A/N: Don't own anything related to Doctor Who or Torchwood. . . Wish I did tho. . anyway. . . Just some warnings. . this story will contain things that some may consider triggers. Violence, gore, Angst, PTSD, and a few more. I'll put up a warning on those chapters as I go. Please review and let me know what you think :) Also. . . I need an editor/proofreader if anyone is interested.
The flight back from that God forsaken beach in Norway was lasting an eternity. Jackie had called Pete, who had somehow arranged to have, after about 2 hours wait time, a small personal jet land nearby. The Doctor had been pleasantly surprised to see the sleek black aircraft land about half a mile in front of them. Jackie had talked non-stop on the walk to where the jet sat, waiting to be boarded, about her son Tony and about her marriage to this universe's Pete Tyler. He had only half listened, nodding when necessary, most of his attention focused on Rose. She was quiet and deep in thought, only glancing at him briefly when she thought he wasn't looking.
Now, about an hour into the flight, everyone was silent. Rose was staring out of the small circular window, watching the clouds drift beneath them, fidgeting almost non-stop. She sighed heavily and leaned her forehead against the cool glass, making herself relax and get her emotions under control. She sat like that, eyes closed and breathing deeply, until she drifted off to sleep. The Doctor watched her quietly from his seat across from her. She was thinner than he remembered her being before and she no longer looked like the cheeky teenager he'd traveled with. Even in sleep she looked tense and guarded.
"Poor thing. . . First time I've seen her sleep in ages." Jackie whispered from her seat next to Rose. She moved over a to her right to put distance between herself and her sleeping daughter, being careful not to touch her. The Doctor gave her a questioning look when she'd settled down. "Don't wanna startle this one when she's sleeping. Dangerous. . ." she warned quietly. "Why's that?" he asked, his voice matching her hushed tone. She shook her head and looked away, resting her head on the back of her seat. "You should follow her lead. Won't hurt to have a kip." Jackie suggested, closing her own eyes and making a point to look as though she were already asleep.
The Doctor rolled his eyes, annoyed, and looked back over at Rose. She was sleeping but only just barely unconscious. He felt his own body growing heavy with exhaustion and sighed. Perhaps a nap wouldn't hurt. . after all. . he'd have time to talk to Rose later. He'd have a lot of time. . slow linear time. . he wasn't going anywhere. His mouth pressed into a tight thin line. This wasn't going to be easy.
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5 hours later, the taxi they had taken after arriving at the airport, pulled into the drive of the Tyler Mansion. For the most part, everything basically looked the same as the last time he'd been there. The landscaping and hedges were as close to flawless as they could get and the flower beds that wrapped around the base of the mansion were an impressive array of bright colors. The sun was setting, painting the sky with orange and pink, a much welcome difference to the overcast sky of Bad Wolf Bay.
As the car came to a stop, Rose wasted no time in opening the door and getting out. She needed to be alone, needed time to think. She hurried to the large ornate front doors and pushed them open. She didn't wait for her mother or for The Doctor. Pete and Tony were on their way out as she entered. She stopped long enough to hug them both briefly, assure them that everything was fine, then rushed upstairs to her room. When the door clicked shut, she breathed a sigh of relief. Leaning back against the door, she let her body slide down until she was sitting on the floor. She sat there, staring blankly at the beige carpet, listening to the sounds drifting up from downstairs. Cheerful greetings being exchanged and vague explanations for Pete's many questions.
Rose clutched her hand over her aching heart and fought back a sob. Nothing had turned out like she had expected. She'd worked so hard, for so long to get back to her Doctor, only to be left here again. Yes. . in a way The Doctor was here with her. . but he wasn't her Doctor. How could he be? She shook her head and rubbed the heel of her hands into her eyes. There was no point in dwelling on it now. What's done is done, can't change it. She made up her mind to push away the anger and try to move forward. She had to try. . . for the sake of her own sanity.
Maybe he wasn't her Doctor. . . but perhaps he was enough like her Doctor ease the pain of the gaping aching hole in her heart. Rose stood slowly and walked to her ensuite. She toed off her trainers and shed her jacket, dropping it to the floor carelessly. She pulled her vest top up over her head and tossed it on top of her discarded jacket then unbuttoned and shimmied out of her jeans. She inhaled deeply and squared her shoulders, looking herself over in the large mirror wearing only her bra and knickers. Her whiskey brown eyes roamed over her body, taking note of the several scars she'd obtained during her time at Torchwood.
