Part 2
"So, why did you choose this particular name?" Martha asked.
"I'm sure you can guess why I chose the first name," he stated.
"Of course I can," she told him. "Ross Jenkins was a very nice bloke. He was very clever, as well."
"He said he had a bit of a crush on you," Ross Jenkins namesake informed her.
"He did not!" the young doctor protested.
"Yes he did," he said in a sing-song tone. "He told the Doctor on the drive to the Rattigan Academy."
Martha ducked her head in embarrassment. "I'm sure he was having you on," she told him, quickly dismissing the idea. "So, why did you choose the last name Moore?"
He smiled knowingly and began to explain. "The Doctor met an extraordinary woman in the other universe, who was part of a small group of heroes who fought against the Cybermen and their creator a few years ago. She called herself Mrs. Moore. It wasn't her real name. She had a family. They were in danger, so she faked her own death and went underground to keep them safe." He paused. "The Cybermen killed her."
"I have to say," she told him. "You picked a truly wonderful name, Mr. Ross Moore."
He reached over and took her hand in his. "I knew you'd understand, Dr. Martha Jones." Just then, the server brought more wine. They both thanked him and asked for the check. Once he walked away, Ross decided to ask Martha a few questions. "So, is Tom still in Africa?"
Martha cleared her throat as the server sat the check on the table. She waited for him to leave before answering. "Tom and I broke up," she finally answered.
"I'm sorry, Martha," he said.
"No, it was for the best," she told him. "He finally made me realize that he was my rebound guy."
"Your rebound guy?" he asked. Finally, understanding dawned on him. "Oh, he was your rebound guy from…"
"Yes, he was," she replied before he could say 'the Doctor'. "But, I got over both of them."
"Good for you, Martha," he proudly stated.
"I've been happily single and independent for a little over 2 months," she said cheerfully. "So, if I ever do meet someone with whom I want to spend time, I'll be ready."
"I never doubted you for a second." At this point, he took the time realize his luck was about to change for the better. The Doctor may have ruined his chances with the stunning, clever woman; but, Ross Moore would know how to treat Martha Jones. All she had to do was give him the chance. "Right then," he said, changing the subject. "Why don't we go for a walk?"
"Isn't it a bit cold out to go for a walk?"
"True," he agreed and looked away uncomfortably looking around the restaurant to avoid eye contact.
"I'm really having a wonderful time, Ross," she told him.
He visibly relaxed and smiled. "So am I."
"Instead of that walk, why don't we pick up a bottle of wine and go to my flat?" she suggested. "I'd like to continue talking."
"I'd love to," he happily stated.
-
They stopped at the supermarket on the way to Martha's flat.
"Red or white?" she asked.
"Oh, whichever you choose is fine with me," he merrily replied. "I'm just happy to spend more time with you."
"How about a nice Pinot Noir?"
Ross nodded enthusiastically. With bottle in hand, they strode arm in arm towards the sales clerk. Ross stopped and tightened his hold on Martha. Martha looked at him questioningly, but his eyes were on the two masked men with guns. She followed his line of sight. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Stay here," he whispered. Before waiting for a reply, he hurried towards the till. Instead, Martha went in the opposite direction, with her pepper spray at the ready. Ross was about to make his move and subdue the nearest gunman. Just then, he thought he heard a grunt while the gunman nearest to him was barking orders at the sales clerk. He took a deep breath and readied himself. He checked to see if the gunman was in the same position before making his move. As he stealthily moved toward the gunman, he saw the man notice Martha. "Martha?"
Ross's voice startled the suspect even more. Gun drawn, the man turned to Ross and fired. Ross felt the burn slice through him as he went down.
"No!" Martha screamed half a second before the unknown gunman began screaming as well. Ignoring him, she ran to Ross. "Ross! Ross," she called as she rolled him over and began examining him for gunshot wounds.
"I'm okay," he groaned. "It's just a scratch."
"Where are you hurt?"
"Here," he said while indicating the growing patch of blood on his right side.
Martha examined the wound as the gunman continued to scream and thrash around on the floor. She sighed with relief. "It grazed the major pectoral muscle just below the clavicle bone," she told him. She took off her coat and put it under his head as a makeshift pillow. "You'll be fine."
"I told you it was just a scratch," he playfully reiterated as she tried to stop the bleeding.
"You have to be more careful now," she scolded. "You can't just regenerate, you know." He rolled his eyes and glared at her. "Sorry."
The beautiful doctor left him on the floor as she went to get bandages and hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound. Ross laid his head on the 'pillow' and sighed contentedly. She was actually worried about him! He never thought he would see that look of concern on anyone's face for him. The Doctor would always see that look, but, Ross didn't think he ever would see that look.
--
Once they gave their statements to the police, Martha assured the paramedics that she would take care of Mr. Moore. The store owner gave them a bottle of wine for their heroics. Martha left money at the till anyway.
"Thank you for telling the paramedics I'd be in your care the next couple of days," he told her. "I really didn't need to go to the A&E."
"I wasn't lying to them, Ross," she said as they got into the cab. "You will be spending the next 36 to 48 hours with me."
End Part 2
