Tales From the Other Side

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Disclaimer: Doctor Who and the characters of said show do not belong to me, no matter how hard I've wished for it. No infringement meant on the owners, nor BBC. Honest.

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A/N 1: As always, my very heart-felt thanks to Catharticone, who inspires and corrects all in one stroke of the keyboard. If it wasn't for her, you'd be reading rubbish.


A/N 2: In the story, "The Other Side Of Me", Rose and the Doctor became trapped in the Vortex due to the holds of a black hole, and soon came to realize that Rose was traveling between parallel universes, sort of trading places with another Rose who was also trapped in the Vortex with another Doctor by the same black hole.

Sounds complicated, but that's why it was twelve chapters.

Anyhow, our heroine and hero saved themselves from being stuck there throughout eternity thanks to Rose's ability to explain things to the other Doctor in the parallel universe, thus bringing us all to the conclusion that two Doctor's can be better than one. (I know what you're thinking, and I'm not going there. At least not in this particular story.) ;o)

In the parallel universe, that version of Rose and Doctor were lovers; however, in our universe, they were not. But whether because of jealousy or want or need or all of the above, the Doctor decided that once the whole parallel universe problem was solved, it would be time to 'explore their options'.

Well, when this story begins, the parallel universe problem is officially solved. But there are other issues from it that need taking care of.

Tales From the Other Side


Chapter One:
Vacation

Rose smiled at the Doctor, her face slightly flushed from embarrassment. They'd gone through a whole drama-filled event that took them, well, actually Rose, into a parallel universe. She'd actually traveled between her universe and another! Then she and the Doctor had in not-so-many-words proclaimed that they'd been lusting for one another. Love seemed to do that to people. They couldn't keep their hands off each other, actually. Then they'd gone back to his room with his enormous bed, and Rose promptly fell asleep.

Granted, she had good reason to be tired. But still, not the romantic joining of two souls that they'd both hoped for.

She'd opened her eyes and found the Doctor staring at her, the cutest grin that she'd ever seen plastered on his face.

"Um, oh. Oh! Oh no," she exclaimed, before promptly hiding her face beneath the pillow she'd slept upon.

"Good morning to you too, Rose," she heard the muffled words from within her sanctuary.

"Hmph." She pulled the billowy head rest away from her a little, enjoying the air which was now accessible, and looked at the Doctor.

"How long was I sleepin'?"

"Oh, you know, the whole matter of time's so complex here and I -"

"That long?"

The Doctor nodded. "About ten hours."

The feathered softness was slowly drawn back down until it covered her face again.

"Rose, stop hiding. You needed the rest; I told you that when we finally freed ourselves from the black hole." He watched, noting the pillow remained where it was. "Besides, now that you've rested up a bit, we could, oh, say, I don't know, perhaps continue where we left off?"

The pillow once more lifted slowly from Rose's head. She looked at him, a languid smile spreading across her face as she noted his hopeful expression. Sitting herself up a bit, she leaned towards him, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Really?" she asked quietly.

"Oh yeah." His smile was oh-so-devilish.

The Doctor focused on her lips as he leaned towards her with darkening eyes.

"Oh!" Rose jumped away from him then bounded off the bed, almost tumbling as its height was a bit more than she'd expected. She stumbled but quickly regained her equilibrium enough to hasten towards the bathroom.

The Doctor watched as the door slammed shut, his lips pursed as he stilled mid-descent. Suddenly his expression changed to one of confusion.

Of course. She was probably worried about morning breath. With that thought, he sat up quickly, checking his own as he cupped a hand towards his mouth. Yep, it probably wouldn't hurt for him to have a brush, too.

He stood quickly then walked to the bathroom, tapping lightly on the door. "Rose, is there room for one more in there?" He grinned slightly as he propped his ear toward the door, listening as his hand clasped the handle.

It was then that he heard her retching.

"Oh." He was pretty sure that couldn't be good. "Rose, I'm coming in. You all right?"

His question was spoken as he opened the door, and what he saw concerned him far more than the noises he'd just heard. Rose was kneeling, holding onto the toilet with both hands as she continued heaving dryly. Her weakness was obvious when she finally noticed him in the room, reaching up to flush the toilet then collapsing on the floor.

"Rose!" The Doctor was beside her instantly, dropping to his knees as his arms surrounded her and kept her from landing completely on the floor.

"'M all right," she whispered hoarsely. "Don' know what caused that."

He grabbed a flannel from the rail beside them and shifted Rose slightly to reach the tap, soaking the cloth in cold water before rubbing it lightly over her sweat-covered face.

"I'll try not to take it personally," the Doctor responded lightly, his gaze looking her over appraisingly. "Feeling weak?"

"A little. But I'll be all right. Just give me a minute, yeah?"

"Of course," he replied, pulling out his sonic screwdriver. He turned it on and began scanning her, his full concentration focused on reading the instrument.

It was then that Rose realized that the Doctor was fully dressed. Looking down, she found herself in a robe. And nothing else.

"You've got clothes on," she said, stating the obvious.

"Yes, well," the Doctor began, shutting off the scanning instrument before meeting her eyes with his own. "I don't require as much sleep as you do."

"What'd it say?"

"Hmm?"

"The sonic screwdriver. Am I gonna live?"

"Seems so. How are you feeling now?"

"Under-dressed."

"Ahh. Think you can stand?" He helped Rose as they both stood up, and held onto her as she wavered slightly, noting her closed eyes and rapid respirations. "Feeling dizzy?"

