A story based on the idea after the 'Satan's Pit' episode – Doctor Who Series 2.
What would have happened if the Doctor had not found the TARDIS again? And what if he never went down into the pit and located the beast?
The Doctor and Rose would've left the planet with the others. Inspired by the 'mortgage' conversation they had in the episode - 'The Impossible Planet'
You'd Have to Get a Mortgage
The rocket landed. The Doctor and Rose stepped out of the space craft along with Ida, Danny and Zak, both of them looking around at what would be their new home.
The planet was called New Earth.8. To Rose it looked very similar to the original Earth; the same smell of grass, humans rushing around going about their daily business, even the cars looked the same. Except of course lots of them were flying cars, but there were still many that stayed on the ground.
"Come on you two, let's get you sorted out" Zack said and lead them away from the rocket, through a few buildings, and out onto the streets of New London.
"Look they have even got Big Ben!" Rose said with a laugh as she spotted the famous London landmark in the distance.
The Doctor did not respond to Rose's excitement. He was remaining unusually quiet, he had not been himself at all, even from the moment he and Rose had stepped into the rocket and left the planet hurtling towards the black hole, the Doctor had hardly uttered a single word.
Not solving what was at the centre of that planet, was really bugging the Doctor. He hated leaving things undiscovered. Rose knew only too well though that that wasn't the real reason for his unusual subdued behaviour. He had taken the loss of his TARDIS extremely badly. After all it was the last remaining thing left that connected him to his own planet, his own people, now he was left to take the slow path. No more travelling the universe, no saving planets and defeating evil species. Rose was starting to worry how he was going to cope.
Danny and Ida unfortunately had to leave them almost immediately, as they had to report back to headquarters about the mission, and give any valuable information they had collected. Zack had rushed off too, but was back within minutes holding a gold rectangle shape in his hand.
"Here you go guys" he said, handing it over to Rose.
"What's this?" Rose asked.
"That is New Earth.8 credits; it is unlimited for only 48 hours, so basically you can use that to buy pretty much anything you want up until then."
Rose raised her eyebrows "Really? Oh Zack that is brilliant, thank-you so much!" she gave him a brief hug and he gave her a smile.
"No problem, could hardly drop you on this new planet without any money now could we?"
The Doctor got up from where he had been sitting, gloomily, on the bench and shook the man's hand "Cheers Zack."
"Not at all. Would you two like to stay at my place for a few nights? There isn't that much room, but it will do the job."
Rose gave a grateful smile "You don't have to put us up Zack; me and the Doctor will find a hotel or something."
"It's no trouble, in fact I insist, come on we'll get some chips on the way there."
Rose was already grinning; even the Doctor gave a smile.
"Alright then Zack, lead the way" Rose said happily.
The three of them walked down a cobbled street, Zack talking to the Doctor and Rose about New Earth.8 and what the planet was like. He paid for chips and they had finished them by the time they arrived at Zack's small flat.
"Home sweet home" Zack said as he switched on the lights.
It was a reasonable size flat, well decorated and well furnished.
"I'm sorry this place has only the one bedroom, but i've got a sofa bed in the living-room so you guys can kip there."
"Thanks" Rose said, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.
"I'll get you a spare duvet and some pillows" he said, before he retreated from the room.
"Which side do you want?" Rose asked the Doctor, tentatively.
"Any, you choose" he replied quietly.
Rose opted for the left side, and she and the Doctor got the sofa bed set up by the time Zack came back in the room with the bedding things, and he then left them to it.
The tension between the Doctor and Rose was evident. They had both taken it in turns to use the bathroom before meeting back in the living-room.
Rose was frowning and looking a bit worried, as she entered back into the room.
The Doctor noticed this "What's up?"
Rose looked slightly surprised at him; it was the first question he had asked her all day.
"Uh…I was just wondering what I was going to sleep in that's all."
"Just sleep in your clothes" the Doctor replied, thinking nothing of it.
