Author's Note: Back again. This chapter gave me a little grief, I wasn't sure how I wanted to end my first multi-Doctor arch (I will admit, I am considering doing another sometime down the road). But here is the end of the Christmas Special. I'll update again as soon as I can, I'm torn between a couple of options about where to go next.
Disclaimer: I do not own them.
The door to the TARDIS creaked open and Rose found herself in yet another Victorian dress. "Run this by me again. You've heard of this crash?"
She heard laughter behind her and turned to see the Ninth Doctor coming out in the same outfit he'd been wearing. Granted, for them it had only been a couple of hours, but it was still funny to see him in something besides leather.
"And how are we able to use the TARDIS to travel? What about being involved in events?"
"Rules tend to have exceptions-"
"We tend to find them." The Eight Doctor interrupted as he walked up.
"What about Ariel, Tyson, and the carolers?" Rose straightened her shawl.
"I've heard talk about the Folandi crash. Chatter off and on when I hit this period of history and beyond." The Eight Doctor mused.
"I went digging into it before I met you, Rose. Story has it they got stranded on a Level 5 planet and that a group of mysterious travelers got them off."
"Folandi?"
"From the planet Goyathlay. They're going to end up becoming, for lack of a better term that you'd understand, the galaxies' concierges. This Christmas carol thing? It's in their nature to entertain and make sure the people around them are happy. They feed off that positive energy."
"And something is trying to feed off of them." The Eight Doctor looked at his sonic screwdriver. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was the Zaki."
"They're just a myth." The Ninth Doctor shifted.
"In some cultures, we're just a myth." The Eight Doctor shrugged.
Rose looked between the two. "Who are the Zaki?"
"I've only heard whispers of their existence. The Zaki might be the origin of Earth's vanishing hitchhiker myth."
"You're kidding." Rose looked at the two. "You know, I shouldn't be surprised by this."
"I shouldn't either." The Ninth Doctor mused. "I was sure they were just a myth."
"But isn't that why we travel?" A smile filled the Eighth Doctor's face. "To learn new things, explore new places… to meet new friends?"
At that last bit, his eyes wandered to Rose and Rose smiled at the Doctor's earlier incarnation.
"And maybe, we discuss truths about ourselves and the universe along the way." He continued to study her. "The universe is an interesting place where anything can happen."
"That it is, Doctor. So what do we do about the Zaki? They have to have a weak spot, right?" Rose looked at the pair.
"The trick is going to be not tipping our hand too soon." The Ninth Doctor mused. "What did the myth say?"
"She would light the way. She who was there twice over…" The Eighth Doctor mused.
Rose looked at the fountain near Hendriks where she could see the group already gathering together. Her gaze went between that and the store that would change her life forever.
"Ironic that we are so close to the store." The Ninth Doctor came up beside her and slipped her hand into his. "Wonder what you have up your sleeve."
"I wonder too." Rose muttered. "If we get the Folandis off the planet, can the Zaki trace them back to their home?"
"Depends on how we get them off world. If we take them in the TARDIS, we should be able to stop any interference."
"She who was there twice over. Rose, when were you born?" Eight turned to face her.
"There is a twelve year old me running around London somewhere."
"So you are here twice over."
"Yes." Rose looked back at the store. "What do we know about the Zaki? Hurry, they are about to start." She nodded to the carolers.
"The only talk about the defeat of the Zaki just might revolve around you." The Eighth Doctor took the lead.
"Just go with your gut." The Ninth Doctor offered as they joined the group. Ariel rushed over.
"You came back!" She pulled Rose into a hug.
"Of course we did, we said we would."
"Welcome back." Tyson joined the group. "I'm glad you could join us for another evening of festivities."
He shook both Doctors hands again and smiled at Rose. She nodded to him. This adventure was not what she had expected but she was loving this chance to run with her Doctor.
Their time with the Folandis went the same as last night until they were a few minutes from the park where the TARDISes were parked. Rose fell back from the group, planning to go with her gut as The Doctor had told her.
