Hey guys. Yes I know Marsian Colds is long overdue for an update (and that's just on the DW front!!) but...well this started as a one-off wedding story...then some prequel story jumped in my head...and then a couple of other one-offs wanted in on the action...and then a couple of longer fics that I'd written and hadn't yet posted wanted to join the bandwagon...and suddenly I had a very...well interesting fic in the making...

So with that in mind, a word of warning – if you don't like movies like Memento, Fight Club, Twelve Monkeys, Total Recall and the like, then you probably won't enjoy this fic (and if you can find the connection between those four first glance, I'd be impressed ;))

Also a HUGE thanks to my lovely beta for this fic, the FANTASTIC writer Becks, you are a total legend!! And if you've come across this fic without reading any of hers then the world is slightly squiff and you should bugger off to read 'rosie-bec's' stuff right now!!...or possibly read this first, write a review, and then go off and read her stuff...

Anyway enough babbling on and on with the fic. This first part is quite short, but futuer ones will be longer. Oh and just cos it is Christmas, look out for daily reviews at least for a few days ;) And without, enjoy!!

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, pulling the tuxedo jacket lapels. Okay so maybe they were right, the tuxedo didn't look half bad. I'd go as far as to say I looked pretty good.

"Please tell me you won't be wearing the plimsols for the ceremony," Mickey asked as he looked at me through the mirror.

I looked down at the red converse trainers that I almost always wore. "What's wrong with them?" I asked, looking back up at him.

He cracked a grin as he shook his head. "You do know how weddings are meant to go right?"

I just glared at him.

"Okay, okay," he said holding his hands up in surrender.

Running my hand through my hair, I gave one last glance into the mirror before heading out the door knowing Mickey wouldn't be far behind me. I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face at the sight that met me. Rose Tyler, defender of the Earth. It was fantastic to finally have her back and she looked stunning in that dress.

Looking up, she gave me a smile, poking her tongue between her teeth just a little. As I walked towards her, she looked around at Martha and Mickey before turning back to me, leaning in as though what she had to say was top secret and whispering, "Isn't it unlucky for the groom to see the bride on the wedding day?"

"Since when have you ever followed the rules?" I asked her, frowning as though it were unheard of.

"Oy!" she replied, sounding offended as she smacked my arm, though her cheeky grin let me know she couldn't really say I was wrong. "You still haven't told me all the trouble you got into without me."

"You make it sound as though I go looking for trouble!"

She raised one brow. "You trying to say you don't?" she asked.

"No...it just...happens to find me along the way," I replied, rubbing the back of my neck. When I saw she was about to make further comment, I quickly looked at my watch. "Is it that time already? Mickety Mick Mick, time we got this show on the road!" I called out to Mickey, grabbing him by the arm and heading for the doors into the main chapel. "See you soon," I told Rose with a smile and a wink, my smile broadening as she laughed.

SNSNS

My earlier enthusiasm was very short lived as the reality of what I'd let myself in for became apparent. I hated being at this pompous wedding. I mean why do we have to have this tedious ceremony in an overbearing church? It almost makes me wish there was an alien attack just to speed up the proceedings.

I looked over at Rose, catching her eye after a moment. She smiled and raised her eyes heavenwards ever so slightly, and I smile back – she's just as bored as I am. As she returns her gaze to the minister, I continue watching her. Rose Tyler, defender of the Earth, well I say Earth, the universe is more likely. I can't help but try work out exactly how long we were apart.

And then I notice her glance at Martha, scrunching her nose ever so slightly before looking away again. I know she doesn't like her and probably never will, though at least she's able to act civilly around her, which is a bit more than can be said for Martha. Who knows, maybe in time they'll build a bridge over the chasm that's formed between them. Problem is, old habits die hard and that chasm was created the very first moment met.