Dressed in an orange and scarlet robe and collar, the Doctor is walking with Galen near the entrance to the reception hall when the other Doctor steps up to him, also dressed in orange and scarlet robes. "I see Romana got you to dress formally as well," he says as he turns toward the now opening doors. "She still has to make an entrance."
"Doesn't she always?" Galen replies.
The Doctor looks toward the door and sees Romana, Rianna, and Rose framed by it. Romana is in the presidential robes of state while Rianna and Rose are dressed in identical gowns of a fabric that shifts from orange to scarlet the way that a flame does. The bodices cut just low enough to hint at a bosom and are fitted through the hips before the skirts flare out. The sleeves start on the upper arms, leaving the shoulders bare. The Doctor's jaw drops as he realizes just how beautiful Rose is, especially in that particular gown.
"Close your mouth," the other Doctor says with a chuckle. "You're gaping. Do you want to give us a bad name?"
As his eyes drink in her beauty, he remembers where he is, closes his mouth, and replies, "It's just..."
"They clean up nicely, don't they?" Galen teases. Walking up to his wife, he offers her his arm after giving Rianna a chaste kiss on the cheek.
"Doctor," Romana comments with a smile, "the look on your face was priceless! Yours too, Doctor."
When Rose accepts his belatedly offered arm, she asks, "So, I take it you like my gown?"
"I think that's putting it mildly, Rose," Galen supplies as he realizes that both of the Doctors are speechless. "You're lovely, by the way, Rianna. I think that you've finally gotten the Doctor's full attention." She smiles at the compliment.
"I don't think I've ever seen them this tongue-tied before," Romana adds. The other Doctor offers his arm to Rianna in escort. She smiles shyly as she takes the proffered arm.
"I told you," Rose says to Rianna, "that he would be able to tell us apart."
"I wanted to try," she responds, smiling.
"You all look lovely," Rose's Doctor finally tells all three ladies while his eyes stay on Rose.
"Go ahead and mingle," Romana tells everyone. "The actual ceremony is in a bit."
"Ceremony?" Rose asks. She looks at the Doctor. "… What ceremony?"
He clasps her hand against his arm. "Nothing to worry about."
"What's with the collar?" she asks as she fingers it, feeling the design work embedded in it. "Why are they all different colors?"
Turning to her, he replies, "Different colors are associated with different chapters. There is overlap in the skills, but there are philosophic differences between them."
They continue speaking quietly together.
After a bit, Romana indicates to the Doctor to bring Rose to the podium. "Rose," he tells her, "they're ready for us." She looks at him as if to say 'what?' He smiles in encouragement. "Come on." He leads her forward.
The Cardinals are assembled on the podium. Cardinal Octavius says, "Doctor, could you escort Miss Tyler up here?" Both Doctors act, smiling.
The Cardinal continues, "Doctor," indicating Rose's Doctor, "Even though you are not from this reality initially, you are one of us as is your counterpart in every reality. As such, you do not need to be invested with the symbols of your office.
"However, Miss Tyler, you have already completed what classifies as a master work and then some. Even without formal training, you are functioning as one of us. So… it is my pleasure to see you invested with the symbols of your rank." A robe and collar in the colors of the Prydonian Chapter's scarlet and orange are brought out. Both Doctors help her into them. The Cardinal kisses her cheek in welcome.
"Thank you," she says, overwhelmed. "I don't know what else to say."
"You handled yourself well the other day," he continues as he smiles. "You understand what you have done and its application. You even showed several of us better ways of accomplishing what we are already doing. That in itself is going to take a lot of getting used to.
"We were rough on you, I apologize for that."
"It was necessary," Rose responds.
"No it wasn't. Not like that. We were inquisitional. That was inexcusable. All we can do is beg your forgiveness."
"Given, and freely," she says quietly, taking the Cardinal's hand and squeezing it as she kisses his cheek.
"Thank you," he returns. "Now," he says kindly, "Go and meet people. Have a good time." He places her hand back into her Doctor's, patting it.
As she leaves the podium, Rianna meets her at the bottom and hugs her in congratulations. "I'm so happy for you!" she says. "I didn't realize that your presentation was a master work. I'm still not sure what it was about. I'm honored to have been allowed at the presentation"
The Doctor shakes his head in warning. "It's," Rose answers, taking the Doctor's hint, "about interdimensional communication. It's very theoretical. Even the Cardinals had trouble understanding it. That's why they had so many questions."
"Would anyone like something to drink?" the Doctor breaks in, trying to sidetrack Rianna.
The other Doctor takes the hint, taking Rianna's hand. "Let's get some refreshments," he says. "Doctor, are you coming?"
