The Doctor let the cooling ash of a French aristocrats parting words filter over his fingertips as he stared out over the glassy black expanse of the ocean. Blood and orange painted the sky with fantastic strokes of light and he thought this was a perfect place to remember another fantastic friend.
Steps on the loose shale behind him made him turn and the sight of Mickey stood a few meters away surprised him. He'd half expected to see Rose, and although their fight was long resolved he didn't want to share this moment with her.
"Doctor." Mickey grunted by way of greeting and shuffled forward slowly as his eyes traced the alien skyline, noticing similarities and differences with the same stubborn incredulity.
"Mickey." The Doctor kept his voice even, not too bothered by the interruption, he'd been almost done really.
"What's this place called then?" He shoved a large booted foot into the shale, watching the reflection of the last light bounce off the shimmering rocks as they danced over the cliff side. The Doctor watched the spectacle before glancing up at Mickey.
"Jeston Hailix. A memorial planet set up in the 67th Century for the fallen heroes of the Politian Wars. There were so many casualties on both sides that an entire solar system is taken up with their graves. This planet was set up half way through no mans land for all to claim as their own. But you didn't come to ask about the sights did you Mickey?" His quick conversation change threw the young man and he's only mildly pleased. He's not been with them long enough to be able follow the rambling track of his thoughts, to notice the inflections that led to his drawling monologues or sulking sharp ended sentences.
"No."Mickey picked up the gauntlet he'd been thrown with aplomb. Although he had seen this coming, The Doctor is more amazed that it hasn't happened sooner. "it's about Rose."
The Doctor turned his head back out to the horizon his hands disappearing in his pockets as his voice drawled a reply. "Ah. Rose."
Mickey shuffled behind him and the Doctor could almost feel the awkwardness of the man's actions as he fought to find a place start. This parliament would be tense and fraught if either took offence and both are aware they must tread carefully now.
"That happen a lot, you off at a party while Rose gets tied up?" Mickey's voice was questing and light, and for the moment The Doctor thought he might still leave this planet unscathed.
"Happens as much to me, if not more." The Doctor scratched his ear as he sent a curious glance up at Mickey, his gaze still fixed firmly in the distance. "Rose knew that before she joined me."
"Did she know that you'd leave her behind." Mickey's voice was strangely flat and a tingling shudder danced between The Doctor's shoulder blades as he pushed himself to his feet.
"No." The admittance was quiet and The Doctor held back a dark laugh. His reasons for leaving Rose behind were more selfish than either of them would hopefully ever realise. Earth's past was curiously important to him now, one wrong move one slight change and he could lose her from his life altogether.
"I know I'm here as just a buffer between you an' her." Mickey laughed bitterly and shoved his own hands in his pockets as the sun sank a little lower in the sky, purple bruised clouds scudding across its solemn procession. "An' that was all right, I wanted to be in your way." Mickey nodded, his face full of a strange mix of belligerence and masculine pride.
"I mean, I seen you and Rose together, loadsa times, I said all that stuff about her being your girl, barely even joking." He shook his head in mysticism and looked back to meet the Doctor's gaze. "But I didn't seriously believe it. Not till I signed up." He trailed off and turned his head away clearing his throat loudly.
"I didn't want to lose her and that happened the night you blew up Hendricks. I love her enough that I still want her happy." He stopped suddenly and swallowed and it was a few minutes before he spoke again. The Doctor waited patiently feeling the change in temperature on his skin as the suns leading edge touched the horizon.
"I been thinking, you know, bout finding a planet or a time, a good one, starting a new life maybe." He shrugged briskly at The Doctor's sharp look. "Dunno if I'm allowed or anyfin, but I wanted to try summat new. I thought I'd be leaving Rose in safe hands, and I wanted to see if they were still yours." He looked cautiously at the Time Lord before turning to face him properly now, the last crescent of sunlight sparkling on the slow rippling sea behind him.
"I know Rose thinks she gets you, with all that equal respect for all the universe bollocks, but I'm not blind Doctor, I understand an' I get you."
Mickey stepped forward, anger spicing the brown in his eyes. "You might be an alien, some Time Lord or whatever, but underneath You're just a man." His head shook once, slowly as if he was just realising this now. "and you'd better listen to me, cos if you hurt my woman again I'll kill you."
The Doctor felt his own anger sparking inside him at this basic challenge. Who was this human to talk to him of threats and promises? Did he think he'd not do enough to save her? Or rather does he realise the truth of it; that he didn't know now when to stop, when he's done enough to save her and not a prelude to slaughter.
"She's not yours." The Doctor straightened, pulled himself taller as he glared down at the younger man, his words almost a growl.
"No." Mickey conceded with a reluctant nod. "She's completely her own and for some reason she's chose you." He looked completely baffled and The Doctor hid a smirk. "This ain't my blessin'" He turned to look out over the ever darkening sky. "But I'm gonna be the better man."
The Doctor nodded his agreement, feeling the mass of Mickey's words pressing on him, stifling him. His feet pulled him away from the cliff and back towards his ship but he couldn't stop the words escaping his lips as he walked away.
"I think you're right about that one Mickey Smith. Definitely the better man."