This fan fiction is based on the Doctor Who television series. Doctor Who is a trademark of the BBC. The stories from the television show and the Doctor Who characters within are copyrighted by the BBC. The original character Vivian is of my making.
This story is written for the purpose of Doctor Who fan enjoyment and is heavily influenced by the television series storyline. I will continue to follow the television series to a certain extent; however, I will quickly begin to diverge from the canon storyline. It is my intent to have at least one completely original adventure for every two television series adventure. After all, the addition of Vivian will undoubtedly change things. Enjoy!
This story is rated M due to some language and non-explicit adult themes and should not be read by those under the age of 16.
*On another note, I am attempting to use the British spelling in these stories to remind myself that the dialogue should be as British English as my American English writing can handle. If you speak British English, feel free to make comments on my dialogue, word use, and spelling.
Chapter 1 – An Armless Encounter
"You're having me on!" Rose released a snort in disbelief.
Vivian blushed.
Rose's eyes went wide. "You're kidding?"
Vivian turned a shade darker and focused on a stuffed pink elephant that was on a shelf above Rose's bed.
Rose blinked. She wasn't sure Vivian knew what sex was. Well, of course, Vivian knew, but it was so strange to think of her doing that with a stranger.
"What was all that about love and such?" Rose asked her. "I mean I know you and Phillip…"
The blood in Vivian's face drained completely.
"Oh, Lord. Sorry." Rose felt horrible.
Vivian closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
"I'm such-" Rose tried to apologise.
"It's alright Rose," Vivian said with a sigh. "It's fine."
Rose knew it wasn't fine.
"Phillip's an arsehole," Vivian said with real conviction. "I'm just glad... I'm glad it happened before Paris. Really."
Rose nodded. It made her angry even thinking about it. She knew very well Phillip would have gone along to Paris, shagged Vivian silly, and then continued to see that slag Laura with Vivian being none the wiser.
"Besides," Vivian smiled dreamily, and her eyes glassed over, "Jean was wonderful."
"It must have been one hell of a shag." Rose laughed.
Vivian's eyes rolled back in her head, and she fell back into the chair. "I'm ruined."
Both girls burst into giggles.
Rose was glad. She'd been worried when Vivian went off to Paris alone. She'd even volunteered to go in Phillip's place, not that it would have been a hardship. It was Paris after all. However, Vivian had wanted alone time. Apparently, it had worked. Though, Vivian hadn't remained alone for long. Since Vivian's return from Paris, she seemed completely changed. Well, not completely. It was evident she was still hurt by Phillip, but Rose had been ecstatic when Vivian kicked his bullocks, literally, to the kerb. She didn't even give him a moment to grovel. Pre-Paris Vivian would have never done such a thing.
After their giggles had ceased, Rose felt it was safe to dig a bit more. "I didn't think you'd go for a guy that old."
"It wasn't like he was ancient Rose, probably late thirties, maybe early forties or something. Hardly old." Vivian defended her Parisian lover. "Timeless," Vivian murmured. "That's what he was Rose. There was something just timeless about him."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, I think it's weird, but I suppose if you'd pick up a guy, he'd be all Austin and such. Was there some sort of convention or something?"
"We were at the Palais Garnier," Vivian told her. "People dress you know."
Rose's eyebrow rose. "A cravat?"
"Fine, just because nobody else dresses anymore… it suited him." Vivian then smiled and twirled a finger through her hair. "And, he had gorgeous hair. Curls."
"A pretty boy then."
"Man. Most definitely a man," Vivian corrected. "But yes, very pretty."
Another bout of giggles erupted.
"But you didn't even get his number!" Rose complained. "How could you do that and then not even get his number? Jean Dupont is probably not even his real name."
Vivian nodded. She knew very well it was possible, even probable. "It just seemed… it seemed somehow wrong to consider that sort of thing at the moment. It was all just so romantic, like it was all a dream."
Rose rolled her eyes. "And now you're going to sit here all your life dreaming of Mr Paris because you didn't get his number."
"I guess I'll have to, though it would have been nice to have more time."
"So, since we're both out of luck for the moment, how about some chips then?" Rose asked.
"Not fish." Vivian clarified. "I hate fried fish. And that smell." Vivian wrinkled her nose.
"Just chips then. We'll eat outside."
"Chips it is."
Two weeks later.
"I take it you're not dead," Vivian told Rose as the red-headed girl opened the door to the Tyler flat. Vivian held up her phone and gave it a shake. "I tried to call when I saw it on the news this morning."
Rose shrugged and wandered into the front room. "I'm all right, just out of a job." Rose plopped down into the nearest chair.
"Are you going to get dressed?" Vivian asked. "I mean, I could put in a word for you down at the theatre."
