Disclaimer: Doctor Who and its characters belong to the BBC, and sadly not to me. I don't own anything nor do I make any money from writing my stories.
Author's note:
Rose's outfit for this chapter is in the link on my profile.
Happy reading, guys!
- DW -
Chapter 6: Never Wander Off
"So, Doc, where are you taking us this time?" asked Jack as he sat beside Martha on the captain chair. Everyone was in the console room, ready to discover a new planet.
"Rose, do you have an idea?" the Doctor asked, putting his arm around Rose's waist and pulled her close to him. Martha groaned.
"Why did she have to choose again?" asked Martha without thinking. And seeing the look that the Doctor was sending her, she wished she hadn't said anything.
"Well, Rose had chosen Lahulla last time and everyone seemed to enjoy it, so I thought that maybe Rose might have a new brilliant idea like her other one." He replied, trying very hard to not snap at Martha.
Honestly, he was starting to wonder why he was so kind to her whereas since Rose had returned, Martha had had such a harsh demeanor towards Rose. He was totally sick of her behavior towards his Mate, but he didn't want to throw her out of his TARDIS. He had never done that to any of his companions in the past, except of one or two, but those people had done things that had put their life or the future of their time in great danger, like Adam for example. But Martha hasn't done anything dangerous that could destroy the planet or the universe. On the contrary, she is more than qualified to help people, seeing how she is a doctor after all and he will never forget the year when she travelled all around the world to save her planet when the Master was ruling over it. Martha was brave, smart and loyal to him, like his others companions, but she did something to him and lost his trust because of it. She lied to him, she lied to Rose and she manipulated everyone in this TARDIS just because she was in love with him. The Doctor knew about her feelings, of course he did, he was not that oblivious but his hearts were taken by his magnificent pink and yellow human, his Mate, his Rose. For once he had everything he wanted, and he couldn't be happier that the universe was finally giving back to him: His Mate, his TARDIS and his friends. But he didn't want a crazy woman in love with him on board who was ready to do anything to get him. He was rather confident and deep down he knew Martha was not that crazy woman. He knew she was a reasonable person and all she had to do was to forget her little ridiculous crush and he was convinced she could do it.
"Can you take us shopping?" Rose asked him. "I know we already shopped on Lahulla, but I like shopping and the other girls do too so I was wondering if you could?"
"Well, I like shopping too just not when it's clothes," He said softly with a little smile. She was staring at him steadily until he realized he hadn't really answered her question. "Yes, of course I'll take you shopping."
"You can't fool me, Doctor," She replied with a huge smile. "We could go on our own, the girls and I. Because, I know you two hate shopping," she added, pointing at the Doctor and Jack.
"No!" He said quickly. He didn't want her going out of his sight on a crowded, foreign alien planet. "No Rose, I want to go with you. Like I said, shopping is not just clothes and I can find some interesting things." He gently kissed her nose, which made her giggle lightly. He looked at her and saw she was wearing a simple but very pretty short white dress and he couldn't help but think that she was adorable in it. He was so glad she wore dresses so that she was able to show off her true beauty while wearing them.
"So shopping?" She asked with a soft smile on her face.
"Your wish is my command, melamin –my love" He told her with a loving voice. "So Rose, you chose what we'll do, now does anyone had an idea where we should go?"
Martha looked the others and could see they were searching for idea, but she already knew where she wanted to go, so she took her chance and responded with,
"Paris, February 22, 2010, in the afternoon on the Champs Elysees." She exclaimed.
The Doctor looked at her with a weird look on his face. That was a specific time and a specific place. A little too specific for the Doctor's liking. Did she have something planned, like saving someone or something? He couldn't take the risk again to accept a trip like that. Last time he did that, that was for Rose and even at that time, he went against his own rules. But that was for Rose and of course, he hadn't found the strength to refuse anything she asked of him, even that very dangerous trip. But he learned his lesson, and that is he will not make that mistake again, even for Rose. He almost lost her that day and he will do anything in his power to save her in the future.