"I request an audience with the Zaki according to Article 15 of the Shadow Proclamation." She called out with an authoritative tone. Luckily, Jonathan had written down all the articles of this Universe's Shadow Proclamation. She'd found it in his files shortly after his death. Plus, it was a fun parallel to her first adventure with the big-eared leather Doctor who had uttered similar words in a base below the London Eye.
"One who knows of the Shadow Proclamation?" The voice hissed, reminding Rose of a snake. "Perhaps the Folandis aren't the only off-worlders. According to Article 15, the Zaki will grant you parlay."
She turned to see the Ninth Doctor lingering back. "If I might approach with my partner."
"You may."
Rose took a few tentative steps forward and tried to hide her reaction as the Ninth Doctor fell into step beside her. "Our friend is with the others."
"We felt it was best. Oddly enough, this is the best we've ever gotten along." The Ninth Doctor mused.
"No wonder, you guys seem to think you need to prove you are the smartest person in the room. Normally, it wouldn't be a problem but when there are multiple versions of you, then it becomes a problem." Rose finally stopped where the shadows seemed to be pooling. "Am I speaking to the leader of the Zaki Delegation?"
"You are. What is it you want?"
"I want to know why you are threatening the Folandis and prohibiting them from leaving Earth. This is a level five planet and both of you are violating the Shadow Proclamation by remaining her."
"As are you."
"The Articles do not apply to me. Now why are you prohibiting the Folandis from leaving Earth?"
"Because, we're curious."
"About." Rose looked at The Doctor who shrugged.
"The Folandi's future is tied with the humans over the next 150 years or so. What would happen if we tweaked that a bit?"
"Playing with the time line is a dangerous thing."
"Says the woman who is traveling with The Doctor. We've heard stories about him, though we wondered if he was a myth."
"I could say the same about you lot." The Doctor muttered. "But I follow the laws of time."
"But does your friend know what you did?"
"I do." Rose stopped them from giving the Doctor an unnecessary guilt trip. "It was necessary to the timeline."
"And what authority do you have to say that?" The leader of the Zaki hissed.
"What authority do you have to go and try and change the timeline?"
"We take the authority."
Rose turned to The Doctor who seemed to be studying the Shadow Man. She looked between the two. "I'm afraid you cannot take that kind of authority, especially on this planet."
"And who are you to stop us?"
Rose turned to The Doctor. "Go and get the Folandi ready to go home."
He started to argue and she cut him off. "Go."
After studying her for a second, he took off and Rose turned to face the leader of the Zaki. "Leave this planet now."
"Why would we leave? Innocents wander here all the time and we can decide how we want to manipulate the timeline. Plus, the potential futures of the human race makes this planet ideal for us. They don't even know we're here."
"This is your one chance." Rose took a deep breath, playing with the beginnings of a plan running through her head. "I'd suggest you take it."
"What are you going to do about it?"
Rose focused on the leader of the Zaki, focusing on his energy signature. It was vastly different from some of her friend's. She'd tried doing this a few times before but not on the scale she was about to attempt. "Then what happens next is your own doing."
With that, she closed her eyes and focused on anyone with a similar energy signature. There were a few dozen of them all the way to the park.
"What is this? What are you doing?"
She saw their timeline, saw who the Zaki were. Saw the potential timelines they had destroyed and ones they had created. She reached back into their timeline and found their beginnings. Here she saw several options and weighed them before taking a course of action.
"You often changed the timelines for your own amusement and I say no more. You will be bound to your own planet till the end of time." Rose locked the planet, so that the Zaki could not leave it. With one last wave of her hand, she banished them there and stumbled. A pair of arms caught her.
"Easy."
She turned to see the Ninth Doctor catch her as he knelt down. "I thought I told you to help your past self."
"Just enjoying the time I have to be Time's Champion. My next form will get the honor full time." He smiled. "Can you stand?"
