Character/Pairing: Ten/Rose
Rating:
PG-13
Disclaimer: The BBC owns all, I am merely
borrowing.
Spoilers: Through Age of Steel.
Resting her palms against the warm door of the TARDIS, Rose could hear the Doctor's voice muffled through the wood. She knew he was probably apologizing, but she was too shocked to listen. Seeing him kiss another woman, her best mate no less, had brought to the surface memories of countless similar situations. She doubted he had initiated this kiss, but that didn't help ease her lingering jealousy of courtesans and maids. Only a few days ago he'd flirted his way through eighteenth century France. But then their attraction had been confined to hugs and words laden with meaning. Now, everything was different.
There was silence now on the other side of the door. Rose rubbed at her eyes to clear her vision and headed further into the TARDIS. Rather than the usual lengthy hallway there was just one door on the other side of the console room. She opened it to find a simply appointed bathroom with an antique porcelain tub already filled to the brim with hot water. Despite the tears still trickling down her cheeks, she couldn't help smiling at this expression of concern from the ship.
Shivering, she peeled off the soaked clothing and eased her body into the tub. Immediately the warm water revived chilled limbs and clarified jumbled thoughts. The Doctor might have snogged her friend, but experience had shown her that he was entirely clueless as to the proper etiquette in human situations. Rude and not ginger. He probably thought it was the polite thing to do. And Shareen, well, it wouldn't be the first time. They'd even fought over that useless Jimmy Stone.
Then again, maybe this was typical behavior for a Time Lord. Maybe they switched relationships as often as they changed faces. Maybe they usually had several wives, each in a different time period. Rose simply had no idea. The Doctor certainly seemed passionate and devoted whenever they'd...danced. But otherwise he continued to keep his distance. Courtship rituals must have been different on his planet. Maybe they just drew straws.
Rose sighed and ducked her head under the water, washing away the tears. Normally, the water never cooled onboard the TARDIS, but the ship was still healing and too soon Rose had to leave the tub. Donning a fluffy pink robe, she shuffled out of the bathroom to find that the door now led to the study. There was a fire blazing across from the velvet sofa and Rose happily settled in front of it. Tilting her head back to look at the ceiling, she asked, "Wouldn't happen to be a book in here that explains it all, is there?"
There was a loud thud on the other side of the room.
Rose twisted her neck, staring in disbelief at the large leather bound book now lying on the plush carpet. "Seriously? There's a book?" Slowly, she rose from the sofa and approached it. The battered cover was embossed with an intricate pattern of interlocking circles similar to those that shifted on the monitor in the console room. Rose tentatively traced the pattern with her finger, before hefting the book in her arms and returning to the sofa.
"Better be lots of illustrations because..." she muttered, carefully lifting the cover. "Oh. S'translated." And so, Rose spent the next several hours reading the long winded and unbelievably boring text. She'd almost given up when she finally came across a useful bit of information. "Looms? So...they never..." Her nose crinkled as she tried to make sense of the complex diagram. "Well, that explains more than it doesn't, yeah? Always knew our Doctor was a bit of a rebel." She sighed. "You'd better let 'im in. Before he causes even more trouble out there."
It was only a few minutes later that the Time Lord in question appeared, cautiously peering into the study. "Hello," he murmured.
"'ello," Rose greeted, not looking up from the book resting in her lap.
The Doctor remained in the doorway, nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other, hands clutching a tray laden with peace offerings. "I...brought chocolate. Venusian hot chocolate, to be specific. I've never made it for you before, have I? It's been languishing in a back cupboard in the kitchen for years and...and flowers. Jackie suggested those. Oh, and a banana! Because, well, just because. And..." His voice trailed off as he suddenly realized which book his companion was so engrossed in. It was a full minute before he regained his ability to speak, asking hoarsely, "Where did you find that?"
"What?" Rose asked innocently. "Oh, you mean this. The TARDIS gave it to me."
The Doctor almost dropped the tray. "She...what?"
"I asked her if she could help and she gave me this book. Shoulda asked her ages ago."
"Why...why would she do that?" he stuttered, setting the tray on an empty shelf. "You can't even read it."