Rose wanted to give a laugh at this, the first time she had felt like laughing for hours "Yeah but they aren't exactly comfy are they?"
The Doctor gave her a grin "You humans and comfort, way too fussy."
Rose laughed and hit him playfully on the arm "Oi! No I'm serious, what am I gunna do?"
The Doctor had already taken off his converse shoes, his suit jacket and his tie and was sitting up under the duvet.
"Do what you like, it doesn't bother me."
Rose rolled her eyes "Men!" she took off her shoes, her raspberry colour jacket and got under the covers, the Doctor was watching her and raised his right eyebrow as she began fidgeting around under the duvet. A second later Rose pulled out her jeans from under the duvet and chucked them on the floor beside her.
The Doctor was raising both his eyebrows now.
Rose caught his gaze "What?"
"Nothing. Just…wasn't expecting you to do that."
"Does it bother you that I haven't got trousers on?"
The Doctor's brain was boggling at the idea but at least he could control what came out of his mouth "No, suppose not."
The two of them drowned into silence. Both feeling slightly uncomfortable.
After a minute or so, Rose plucked up the courage to speak.
"Doctor?" she said quietly.
"Yeah" he replied, looking at her.
"Are you alright?"
He gave her a smile "Me? Of course, always alright, me."
Rose looked on sadly "No you're not. Come on Doctor you can talk to me."
She gave him a look of understanding and comfort, something the Doctor really needed at this moment in time.
"I'm just…lost, y'know, we are stuck on this planet now forever. No TARDIS. Nothing. This is how life is going to be now. It's just…it's going to take some getting used to."
Rose gently took his hand and the two of them watched as Rose interlaced her fingers with his own.
"It's okay" she said calmly and reassuringly "You will get used to it. It's going to be tough, but we'll get through it. Together."
The Doctor gave her his first genuine smile since leaving the planet.
"I don't know what I'd do without you Rose Tyler. I'm so sorry for getting you stuck here, and therefore not allowing you the choice of seeing your mum again."
Rose just looked at their intertwined hands before answering him "I've come to terms with that, Doctor. All I want is for you to be happy, that's all."
"Oh Rose" he reached over and gave her a hug "I am happy, I'm happy that you're here with me. I'm just sorry to say that you're permanently stuck with me now."
Rose gave a smile and took his hand again "Like I said earlier, being stuck with you is not so bad."
"Ditto" he gave a very short sigh "I can't believe this. I'm actually going to be turning domestic!"
Rose giggled "Those doors and carpets are looking a lot more likely now. They'll be in our house when we eventually get one."
The Doctor looked at her with curiosity "Our house?"
Rose realised what she had said and blushed "Uhh…I …I just …"
The Doctor grinned "I'm only joking. Rose … we can live together...if that's what you want. I really wouldn't like to see you living in another house all on your own."
Rose smiled "Looks like the both of us will be getting that mortgage together after all."
The Doctor groaned and buried his face in his hands, Rose laughing hysterically.
Once Rose had calmed down, the Doctor took her hand "I'm sorry for being so off with you this day or so. I was in a sombre mood, there was no excuse for me to be so … distant."
Rose gave him an understanding smile "It's alright. You had a lot on your mind."
"I regret saying what I said back on Sanctuary Base 6, y'know."
Rose frowned "What was that?"
"When I found out the TARDIS was gone and I said it was literally the only thing I had. I was wrong." He gazed lovingly at Rose "I've got you…that's all I'm ever going to need now."
Rose felt like crying "D'ya know something Doctor. All this stuff; the new planet, a house with doors and carpets, a mortgage, getting a job. It doesn't matter. You are the only thing I care about and nothing will ever change that."
Before Rose knew it, the Doctor's lips were on hers. It was the deepest, sweetest kiss she had ever experienced, yet it was over in seconds.
