The Desperate and The Forgotten
Chapter One
The TARDIS floated peacefully in the vast darkness of space. To look upon the strange blue box floating alone in the Universe you would think it was out of place, but it appeared to be right at home. Leaning to one side as if reclined in relaxation, drifting along an invisible lazy river. Inside the unusual spaceship was equally as peaceful.
Two large boots poked up through the grated floor of the control room, the body they'd belonged to somewhere below. They tapped time softly as the whistling tune of 'one foot in the grave' cheerily echoed around the massive room. The Doctor, in his tried and true leather jacket, dark jumper and dark jeans, was all but upside-down working on the underside of the console. His happy whistling kept him company as he tinkered away.
"-but give me half a chance and I can still misbehave!" The Doctor sang out loud as he clanged against something several times, then resumed whistling. "Hmm." He paused. "Rose, could you pass me the spanner?" He reached a hand up from under the grating expectantly but there was no response. The fingers wiggled for a moment, then the whole hand sank back under the grating and The Doctor poked his head up. "Rose?" He looked around, then shrugged. "Never around when you need them." He reached out to grab the wrench he had sought and disappeared under the grating once more.
Rose was in the TARDIS kitchen with a one Captain Jack Harkness. The two were conversing over a cup of tea like old friends. Having Jack on board had been a welcome change to Rose's life, up until that point she had spent all her waking moments at The Doctor's side. He never sat still for very long, but when he did all she could do was watch him work and hand him tools. Sometimes he would converse with her, mostly she just talked to herself. On very rare occasions she coaxed him into doing something as normal as catching up on her shows with her, but he was terrible to watch telly with. Made all kinds of sarcastic remarks that made Rose feel dumb and wish she'd never asked him to join her.
"Ah, we live a charmed life, Rosie." Jack smiled charmingly as he leaned back in his chair casually.
"How so?" Rose asked, leaning over the warm tea she was cradling in both hands.
"Just get to travel and have adventures all the time, no need to buy groceries or pay bills… pretty great." He folded his hands behind his head to show his fully relaxed state.
"Never mind the constant danger and death stuff," Rose muttered as she sipped her tea.
"Nah, that's all part of the allure." He grinned. "Damsels in distress, monsters to fight…"
"Guess that's fine and good when you're not always the damsel in distress." Rose set her cup down and leaned back. Jack, suddenly sensing a heart to heart coming, leaned forward to show he was there to listen. "Do you think The Doctor even notices we aren't around right now?"
"It's The Doctor- he seems to be surprised I'm still on board every time he sees me." Jack shrugged and gave a little smile. Rose nodded thoughtfully.
"Big brain like his… get's so lost in his own head." She took another sip of her tea. "Sometimes I worry he's going to forget me out there."
"Oh no," Jack shook his head. "He'd never forget you. If there's one thing I know about The Doc, it's that he's mad about Rose Tyler." He grinned and gave her a little wink and it made her blush a little.
"Don't be daft." She swished her hand through the air as if swatting his words away like a fly. "and don't call him Doc, he hates that."
The Doctor had finished with whatever task he had been working on. He was still whistling as he gathered his tools and put them out of sight. He shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked deeper into the TARDIS. "One things for sure, I'm still bloody well here! One foot in the grave…" He sang quietly to himself as he casually walked down the hallway.
Just as he was passing the closed door to the kitchen he'd heard Rose and Jack talking. He stopped and took a few steps back to hear Rose telling Jack not to call The Doctor: Doc. The Doctor nodded his head in approval and started walking again.
"You don't think he's capable of love, do you?" Jack's voice carried out into the hallway. The Doctor stopped again and furrowed his brow in concentration.
"What are you on about?" Rose asked very dismissively.
"The Doctor." Jack clarified. At that, The Doctor raised his eyebrows and took a few steps backward until he was in front of the door again. "You two are so cute." Jack laughed.
"Oh get off it," Rose replied. "Of course The Doctor loves! He loves bananas, trouble and being a particular pain in the arse." The Doctor grinned at that.
"And you." Jack pointed out. The Doctor's goofy smile faded into a more serious face as he listened. Rose sighed.
"No," Rose replied. "I'm just here to do the general running around and hand the spanners." The Doctor pursed his lips. "There is a scale of priorities in his head, I know there is. When it comes to saving the world you get shuffled down the scale. Outta sight, outta mind." The Doctor turned and headed back to the control room without a sound.
"That's not how I see it." Jack took on a serious tone. "You told me what he did for you and your Dad, that's the kind of madness that comes from lovesickness. That's not even mentioning all the things I've seen and heard with my own eyes." Rose looked uncomfortably down at her empty teacup.
