Title: Six Tries to the Doctor
Author: Sailorneo
Summary: Rose is stuck in the Alt!Verse trying to get back to the Doctor...It just takes six tries to do it...
The first time Rose attempted to use the device Mickey had created (and dubbed "Void hopping/universe hopping thing" by her mother), it took her to see Shakespeare.
"You are beautiful," he told her. "Just like that wonderful girl from Freedonia. You just missed her, you know."
"Uh…thanks," she said before vanishing.
The second time she wound up in Pompeii just as the volcano was blowing its top. "Right, like the Doctor's here," she said, chocking on ash.
The third try took her to 1968 in the middle of some peace march. "Okay, Mickey," she muttered to herself. "You had better make this thing work. Now."
The fourth time she was in France at Reinette's funeral. "I think he did this one on purpose," she said, but stayed for the funeral.
The fifth time she wound up in England just after she and the Doctor had been knighted at the manor. Just before the Queen sent her men after Rose to do God only knew what to the "exiled wee naked child" she went back to Mickey and her mum.
"Mickey Smith!" she yelled. "That last time Queen Victoria was about to send her men after me. And recall where she exiled me'n the Doctor? What is wrong with this thing?"
"You all right dear?" Jackie asked in concern.
"Fine, mum. Mickey?"
"It's working. It's locking onto the TARDIS. But you're just missing it," Mickey said.
"Just think of what you'll be able to tell him," Pete said.
"One more time—and if it's wrong I'm pounding you," Rose said.
The sixth time Rose found herself in the middle of Queen Elizabeth's throne room. "Hello," she said timidly. "I'll just be goin' then."
Just as she was about to hit the button that would send her back to Torchwood and the about-to-be-pounded Mickey, she heard her name.
"Rose?"
She looked up and there he was among the coutiers in his brown and blue pinstriped suit.
"Doctor?"
His puzzled face broke into a grin and he pushed past the courtiers in front of him. She too moved forward until they met in the center of the room. He scooped her up and hugged her tightly to him. "Oh Rose," he said.
Then he pulled back and kissed her. She was too startled to react, and he pulled back and said, "I love you."
Rose grinned widely—nearly as manically as his ninth self had—and kissed him soundly. Niether realized they were snogging in the middle of Queen Elizabeth's throne room, both too intent on each other.
"Cease with this display! I command you to cease!"
Rose and the Doctor separated and looked at the Queen. "Oh dear," Rose murmured.
"What is this?" the Queen asked, enraged.
The Doctor looked at Rose and raised an eyebrow. "Run?" he asked.
Rose grinned. "Run."
The two clasped hands and bolted from the room. "Guess that's why she sent her archers after me," he laughed. "Should've seen it. Just met Shakespeare. Should take you to go see him. He kept stealing my lines though."
"I love you," Rose laughed as they ran out of the palace.