"Goodnight Rose Tyler" the Doctor said innocently, before he turned off the light next to him and the room plunged into darkness. Rose was still left stunned after the kiss, but a huge grin remained on her face as she lay down.
"Night Doctor" she said happily through her smile, before she drifted off into a wondrous sleep.
The next morning…
Rose awoke as the sunshine was beaming through the open windows.
It took her a few seconds to remember where she was and then noticed that the Doctor wasn't there next to her.
She quickly spotted a note with her name on; next to her pillow, she took the note and read it to herself.
Rose,
I've gone out with Zack, he knows of a few job opportunities so I'm off to take a look. How domestic is this? Me, looking for a job!
I didn't want to wake you; I know how you humans like your sleep. You've still got that unlimited credit thing, why don't you go out and do some shopping. I bet you would like some jim jams.
I will be back around 5:00pm. See you later.
The Doctor x
P.s. Don't suppose you could buy some bananas could you?
Rose put down the letter and giggled to herself. He really could be the craziest person sometimes. Rose got herself showered and dressed back into the clothes she was wearing the day before, grabbed some lunch before hitting the shops. Rose shopped for over six hours, returning back to Zack's flat at 7:00pm.
"Where have you been?" the Doctor asked and gaped at all the bags "Have you bought all the items from every shop in New London?"
Rose dropped the bags near her feet "Nearly" she gave a laugh "My god I'm shattered!"
"Not surprised. So what have you bought?"
"All the basic everyday items that we need, but mostly all clothes like; tops, trousers, skirts, shoes, underwear, a coat, jackets, jim jams, hats, scarves, gloves, socks, swimwear, the lot!"
The Doctor laughed "Set for all seasons then."
Rose grinned "I didn't forget you either" she handed him a few bags "There's a bit of everything in there, although I couldn't get you shoes and you may want to get some more suits."
"You've got me underwear?" the Doctor asked; flabbergasted, somewhat embarrassed and touched, all at the same time.
Rose went the colour of a tomato "Well you can't keep wearing the same pair you've got on can you?"
The Doctor nodded "True. Thanks Rose, it's very thoughtful" he gave her a brief hug and Rose smiled "No problem…So where's Zack?" Rose asked, sitting down on the sofa bed.
"Gone out to get us something for dinner."
"Ooo which reminds me" Rose said with a smile and reached into one of the bags and pulled some things out "I got the bananas!"
The Doctor grinned "Oh Rose Tyler, you're marvellous!" he kissed her forehead and took the items eagerly off her.
Rose giggled "I stupidly went into Tesco's last, with all that shopping. I got some strange looks I'm telling ya!"
The Doctor laughed "Would've loved to have seen that!"
Rose rolled her eyes but grinned "How did the job hunting go?" she asked.
"Oh yeah! Listen to this. Rose Tyler you are now looking at the new Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the New London School of Science."
Rose beamed "Oh that's fantastic!" she gave him a tight hug "Doesn't half sound posh!"
"Ohhh yeah it sure is. I start next week."
"Aww that's brilliant." She then gave a sigh "Guess I'd better start looking for a job now and all. Whose gunna want me? A twenty one year old with no qualifications, and no experience."
The Doctor took her hand "I'm sure you'll find somewhere. But don't worry about it just now, our top priority is finding somewhere to live."
Two days later…
"Thanks for everything Zack" Rose said gratefully as she gave him a hug.
"No worries, it's been fun actually. Remember if you guys ever want to come round or you get into any problems, my door is always open."
"Cheers Zack" he gave the man a hug too "See you around."
Rose and the Doctor had found a wonderful place to live about a mile away on the outskirts of New London.
It was a quaint little white house with a lovely modern interior, including a conservatory and a medium sized back garden. The house had three bathrooms (including the en-suite) but the bedrooms were the only let down. A huge master bedroom dominated the second floor with its rather cute en-suite, the family bathroom was also on this floor but there was only one other bedroom, which was rather smaller in size. It would in no way be able to accommodate a double bed.