"Rose?" he says, offering his arm. They head for the refreshments. Along the way they are stopped several times as congratulations are offered. She smiles and thanks individuals as they congratulate her. Several stop the Doctors for quick conversations as well.
The Doctor hands Rose a drink. "What is it?" she asks.
"It's just a fruit juice. You'll like it," he replies. He also hands one to Rianna.
"Do you ever get used to the collar?" Rose asks.
"It's one of the reasons that I've stayed away so much," the other Doctor replies. Her Doctor smiles with a twinkle in his eye, nodding his head in agreement.
"Doctor!" Rianna says, scandalized.
"It's true!" Rose's Doctor says with laughter in his voice. "I can't stand wearing these things. The robes are bad enough, but the collar makes it worse."
"So, how long do we have to stay before we can politely leave?" Rose asks.
"A while yet. Let's go say hello to some people."
They continue to make the rounds as needed during the rest of the reception. When they finally come to Romana and Galen, Romana tells them both, "I'm glad you've got each other."
Taking Rose aside for a moment, Romana continues, "Rose, you're good for him. I've seen how he looks at you. He loves you. I've never seen him look at anyone else quite the same way. You have given him back his life – whether he admits it or not. It's even started to wear off on our Doctor.
"I know what our Doctor was like after the Time War. In your universe it had to have been worse – far worse. He is such a loving man in any universe. You've given him back the capacity to love."
Returning to the Doctor, she continues, "Doctor, Rose, I wish both of you the best. I need to continue to circulate for a while.
"Oh, by the way, you two could probably leave if you want to. The Cardinals have started to leave."
The Doctor smiles. "I think that's a good idea. We have packing to do before we head home tomorrow."
When they arrive back at their quarters, they take off their formal robes and collars so they can be packed away.
"You knew this was going to happen," Rose says, challenging him to say that he knew nothing about it.
"I knew you were going to be accepted into my chapter. It was actually something of a coup for Octavius – the Arcalians wanted you too because of your understanding of time. I did not know when or how formal the occasion would be. The reception was already planned. They evidently decided to combine the events, considering that we are returning home tomorrow.
"I've told you before how truly groundbreaking your work is."
"It'll be needed to re-establish the Timelords in our home dimension." She shudders slightly as she remembers the things she has seen in the vortex.
Noticing this, he turns to her, grabbing her arms. "Re-establish… Rose… what?"
"Now is not the time…" she says absently, a far-off look momentarily coming over her face.
Understanding suddenly that she has probably shown this to Romana, he blurts out, angrily, "But you could show Romana?" He grips her more tightly as he tries to understand and to force her to tell him what she has seen.
"Doctor, this isn't the way it's meant to be…" she says, appealing to his better judgment. "I can't tell you yet! Please accept that for now. If I show you what I've seen… now…" She is shaking her head, crying as she tries to explain her reticence to him, "You aren't ready for why yet. I wish you were! …Please …let go of me. You're hurting me…"
Realizing that he has gone too far, he releases her. She runs into her room, shutting the door behind her, still crying. Shocked at his own actions, he decides to take a walk.
The following morning, he finds himself on Romana's doorstep when he finally stops wandering. He is just thinking of knocking when Romana and Galen step out.
"I…" the Doctor starts. "I've…"
"What's happened, Doctor?" Romana asks.
Looking from one to the other as he searches for a way to say what he needs to say, he replies, "I've made a terrible mistake. Rose…"
"What happened, Doctor?" Galen asks. "What happened between you and Rose?"
"We …quarreled."
"Doctor, couples argue all of the time," Galen says. "Look, I was going to stop and check on Rose before you leave today. Why don't I come along now and check on her with you?" He gives Romana a quick kiss in leave-taking before he heads back with the Doctor.
As they walk back to the Doctor's quarters, he finally says, "I …was upset because she showed something to Romana in the vortex that she hasn't shown me. It obviously bothers her, but she won't say anything. I tried… I tried to make her tell me…"
"And now, you feel guilty about it, but you're still jealous of the confidence that she shared." When the Doctor looks sideways at him, he continues, "Doctor, what did Rose say when she said that she wouldn't show you?"
"She said that I wasn't ready to know why." Thinking about it some more, he adds, "She emphasized the why. I wonder if it's got anything to do with why she's changing."
"If she was that adamant about not saying anything, she probably won't say anything until she's ready." They sink into silence while the Doctor ponders over Rose's actions.
Once they arrive at the Doctor's quarters, they find that the packing seems to be completed but that Rose has left outfits for the day out. The doors to the bedrooms are open and Rose is sprawled on the sofa where she fell asleep. There is a scribbled not on the table beside her.