"Why do you want to go there, precisely?" He asked, suspicion lacing his voice.
"What?" she asked, oblivious about his tone.
"The time and the place you gave me is really specific, Martha. Did you plan something?" He explained to her.
"Plan something, like what?" She asked, but he could tell she was burying her nervousness.
"Did you plan something like saving someone who died that day? Or something in the same sort?"
"No!" she said, a little bit too loud.
The Doctor eyed Martha carefully, as if he was trying to read her mind. What was Martha was up to? The Doctor didn't like this situation and he could tell that Martha was not telling him the truth, again.
"Martha, tell me the truth for once, would you? Why do you want to go there, exactly?" He insisted.
"Be - because I - I went to Paris a few years ago and I miss it, okay? It's one of my favorite cities and for the date, I just picked one out, that's all. And the Champ Elysees, I just - I didn't get to visit there the last time I went to Paris, so I would have liked to go there with you - I mean, share this experience with all of you." She managed to say, trying not to stumble over her words. The Doctor was looking at her, not sure if he could believe in her story or not. But he didn't have the choice to do so because her explanation made sense.
"Alright, Paris, February 22, 2010 in the afternoon on the Champs Elysees." He said, beginning his usual manic dance around the console, pressing various buttons and flipping switches and levers.
Donna and Jack looked at each other and sighed. Jack got up from the captain chair and walked towards Donna.
"Do you think Martha had planned something?" Donna whispered to Jack.
"You really don't believe her anymore, do you?" He whispered back.
"I already told you, Jack. She was my friend, and I trusted her, but now, what she did to Rose was horrible. She made Rose believe that the Doctor wasn't interested in her anymore and that he had move on with Martha. And Martha knew the Doctor was still in love with Rose. No Jack, what she did was not nice and she lost my respect and trust. I don't trust her anymore, so of course I don't believe her story about Paris. I don't know what she planned for this trip, but I will make sure she will not stay alone with Rose."
"I'm on this one with you, Ginger. But I'm pretty sure the Doctor will stay with Blondie all the time so I don't think you have to worry too much about Martha. Just enjoy the trip in Paris, Donna."
"I will enjoy the trip, don't you worry, Pretty Boy."
- DW -
"The Arc de Triomphe! Rassilon, 900 years old and I have never seen the Arc de Triomphe. I really need to see it!" said the Doctor, with a huge grin.
"I want to go see the Arc de Triomphe too." Said Jack, apparently very happy to be here.
"I leave the historical monuments for you. In my case, I want to go shopping with the credit cards that the Doctor gave me. Unlimited money, anywhere in the universe." Said Martha with a proud look on her face.
"Hey, you're not the only who has those credit cards, Rose and I have those too. And I want to do some shopping as well! What about you, Rose?"
"Oh, well, I did ask the Doctor for shopping but apparently he wants to see the Arc de Triomphe, so maybe later. You can come with us and we can go to do some shopping after."
"Don't be ridiculous, Rose. You can stay away from the Doctor for a little bit. It's not like he will disappear." Said Martha with a smile. Rose smiled back to her, she was really glad that Martha was making effort for their friendship. She was aware that this was only the beginning, but she was very confident about their relationship. They would perhaps not become the best of friends in the world, but at least becoming friends would be amazing, especially after such a chaotic start.
"Doctor, is that okay if I go shopping with the girls while you and Jack visit the Arc de Triomphe?" Rose asked. The Doctor eyed Martha for a long moment, then turned towards Rose and said, "Tiri, naar seasa tira ten' rashwe, melamin. Ar'ele yassen Martha ar' Donna. -Okay, but please be careful, my love. And stay with Martha and Donna.