The Doctor had agreed to take the smaller bedroom, without any complaint.
Rose was happy enough to take the master bedroom, although she did feel slightly guilty for having the larger room all to herself.
"Shall we get a pet?" Rose wondered as they sat down for a cup of tea, in the first evening in their new home.
"A pet?" the Doctor said with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah…like a cat or a dog or something."
"I don't particularly fancy having a pet…we could get some fish though."
Rose laughed "Okay fish it is."
She gave a smile and drank some of her tea; she gazed around at the living-room they were in. The walls were painted magnolia with the chimney breast wall painted a light turquoise. There was a cream carpet, a stunning old stone fireplace with a grand mirror on the wall above the mantle piece. Bookshelves had been placed in the caverns. Pictures of the beach and flowers (Rose's choice) had been placed on the other walls. Lastly there was a glass coffee table in the centre of the room, complete with a large brown three seater sofa, a two seater one and an arm chair, where Rose was currently sitting.
"Do you think we got all the furniture and everything we needed?" Rose wondered.
"Ahuh. Well it's too late to think about it now; we can't use the unlimited credit thing anymore. Got to work for our money from now on."
Rose nodded and then got up to sit closely to the Doctor, who put an arm around her.
"This is it" Rose began "We've got a house, got to start paying the mortgage off and we are going to start work soon."
The Doctor rubbed her arm "I never imagined it would come to this" he said quietly "It's kind of sinking in though…this whole domestic thing."
Rose giggled and raised her eyebrows "Really? I thought it would take you longer than that."
"No point wondering about what might have been, got to move forward and look ahead to the years to come."
Rose gave a curious smile, having now put down her mug of tea next to the Doctor's on the coffee table.
"What do you see?"
The Doctor looked confused "Huh?"
"In years to come…what do you see?"
The Doctor smiled "A few things."
"Which are?" she encouraged him.
He chuckled, embarrassed "I don't know really, just… you and me still living here, doing well in our jobs maybe even a promotion or two."
"Anything else?" Rose wondered.
"Such as?" the Doctor asked, now looking at her directly.
"I don't know…like…another person?"
The Doctor was frowning; Rose could tell he was clearly confused.
"What do you mean another person?"
"Like…would it not just be you and me anymore?" she said a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Rose what are you getting at?"
Rose sighed "Do you see any love interests?" she said bluntly.
The Doctor was taken aback "Love interests? What would make you think that?"
"I don't know…maybe with the whole domestic thing, you might find time for a girlfriend."
The Doctor actually laughed, Rose glared at him "It's not funny!"
"Oh Rose, I'm over nine hundred years old, I'm way past the dating stage."
Rose looked crestfallen "Oh"
The Doctor frowned "Oh? You sound disappointed?"
"No! It's just…" she gave an aggravated moan "Oh I don't know. Just forget I said anything. I'm going to bed."
"But Rose…" the Doctor began but Rose rushed out of the room before he could finish what he wanted to say.
The next morning the Doctor was bemused to find that Rose had already left for work by the time he had got up. She was currently just doing some office work to pass the time, and to gain some form of working experience. Rose really did not like her job in the slightest but it was good money so she tried to keep her spirits up.
The Doctor spent his whole morning not particularly concentrating on teaching, his mind was clearly elsewhere. Rose's behaviour the night before had really puzzled him. Why would Rose be asking about love interests?
Zack gave a small laugh "Oh Doctor, it's blatantly obvious."
It was lunchtime and Zack had dropped by to see the Doctor, who told him all about the previous evening's conversation.
"Is it?" the Doctor asked "Because I don't know what's up with her."
"Doctor, she's jealous."
"Jealous? What of?"
"She's jealous of the fact that maybe another woman could take her place."
The Doctor raised his eyebrows "But I don't want to get involved in any relationships."