Galen walks over to her and starts to check her over, being careful not to wake her while the Doctor hangs by the door. He enters when Galen beckons and shows him the note, which says, 'We need to talk.'
"I think she wants to speak to you," Galen says. "She evidently thinks you're worth the effort." As the Doctor reaches to touch her timidly, he adds, "Don't you dare wake her! It looks like she only just fell asleep. She's probably still upset with you."
"But she wants to talk…"
"Yes, she wants to talk, so there's hope for you," Galen replies. Looking him over, he adds, "Go get cleaned up, it looks like she left some clothes out for you. You're pretty scruffy right now. A shave wouldn't be amiss either."
The Doctor feels his chin and grimaces as he realizes that he's got to look pretty bad right now if Galen's making that type of comment.
Galen is gone when he comes back out of his room, clean-shaven and dressed in clean clothes; he sees that Galen has put a cover over Rose. He sits in the chair opposite her to think while he waits for her to waken.
It is late morning when she finally wakes. Confused, at first, she looks around, wondering why she would sleep on the sofa. The Doctor hands her a cup of tea, saying, "I got your note…"
"Thanks," she replies as she accepts the cup.
"You still look tired. When did you eventually go to sleep?"
She shakes her head, frowning. "I'm not sure. I repacked everything. I put all of the gifts together, that way we don't have to take everything to my mum's."
He nods as he takes in the information. Deciding to let her take her time, he suggests, "Why don't you go ahead and get changed? Mai and the Doctor are due any time. In fact, they're late."
She nods as she realizes that he is right. "I'll be back shortly."
She is just coming back into the sitting room when the door opens and Mai Li bounces in. "The Doctor showed me his Tardis! I knew it was bigger on the inside, but, WOW! It's even bigger than I thought!"
"I showed her the library and the swimming pool," the other Doctor says as he smiles indulgently at Mai's excitement.
"Come on, Mai," Rose says as she looks from Doctor to Doctor. "You can help me with the little bit of packing I have left to do."
Once they are occupied in the other room, the other Doctor asks Rose's Doctor, "Rose looks tired. What happened? I thought..."
"I asked her about..." As he reconsiders what to say, he grimaces and starts again, "No, it doesn't matter. She said I wasn't ready to know why." He looks directly at his other self as he starts to explain, "I don't think she meant to let slip as much as she did. I do know that she showed Romana at least part of whatever it is." He hangs his head in the shame of his actions of the previous evening. "I... I was rather more forceful than I needed to be. I went for a walk – after. She didn't want me around… Not after…"
"After what?"
There is misery in his eyes as he lifts his head again to explain further, "I hurt her… I didn't mean to, but… I hurt her.
"I was walking all night, sorting it out. I should have helped her to pack. …That's why she's tired this morning. She fell asleep on the sofa, evidently not long before I got back here with Galen."
There is a knock at the door as the Doctor opens his mouth to continue. "Come in," he says as the door opens.
"I see that Rose is up," Galen comments as he enters. "I just want to see how she's doing."
A couple of minutes later, Mai Li comes out with a few folded items to be added to the packing. Rose's Doctor takes them from her and adds them to everything else, saying, "Thanks, Mai."
A couple of minutes later, Galen comes back out, followed by Rose. "She'll be fine after she gets some real sleep. Just let me help get these to the Tardis for you." He picks up a couple of items.
They pick up the rest of their things to take them to the Tardis. The other Doctor steps in and takes the box and bag from Rose while her Doctor takes the laptop and the other bag.
"I can handle that," she says in protest. Both Doctors smile in response.
"Yes," says the other Doctor, smiling, "But a Lady should not have to."
Her Doctor comes over to her, saying quietly, "You won't shift him. He's like me in that." He smiles as he walks out. "Come on."
Romana meets them just outside of the Tardis. "Good morning," she says. "We've taken the liberty of putting training materials and a few other things aboard the Tardis for you to take with you.
"Doctor," she continues, indicating Rose's Doctor, "you will be responsible for teaching Rose our history and traditions, galactic law… how to be a Timelord. Galen said that you already have the monitor for the sensor that she is wearing as well as the program that you developed to interface with your systems back on Earth." She gives him a hug, whispering to him, "Galen told me that she wants to speak with you. That's a good sign. You'll work it out."
She releases him and goes on to Mai Li, "I've been told that you hold much promise. There is a place for you at the Academy should the Doctor and Rose decide that you would benefit." Mai beams at the promise.
Finally, she turns to Rose, giving her a hug as well and saying, "Rose, you remind me so much of my daughter. In you, I see who she will become once she gains experience. It gives me confidence in our future." More quietly, she adds, "Please, give him a chance. He's worth the effort, whatever you may think of him right now."
Rose replies just as quietly as she returns the hug, "I will. I left a note for him saying that we need to talk."