"A little," she admitted.

"Well, that's to be expected, I suppose, considering you haven't eaten in a very long time - not properly, at least."

"Not hungry," she told him, keeping her eyes closed.

"Nauseous?"

She opened an eye to peek at him, then closed it again. "Ya think?"

"Not to worry. I think I can make it all better," the Doctor spoke confidently, walking her out of the bathroom. "Come on, let's get you back to bed."

"To bed? You want me to go back to bed?"

"Is the translator off line?" The Doctor grinned playfully, narrowly avoiding a slap on his arm. "I just want to get some fluids and nutrients in you. I suppose I could take you to the Infirmary, but I thought you'd be more comfortable in here. But, if you'd rather not ..."

Rose sat on the bed and looked up at the Doctor, her arms crossing. "Why would I need to go to the Infirmary? Last I heard, fluids and nutrients meant eatin' an' drinkin'. Unless the translator's not workin'." She grinned to herself for that one.

"Well, we could spend all day in the kitchen and get your body caught up with the nutrients it needs, although, with your nausea that might not be the best line of thinking, or I could give you an IV and get you back to rights just in time to go relax on the beaches of Harruettin. Lovely warm spot with fabulous deep blue waters and white sands. Just the place to rest and recuperate. And, with us both being stuck here on the TARDIS for such a long time, I just thought it'd be nice to -"

"All right already! Really, you can go on and on. You had me at deep blue waters'," Rose interrupted.

"Not yet, but I was thinking about it," the Doctor winked and turned around quickly, heading towards the corridor. "I'll be back in a jiffy with your IV."

Rose stared after him for a moment, then a her face lit up with a broad grin.

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One drained IV bag and a thorough scan later had Rose stepping out onto the warm white sand of Harruettin, the Doctor at her side.

"It's gorgeous!" she exclaimed, taking off towards the water.

Her blue shorts and green tank top blended well with the scenery, the Doctor, however, was a mild contrast in his white swim trunks and red t-shirt. At least the red trainers matched his top.

He chuckled as he watched her go, her enthusiasm contagious. Now this was how he liked to see her - happy and pain free. He never wanted her to suffer, though it seemed that here lately, with him, she did. At least in his mind.

He'd carried towels and chairs and was a bit slower getting to the water's edge, but her smile welcomed him, making him push aside his unpleasant train of thought. He'd stopped where she'd kicked off her tennis shoes, finding the spot perfect for their lounging. Rose was only a few feet away from him, standing ankle-deep within the water.

"It's so pretty - it looks like a big ol' sapphire sparklin' as far as the eye can see!"

"A superb place for a bit of a vacation," the Doctor replied, setting up the folding chairs then promptly sitting in one.

"Are we the only ones here?" Rose asked, looking around at the deserted beach.

"Yep. I timed it so that we arrived during their off season. The planet's closed for two weeks - workers' vacation."

"You're kiddin' me! They take a vacation from this?"

"Well, I'm sure they get bored with it like anyone does with a job."

Rose nodded her understanding, then splashed the water about with a foot. "Aren't you comin' in?"

"In a little while, perhaps. For now I think I'll just soak up a few of these ultraviolet rays. Not many places you can go to that it's actually good for you to be in the sun. Perfectly safe for humanoid skin." Yep, this was a good place to bring her. Her smile told him so.

"You know," he continued, "UV rays are very useful to your planet's ecosystem, but it's really a shame that they can actually burn your skin and hair and eyes. Although they do help assist your bodies in making vitamin D and can help build immunities to certain diseases. Still though, isn't it ironic? Something that's good for you is also bad for you." The Doctor's mind wandered back to his previous unpleasant thoughts. Was he good and bad for Rose? And in the long run, wouldn't she be better off without him?

"Sounds like chocolate."

The Doctor tore himself from his brooding thoughts to find Rose standing in front of him. "Beg your pardon?"

"The effects of the Earth's sun. Good and bad for you all at once. Jus' like chocolate."

"Well yes, I suppose so," he replied quietly.

"And just like all things that are good and bad for you, a little moderation makes them simply divine," she told him with a wink, then sat down beside him.

He grabbed her hand within his, pulling it to his lips to kiss the top of it. "Leave it to you Rose, to always see the bright side," he smiled.

"Can't help it, with all this sunshine," she smiled back at him. But within moments she pulled her hand from his and stood up.

"Rose? Where are you going?"

"To the TARDIS. Suddenly I'm cravin' chocolate!" She stopped mid-jog and turned to face him.

"You want anythin' while I'm in there?"

"Um, no. I'll just have what you're having."

The Doctor grinned and closed his eyes, pleased that her appetite seemed to be returning as he enjoyed the sun's warmth on his face. He opened them again upon hearing Rose returning, just in time to see the canvas bag she carried.

"What's in there?" he asked expectantly as she sat down beside him.

"Well, I brought some sodas," Rose began, handing the Doctor one as she pulled them out. "And some chocolate," she continued, taking out a bar for herself and him. "Oh! And some ranch dip."

She pulled out the plastic tub and opened it, missing his frown as she set it carefully on the arm of his chair so they could share it. When Rose dipped her chocolate bar into the creamy mixture, the Doctor closed his eyes in what appeared to be his own bout of nausea.

He watched her as she actually ate the concoction and was about to make a no-doubt crude comment. But as he'd begun to speak he was silenced by a loud explosion coming from the TARDIS.

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