A/N: Okay, in honour of the fact the BBC have confrimed Billies return to the TARDIS for three episode (for now if you haven't seen the news article http://news. there it is.) and also because Slygirl 16 is very scary when she's;
A. Sick
B. Very tired
C. Had too much sugar
D. A fan of your fics
E. I hate cliff hangers...
Here's chapter two. Please don't hurt me! I brought Rose fans good news. (Three girls on the TARDIS, how will he cope?! Three loud mouth Londoners! all he needs is Jack to come back and he doesn't stand a chance!)
Chapter 2
Pausing in the doorway Rose watched him down a glass of something and shake his head vigorously.
"Hair of the dog?" she called.
The Doctor turned to look at her and froze.
She giggled as she slowly slinked towards him, swinging her underwear round her finger. "What were you saying earlier about making it up to me?" She tucked the panties into his trouser pocket and nipped at his bottom lip as her hand strayed across his crotch causing him to jerk his hips.
"I think the others might miss us," he whispered closing his eyes and suppressing a moan as her fingers fiddled with his waistband.
"Oh Jack's keeping them entertained with his outrageous escapades. We are the last thing on their minds. Unless of course you'd rather go back." She boosted herself up onto the kitched table in front of him and wrapped her legs around his hips.
"You are a minx."
"And you love it," she giggled pulling him in for a searing kiss.
His hands ran up her thighs and under her skirt as coherent thought failed him.
Rose pushed her hips closer to him as his fingers neared her core and moaned into his mouth as he stroked her.
Then he heard it.
"Rose? Phone," the Doctor murmured against her lips.
"Leave it," she hissed, her hands straying to his trouser button.
It rang again.
"Might be your mother, we are on the rift. If it is it'll never stop ringing," he gasped stepping back from her to find the source of the ringing. Spying her jacket hung on the back of one of the chairs he rummaged and found the offending article.
"Hello," he grunted as Rose pulled him back to her and nibbled at his earlobe, guiding his hand back to it's previous ministration.
"Uh, hello? I'm looking for Rose. It's Keisha," the voice said.
The Doctor stilled and frowned for a moment, wracking his brains and then remembered that the last time they'd spoken he'd ended up with a Scottish accent.
"Oh, hello… er… it's James."
Rose paused and looked at the Doctor quizzically as he stopped and changed his voice.
"Hi, sorry didn't recognise you. Is Rose around?"
"She is, hang on," he placed his hand over the mouthpiece. "Keisha."
"Tell her I'll ring her back when I'm finished with you," she purred, giving him a cheeky grin.
"She's a bit busy at the moment; can I get her to call you back?" he squeaked as Rose's hands began to stray again.
"Um, okay. you tell her…. could you tell her that there's gona be a memorial service at Canary Wharf on Thursday 4pm. I know it's a bit short notice but I thought Rose might wana come seeing as her mum and Mickey are on the list."
His blood cooled and he suddenly felt slightly nauseous. "Oh, right…yes, of course, I'll…I'll tell her. Thank you Keisha," the Doctor stammered stepping way out of Rose's reach.
She watched the Doctor carefully, all trace of playfulness gone. "What's wrong?"
This wasn't going to be easy. Rose's friends would expect her to be there now they knew she was alive, especially with her mum and Mickey on the list of the dead.
He heard laughter filter down the hall from the living room. No doubt Jack had just regaled them with yet another story from his past.
"Doctor?" Rose jumped down from the table top, concern etched on her face.
He took a deep composing breath.
XxXxX
Jack walked into the kitchen to find the Doctor and Rose hugging, looking far too sober and serious.
"What's up?"
"I answered the phone," the Doctor told him, stroking Rose's hair.
"We have to go, don't we?" Rose whispered.
"Go where?" Jack felt himself sobering.
"They're holding a memorial at Canary Wharf," the Time Lord said.
"Oh, wow. They really don't have any tact do they?"
"They don't know that we were there Jack."
"No but they know that's the source of the invasion. You'd think they'd find neutral ground. When is it?"
"Thursday," the Doctor sighed and looked down at his girl. "What do you want to do? Wait it out real time or shall we skip over into Thursday?"
"Skip, I want to get it over with. I know they're not dead but somehow it feels like they are. It doesn't make sense I know."
"Yes it does," he told her softly. "They're not here and you've been reminded of it."
"Maybe it would be a good idea to call time. Try and get some sleep before we head on back to London?" Jack suggested.
"I think you're right. We've all sobered a little too much now."
"Right then, you look after our girl and I'll get rid of my lot. Although I think they might be a little too drunk to move."
"If they are just leave them," the Doctor said, guiding Rose to the door. "They won't be any bother, just make sure they're comfy if they are staying."
"I will, night Doc. Night Rosie." He stooped to kiss her cheek and give her a hug. "It'll be alright. See you in the morning."