"What? Sweep up popcorn, stale beer? Or, back in the kitchen or something?"
Vivian rolled her eyes. "You could work backstage, maybe help paint sets. You didn't do too bad in art class."
"Hmm. Thanks, but no."
Vivian watched as her friend's gaze drifted out the window. Rose was obviously preoccupied with something other than being out of work.
"What?" Vivian asked.
"It's just… Last night-"
"The explosion?"
"Yeah. There was this-"
Rose was interrupted by a rattling noise, followed by a flop, from the front door.
"Ahhh mum!" Rose stood up and strode towards the front door. "You're such a liar! I said to nail down that cat-flap."
"Did it weeks back," Jackie called from her room.
"Nah, you thought about it mum. We're gonna get strays!" Rose complained.
Vivian had just started flipping through Heat when Rose walked in, followed by a man dressed in a black leather jacket.
"Don't mind the mess." Rose waved the man into the room with a flick of her hand.
The man gave Vivian a quick glance, followed by a nod, and then looked about the room as though now that he'd acknowledged her, she was about as interesting as a glass of water.
"Stray cat," Vivian muttered to herself.
Apparently, the man had good hearing because his head snapped back to her and he gave her a wink.
Vivian suddenly became very interested in Jackie's trash magazine.
"Want some coffee?" Rose asked the cat man.
"Might as well, thanks. Just milk."
Rose headed towards the kitchen but then called out, "Viv?"
Vivian didn't hear her. She was preoccupied, covertly studying the man in the leather jacket. He had a slightly odd appearance, large ears, and a large nose, emphasised by his closely cropped hair cut. Vivian couldn't help her eyes from following him as he wandered about the room. Perhaps it was the way he seemed to move as though animated by some invisible electric charge. She shook her head and looked back down at the magazine.
"Viv?" Rose called out again.
"Oh! Please. Lots of cream. Thanks."
"It won't last," a male voice said from behind her.
The cat man had somehow manoeuvred his way behind the settee and was looking down at the magazine she had in her lap.
"What?"
"It won't last." He pointed between two celebrities that she didn't recognise. "He's gay, and she's an alien."
The way he said it was so steady that she almost believed he was serious. The corners of her lips lifted. "Right. Well, that would be difficult." She then held out her hand. "I'm Vivian."
"Doctor." He gave a good quick shake and then wondered off. He seemed to be attempting to try to appear like he wasn't looking for something; however, he wasn't doing a very good job of it.
She watched him for a moment and then looked back down at the magazine in her lap. Apparently, he wasn't interested in further conversation. "Right."
Only moments later he spoke once more from behind her. "Just the Doctor."
She craned her neck to look at him. "I'm sorry?"
His head gave a slight tick to the right. "Most people ask, you know, 'Doctor who?' or something."
"I suppose that would be rather logical."
"Yep." He continued to look at her as though he was waiting for something.
"Right, well, I often find being logical can be rather boring don't you think?"
The man gave the widest grin she'd ever seen. It was slightly frightening, and it was, therefore, unnerving when he jumped over the back of the settee and sat down next to her. He then proceeded to pick up one of Jackie's magazines. Vivian nearly laughed when she saw the expression on the Doctor's face. He quickly discarded it onto the coffee table.
"Not in the market for women's knickers then I take it?"
He ignored her comment and went for one of Rose's novels. He paged through it, "Hmm. Sad ending." It too was tossed back on the table.
"You're a friend of Rose's then?" Vivian asked.
He made a noncommittal noise and then turned to her, rubbing and pulling on his ears. "What do you think? What do you make of the ears?"
Vivian wasn't sure how to respond to that. Had he had some sort of surgery? "Well, I suppose-"
"Could have been worse." He scrunched up his nose before smiling at her again.
Vivian couldn't help but smile back. His enthusiasm seemed electrifying. She was surprised he wasn't bouncing around on the settee.
"We should go to the police," Rose called out from the kitchen.
Vivian had nearly forgotten about her.
"Seriously. Both of us."
Vivian looked at the man next to her who was now running what looked like a pen light, a large pen light, along the back of the settee.
"You were at Henrick's?" Vivian asked the Doctor.
"Yep." He had a look of concentration on his face as he drew closer to her.
Vivian wasn't sure how to respond when he began running the light up her arm. She gave a slight chuckle. "Ok, do I want to know what you're doing?"
He gave her a wink and a smile. "Just checking."
"I see. And that little light, what exactly is it checking for?"
"It's a screwdriver." He told her.
"A screwdriver?"
"Yep." He held the pen light screwdriver out so she could get a better look at it.
It didn't look like any screwdriver she'd ever seen. "Looks more like a Star Wars letter opener or something," Vivian told him. "Like a laser is going to shoot out of it or something."