Rose closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I think."
She did so uneasily and they made their way to the group where Tyson met them. "The threat has been neutralized and we would like to offer you a ride off planet."
Tyson smiled and eyed his fellow Folandi. "Is it possible for us to stay and carol through Christmas Eve? We've enjoyed it so."
Rose eyed the two Doctors who were looking at you, both silently conveying their answers. "I don't see why not."
The group's faces lit up. "Let's get back to it." Tyson steered them back on task. Rose fell back in with the group along with her Doctors.
God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was Born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Comfort and Joy
O Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Rose was a little disappointed that Christmas Eve was here. She laughed at the ridiculous idea of being disappointed about Christmas but she knew that she would miss the Folandis as well as her two Doctors. For a few days here it had almost been like she was traveling with her first Doctor again.
"Hurry up, Rose." The object of her thoughts called out from the console room. There was an extra twinkle in his voice that had Rose wondering. She touched up her makeup and added some jewelry to match yet another dress from the TARDIS wardrobe.
Maybe when she got back with the Doctor in the right spot in his timeline, they could do this again. The next version of him had a good singing voice as well.
Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she made her way down the hall. Stopping in her old room, she took in the scene one last time. It was hard to believe it had almost been a century since the day she'd walked out of here with a sackful of laundry. They'd been so excited to see what modern day London brought them and Rose was thrilled to see her mom again.
She ruffled the sheets, making sure they were more or less how her past self had left them and walked out of the room. Her dress swished around her ankles and she smiled as she saw the Doctor focused on tinkering with the TARDIS.
"Ready to go out one last time?"
"That I am." He sat down some tools and held out his arm, which she gladly took. They stepped outside and to Rose's delight it was snowing. "I'd forgotten that this was a white Christmas."
"A little atmospheric excitation." The Ninth Doctor said nonchalantly unknowingly mimicking his next self.
"Just a little." She playfully shoved him as the Eighth Doctor stepped out of his TARDIS.
"Happy Christmas, Rose. Doctor."
"Happy Christmas." Rose hugged the Doctor's earlier incarnation.
It was a happy trio that made their way to the plaza to join the group. Rose alternated between walked between the two Doctor's, skipping ahead, and turning around to walk backwards through the bustling Christmas Eve shopping crowd.
Rose smiled, the thoughts of being disappointed that it was Christmas disappearing as she caught the Christmas Spirit that was practically radiating off of some of the people. "I love Christmas."
"Christmas and Snow." The Ninth Doctor mused. "I'll have to keep that in mind."
The Eighth Doctor chuckled. "So much I have to look forward to. I dare say, Doctor, this is the best I've gotten along with another form."
"I blame Rose." The Ninth Doctor turned. Rose smiled at him.
"I'll take the blame, come on!"
It was a happy group that met up with the Folandi. They made the same route they'd been making for almost a week and it had a bittersweet air to it. But then, year after year, Christmas came and went and one simply cherished it while they could.
Rose looked between the two Doctors, so different, yet so similar. The space that separated them was quite large and it broke her heart to know where the youngest Doctor was headed. There was nothing she could do about it though, after all, it would lead him to her in the end.
They made their way back to the park where the TARDISes were parked and the Folandi agreed to return within an hour after they gathered some things. The Ninth Doctor nodded to the Eighth Doctor who stepped inside his TARDIS.
A minute later, he came back out with a red bicycle and Rose smiled at her old, well her new bike. "I believe we have a present to deliver this Christmas Eve."
The hour was growing late, the Folandi weren't due back to the park until around midnight, and it was an odd trio that made their way to the Powell Estate. They soon made their way to a familiar neighborhood and Rose smiled as places she'd frequented during her pre-Doctor life brought back memories.
Rose was surprised when they entered the Powell Estates to see her mom out on the balcony talking with one of her friends. If it was for the sudden presence of the Ninth Doctor's arm around her, she might have lost her balance at the sight of her mother.