"Well, you see everything through me coloured glasses I'm sure." Rose laughed but it sounded forced.
"Alright, so maybe I'm a little more in tune with the romantics than you guys!" Jack shrugged. "I love a good love story." Rose laughed and stood up to rinse her empty teacup in the sink.
"Just don't be writing any smutty fiction about us, alright?" Jack laughed and shook his head.
"I make no promises…" He grinned wide as Rose turned to look at him over her shoulder.
"You've already done it, haven't you?" No response. "Beast." She laughed turning away. Then she dried her hand on the tea towel that hung by the sink and made her way to the door.
"I'll let you read it." Jack smiled as he stood from his chair to follow. Rose gave him a smirk before pulling the door open.
"Come on, let's see what your star character is up to."
When they entered the control room the TARDIS was evidently already landing somewhere. The ship shook slightly and it made Rose and Jack stumble. Jack grabbed something sturdy for stability while Rose attempted to rock back and forth until she found her balance. The Doctor was whirling around the controls at his usual pace. A mad dance for a mad scientist. He grinned when he looked up and saw Rose.
"You're going to love this, Rose!" He called out over the familiar wheezing.
"Where are we going?" Rose shouted over the noise.
"I don't know!" The Doctor beamed.
"Then how do you know I'll love it?" She asked, finally reaching the consul and clinging to the edge.
"It's a jungle planet, mostly unexplored though. No contact. Think Earth, 1800 BC give or take." The Doctor explained with a final flourish. The TARDIS made a final harsh jerk before finally stopping. Rose fell forwards, but The Doctor swiftly caught her. "Knocked you off your feet already." He beamed. Rose pulled herself up and dusted herself off casually.
"So why wouldn't we just go to earth, 1800 BC?" Jack asked. The Doctor jumped at his voice as if surprised he was there.
"Well, that wouldn't be any fun would it." He shrugged. "This way we can discover new life!"
"You mean, things not even you've seen before?" Rose asked, excitement beginning to bubble up. The Doctor nodded and smiled. "Well let's go!" She started sprinting for the door.
"Hang on." The Doctor halted her. "According to the monitor, it's nearly forty degrees. You'll want something a little lighter." Rose looked down at her jeans and jumper and nodded. She ran off to change and Jack charged after her.
When they came back, they were both dressed in white. Jack was wearing what appeared to be a cricket outfit with matching hat. He looked sharp and gave a charming smile when The Doctor had to do a double take.
"Like?" He asked.
"Just had a bit of a flashback." The Doctor stared at him for a moment longer than turned away sharply. "Any vegetation on that?"
"What?" Jack asked looking himself over. The Doctor ignored him.
"I warned him it might be a bit overdoing it, but he does love a good fancy-dress," Rose said crossing her arms. She was wearing a very light white blouse tucked into khaki shorts and a large brimmed hat with a big white bow.
"You're one to talk." Jack crossed his arms. "That hat?" Rose stuck her tongue out at him.
"Thought it was cute." She muttered. The Doctor rushed forward and took her hand to guide her towards the door.
"It is." He stated as he pulled her along. Then he stopped and twisted to face her rather abruptly. Rose clung to her massive hat as she stopped herself from bumping into him. "You put sunscreen on?"
"Yes, Mother." Rose rolled her eyes. The Doctor grinned and pushed the doors open.
Outside was a beautifully lush jungle. The foliage was all a startling shade of blue, and the soil beneath their feet was a dark orange. Rose kicked at the ground as if she didn't believe it was real dirt. There were brightly coloured flowers scattered all about in various contrasting colours to the blue. Rose held her hat as she attempted to lean back and look up at the massive trees covered in vines.
"It's like a rain forest!" Rose exclaimed.
"Very much so." The Doctor agreed. His hand still holding hers. He looked down at her. "You like it?"
"Yes!" Rose grinned. "I love it!" The Doctor smiled.
"Come on then."
"Oh, don't worry about me- I'll just carry all the kit and hold my own hand!" Jack called after them as he swung a small rucksack onto his back. "Thanks for making lunch, Jack. When did you ever find the time?" Jack grumbled to himself. "Oh just threw some sandwiches together, no big deal. Being thoughtful and such." He trudged into the jungle after the duo.
A/N: I haven't written and posted anything in years. Literally, years. I've been sitting on this a while, but with the anniversary just passed, I felt a sudden urge to share. Nine and Co make for a million unexplored adventures and it's a lot of fun to write them. I wish we had more time with them, so for anyone feeling the same this one is dedicated to you!