phone boxes. “What should I try?”
“Perhaps ‘0’ for the operator? Assuming there is one.”
She pressed the button and waited.
After a moment, a crisp voice answered, “Ellohay? Isthay isay ethay operatoray.”
“Um…hello?” Rose responded.
“Owhay aymay Iay ebay ofay assistanceay?”
“What are they saying?” the Doctor asked.
“I have no idea,” Rose responded confused. “It’s not translating.”
“I wonder if they’re talking pidgin.”
“It doesn’t sound like she’s talking bird.”
The Doctor rose and took the phone from her. “Not pigeon, pidgin. It’s a language created between groups that don’t have a language in common. Used mostly for trading and the like.” He put the receiver to his ear. “Hello?”
As he listened, a delighted smile grew on his face. “Yesay! Eway eednay elphay! Ymay iendfray asway abducteday ybay igeonspay.”
Rose stared at him uncomprehendingly.
He raised his eyebrows at her and whispered, “It’s Pig Latin.”
“Oh,” she mouthed back. She watched as the Doctor told the operator what Mickey looked like and which direction the flock had taken him. The exchange took all of five minutes. At the end, the Doctor said, “Ankthay youay!” and hung the phone back on its hook. Turning to Rose, he grinned. “Iay itequay ikelay eakingspay Igpay Atinlay.”
She stuck her tongue out at him and responded slowly, “Iay eednay oremay acticepray.”
“Aw, you’ve almost got it!”
She lightly smacked him on the arm. “What about Mickey?”
“Oh, he’ll be fine. Apparently the pigeons are taking him to their nests in the mountains. The operator says it’s quite lovely there. Anyway, he must have given them food or something which is why they snatched him.”
“He had toffee in his jacket pocket!” Rose interrupted.
The Doctor continued, “They’re going to set him down and search his pockets and then have a feast in his honor. Set him up on a throne and everything.”
“Are you serious?”
“Oh yes. It happens quite often around here. Usually there’s enough food in the mountains but the pigeons occasionally get the taste for manmade food. Oddly enough, the Pigeon Rescue Squad-“
“There’s a Pigeon Rescue Squad?”
“I know! Isn’t that amazing? Anyway, they’ll give the pigeons a pile of food and then, while they’re distracted, grab Mickey and bring him back here.”
“Good,” she said, relieved. “What about us?” she asked, motioning to the pigeons still scrabbling against the walls.
“Oh, they’ll fly away eventually. Once they realize there’s a feast elsewhere.”
Rose rubbed her forehead and pursed her lips, looking troubled.
“What’s wrong? He’s going to be fine and we’re safe so….”
She bit her lip. “It’s my fault.”
“What is?”
“The smoke. In the TARDIS. That was me?”
“How?”
She sighed. “Remember when we went to that planet and I picked up a rock and you told me not to get it wet under any circumstances?”
He lifted his eyebrows at her. “Yes.”
“I think I left it in my pocket.”
“And?”
“The pocket in the pair of jeans I was washing this afternoon.”
“Ah,” he responded, pressing his lips together.
“I’m never going to see those jeans again, am I?”
“Nope.” He struggled to keep a neutral expression, failed, and let out a peal of laughter.
Rose stared at him in astonishment.
When he could breathe again, the Doctor giggled, “Poor Mickey! The look on his face when the TARDIS landed, thinking it was his fault!”
She shook her head and couldn’t stop the smile. “Should we tell him the real reason he was stolen by pigeons?”
“Absolutely not,” the Doctor responded. “The experience might keep him from wandering off in the future, but I doubt it. You humans…” he trailed off. Gazing at her with a twinkle in his eyes, he held out his arms to her. “Come here.”
She went to him and he drew her into a hug. He kissed the crown of her head and whispered, “I don’t think Mickey will feed the birds ever again!”
Rose laughed with him this time and the outside world seemed to vanish. The danger, the pigeons, the black smoke in the TARDIS disappeared. All that was left was the Doctor and Rose, hugging, laughing, and grateful to be together.