XxXxX
The three stood silently in the control room waiting for the TARDIS to land. When it finally did Rose paled even more.
"God what is wrong with me? They're not really dead!" she chided herself as the Doctor took her hand.
"Just remember we're here and we're not leaving you. You're friends will be glad to see you too I'll bet. You haven't seen Shareen since you've been back."
She squeezed his hand and they all stepped out.
They walked down the street in silence; the battle damaged building looming over them.
Rose heard her name being called, looking around she spotted two familiar faces. She couldn't help but grin to see them both.
Keisha and Shareen ran towards her and engulfed her in a hug. The Doctor had to jump out of the way for fear of being crushed only to stumble backwards into Jack.
"Okay Doc?" Jack grinned, holding the Time Lord just a little tighter and longer than was actually necessary.
"Oh my God!" Shareen squealed. "When Keish said she'd seen you I thought she'd gone mental. Why didn't you call?"
"Sorry, there's just been so much going on," Rose mumbled.
"I think it has something to do with him," Keisha whispered pointing over at the Doctor. "His name's James."
"Blimey Rose! How'd'you manage that?!"
Rose looked round at the Time Lord. He and Jack were glaring up at the imposing structure of Canary Wharf. Any other time and she'd laugh at the pair of them, giving a building the evil eye was rather silly when she thought about it but she found she couldn't look at it without the same look creeping across her face. "Just lucky I guess."
"I'll say." Before Keisha could question her more the Doctor looked over.
"Ready?" he asked reaching for her hand.
Rose nodded silently and the five walked towards the gathering.
There were more people than Rose could ever have imagined. She stood staring blankly forwards, Keisha gripping her hand for support. She felt such a fraud. Here were her friends and neighbours paying their respects to those who'd died in the battle as well as Mickey and Jackie and all the while Rose knew they were still alive.
Keisha had always had a bit of a crush on Mickey but it hadn't bothered Rose. She so desperately wanted to tell her friend they were both alive and well.
She felt her friend shudder as they read Mickey's name from the list and the Doctor instinctively tightened his arm around her waist as she shivered in response.
She looked up at him and offered a small smile before turning her attention back to the front.
Jack stood a few feet behind his friends keeping a watchful eye over the proceedings. They weren't expecting trouble but that was always when the big trouble found them. He'd never met Jackie in person and had only met Mickey once but he felt an ache in his chest as their names were read, the misery on his friends faces were enough to break his heart.
He gave his own shiver when darkness began creeping in with the sun set.
XxXxX
The service ended and people began to disperse, Rose and Jack were talking to Keisha and Shareen. Well Rose was talking, Jack was flirting as usual. The Doctor smiled to himself as he stepped back to watch the crowds. That man just couldn't switch it off when he met new people; he seemed incapable of having a straight conversation. 'Captain of the Innuendo Squad' Mickey had called him. He had Jack pegged from the word go.
"Oi Martian!"
The Doctor's head snapped round scanning the crowds for the owner of the familiar voice. And then he saw her, arms wrapped round her middle. His smile grew as he strode towards her.
She smiled back and stepped forward to give him a hug.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Well it was a big thing, this battle and you were there." She shrugged. "Seemed only right. Besides I wondered if you'd come with Rose being on the list and all. Thought you might want a friend."
"How'd'you know that was her?"
"Doesn't take a genius. Looked you up on the internet. Mostly history sites though which is deathly dull by the way, but there was one site, a group called Linda or something, looked like a fan site although you might wana watch that kid Elton, he's a bit weird if you ask me. Anyway I was reading through and there was you're travelling companion, Rose Tyler."
The Doctor chuckled, stepping away and turning beside her to face his friends. "Elton's not bad, just a little…."
"Nuts? He's in love with a paving stone!"
"There are worse things."
"They yours?" she asked, nodding to the four figures.
He nodded, "yup they're mine. Well two of them are."
Donna looked round at him. "You look…..happier."
He just smiled softly as Rose giggled at something Jack was telling them.
"I swear to god, I thought I was gona die!" Jack was telling them with a huge smile on his face.
"Glad you've got a couple of someones to stop you. So who are they then?"
"Oh, well. That's Captain Jack Harkness,"
"Thought you were gong to say Sparrow then." Donna told him
"It's been done," the Doctor chuckled, "and the blond…..that is Rose."
She looked at him for a moment, shock and confusion plain on her face.
"Rose? As in lost Rose? What did you do, go back in time and steal her?"
"No that would cause a paradox. She found a way home." He looked round at her with a huge grin on his face. "Quiet and interesting story, you see there's this rift…."
"Yeah, yeah, never mind the alien science, get to the good stuff. Have you told her you love her yet?" Donna spoke over him, shutting him up completely.
This time the Doctor was the one who looked shocked.
