A Cinderella Tale
9thDoctor/Rose
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who
Author's note: I've decided to call the Doctor by his university nickname in this story, so he won't be called "The Doctor." I'm putting in the Master as his brother and calling him by his other name too. Also, some of the characters may affect different from what they usually do in the show, but it's just a fairytale, so please, no flames.
Long there lived a magnificent kingdom. The King and Queen were just and fair, and the people thrived. But hidden in one home lived a young servant girl by the name of Rose whose life was far from wonderful.
Her mother had died when she was young and when she was eight, her father had remarried what he thought was a beautiful, kind woman to be her mother, the Lady Cassandra O'Brien and her two daughters, Martha and Yvonne. Less than six months after his marriage, Rose's father died. After that, Rose's life had gone downhill.
She was constantly working and she was at the call and beck of Cassandra and her stepsisters. Martha was perfectly nice and sometimes she secretly helped Rose with her work. But Yvonne was a stuck-up spoiled brat who sometimes even slapped Rose. Cassandra was no different in her harsh treatment of Rose.
She had to sleep in the kitchen near the fireplace; her clothes were in tatters, she never had that much to eat—except when Martha snuck her extra helpings after dinner. She was often cold and missed her parents fiercely. But despite everything that had happened to her, Rose had never complained and she tried to stay strong.
Late at night, she'd sneak into the spare room her stepfamily had left alone and pull out her hidden possessions which were few, but precious to her. She had a locket with her parents' picture in it that she wore all the time and kept hidden under her clothes, and her father's favorite book they had often read together. A tear rolled down her cheek as memories of her father flooded her.
"I miss you, Daddy," she whispered. "I miss you so much."
But I've still got some friends. Martha's a good friend and then there's Mickey back in the village. He's always got a minute to talk. Someday, everything will be different. Someday I'll be free.
She hid the book away and went back to the kitchen to get some sleep. The next morning, Rose was preparing to leave for the market to buy the week's groceries. Cassandra had given her an even bigger list than usual, so she took a huge basket and she was about to leave when there was a tap on her shoulder.
Martha was wearing her red cloak and smiling. "I told Mother I wanted to visit some friends. But I really wanted to come with you. Do you mind some company?"
"No, of course not," Rose assured her.
Taking each other's hands, they left for the village.
Two hours later, they'd finally finished their shopping. Rose shifted the basket on to her other arm as it brushed against her cuts and bruises and made them ache. Martha had offered to help but Rose had refused, saying she was fine. But when she kept wincing, Martha put up her hands.
"You're tired and you're sore. Come on, we'll stop by the bakery and see how Mickey's doing."
Rose was only too happy to rest and didn't argue as they sat down.
Martha knocked on the door of the shop. "Mickey, it's us!"
Mickey came out carrying a plate of rolls. "Hey, how are my two favorite customers and best friends? Take some, they're fresh."
Rose and Martha each took a roll and bit into it.
"Delicious," said Martha.
"Take as many as you want," he said. "No charge."
"Thanks," said Rose. Having no breakfast that morning, she was starving. She ate four of rolls and felt much better.
"How're things back at the Estate?" Mickey asked.
"Same as usual," said Rose, shrugging.
"Where'd you get the injuries on your arm, Rose? Was it Cassandra again?"
"No, it was that spoiled brat of a sister I have," said Martha, bitterly. "Last week Yvonne thought Rose had taken her hairbrush and attacked her. We found the hairbrush in the dresser but all Mother was worried about was whether Yvonne would be ready in time for the dinner party."
Mickey looked disgusted. "Why don't you just leave, Rose?"
"And go where?" said Rose.
"You could both come live here," he offered. "I wouldn't mind working harder for you and Martha."
Martha kissed him. "You're so sweet."
Rose shook her head. "You know the law; unless I get married I have to stay at the Estate until I'm twenty-one. That's not for another two years."
Mickey and Martha's faces fell. "Oh," they said together.
Rose sighed. "At least I've got you two," she said.
Martha squeezed her shoulder. "You'll always have us."
Rose smiled and stood up. "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back in a moment."
"If you're sure…" said Mickey slowly.
"I am. I'll be fine."
Before they could protest any further, Rose picked up her basket and walked away. She'd just gotten to Town Square, when without a warning; a carriage came speeding by and nearly hit her.
Someone whispered in her ear, "Run!" and grabbed her hand before pulling her out of the way. She landed on the ground as her basket went flying and landed in a man's arms. Rose was breathing hard as she took a good look at her rescuer who was putting the basket down next to her. He wore a leather jacket, his eyes were blue and his hair was receding a little. He offered his hand and helped her up.
"Are you alright, Miss?" he asked.
Northern accent too. He was gazing at her with concern and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on. What was it?
"Yes, I think I'm fine," she said.
She was a little sore, but she was alright.
"Some people need to be more courteous of others," he said, referring to the carriage.
"Well, they probably had something important to do," she said.
He shook his head. "That's no excuse."
"I guess not. Well, thanks. Thanks for your help."
She picked up her basket and began walking again when he stopped her.
"Wait, what's your name?"
She turned around. "Rose. Rose Tyler."
He smiled and produced a rose from his pocket. "A rose for a rose," he said, offering it to her.
She took it, smiling. "It's beautiful. Thank you."
"You're-welcome," he said.
"Well, it's nice to meet you."
"Pleasure's all mine," he said. He looked at her arm. Her sleeves had fallen back, revealing her injuries.
She noticed he was looking at it and tried to pull her sleeve back but he stopped her.
"Here, let me look at it."
