A/N - Here's chapter two for you! Thanks to those of you who reviewed and a special thanks to The Archduchess who is such a wonderful editor!

Disclaimer - Sadly, I do not own any aspect of Doctor Who (though I can still dream, can't I?)


Chapter 2 – The Ice Exhibition

The Doctor and Rose were laughing helplessly by the time they had reached the New New York Gallery. Rose leaned against a marble sculpture, of which she could only assume was the founder of the gallery (he had four arms and was holding a paintbrush in each one), and fought desperately to catch her breath.

"You were strutting around... talking about how slim you were and... how you had so many parts... that had never been used!!" She looked up at the Doctor, but collapsed once more into fits of giggles because he had started to strut just like she had described.

"You should have seen yourself, though" he rebuked, "Who's the one who kept smoothing her blouse down and sticking her chest out? 'Eh? And then you kissed me and-"

"What?" Rose suddenly stopped giggling, "I didn't, did I?" The Doctor looked a little embarrassed now.

"Well, it wasn't really you, was it? Cassandra was using your body."

Rose strained her memory. Had she really kissed the Doctor? She knew that she had wanted to on several occasions, but the fact that she had kissed him, not as herself but with Cassandra using her body, annoyed Rose. Her irritation must have shown in her face, because the Doctor came over to her and put his arms around her shoulders.

"Don't fret," he whispered softly in her ear. Rose looked deep into his warm brown eyes and felt as though something inside her was beginning to melt. The Doctor leaned towards her and gently kissed her. His soft lips against hers sent a shiver up Rose's spine. That something inside her had turned to liquid and was flooding her body with warmth. She didn't want this feeling to end, but like the hand squeeze she had felt earlier, the sensation was over all too soon.

"Come on, then!" He grabbed her hand, grinning once again, "Time for some culture!"


Though the feeling of the kiss was still with her, and she knew she would remember it for a long time to come, the pure beauty that Rose saw when the Doctor pulled her into the gallery's entrance hall pushed the kiss aside so very slightly. The glass ceiling opened out to show, not the sky like Rose had expected, but a huge map of space, with galaxies, planets and stars slowly revolving above her. The walls, also made of glass, contained smooth rocks and tropical plants with water flowing over them and foaming beneath them: an indoor waterfall.

The Doctor had sidled casually up to the main desk, where a bored looking security guard was seated.

"Can I help you, Sir?"

"Err... yes, I think so," The Doctor smiled pleasantly at the guard, "Two day passes please."

"Will you be wanting those for today, Sir?" the guard asked apathetically

"Well... yes," the Doctor replied, eyebrow raised, "That is why we are here today."

"No passes to be issued today, Sir" the guard droned instantly, as though it was an automated answer.

"And why would that be?" the Doctor asked, starting to get annoyed.

"There is an Alyssa Brooke exhibition going on today, Sir. Closed to members of the public. Its a sort of private party, you see."

"Well, that's why we are here!" the Doctor sighed, pulling a battered leather wallet out of an inside pocket. He flicked it in front of the guard's bored face, "There, you see! Professor John Smith, lecturer at the New New York University of Art, and this is Rose Tyler, my guest," The Doctor indicated to Rose, who gave the guard a cheery little wave, "I assume you know that the invitation states I can bring a guest?"

The guard was suddenly alert, as though the psychic paper had told him to stand to attention.

"So sorry, Sir!" he apologised, hurriedly printing out two passes, "There you go, Sir. So sorry for the confusion, Sir."

"That's quite alright," the Doctor replied, accepting the passes, "Come on, Rose!"

"Thanks very much!" Rose called over her shoulder to the guard, "SIR!"


The "private party", already looked as though it was in full swing. The Doctor and Rose passed through a wide, marble archway, one wall bearing the sign:

ALYSSA BROOKE

ICE EXHIBITION

19TH MARCH 5BN.28

Rose could see immediately why it had been dubbed the "Ice Exhibition". All around the domed room were beautiful, intricate glass and ice sculptures, ranging from tiny shards of coloured glass balanced on plinths, to a gigantic ice sculpture in the middle of the room. This was evidently the main attraction of the exhibition. Several men, women (and one or two aliens) in formal dress were stood around this piece of art, sipping champagne and eloquently discussing it.

"Such a beautiful piece..."

"...heard she based it on the story of creation..."

"...wonderful artist, and so young!"

Rose jumped as a waiter dressed in a black tailcoat appeared at her side, brandishing a tray of champagne in her face.

"Oh! Thanks!" she smiled at the waiter and took two glasses. She was surprised that even the champagne flutes were made of ice. She handed one to the Doctor, who was studying the huge ice sculpture.

"How do they do that?" he said, half to Rose, half to himself, "Suspending such large pieces of ice at that distance up! Just amazing!"

Rose looked up to see great carved pieces of ice suspended above the large block on the floor. When she looked closer, she saw ices shavings as fine as mist floating around these carved pieces.

"I'm going to take a look around the other side," she told the Doctor.

"Alright," he replied, not taking his eyes off the suspended ice, "Just don't break anything!" Rose laughed and walked away.

A red headed girl, a little older than Rose, perhaps, was making her way around the sculpture. One woman in a long black dress spoke to her, to which the girl nodded politely and thanked her. All at once, she caught sight of the Doctor, who was reading the plaque below the great sculpture. After a second or two of just staring at him, the girl let out a squeal of delight that made those near her stop and stare. She dropped her champagne flute, which smashed to the floor, ran up to the Doctor and flung her arms around his neck. The Doctor, needless to say, was rather taken aback.

"What the-!!!"


Who could this mysterious girl be?? (Well, if you have read Art and Alien Flu, you will already know, but whatever) Don't forget to leave a review:)