"What, you didn't think I'd noticed?"
"Hang on; you miss two alien invasions because you were either hung-over or scuba diving but that you notice?"
"It was written all over your face. It almost broke my heart just to look at you. So does she know?"
"Yes," he said quietly.
"And?"
"And what?"
"Have you done anything about it?"
The Doctor clamped his mouth shut and felt himself blush.
"Good. Someone as tightly wound as you needs to get laid regularly." She didn't even bother trying to hide her amusement as the Doctor cleared his throat and fiddled with his tie.
"Hey James, you okay over there?" Jack called.
"Fine," he squeaked causing Donna to laugh.
Jack and Rose walked towards the pair, Keisha and Shareen following a little behind.
The Doctor cleared his throat again. "Play along," he whispered as his friends drew nearer.
Donna frowned at him and her eyes widened as the Doctor spoke again in a perfect Scottish brogue. "Ladies and gent, this is Donna Noble, Donna this is Jack and Rose."
"Well hello," Jack greeted.
"Stop it," the Doctor and Rose chimed, both smirking at the blush creeping up the woman's face.
"So you're the famous Donna," Rose smiled.
"Famous? For what, bending his ear?"
"Among other things. I reckon he probably deserved it though."
"He wasn't that bad considering. Bit mopey, bit dark and a bit fast on his feet but other than that….. Actually that does sound a bit of a nightmare doesn't it?"
The Doctor's friends all smiled at each other.
"I like you Donna Noble, not afraid to say what you think," Jack declared winking at her.
"Down boy," the Doctor chuckled, rolling his eyes
"What? She's feisty. Like all your companions. Makes her a winner if you ask me. You should've come along with him Donna, could've kept him in line."
"Oh I think there was only one person who could do that," Donna said looking at Rose.
"Uh, hello. Have I suddenly become invisible?" the Doctor complained.
Shareen and Keisha looked entirely lost.
"Rose? I'm gona head back to the estate. Are you coming?"
Rose hesitated before answering. "Not this time Shareen. I'll come back soon though, I promise. Just don't think I really want to be there tonight…."
Shareen nodded. "It's cool I get it. Come back soon though yeah?"
"I will, I promise." She hugged her friend and sadly watched her leave.
"What's with the voice?" Donna hissed.
"Long story that I'm sure will bore you to tears."
"If there's one thing you aren't Martian, it's boring!"
"How many more times I'm not…." His voice trailed off as he saw the smirk on Donna's face.
"Gets you every time!"
He was about to respond when a loud explosion in the sky made what was left of the congregation jump and cheer.
Smiles appeared on previously solemn faces as fireworks exploded one after the other bathing them all in coloured light.
"This down to you?" Donna asked. "I've seen you make it snow."
"Nothing to do with me, but you're right in thinking they're not made on earth."
Rose looked up at him, "this wasn't you?"
He shook his head. "But I've seen them before."
"Why don't I like the sound of where this is going?" Jack asked stepping behind the Doctor. "And is it just me or do they look like something you'd seen on the TARDIS monitor when they explode?"
Rose squinted at them. "There's writing in the lights," she said.
"What?" the Doctor looked down at her.
"It looks like those skywriters only its gone wrong. Hang on, what does that say?" she pointed up into the sky, guiding the Doctor's eye line.
"Rose you can't be reading that."
"Why not?"
"It's in Gallifreyan."
"What? How? Is it the TARDIS? Does she need us back?"
Keisha looked at her friend oddly. "What are you talking about?" she asked finally.
"No, it's nothing to do with her," the Doctor continued as if he hadn't heard her. His gaze shifted downwards to their point of origin, "but they are coming from the TARDIS' direction. Come on!" He grabbed Rose's hand and started to run.
"Oh here we go, I have a feeling I'm going to regret this," Donna sighed, running after the pair.
"Wana have some fun?" Jack asked Keisha. Without waiting for an answer he grabbed her hand and ran after the Doctor.
XxXxX
Next time:
The Doctor skidded to a halt and stared at the figure before him. "It can't be."
"Hello Doctor." The man stepped forward into the light of a street lamp, a grin splitting his face. "What, no hug for your old friend?"
"You can't be here. You died!" the Doctor said.
Coming soon:
"Another conversation the TARDIS recorded to use against me," he sighed, flopping down at the table.
"You saying goodbye to Susan." Rose nodded and leant against the counter. "You sounded old."
"I was. Old, grey and more than a little doddery."
She smiled softly at him. "That's so weird. Thinking of you as an old man." She paused before continuing quietly. "You should go to see her."
The Doctor rubbed his face. "I know, I know." He sounded tired and resigned.
A/N: There you have it folks. Another chapter! I'm very bored and at work at the mo so if you could review I'd be incredibly grateful!!!! Let me know what you think?
"Catch ya on the flip flop!"