"N'dela no'ta, melamin. Amin khiluva tira ten' rashwe, ve' mena. Ar'amin khiluva nae auta Martha ar' Donna sint. -Don't worry about it, my love. I will be careful, like always. And I will not leave Martha and Donna's sides." She replied, smiling with her tongue poking out between her teeth.
Martha frowned upon hearing her name. She didn't like when they were speaking this language. What was language was it anyway? A language they made up for fun? What a waste of time and such a childish thing to do.
The girls took their leave to go shopping and the Doctor stood watching his Mate walk in the opposite direction. He did not really like the idea of being separated from her. Moreover, it was the first time they were separate from themselves since Rose's unexpected return. Even if he didn't trust Martha with Rose, he did trust Donna. If she was with them then he knew the ginger could calm down the situation if Martha would go too far on Rose. Rose could defend herself against the medical student, but she was always a little bit anxious around the brunette. He didn't know why she was feeling that way, but anyway, he was glad that Donna was with them. In this situation, he was seeing her like a referee between two wrestlers.
Jack smirked when he saw the Doctor still looking into the sea of humans for his blond Mate.
"Don't worry, Doc, she'll be back in your manly arms in no time."
The Doctor gave him a hard look and started to walk towards the Arc de Triomphe with Jack following behind, laughing.
- DW -
The three women had just finished shopping in the fifth store of the day. They were starting to get thirsty and were on their way to find a bar for some cocktails.
"Please tell me you are thirsty too?" Asked Martha.
"Yes, I am indeed." Replied Rose, putting her bags at her feet, getting tired of holding them for almost two hours now. "We should send the Doctor a message, so he and Jack can join us."
"Yes, but first we have to find a bar, Rose." Said Martha, trying to not make a face while pronouncing her name. "Then, we will tell them the name of the bar where they can reach us. Logic, Rose. Logic!" She added with a forced smile.
"So, do you know any good bars where they serve cocktails?" Asked Donna with a smile on her face, remembering the last cocktails she drank on Lahulla.
"Well, I don't know any bars but I doubt the cocktails will be as good as the cocktails on Lahulla," Rose answered with a light laugh, remembering the same night as Donna was.
"Okay, so to found a bar a little bit faster, I suggest we separate. We will find some place to drink quickly like that." Martha said and before the two other girls could say something, she added, "Rose, you go that way. Donna, you go that way and I will go down that way." She said, pointing at different direction. "The first one to find a cool bar, send a message to everyone, okay?"
"Okay, but I could eat something as well, so try to find a bar where you can eat a pastry or something." Donna said.
Rose laughed and walked in the direction that Martha had pointed while Donna went her own way, like Martha.
- DW -
"Good idea, I was thirsty as hell." Said Jack, joining Martha in front the bar. The Doctor was not very far behind and joined them, his hands in his pockets.
"Great idea indeed," He said, while Donna joined them in front of the bar. The Doctor's smiled quickly faded when he saw that Rose was neither with Donna or Martha.
"Where is Rose?" He asked, feeling his throat constrict. "Martha, where is she?"
Martha frowned and exclaimed, "Hey, why do you ask me? Donna was with us as well. Why you don't blame her too?"
"Thanks a lot!" The ginger replied with a fake smile.
"Because she was not the one to suggest this place, you were." He replied, while he was walking towards Martha with the Oncoming Storm brewing in his eyes. "For once Martha, tell me the damn truth. Why did you want to come here?" He asked dangerously, and Martha swallowed quickly.
She had never seen him looking at her that way, and honestly, she was afraid. She was afraid of him because right now, she had the Oncoming Storm in front of her and suddenly she knew why his enemies were so afraid of him. His eyes were so dark, even Donna had backed off when she saw the look on his face. And Donna knew one thing at the very moment, the Doctor was not joking about Rose's safety. She suddenly felt guilty because she was partly responsible about her disappearance. The Doctor had trusted her and she failed him.
