A/N: Finished another chapter! Thank you to all who have reviewed, followed, or favorited this. It's really encouraging to know people like what I write. Enjoy!
disclaimer: unfortunately, I still don't own Doctor Who.
CHAPTER THREE
Rose was the first to recover from the rough landing.
Rose ran to the door and flung it open. She stepped out and drank in the sight of the world before her.
"Oh! Doctor, it's snowing!" Rose exclaimed.
The world outside was dressed in white, and big thick snowflakes continued to fall. The TARDIS had landed in a stone archway. There was an old-fashioned gas lamp attached to one of the walls.
The Doctor, and the... metacrisis emerged from the TARDIS behind her.
They both smiled at her, then almost simultaneously frowned in concentration.
Rose could not help but laugh at the strange sight of the Doctor and the metacrisis. In perfect synch, the two men stepped out from under the arch and stuck their tongues out to taste the snow. After they tasted it, they get this look the Doctor always got when trying to figure something out. "London, earth. Well, at least we're on the right planet." they both muttered, too softly for the other to hear. After a moment they both ran back into the TARDIS. Rose could not help but notice the scowl that manifested on the face of the metacrisis when he saw the Doctor entering the TARDIS first.
It was the strangest sensation, watching those two.
Rose recalled standing on Bad Wolf Bay and arguing with the Doctor. The Doctor had insisted that he and the metacrisis were the same man. Rose had disagreed, not believing him.
Rose would only ever love the fully Time Lord Doctor, but she could see now why the Doctor insisted he and the metacrisis were the same man. They thought the same thoughts. Felt the same emotions.
Rose shivered a little. In her excitement it never occurred to her that it was cold. Now she cold feel the cold seeping into her bones.
Rose retreated back into the warmth of the TARDIS. She would need warmer clothes before she could explore.
John was irritated. They had landed in the wrong time. True, he had nt been piloting the TARDIS, but he and the Doctor had the same driving skills. If John had been the one flying the time machine, this is still were they would have landed. Then he stepped outside and analyzed the situation just as he always did, before seeing the Doctor and remembering that he had never done that before, the Doctor had.
So now it was the Doctor that frowned as he examined the readings on the screen. John stood to the side scowling.
John heard the door latch closed, and the scowl immediately melted off his face as he saw Rose enter. She was shivering, but grinning, her cheeks the same color as the flower she was named after.
"So where are we, Doctor?" asked Rose, striding toward the console. She stopped next to John. "This doesn't look like a boys' school."
Sheepishly, the Doctor turned to Rose and John.
"I may have gone a bit farther back than planned." confessed the Doctor.
"How far?" asked Rose.
"I don't know. Let's find out."
Rose burst out laughing.
The Doctor stood straighter, attempting to preserve his dignity.
John was torn between flushing with embarrassment over the Doctor's driving skills and laughing with Rose.
John's eyes darted back and forth between the Doctor and Rose before he joined Rose in laughing at the Doctor.
The Doctor felt so many emotions at the sight of the two before him. Rose, his wonderful human that never gave up on him, and the metacrisis. The sight of Rose laughing sparked a warm feeling that spread through the Doctor. He was glad he made her laugh, even if it was at his expense. Watching the metacrisis laugh was peculiar. It was like looking into a mirror and having his reflection laugh at him. He felt something darker in him stir at the sight of Rose laughing at him with his double.
He really should come up a real name for the metacrisis. He probably did not appreciate being nameless.
"Well, shall we go out?" asked the Doctor, gesturing toward the door.
"Yes!" exclaimed Rose.
The metacrisis turned to Rose.
"Don't you need a coat?" he asked awkwardly. "I though I saw you shivering when you came in."
"Oh! Yes. Thanks for reminding me...?"
"John. John Smith."
"Thank you, John Smith." Rose smiled tentatively.
The Doctor felt a wave of guilt and envy. He should have noticed Rose shivering. Rose should have smiled at him.
No, envy was stupid. He and the metacrisis - no, John Smith - were practically the same man. He was pretty much envious of himself.
Ten minutes later Rose was wearing a warm winter coat that had belonged to one of the Doctor's previous companions, probably Sarah Jane.
Rose and the Doctor strolled out hand in hand. John trailed close behind, keeping Rose between himself and the Doctor to the best of his ability.
The place seemed deserted at first. Then they took another turn, and suddenly they were standing in a crowded marketplace.
Rose turned to grinned at the Doctor, and found him returning it.
People were everywhere. Some stood behind stands, selling and buying things. Others guided horses towing carts. Most were talking with their friends. There was even a group of singing Christmas carols. They all wore old-fashioned clothes like people wore when they met Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria.
Rose noticed John out of the corner of her eye. He approached a boy and spoke.
"You there, boy. What day is this?" asked John.
"Christmas Eve, Sir." answered the boy.
"What year?"
"You think or something?"
"Oi! Just answer the question."
"Year of our Lord, 1851, Sir."
"Right. Nice year. Bit dull." the Doctor muttered to Rose.
"Doctor! Doctor!" A woman shouted from somewhere close by.
"Who, me?" asked the Doctor. His face broke out into a grin. He tightened his grip on Rose's hand, then took off.
Rose turned to look for John, it would be problematic if the trio got separated.
John was already ahead of them, running at top speed toward the woman's voice.
So, I'm sure most of you know where this is going. ;)
John is going to be leaving withing the next few chapters, so who should I send him off with? Joan Redfern from "Human Nature"/"The Family of Blood" or Lady Christina de Souza from "Planet of the Dead"? Let me know what you think.
As always, any feedback is appreciated. :)