"How long ago?" The Eighth Doctor was studying her.
"Forty years ago. She was happy, after all you had helped her get the happily ever after she'd thought she lost forever." The Ninth Doctor opened his mouth to ask more but Rose smiled sadly at him. "Spoilers."
After awhile, Jackie Tyler went back into the apartment, looking as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. "This was a rough year for us and there wasn't much under the tree and it broke her heart that I was going to wake up in a few hours and be disappointed. But then the bike showed up out of nowhere and it was one of the best Christmases I had before I met you."
The group made their way up to Rose's old home and, borrowing her past-self's key, Rose let them into the apartment. Music was playing from the loo and it sounded as if her mom was taking a long, hot bath. Quietly and carefully, the trio placed the bicycle under the tree and snuck out of the apartment.
To the few people who were out, Rose knew the sight of the three of them walking down the street must have been odd. Both Doctors were taking turns telling Rose about some of their past adventures, trying to top each other over who remembered it better.
When Rose brought up Sarah Jane, both got this fond smile on their face which led to the tale of how Sarah Jane almost managed to get herself stranded in the Middle Ages.
"Luckily, she had a knack for finding adventure. If our paths hadn't have crossed…" The Eighth Doctor mused.
"Sarah Jane." The Ninth Doctor smiled.
Rose asked a question about a story Jonathan had once told her, something about there being five of him and by the time they had finished telling her about it and answering her questions, they had arrived back at the park to find the Folandi waiting for them.
Tyson smiled, a rump sack on his back. "Thank you for your help. Not many would have done what you three did."
"It was our pleasure." Rose spoke up before The Doctors could. Turning to them, she nodded to the TARDISes. "How are we going to do this?"
"Half and half. I'll leash my TARDIS to his and we'll go together." The Eighth Doctor answered.
Rose nodded at the same time as Tyson and within minutes the groups were split and everyone was in the TARDIS. A room just off the console room seemed to suddenly appear and inside Rose found airplane seats and it took time for everyone to get settled in. Coming back to the console room, she saw the Eighth Doctor on the screen. "Ready for flight."
The Ninth Doctor turned long enough to get a nod from Rose. "Ready here as well."
"Let's go."
The door to the TARDIS creaked open and Rose stepped back out in the middle of Albrighton's shopping district. "How long have we been gone?"
"About ten minutes. Not too bad." The Doctor patted the side of the TARDIS affectionately.
Rose knew her time with this Doctor was almost up and parting with him was going to be bittersweet. "I never did say thank you."
"For what, Rose Tyler?" He leaned up against the TARDIS, a rare smile on his face.
"For coming back, for asking me twice, for taking me along and giving me a chance to touch the stars. For making me feel special and important."
Several emotions crossed the Doctor's face and he quickly closed the space between them. "You should never let anyone tell you you're not important."
Rose nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm around here somewhere, waiting. And you've got memories to suppress."
"That I do." He swept her up in a hug, spinning her around a bit. "I'll see you down the time line, Goddess of Time."
"Take care of yourself, Time's Champion."
The Doctor chuckled at the title that was his, but technically not his yet. "I look forward to earning that title."
"As do I." Rose started to walk away. "Doctor?"
"Yes, Rose Tyler?"
"One more thing." She closed the distance between them again and kissed him. At first, it was a gentle kiss but quickly she deepened it. To her surprise and relief, he kissed her back and for a minute time itself seemed to fade away and it was the two of them.
Finally, she pulled away. "Now I can walk away with one less regret."
The Ninth Doctor studied her for a second. "Sometimes, it's not my wrongs that need to be righted. Take care of yourself while you're on your journey back to me."
"I will."
With that, she took a few steps away and disappeared. It might be time to visit Sarah Jane again.
AN: And there we are, the end of my Christmas arch. I love how so many classic Christmas carols are in the public domain (gives me ideas for some projects I'm working on outside of fan fiction).
Thanks for reading!