He looked insulted. "Or something," he muttered. "It's a sonic screwdriver." He clarified, as though it explained everything. He then returned to scanning the back of the settee.
"And what are you-" Vivian didn't get a chance to finish questioning the Doctor. A long white arm leapt up from behind the settee, latched its fingers around her neck, and proceeded to strangle her.
"There you are!" The Doctor seemed thrilled to see the arm and began to advance, his sonic screwdriver at the ready. Unfortunately, as Vivian fell back onto the settee, one of her legs gave a kick, knocking the Doctor's screwdriver out of his hand.
"Ahhh." The Doctor groaned in pain but hurried forward in an attempt to pull the arm off Vivian's neck.
Just when Vivian thought she might pass out, the arm suddenly released, only to latch onto the Doctor. Vivian's eyes widened as she saw how quickly the Doctor's face was turning red.
She stepped forward, about to try to remove the thing, but the Doctor waved her away. "Scr….drive ahhh." The Doctor tried to speak, flailing one arm towards the coffee table.
The Screwdriver. He wanted the screwdriver. It wasn't on the table. Under. She reached under and pulled out the strange thing.
The Doctor's face was now purple. She hurried forward and held out the screwdriver, only to have the arm come flying at her, pushing her down onto the floor. In a great leap, the Doctor soon followed. In moments the struggle ended. The Doctor used his screwdriver to still the thing.
"OH MY GOD!"
Both Vivian and the Doctor froze and looked to see a very shocked Rose.
Vivian's eyes were wide as she realised she was straddling, heaving, over the Doctor.
"Well, that was armless fun!" The Doctor said from underneath her. He pulled the hand from between them and waved it around a bit. Vivian looked down at him and frowned. She was still trying to process the fact that she'd nearly been killed by a bodiless plastic arm, and here he was having a joke.
Armless fun? Vivian was suddenly angry. She readied to stand only to hear a slight groan come from the man beneath her. Her eyes widened, and she froze. She looked down at him. There was a brief moment of confusion that flitted across his face before he gave a nearly maniacal smile, followed by a wink. She almost levitated off him, and in one great leap, he followed.
"What was that?" Rose asked, her voice raised. She gestured to the ground where they had been moments before.
The Doctor looked down at the arm on the floor, to Vivian, and then back to the arm. "An arm."
Rose frowned. "Not that. This." She gestured between Vivian and the Doctor."
"It attacked us, Rose." Vivian stepped away from the Doctor who was now casually swinging the arm back and forth. "That arm," she pointed to it, "It attacked us!"
Vivian thought Rose might not believe her, so, she was surprised when Rose looked to the Doctor and accused, "I thought you blew it all up?"
"Not quite. I need to trace it back to the source." He waived the arm around. "Now I can."
Vivian's eyes grew wide. "You? You caused the explosion?" She moved further away from the Doctor. "They found a body!" She quickly drew out her phone and began to press numbers, only to have Rose pull it away.
"No. Viv."
"Good Lord Rose, Wilson's dead!"
"You don't know what happened Viv. It was horrible!" Rose looked at the Doctor. "They were real then?"
"Yep."
"Not students?"
"Not students." He lifted the arm once more and tossed it to Vivian. "Perfectly safe now."
On instinct, Vivian caught it and then immediately hit him with it.
"Ouch!"
"What is this thing? Why did it try to kill me?" Vivian asked.
"You! You think the world revolves around you then?" He snorted.
She whacked him with the arm once again. "No. The world doesn't revolve around me, but this," She brandished the arm, "tried to kill me, and I feel that's rather important."
The Doctor took the arm from her.
"That thing is dangerous," Vivian continued. "It could have killed me. It could have killed YOU." Now that she no longer had the arm, she poked him in the chest with her finger. "What's it all about Doctor, with your sonic whatever you call it. It's not right."
"And what do you think normal is Viv?" He moved in closer to her.
The nearness made it impossible to poke at his chest, so she just raised her chin and stood up to him, "Don't you go calling me Viv."
"Very well… Vivian." He said with a smirk.
"I… I…"
"Well then." The Doctor stepped away, looked around the room, and gave both ladies a nod. "I'll be off then."
"Hold on! Where you off to?" Rose called out to the Doctor.
Vivian hurried to catch up with him. "You can't just go swanning off now!"
"Yes I can," He emphasised this by twirling the arm in the air. "Here I am. This is me, swanning off. See you."
"That arm was moving!" Vivian told him.
"Excellent observation!"
The Doctor wasn't stopping so Rose hurried ahead of him in an attempt to get in his way. "You can't just walk away!"
Vivian hurried to catch up; however, her shoes weren't as hurry friendly. "You've got to tell me, tell us, what's going on. What is all this about? What exactly happened at the shop?"
The Doctor ignored her.