"S'translated," Rose said, flipping a page.
"What? How could..." He glared at the ceiling. "Honestly, do I have any control over what you do anymore?"
"Don't think she likes bein' spoken to like that."
Balking at a companion of any sort giving him advice about the TARDIS, he growled, "And you would know, would you?"
Unruffled, Rose turned another page. "Just sayin'."
He took a deep breath. "There are reasons, Rose, very very good reasons, phenomenally important reasons really, why you should never ever ever read that book."
"Bit too late, don't you think?"
For a moment, he actually considered just ripping it from her hands and tossing it into the fire.
"Besides, it's really not that bad. I mean, mostly just rules and boring stuff." She flipped back several pages and turned the book around. "But please tell me you wore one of these," she prompted, tapping the page that showed appropriate draping for traditional robes.
The Doctor's frown deepened.
"You did!" she exclaimed, laughing. "Better not be photos, 'cause there's serious blackmail potential in that collar."
"Those are ceremonial robes. Very important. Not at all funny," he interrupted firmly.
"Right. 'Course. Sorry," Rose apologized. "I just..." She sighed, hugging the book to her chest. "You're so mysterious. I mean, you never say anythin' 'bout...well, any of this. You haven't even got a proper name. An' I just wanted..." Chewing her lip, she said quickly, "I wanted to know what kind of relationship you think we have. If it's important or just, you know, a fling or somethin'."
His anger vanished the moment he saw the tears that accompanied her words. "Rose," he whispered, crouching in front of her. "I can't tell you how important you are to me. Words are powerful and..." He sighed, reaching up to gently brush her tears away. "I can't tell you," he repeated. "I'm afraid all Time Lords are a bit rubbish at this sort of thing. Lack of practice, you know."
"Yeah. I mean, the book said, your people never..."
"Rare occurrences. Special circumstances only." He cradled her cheek in his palm. "Very special circumstances. And you're certainly that."
"I'll just hafta help you practice," she said softly.
"Yeah," he agreed, returning her smile.
Looking down at the book again, Rose noticed a small detail she'd overlooked. "Doctor?"
"Mmm?"
"How come you've got a belly button if you came from one of these loom things?"
The Doctor was on his feet before Rose even finished her question. "Did I mention I brought Venusian chocolate? Oranges, lavender and chocolate. All in one drink!" He thrust the mug toward her and she gingerly took it. "Unfortunately, they've never added bananas into the mix. We'll have to visit the cocoa fields and see if we can convince them to make a new blend. I mean, it already tastes incredible, but bananas make anything ten times better. Don't you think?"
Rose let out a small moan as she tasted the rich beverage. "Oh, it's lovely just as it is."
"Am I forgiven then?" he asked cheekily.
"Mostly."
"Mostly?"
"You snogged my mate Shareen."
"Well, technically..." he began, but changed tactics when he spotted Rose's glare. "Sorry. I'm very sorry. Very very very sorry. I cannot possibly express exactly how sorry I really am."
"Apology accepted." She moved to the other side of the sofa and set the book down on the carpet, advising, "No more snogging other women. 'Specially my mates."
"Noted," he confirmed, settling on the sofa beside her. "You unlocked the door just in time. Your mum was threatening to cut my hair. Can you imagine? She's probably still out there, lurking with her scissors."
Rose eyed the gravity defying strands. "You could do with a trim."
"My hair's perfect," he insisted, attempting to flatten the unruly strands only to have them spring up again when he took his hand away.
"I can cut it if you want," she offered.
"Really?" he asked skeptically. "Do you have any experience cutting hair?"
"I've helped Mum for years, Doctor." Rose paused for a moment, before adding quietly, "Even cut Mickey's once or twice."
The Doctor grimaced. "Well...I think I'll need references. Can't very well save the universe with a bad hair cut, can I? Think of the lack of respect. And I think your mum just wants to give me a lopsided cut on purpose. Revenge for taking advantage of her daughter, I suspect."
"You didn't take advan..." Rose stopped as she realized what he was implying. "Did you tell her?"
"No. But I think she's figured it out, Rose. Uncanny abilities of observation your mum." He folded his arms across his chest. "Terrifying really."
