Improbable isn't Impossible
Crossover Fanfiction, Firefly/Doctor Who
Synopsis: In an attempt to return to her reality, Rose Tyler finds herself in the Firefly 'Verse. She quickly befriends River Tam and slowly, very slowly, it develops into something more. Meanwhile, Rose attempts to fit into this strange universe and the crew of Serenity, which just might become home.
Timeline: Four years post BDM; AU, three years after Doomsday
Pairings: Rose/River femslash, Simon/Kaylee, mentions of previous cannon relationships
Rating: G+ (Some suggestive language and scenes, not quite enough for T)
Genre: Romance and friendship with comedy, drama, and action
A/N: This is an LGBT fanfic, respectfulness would be greatly appreciated
... ... ... ...
The white wall shined with beams of light that swallowed everything in its wake. A blond woman held onto a lever as her legs stretched towards nothingness. A man on the opposite wall reached towards her in vain. Soon, she slipped from the lever as he cried out.
"Rose!"
Suddenly, she was taken to another world. She stood on the opposite side of reality and pounded frantically on the wall. Tears streamed while she begged to return to her world, to her companion. The man rested against the wall on his end. He could feel her.
A beach flashed as the woman called Rose reached to an image. He had to say goodbye. She watched him fade and her life fade with him. There were flashes of a building called Torchwood, a desk of dull papers and meaningless technology, and Rose sitting there with pain on her face.
"Rose," River Tam woke with the name on her tongue. "Rose…"
This wasn't the first time that River had this dream. It had plagued her every night for nearly a month, and she wondered why it came to her. It was from worlds away, a world with aliens and a thriving Earth, yet it was important. It was very important.
"She's coming," River realized in the quiet night cycle of her ship. "Soon."
It was meant to happen.
... ... ...
In the farthest reality from Serenity and her crew, Rose Tyler had fallen asleep at her desk. This was nearly a weekly occurrence. Pete Tyler had assured her that working for Torchwood would be an exciting job, yet it was almost as dull as working in a shop. There was no trouble to be found and no chases to be had. She was going mad.
Her sleep was deep enough to cause dreams, and she experienced the exact nightmare that River had faced. She woke with a jolt and ink from a pen on her cheek. Tiredly, she wiped her face clean and began to search for Pete. She had to convince him to take to the stars.
"No," he said for the millionth time. "We can't take these ships up there, Rose. If we come across a violent alien race, we might start another war."
"Dad, we might find an amazing alien race. Imagine what they could show us."
"It's not a risk I'm willing to take. Have you finished those reports on that latest find?"
"It's a hairdryer. An alien hairdryer."
"You're joking."
"I'm not. I'm losing my head, Dad. I have to do something."
"Go to the lab. See if they need something."
It was the best option, so she stalked to the men in white coats. They were running various tests and weren't interested in her presence. However, she wandered to an item that resembled a wristwatch. Her touch brought the yellow light in the center to life.
"How'd you do that?" a mousy man demanded.
"I touched it."
"That's all?"
She pointedly touched it again and it glowed. He ripped it from its place on a table and held it with a thoughtfully expression. Then, he made a tiny gasp.
"What? What did I do?" Rose wondered.
"We've tried to figure out how it powers up for a month. We think that it's a sort of parallel world jumper, similar to the ones we had before."
"What's different?"
"The device draws energy from time itself. Unlike the devices we used years ago, it operates outside of our world and our reality. It can launch someone between worlds by opening a bridge devoid of time and timelessness. Just makes its own way. It'd happen so quickly that the worlds couldn't even splinter. But, there's no way of calibrating it to a certain reality."
"And how does it power up?"
"You've traveled time, haven't you?" he waited for the nod. "It must draw from time travelers. Their signatures."
"I could use this, then?"
This could be it. After three long, horrible years, this could be her chance to return to her world and her Doctor. No more papers. No more boring Sunday dinners. No more nights of chips and bad television. Trouble, danger, time travel, the Doctor—that was where she wanted to be. Had to be.
"I don't know. It's untested and probably dangerous. Besides, it was damaged when the alien ship crashed in Wales. Chances are that it's only good for one jump, so the traveler would be stuck in whatever reality they landed in," the lab man answered.
Rose considered the risks. Her family was in this reality and some of her mates, but they all knew how miserable she was. They also knew that this wasn't her choice. Her choice was to stay in the other world. Even her relationship with her mother was harmed by her misery, as Jackie knew every day that Rose did not want this. She was forced.
Everybody was aware that she'd be gone if she had the chance, and this was her chance. It was the only chance she would get. She didn't belong here and she never did.
"How does this work?" Rose asked as she tried it on.
"I don't know. I think that a person just hits the big button and—"
Her hand hit the big button.
Bright lights shined in her eyes and heat crawled up her neck. It was starting to burn like boiling bath water. Just when she couldn't take it any longer, her knees connected with something hard and uneven. She closed her eyes and hoped that she'd be in the right place. However, by first glance it didn't seem quite right.
She found herself in what appeared to be a cargo bay. The walls were metal like the steps and catwalk above her. Crates and boxes lined the room, and grates served as the floor. If she listened, she could hear the gentle hum of an engine. It could be a boat or a spaceship or an aircraft…
"Traveler."
Startled, Rose spun to see a tiny form on the catwalk. Her pale skin and silken dress flowed like that of a ghost. Rose felt comfortable enough to approach the young woman with a single step. "Yeah. You could say that. Do you mind telling me where I am?"
"Not where you want to be."
"Excuse me?"
"He isn't here."
Rose swallowed her shaky nerves. "You know who I'm looking for?"
"A man. He's an extraterrestrial lifeform. Tall in a pinstriped suit. Great hair. Really great hair. Funny name…" River recalled her dreams to find it in Rose's tears. "Doctor."
"How do you know all that?"
"I saw it when I was sleeping. I dreamt of you and how you were taken away. I knew you'd come."
"…who are you exactly?"
"River. And, you're Rose. I know you."
"We just met."
"Irrelevant. I still know. You're a flower. Delicate and beautiful, but you have thorns. Strong. Brave. Unafraid to fight back. Fight for what's right. I'm sorry."
"You're sorry?"
"About how much you've hurt."
Rose stood still as River easily leapt down the stairs. She watched the strange woman float closer with extraordinary grace. There was a blank space in Rose's mind. She wasn't sure what to say, given that she wasn't sure of anything at all.
"Nice to finally meet you, Rose Tyler."
She extended her hand and Rose cautiously took it. "Nice to meet you too."
"You're on Serenity."
"Serenity is a…?"
"She's my ship. An object in space. You're a long way from your world. It overloaded. Your device. Sent you as far away as you can be."
"So, do you know how this works? If I can get home?" Rose handed her the watch and River simply handed it back. "No?"
"Only good for one jump. This is your home, Rose Tyler. It always has been."
Unsettled, Rose looked at the gentle swirls in River's eyes. "What do you mean by that, River?"
"You were meant to come here. Tonight. Just like I was meant to find you. Welcome aboard." Rose glanced at the broken watch and chided herself for yet another one of her costly and impulsive decisions. Meant to be or not, she was stuck. Apparently, for good.