Rose attempted to flank him. "Fine then. I'll go to the police," She threatened. "You said people would get killed if I said anything. That thing nearly killed Viv. You've got to tell us. I'll go to the police. Your choice."
"Oh, that was supposed to sound tough then?" Rose's threat apparently amused the Doctor. Vivian couldn't help but agree that it was rather empty. What could they tell the police? A plastic arm attacked them?
"Who are you?" Rose asked.
"Told you. The Doctor."
"What sort of Doctor?"
"Just the Doctor."
"The Doctor," Vivian muttered derisively.
"Hello." The Doctor had stopped momentarily, nearly causing both girls to stumble. He gave a little wave and then continued on his way.
"So who are you with then?" Rose asked. "Not the police?"
"Just passing through." He told her. "I'm a long way from home."
"Why did they try to kill me that night? In the shop." Rose asked.
"They were trying to get to me. You just got in the way, blundered in, nearly ruined the whole thing."
"So how did you find me? And that thing?" Rose nodded to the arm.
"I was tracking it down." He held up the sonic screwdriver and waved it about. "The only reason it fixed on you was because you met me."
Vivian snorted. "Right then, so the world revolves around you?"
"Sort of, yeah."
"Well I hadn't met you, and it tried to kill me."
"Not true. We'd just met. Though I'm a bit surprised, it went after you first." He paused in his step. Obviously, this was something he found important enough to consider. He drew out his screwdriver and lifted it to her face.
"Stop that!" Vivian shooed him away. "Enough with that thing. What was it you did to the arm anyway? To make it stop."
"Severed the signal." He explained.
Rose gave the Doctor's jacket a bit of a tug and then asked, "The signal? Like a radio signal? Remote control?"
"Nope. Thought control."
Vivian had finally caught up and latched onto his arm to keep him from getting away. "Okay, thought control. So then what? Who's controlling it all?"
"The Nestene Consciousness. I'm going to try to track it with this." He held up the arm once more.
"What the hell is The Nestene Consciousness?" Vivian asked, becoming more annoyed.
"It's from Polymos." He told her as though it should have been common knowledge.
"From Polymos?" Vivian questioned.
"Yep."
"Poly like in polymer? Is that some sort of corporation or something?"
"Nope."
"Oh, you're a bunch of help!"
"Thanks." He abruptly pulled away and increased his stride.
Vivian didn't follow; she was getting frustrated.
Rose rushed passed her and called after him, "So then, what is it?" She attempted to get in front of him; however, he'd gotten quite good at avoiding her.
Vivian hurried to catch up once more and called to him, "What was with the shop dummies? Why is it animating them?"
Rose, who had given up on stopping him and was doing her best to walk beside him, gave a laugh and then asked, "Some sort of marketing thing gone wrong? Take over Britain's shops?"
This seemed to amuse the Doctor, and he slowed his pace. "Nope. It's not a price war Rose. They want to take over the human race, all of it. Destroy all of you."
"So you're talking aliens then?" Vivian asked. It was evident from her tone she was sceptical.
"Yep." He stopped abruptly, and Vivian nearly collided with him.
"So do you believe me?" He asked.
"No," Rose said with conviction.
Vivian wasn't as quick to answer. She studied the man's face and said in a softer tone. "I… I'm not sure what to believe anymore."
He gave her a slight smile. "But you're still here." He glanced to Rose. "You're both still listening." He examined them both for a moment and then turned once more and began walking away.
Vivian reached out and grabbed his arm.
He turned to look at her.
"You say they want to take over the human race."
"Yep."
"And you're going to do this all on your own?"
"Who else is going to do it? You lot just sit around eating chips and watching the telly. You can't see what's right under your noses."
"Please Doctor. Who are you?" Her tone softened.
Vivian knew exactly how he would reply, so she stopped him. "Yes. Yes. I know. You're the Doctor. But who is the Doctor?"
He studied her for a moment, appearing as though he was determining how to answer her. "You know how I was saying, the Earth rotating?"
Vivian nodded.
"Do you remember when you were a kid, and they told you the world's turning round and round? You can't believe it. Just can't believe it because everything around you is still." He stepped closer to her. "I can feel it, Vivian. I can feel it spinning. Turning. The turn of the Earth." He took up one of her hands as though to steady her. "The ground beneath our feet is spinning at a thousand miles an hour, and the entire planet is hurtling around the sun at sixty-seven thousand miles an hour, and I can feel it. We're falling through space, you and me, clinging to the skin of this tiny little world, and if we let go…" He abruptly let go of her hand. "That's who I am Vivian. That's who I am."
Vivian's mind was spinning. For a moment she'd been sure she'd felt the world whirling around her.
"Now go home, Vivian. Go home, Rose Tyler. Go home and forget about me." He then turned and walked away.