As she breaks out of the embrace, she says, "I wish you all the best. I must go; I've got work to do. Our Doctor will see you home. And thank you again for your help in understanding recent events. You have both been instrumental in saving reality and taking action in a timely manner."
"Thank you," Rose says, "for inviting us. I've learned a lot while we've been here."
Smiling, Romana answers, "You're welcome. As I said, I must be going. Have a good trip home."
Turning to Mai Li, Rose asks, "So, Mai, did you have a good time?"
Smiling, Mai Li responds, "Yes, when can we come back? I've also got phone numbers for some of my classmates. Will I be able to call them?"
"I don't see why not," the Doctor responds, laughter in his voice. "I'll set up your phone when we get home."
Mai Li smiles. Rose says, "I'm glad you were able to make friends. You have everything packed?"
"Yes. I dropped it off by the Tardis before we went to get you." Rose nods, accepting the information.
They open the door of the Tardis and enter it, setting down their packages next to the stack they already see there. They see several other packages there as well. "That must be the training materials Romana mentioned," the Doctor comments when he sees the several containers in the control room.
"Would you like to help?" the other Doctor asks as they step over to the console.
"Me, too?" asks Mai Li as Rose and her Doctor take positions and begin to lay in the navigation information.
Smiling, the other Doctor says as Rose and her Doctor look up from what they are doing, "You, too, Mai Li. You can come right here and press this button when I say to do so." He indicates the button to initiate the entire process once it is entered. A few minutes later, they are ready to go and he says, "Now, Mai Li." She presses the button.
When they arrive at the Torchwood Hub, it is near noon on Christmas Eve. Rose and her Doctor are moving things to the door when they see Gwen and the others coming in the Tardis monitor.
They meet them at the door of the Tardis. "Hello, everyone," the Doctor says, shaking hands and giving hugs in greeting. "I need some help shifting some items."
Rose has already started to pick up a couple of things to carry out of the Tardis. As she heads for the outer doors, Ianto and Owen come in with the Doctor to help move items. As they come in they are surprised by the size. "It's…" says Owen.
"Bigger on the inside," finishes the Doctor. "Yes, I know. We can discuss it later. Come help me shift this."
Rose comes back in to fetch something else. "They've set up a Christmas party. It's just something small, but there's enough for everyone. Doctor," she says to the other Doctor, "you're welcome to come, too." She reaches for his hand. "Come on," she continues, encouraging him to come.
"Alright, but only for a bit," he replies, as he realizes that she will not accept no for an answer. Rose smiles.
Her Doctor comes back in. "That's everything." He sees her holding the other Doctor's hand, leading him out of the Tardis.
"I've invited him to the Christmas party."
"Brilliant! Let's go then." He takes her other hand. "Come on."
"We've missed you," Tosh says as she hands glasses of wine around to everyone. "Here's to the holiday."
The festivities continue for a bit. There is food and drink and music. In general, it is just a good time to be had.
Gwen goes over to the other Doctor and kisses him on the cheek. "Thank you for getting them back here in time for Christmas."
"I need to go," he tells her as he touches his cheek in surprise. "Let me say my good-byes." He goes over to Rose and her Doctor. "I need to return to Gallifrey." He kisses Rose on the cheek. To the Doctor, he says, "There's a hyper-link among the items that we left with you. Install it. Keep in touch. We'll be able help you if you need it." He shakes the Doctor's hand as he leaves.
"Doctor," Rose says, stopping him for a moment, "You're welcome to come to Christmas dinner at my parents if you'd like."
"No, thank you," he replies. "It should be just your family."
"But you are family," she protests.
"Not this time," touching her cheek as he smiles to take the sting out of the rejection. He leaves.
The party continues some more. Rose goes to the items they brought back getting out a few of the items they picked up. When she comes back in, she signals to the Doctor. She shows him what they got for their Torchwood crew. He nods.
"We picked up a few souvenirs while we were gone. We got these for you," Rose says as she hands the items to the individuals she picked them out for. "They're nothing large or special, but they are from off-world."
"Rose and I are going to have to be going soon," the Doctor tells everyone. "Her parents are expecting us."
"Do you need any help with anything?" Ianto asks.
"No, not really. Everything's already packed," he answers. "Rose and I can handle what we need to take with us. Everything else will wait until after the holidays. Go ahead and go home. Enjoy the holiday. Merry Christmas!" Hugs and kisses are shared around again as they leave.
He and Rose go to collect the packages that they need. As they are near the young Tardis, they decide to let it continue to sleep after checking on it.
They get to her car and put the packages in it. "We need to stop by the house on the way. There are a few things still there," Rose says as they climb into the car.