Curiosity
Prompt: Capture a moment in the life of the Doctor and Rose near the beginning of their travels together.
(Prompt from a boy at my school)
"So, why are you called 'Doctor', anyway?"
The innocent question fell from the lips of Rose Tyler, who was at that moment perched on the edge of the battered captain's seat, legs swinging back and forth. She hadn't even intended to speak, to be honest. The question had just slipped out.
"Wha'?" The Doctor didn't move from under the console. All she could see of her best friend were his black jean-clad legs and black boots.
Assuming he hadn't heard her question, Rose began to repeat herself. "I said, why are you –"
"No, I heard you," he interrupted, sliding out from beneath the console and switching off the sonic screwdriver. He slipped it back into the inside pocket of his leather jacket and eyed her. "Why are you askin'?"
"I dunno, s'just…" She hesitated. "S'just that, Doctor's not your real name –"
"How d'you know that?" he countered.
She rolled her eyes. "'Cause it's not even a proper name. S'a title. So why do you call yourself that?"
A frown marred his face, and he was silent for a moment. "Does it matter?" he asked finally, turning away.
Rose shrugged. "Guess not," she said tentatively. "But…"
"But what?"
"'m just curious," she said.
The Doctor chuckled drily, as if he couldn't help it, and muttered something under his breath. Rose caught the words "stupid apes" and "curiosity". Knowing he was making some condescending remark about humans, she braced herself for an argument.
"Jus' 'cause 'm curious doesn't mean you have to go criticizing my species," she commented.
He gave her a look with those icy blue eyes of his, probably thinking of something else insulting he could say, which set her off even more.
"Does it really not matter? Is tha' really true?"
A pause.
"If it's so unimportant, why can't you jus' tell me?" she burst out.
"I never said it was unimportant," he told the pink-and-yellow girl pointedly.
She folded her arms and sat back with a huff. "Well, is it a secret?"
"You could say that," was the Doctor's vague reply.
"Why didn't you jus' tell me that in the first place?"
He shrugged. "Now, d'you mind letting me get back to my repairs? Not that I didn't love hangin' about here with you for a few days, but quite frankly, I'm gettin' bored! I need adventure!"
Rose felt a smile tug at her mouth. Just like that, the Doctor was back to his usual self. "Sure," she said, then added, "Sorry for botherin' you."
He flashed her a grin in return before sliding back under the console, although she detected something in his eyes – sadness? Guilt? She wasn't quite sure. "I don't mind," he called back.
Despite this, Rose (unsuccessfully) resolved herself not to ask about his name or his past again.