They sat down at the fountain and he gently pulled her sleeve up. He took out some bandages and ointment and dressed her arm up.
"There we go; it should be all healed up in an hour."
This surprised her but she wasn't hurting anymore. "Thanks—again."
"No problem. So, Rose Tyler, tell me about yourself."
She shrugged. "Not that much to tell. My mother died when I was young and dad passed away eight years ago. I live with my stepmother, Lady Cassandra and her two daughters. Yvonne's…" she thought for a moment as to what to say. "Not quite that nice and neither is her mother. But Martha's wonderful. She helps me out around the Estate when she can get away with it."
"What do you mean 'get away with it'?"
"Cassandra insists I do all the work myself. This frustrates Martha, but it doesn't prevent her from helping me when she can."
"So, you're an orphaned servant in your home?"
She nodded. "Yes."
She couldn't believe she'd just told all this to someone she'd barely met off the streets.
"They shouldn't treat like a slave," he said. "You got those injuries from them, didn't you?"
"Yes. Believe me, some days I would give anything to leave. But the law says, no woman can leave her household until she's twenty-one or she gets married. I'm stuck with my stepmother for another two years."
"The law also says you can't mistreat people like this."
"Cassandra doesn't care. As long as she can get away with it and has her title, she can do what she wants with me and I can't do anything to stop her."
"I'm sorry."
She sighed. "It's not your fault."
"Why would anyone want to hurt you anyway? You're beautiful and you're kind."
Rose was surprised. "Beautiful?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Rose. Do you ever get a moment to yourself?"
"During the day it's a rare thing. At night, when everyone's asleep, I take out my locket—" She showed him the locket. "—I got to the empty room no one touches and I read my dad's favorite book for a few hours."
"If you don't mind my asking, what was your dad like?"
"He was a crazy inventor—always involved in some project. None of them ever worked, but he enjoyed his work. After his work, we'd read for a few hours together."
"What kind of books did he read?"
"All kinds of books, science, philosophy, adventure and romance. Every year, we'd go to seaside for two days, he'd find some new book and when we got home we'd read it together. The Silver Moon was the last book we brought home."
"That's one of my favorites. The author's a genius. I met him once."
"You did?"
He nodded.
"Wow."
"'The moon was magnificent as it glowed like silver in the light—'"
"'—for it was full of beauty, life and wonder, unlike anything I had ever seen.'" Rose finished.
He smiled. "You know your books."
"You could say that. Anyway, Dad got married two weeks after we got home, and less than six months later, he died." Tears stung her eyes as she thought of her father. She missed him so much and longed to hear his voice just once more.
She felt Theta wrap his arms around her. She returned his embrace as she wiped away her tears. When she let go of him, she felt a little better.
"I needed that, thanks."
He smiled.
"I can't believe I've told you all that. Unbelievable. So, that's enough about me, what about you, Theta?"
"What about me?"
She smirked. "What do you do?"
"I'm a traveler—mostly."
"Mostly?"
"Well, I can only leave for a little while before having to come back here. I'm stuck with my family until I get married. They want me to settle down but I want to go out there, see what else the world has to offer. Maybe find someway to other worlds."
"Me too," she said, softly. "So, does anyone ever go with you on your travels?"
"Not really. I had a few friends a few years ago, but after a while, they wanted to go back, so I let them. I hated saying good-bye but I do a lot of my traveling on my own."
He grew a little distant as he mentioned his friends.
"So, how often can you?
"I can slip away for a month every year, but it isn't enough. They say I'll be allowed to go as often I'd like as soon as I get married. They're driving me mad. Some days I just want to leave all it behind without having to deal with anything else."
Rose nodded. "I know what you mean."
He squeezed her hand.
"Two of a kind, that's what we are," he said softly.
"Yeah," she said.
Their faces were getting a little closer to each other when…
"Rose, there you are!"
Rose looked up to see Martha and Mickey coming towards her, looking frantic and relieved.
"Someone told me they saw you almost get hit by a carriage! I was worried you were hurt. Are you alright?" Martha asked.
"I'm fine, Martha, really," Rose said.
"You scared us good, Rose. Who's this?" Mickey asked.
"Sorry, this is—well, he hasn't told me his name yet. He saved me and fixed my arm," said Rose. "We've been talking for a while."
"Well, sir, thank you for saving Rose," said Martha, shaking his hand.
"Yeah, thanks," said Mickey.
"It was my pleasure."
Martha checked her watch. "We've got to get back. It's half-past eleven. Mother and Yvonne will want lunch soon."
Rose sighed. "I suppose we'd better go back then."
"Alright then, have a safe ride home," said Mickey. Mickey kissed Martha's hand and went back to the bakery. "See you later, Martha! Bye Rose!"
"Bye!" said Martha.
"Well, I guess we'd better get going," said Rose.
"Here's hoping we'll get home in time," said Martha.
"If it's that late, can I get you a carriage home?" he offered.
"Well, that's very nice of you," said Martha.
"No, really, I can't accept—you don't have to—" Rose protested.
"I want to," he interrupted. More gently, he added, "Please.
Rose looked into his eyes and saw there was no changing his mind, so she agreed. As she and Martha settled down in the carriage, he kissed Rose's hand.
"I hope I see you again, Rose Tyler."
"Same here," she said.
She waved good-bye as the carriage started moving. It was only a short while after this, did she realized she'd never found out her friend's name.
Okay, I'm leaving it there for now. I know this chapter is a little boring, but I'm working on other chapters. They'll be a little better.
Reviews are welcome.