Rose looked at him strangely. For one insane moment, she actually thought life with this mysterious man could actually be fun.
"This box isn't just a London hopper, you know," he continued. "It goes anywhere in the universe free of charge."
"Don't!" came a voice from beside Rose, and she suddenly remembered that Mickey was with her. "He's an alien! He's a thing!"
"He's not invited."
Rose looked back at the Doctor. The man - the alien - she'd known for less than forty-eight hours.
"What do you think? You could stay here and fill your life with work and food and sleep, or you could go ... Anywhere."
Rose couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Is it always this dangerous?" she asked.
"Yes," said the Doctor, a gleam in his eyes.
And with that, Rose remembered herself.
"Yeah, I can't," she said. "I've ... Gotta go and find my mum and ... Someone's gotta look after this stupid lump ..." She gave Mickey a pat on the back. "So ..."
"Okay," said the Doctor. "See you around."
He stepped back into the TARDIS, and closed the doors. He wandered over to the console, and started to move. As far away as possible, he decided. In terms of both space and ... Time ...
Bang! He hit another button, pulled another lever. Had to get back to the same place ...
The TARDIS column was raised and dropped as the sound of ancient engines filled the air. As it stopped, the Doctor walked calmly for the doors, and opened them.
"By the way," he said. "Did I mention it also ... travels ..."
Rose was nowhere to be seen. More to the point, it was now broad daylight.
"Ah," said the Doctor. "Naturally."
Doctor Who "What If Rose Hadn't Gone?" Part One Steffan Alun
The Doctor waited patiently by the door. He checked his watch, mostly for the look of the thing. Finally, the door was opened by Jackie Tyler.
"Well, well," she said. "If I'd known there was such a good looking man at the door, I'd have come sooner."
"Yes," said the Doctor stiffly. "I was wondering if Rose Tyler still lives here."
"I'll go get her, if you like," said Jackie. "Mind you, if there's anything I could help you with ..." She started to rub the back of his leg with hers.
"No need," said the Doctor. "I'll just wait for Rose."
Finally, Jackie backed away.
"I remember you now," she said. "Don't try any funny business, mind. I know your type."
She walked back into the flat. A moment later, Rose appeared. As soon as she saw the Doctor, her eyes grew wide.
"Hia, Rose, I was just in the neighbourhood when -"
"Out. Now."
She grabbed his arm and marched him away from the flat and up the emergency staircase. Without a word, she walked all the way to the top of the building.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"There was something I forgot to mention," said the Doctor.
"Go on, then."
"The TARDIS. You know, the big blue -"
"Yes, I remember the TARDIS," said Rose impatiently. "I remember almost being killed because the Nestene thing found it."
"Right," said the Doctor, taken aback. "Anyway, did I mention it also travels in time?"
"No, you didn't."
Silence. Then, eventually, the Doctor spoke again.
"Thought that might sway your decision ..."
"What decision?"
"To come with me. You know. Travel through space ... And time, by the way, did I mention that?"
Rose stared at him. Her expression softened.
"I was so angry at myself," she said quietly. "And you just vanished. A whole year, and you didn't come back."
"Yes, well. Sorry about that."
She smiled at him.
"I'd love to come. Take a second chance."
"I'm all about second chances," said the Doctor, grinning broadly.
"But I can't," said Rose. "Mickey and I ... We're engaged."
The Doctor's expression was unreadable.
"I know what you're thinking," she said. "But it's fine. I mean, really. I tried going back to normality, and it didn't work. There was no one else I could talk to. We'd been through so much, Mickey and me. The press called the whole thing a prank. But we were there - we saw it. Aliens and spaceships and things, and we're the only people on planet earth who know they exist."
And, at that moment, as if on cue, a spaceship flew overhead, smoke trailing from the tail. It dived into Big Ben, then landed in the Thames, sending water everywhere.
"Oh, that's just not fair."
-------
The next few hours flew by for Rose. She could barely remember watching the news in the flat, having been dragged off shortly afterwards to Downing Street. Mickey had wanted to come with her, of course, but Jackie had insisted that he stay to set up her internet connection. How surprised he'd been when, hours later, the Doctor phoned him from Downing Street with instructions to use the selfsame connection to guide a missile into the building. And now, here they were - the Doctor back at his TARDIS, and the Slitheen threat neutralised.
"Two invasions in a year," said the Doctor.
"Is that a record?" asked Mickey, grinning.
"Without a TARDIS?" the Doctor asked. "Probably." He turned to Rose. "So how about it? Got a taste for danger yet?"
"Doctor ..." Rose started, taking Mickey's hand.
"There's room for two," said the Doctor gently.
Rose and Mickey exchanged a glance.
"Best not," said Rose. "We need to get some proper jobs. Raise a bit of cash for the wedding."
"Right," said the Doctor. "Of course."
"Will you be alright?" she asked.
"Of course," he said. "I'll be fine. Same old life for me. Travels through time and space." He looked up into the sky. "I don't suppose I could tempt you with a planet that contains dogs with no noses?"
Mickey perked up. "Seriously?"
"No, Doctor," laughed Rose. "It's not going to work. But promise me one thing."
"Go on."
"Visit us sometimes."
The Doctor grinned.
"Of course. But only if you promise me something." He stepped forward. "Have a good life. Do that for me, Rose. Have a fantastic life."