Zack grinned "Not even with Rose?"
"I … I…what?"
Zack looked seriously at the Doctor "Rose loves you" he stated.
"D'ya think so?"
"Oh come on Doctor, surely you know that."
The Doctor ruffled his hair "I …I haven't thought about it much to be honest."
"Well I suggest you had better start thinking. I can see how much you two love one another. It's staring you both right in the face, yet you won't admit it to eachother."
"I've just been so scared of getting myself too close to Rose, in case I ever lost her…"
"How can you lose her, Doctor? Now that you have to remain on this planet permanently…just think about it."
And with that, Zack left.
The Doctor, now alone, with an awful lot of thinking to do.
That evening…
"Doctor, I'm home!" Rose called as she came back home from work.
The Doctor's head appeared around the archway from the kitchen and he beamed "Rose!" he rushed over, kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly.
Rose chuckled "What was that for?" she asked as they separated.
"I missed you….you didn't say goodbye this morning before you went to work?"
"Yeah, listen I'm sorry about that, I really am. I missed you too" she hugged him again.
"Come this way" the Doctor said, taking Rose's hand as he led her into the kitchen where dinner was laid out on the table.
Rose gave him a heart-warming smile "You cooked?"
The Doctor grinned proudly "Yep…took me a few attempts mind you. Thought it would cheer you up."
It was the sweetest thing the Doctor had ever done for her and Rose felt like crying because of it.
"You actually cooked dinner to cheer me up? Oh that is sweet, thank-you. I can't believe you are really going all domestic on me."
The Doctor laughed "You might not be thanking me once you've tasted it."
Surprisingly, it tasted delicious.
The Doctor and Rose settled down in front of the television after dinner, happily being in eachother's company. Rose was over the moon and felt like all the worries about last night's conversation had been forgotten about.
That was until...
"Rose…what you said last night?"
"Doctor, please don't…I don't want to talk about it."
"But I do…I've realised something today. I can't go on like this anymore."
Rose frowned "What do you mean?"
"I can't keep denying what is clearly happening" he gave a sweet smile "Come here" he said softly.
Rose shifted closer to him on the sofa and he stroked her hair with his hand.
"Rose I don't really know how to say this…so I'm just going to show you" he said, their eyes locked as they gazed at eachother. The Doctor closed the small gap and pressed his lips against hers.
Rose froze at the contact but within seconds began kissing him back. The kiss was tender and beautiful, but quickly escalated into a longing, passionate kiss. Rose had found herself in the Doctor's lap with her hands ruffling through his gorgeous, unruly brown hair. The Doctor's hands moving themselves along Rose's back, the sides of her waist and sometimes into the blonde hair that he loved so much.
They broke apart, purely for lack of oxygen.
Their foreheads still touching gently, "I love you" Rose said sweetly.
"Rose Tyler, I love you too" the Doctor replied, finally freeing the emotional secret that he had been holding back for so long.
"You don't know how happy that makes me feel" Rose said, still breathless.
The Doctor smiled and enveloped her into his arms. This was domestic bliss at its peek.
That night Rose got into bed dressed in her baby blue nightie, this time she was not alone. The Doctor was lying in the double bed next to her, on his side facing Rose.
The room was in complete darkness, but the two of them could just vaguely see where the other was. The Doctor found one of Rose's hands and interlaced his fingers with hers.
"All this time I've wanted to tell you how I feel about you. All that time we've wasted when we could have had this."
Rose gave a smile "Hey, don't think about that now" she whispered softly and snuggled up to him "Nothing can stop us being together now. Nothing."
The Doctor loved her optimism and wrapped his arms around Rose "Night Rose, I still love ya."
Rose giggled and kissed his lips ever so briefly "Love ya too, you big softie!"
Not long later the Doctor fell fast asleep. Rose surrendering to sleep straight after, whilst listening to the sounds of the two gentle heart beats emanating from the timelord that she loved.