A shiny jagged line on the inside of her left forearm, a bumpy circular scar from a bullet on the front of her right shoulder with it's matching twin on the back of the same shoulder. . the bullet had gone all the way through and shattered her shoulder blade. . . Three vivid slightly pink gashes on her right hip reaching from her pelvic bone down to almost mid thigh. She trailed her fingertips over the gashes on her hip and frowned. The scars were unattractive but they told a story. . her story. . . and she'd never get rid of them.
She turned around and started her shower, turning the water as hot as she could stand it, before stripping off the rest of her clothes and stepping in. She held it together long enough to scrub her hair and body clean before sinking to the floor of the shower and letting go. She wept harder than ever before, the silent sobs wracking her body as she knelt there, the hot water washing her tears and heart ache down the drain.
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Downstairs the Doctor sat in the large family room with Pete. While the inside of the mansion, for the most part, looked the same. . there were obvious changes. Toddler toys scattered about, family photos hanging on the wall, several new knick knacks that Jackie had collected . . . it looked lived in now. The Doctor's attention shifted back to Pete as he spoke.
"How do you plan to move forward from here Doctor?" Pete asked after taking a sip of the brandy he held in his hand. He rotated the small glass causing the ice cubes to clink against one another. The Doctor looked at the brandy he held in his own hand, then took a large gulp of it. It felt great going down, spreading warmth throughout his chest and stomach. He exhaled deeply through his nose. "I'm not sure. . . didn't exactly get a chance to plan ahead did I?" he responded, irritation creeping into his voice. Pete nodded in understanding and considered his next statement for a moment before speaking.
"I know you just got here. . . and your welcome to stay as long as you like. It's the least I could do. . . " Pete paused for a moment, polished off his brandy and sat the glass down on the end table next to him before continuing, "I'd also like to officially extend an offer to you." The Doctor arched his brow and smirked. He knew where this was going. "I don't really want to work for Torchwood. I'm sure you've done wonderful things with it in this universe, Pete. . . but Torchwood and I don't usually mix well."
"Well. . be that as it may. . . we could still use you, Doctor. At least to help identify new alien technology that we recover. Mostly enough to tell us whether or not it's dangerous." Pete said, leaning back into his arm chair. The Doctor considered him for a long moment then nodded. "I could do that. . but on one condition." Pete nodded and waited for him to continue. "If I determine something to be too dangerous, I want to have the right to personally dispose of it. I won't help Torchwood to obtain or build weapons of mass destruction." he finished then tipped his glass back, swallowing the rest of the amber liquor. After a moment of silence, Pete chuckled. "Alright Doctor. . . I'd be a fool to turn you down. You have my word."
"Rose still works for Torchwood then?" the Doctor asked, running his hand through his hair. "Of course. . could you see her working anywhere else?" Pete responded lightly. The Doctor smiled and shook his head. They sat in companionable silence for a moment before The Doctor let out a huge yawn. Pete smiled and stood from his chair. "C'mon. . . I'll show you to a guest room. I know your knackered. I'll have your suit cleaned too. . you could borrow a pair of my PJs." he said, walking out of the room. The Doctor stood and shoved his hands into his pockets, looking down at his blue suit. It still smelled of smoke and sweat. That was new. . . he wasn't used to sweating much. This human body would take some getting used to.
He followed Pete out and up the large staircase. After making a quick detour to the master bed room to obtain a change of clothes, Pete led The Doctor to a guest room a few doors down the hall. Pete gave him an affectionate pat on the back before turning and heading back to his own room. The Doctor shifted the clothing to one arm and opened the door to his room. He stepped in and closed the door quietly behind him. The room was nicely decorated with pale creamy walls, gold light fixtures, black furniture and matching deep burgundy blankets, rug, and throw pillows.
He sat on the edge of the bed, unlaced his trainers, toed them off, and headed straight for the ensuite. Shower then bed. . . he'd face tomorrow when it came. This was going to be his life now. . one day at a time. Day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute. . . He pushed down the anxiety that began bubbling up in his chest as he began undressing for a shower. Tomorrow would be a new day. . . A new day for a new life to begin.