Character/Pairing: Ten/Rose
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The BBC owns all, I am merely borrowing.
Spoilers: Through Girl in the Fireplace.
Rose glanced down at the open guestbook and sure enough the column marked 'Departure' was empty.
"That can't be right, can it?" Mickey asked.
"Doctor, what does it mean?"
"I don't know." The Doctor leaned forward, directing his charismatic grin at the innkeeper. "Maybe you can tell me...what was your name again?"
"Didn't say," the innkeeper replied, her cheerful expression overtaken by a frown.
The Doctor did his best to charm her, but the innkeeper remained reticent to give any details concerning the state of her guestbook. As he complimented her unpretentious attire, she frowned and shut the book on top of his still pointing hand. The Doctor yelped in surprise and pain as the hand unfortunate enough to be pointing was the same that he'd injured while fussing with the communication circuit.
"And I wasn't even rude," the Doctor complained as the innkeeper firmly escorted them upstairs.
When the innkeeper finally scuttered out of sight, the Doctor insisted that his companions sleep and promised to wake them if the situation changed. Before Rose could protest, he dashed back down the stairs, hurrying away before his sudden compulsion to kiss her good night overpowered his restraint. "Focus, focus..." he reminded himself as he headed for the front door.
Mickey was perfectly happy to turn in, but Rose couldn't rest knowing that the Doctor was searching for clues on his own. She discovered a large bathtub in the bathroom at the end of the hall and proceeded to dislodge the dust from the market with scalding hot water. She enjoyed the soothing warmth as long as it lasted, limbs sore from wandering the market all day and the escapades of the night prior. She knew they'd soon find danger that required lots and lots of running. Returning to her room, she found the Doctor slouched in a threadbare armchair by the window, his gaze fixed on the darkening view.
"Thought you were investigatin'?"
"I was," he muttered. "Then I talked to Abigail and it turns out there's a curfew. All the doors and windows are deadlocked."
"Abigail?"
"Does the housework. I was checking the broom closet for a hidden relay when--"
"Pretty?"
"Bit messy really. Lots of brooms tossed together. Not surprised there's so much dust with the state of that closet. Can you imagine, they've got convection ovens but no vacuums?"
Rose rolled her eyes. "What about..."
"Root cellar? Checked. And the attic as well. We're sealed in." He released a sigh of frustration. "This village, it's a replica with some rather unnecessary technological enhancements."
"Nothin' to do until morning then?"
"Nope."
"Sure?" she asked, slowly crossing the room.
"Of course I'm sure. Everything's deadlocked and I can't resonate wood. Although, with a little application of brute force we might be able to..." He noticed rather suddenly the thin cotton chemise Rose had changed into and the percentage of skin it left uncovered. "That...that's not what you meant, is it?"
"No." She leaned forward and captured his lips with hers. He immediately responded, pressing back firmly until she pulled away with a short gasp. "Been wantin' to do that all day."
"Have you?" he squeaked as her hands framed his face, fingers rediscovering that spot just above his ears. "Did I mention yet how promising I find this new aspect of our travels?"
"Don't think you have."
"Well, it's...tremendously promising. Really. And..."
Rose silenced his babbling with another kiss and he unfolded his arms, grabbing her waist and pulling her forward until she straddled him. It was his turn to gasp as she settled against him and her tongue took advantage of his parted lips. A loud bang interrupted and they jumped apart, scrambling for a way to look innocent as they each noticed Mickey in the doorway.
"Mickey!" the Doctor exclaimed. "Didn't anyone ever teach you to knock first? Parents? Friends? Anyone? No?"
"Everythin's locked!"
"Yeah...um...the Doctor already said," Rose said, fixing her hair as nonchalantly as possible.
"Besides testing the door so vigorously, for which I applaud your efforts, really, any other reason you came by?"
"No, I just..." Mickey paused, squinting at the two of them. "Hang on. What're you doin' in Rose's room?"
"Making sure she doesn't wander off," the Doctor stated.
"But everythin's locked."
"Yes, well, she's really quite amazing at wandering off," the Doctor grumbled. "And...what are your intentions, Mr. Mickey? Late hour to be stopping by."
"I could ask you the same thing," he pointed out.
"Nope. Guardian," the Doctor declared, grinning as he laced his hands behind his head and leaned back. "I've been entrusted with her virtue. Let's me ask any questions I like. Blokes like you keep stopping by, well, I'll just have to stay."
"Rose can take care of herself."
"Never said she couldn't. Still, never hurts to take extra precautions."
"Why? We're locked in so everythin' else is locked out. And it's not like you're gettin' any."
Before the Doctor voiced the retort she was certain he had ready, Rose interrupted, "The Doctor was just leavin'."
The Doctor gaped at her. "What?"
"Doesn't look like he's leavin'."
Rose sighed. "You'll be right next door. If anythin' happens I'll scream. All right?"
The Doctor remained skeptical that Rose was actually sending him away. "What if it's a Muteaker and it steals your voice. You won't be able to talk let alone shout loud enough to be heard through that wall."
"I'll knock."
"It's a very very sturdy wall, Rose. I think we should do a test run. Mickey, go stand in the other room and if you don't hear anything for..."
"Doctor..."
"Oh, all right." He scowled, rising from the chair. "But if a Muteaker gets in, don't tell me I didn't warn you."