"Doctor, calm down. We will find her." Jack cautiously said, putting himself between the Time Lord and Martha. Right now, there was something dark about the Doctor but he couldn't let the Time Lord do something to Martha. He hoped he could calm the Doctor a little bit, but Rose was the only person who really could do that. But she wasn't here, and that was the problem. Jack was angry at himself, he should have listen to Donna and looked after Rose.
The Doctor swallowed and looked at Jack. "Calm down?" He repeated darkly. "Calm down? Rose is nowhere to be found and I have no idea where she is, Jack. And I'm pretty sure Martha is behind that."
"No, I'm not!" Cried Martha, still hiding behind Jack.
"Doctor, calm down." Jack said, putting his arm on his shoulder to show his support. The Doctor angrily sighed and Jack added, "Doctor, a few days ago, you told us that Rose was your Mate, right? And if it is what I think it is, try to reach her through your bond."
Martha's eyes widened. The word 'Mate', she heard this word before. And she did ask herself what Mate was meaning for them. For her, a 'Mate' was someone with whom you felt closest to, like a best friend, a harmony between two people. That's what she thought he meant back then. But when Jack mentioned a bond, she was starting to fear this connection between the Doctor and this chav was deeper she had expected.
She saw the Doctor close his eyes and her heart began to race.
'Melamin –my love' He sent to Rose through their bond.
'….'
'Please, answer me, Rose!' He tried again in his mind.
'….'
'Sweetheart, if you hear me, please answer me.' He tried again with a knot in his throat.
'….'
'Where are you, Rose? Answer me, please!'
'….'
'Rose…'
He opened his eyes, and Jack could see tears in them. That was not good at all. Martha was watching him with a scared look on her face, and Donna was wondering why she was looking so terrified.
"Jack, I can't reach her. I can't talk to her." He said with a trembling voice.
"What - what does that mean? Doctor, don't tell me…"
"No, Jack, she is not. She can't be dead." He replied quickly and quite harshly.
"How can you be so sure?" asked Donna carefully.
"I just know, Donna."
He didn't have the time to explain all the conditions about their Mating, about how their bodies, souls and minds were linked together, and that their bond was forever. It was forever, because this connection was like a bond between their lives. That meant if one of the two died, the other will follow the other in death and will died too. Their personal timelines, their bodies and their souls were connected, together. If Rose was dying somewhere, or already dead, he would be dying or dead right now. But he was alive, so Rose was alive. But he couldn't reach her, he couldn't talk to her and he didn't know how it was possible. So, what was going on and where was his Mate?
- DW -
Author's note:
Here's the sixth chapter. Here comes the trouble, guys!
Wow, the Doctor was mad at Martha. Martha was nervous … umm, why? What's your opinion about that? Any idea? Anyway, things get serious now. No more fluffy moments … no I'm kidding, of course, fluffy will still be there, don't worry about that but not in the next chapters, sorry. There will be a lot of angst and confuse moments, you will understand when you read the next chapter. God, I'm so exciting about this story, and I am happy that you're enjoying it as well. I take great pleasure to write this story, and I'm so grateful.
Thanks a lot to my amazing beta reader: Kristik McCrimmon.
Thank you so much for your reviews for the last chapter. Your support is everything to me, so thanks you A LOT!
And I hope you had a good Valentine's Day. Personally, I had a fantastic day : Me, alone with Netflix watching a Disney movie. Exciting, right? You're jealous, admit it! x)
By the way, a little question which has nothing to do with my story: did you watch the Grammys? I did, and I cried during Adele's performance. I know, but I'm fragile and her song 'All I Ask' is one of my favourite of her new album, '25'. But I was kinda mad because of the technical fails during the night. I mean, come on, that's the Grammys, they can't fail like that, it's not the Teen Choice Awards for God's sake. -' Anyway, favourite performance during the night ? And did your favourite artist won? (One of my favourite won, Ed Sheeran won. Yippee ! I was so happy! ^^)