The lobby filled with sound as the TARDIS materialised below the central staircase. Rose burst from the doors doubled over hysterically as the Doctor exited behind her belting out me & Bobby McGee at the top of his lungs.
"Feeling good was good enough for me, hmm hmm," He pulled the door closed with a flourish, grabbing Rose and twirling her as he sang.
"Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee." They finished together, laughter echoing off the cavernous room.
"Janis was brilliant," Rose beamed, "But my god, trying to keep her hands off ya-"A faint blush tinting her features," I don't know how you can stand to drink so much anyways, I mean she was blind on half a bottle."
"Southern Comfort?" He snorted removing the tie from his head, "Please, 51st Century Hypervodka now that, THAT can get even a Time Lord wasted."
"You mean that whole time-" Rose gaped.
"Yup," He popped grinning smugly, "Sober as a judge."
"You bastard-" She laughed slapping his shoulder, "Bloody Time Lord," he caught her arm quite easily taking her by surprise as he spun her and pulled her back against his chest in a bid to stop her flailing. The sound of glass breaking brought their attention to one Jackie Tyler whose current facial expression made the Doctor swallow audibly and his companion blush furiously. They quickly moved apart and Rose hurried to pick up the Tesco bag off the floor.
"Jackie." He nodded, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Jackie challenged stalking towards the Doctor.
"Wait, what?" Rose followed glancing at the Doctor's equally as confused expression.
"How dare you come back here and try to take her away again after what you did to them." Jackie barked. The Doctor was stunned; Jackie was almost in his face if not for her short stature.
"Mum what are you talkin' about?" Rose tried to push her way in between the two of them.
"And you," She turned angrily towards her daughter, "How could you possibly consider swanning of with him after what we've just been through, after what you and the Doctor-!"
"Jackie I-" The Doctor began only to have her cut him off. Mentally he was astounded by Jackie's loyalty to him when he realised her misconception.
"Don't you dare say one word to me," She pressed a finger into his chest, backing him up against the TARDIS doors with a thud. "You abandoned them both."
"I'm not-" He tried again.
"And I'm not interested." She continued, "She nearly died and what, you take her swannin' off across the universe?"
"But-" He tried unsuccessfully to interrupt her tirade.
"You got some nerve-?" Rose captured her mother's finger mid jab.
"Mum!" She growled. "He's Our Doctor." Snatching up Jackie's other hand and pressing them against the Doctor's chest. "One heart."
Jackie eyes went wide and immediately she backed away shaking her head as the thumping of his heart vibrated against her palm, the realisation instantaneous.
"Doctor, forgive me." Her eyes flicking from him to the TARDIS, remorse and confusion written across her face.
"The TARDIS, the coat- I thought-"
"Oh," He grinned glancing down at himself pulling back his lapels. "No, it arrived yesterday, couldn't believe my luck actually."
"And the T-"
"The TARDIS," The Doctor preened. "Was grown. Here, in this universe. She's brand new."
"Grown?" Jackie murmured moving to place a cautious hand on the panelling.
"You remember on the beach the other Doctor gave im' a peice of sorta coral?" Rose prompted and a brief flash of recognition crossed her mother's face.
"You said it would take thousands of years?" Jackie balked, "Then Donna said- How long have you been-"
"No, no, no, no, no." The Doctor quickly interrupted, internally rolling his eyes, "We've only been gone fifteen hours or so, eight since you left us in the library."
"Can I see?" Jackie asked hesitantly, the Doctor unlocked the door and pushed it open for her. She cautiously stepped inside out of sight.
"It looks the same," Jackie's voice carried through the open door. The Doctor and Rose grinned at each other stupidly .A few seconds later she rejoined them.
"I thought you said she was new." Jackie frowned.
"She is," The Doctor whined defensively.
"It's a sort of tribute in a way," Rose squeezed his arm to calm him, explaining it to Jackie. "To her mother."
"Her mother? Oh," Jackie exclaimed with a smile, feeling a rush of emotions for both time machines, "Well of course it is, lovely thing that she was, is I mean. Always brought you both back safely," She patted the outside affectionately, snatching her fingers back as a strange warm tingling shot up her arm, making her hairs stand on edge.
"Pond says hello," He grinned rocking back on his heels proudly.
"Pond?" Jackie questioned absently shaking the strange but not unpleasant sensation from her arm.
"That's her name." Rose replied almost caressing the panelling.
"TARDIS have names?" Jackie questioned the Doctor.
"This one does." He nodded towards the ship gleefully.
"So how did you end up with her after only what- three, maybe four days at the most?" Jackie was bewildered.
"What happened to us was a unique, converging point of temporal distension caused by a metamorphosis of a significant number of bio plasmic fields, the results of which created a sort of universal multi-dimensional whiplash which filtered back through my timeline, past, present and future, Rose's time stream and that of the original TARDIS, which is connected to every point in time and space, leading to a feedback loop of residual artron energy which was gesticulated to a matching protogenic receptor, the remaining energy therefore accelerating the growth factor of the receptacle resulting in voile, one full grown TARDIS." He grinned at her. Jackie remained silently stunned.
"Well good on you love," Jackie patted his shoulder, plucking the bag from Rose's hand.
"Pete's gotta take care of some Vitex who-ha so we're gonna head off before lunch," She spoke to Rose, "Got some things at home that need taking care of too, make sure to come visit." They watched as she turned and strode across the room and disappeared in the direction of the ground floor kitchen. There was silence as they looked at each other, and then the Doctor broke, snorting with laughter, Rose just shook her head with a knowing smile.
"Was any of that what actually happened?" Rose nudged him with her shoulder lightly as they crossed the lobby.
"More or less." He glanced down at her in amusement, "Couldn't very well tell her the truth now could I?"
"And that would be?" She raised an eyebrow at the glimmer of something in his eyes, his trainers squeaking as he turned to walk backwards in front of her.
"That her only daughter traversed the multiverse snogging strange Alien men, created an unimaginable paradox with the potential to unmake existence AND according to at least 47, 229 galaxies, got married, all without inviting her to the wedding." He disappeared into the corridor leaving her frozen to the spot in shock for a second.
Married?
Sort of.
"Oh Jackie." He sing-songed, cackling loudly as Rose came charging, red faced up the hall.
"You wouldn't dare," She warned under her breath as she caught up to him, glad he didn't reply, jabbing him in the ribs when he laughed harder.
"Oh shut up." She rolled her eyes, pushing ahead of him through the office doors.
After an almost tearful reunion with their now very relieved companions, the Doctor sat sipping tea with his feet propped up on the table in what was now the appropriately named 'Tea Room'.
"Ianto this is brilliant." He downed the rest of his mug and lounged back in his chair, hands locked across his stomach.
Ianto Jones had arrived promptly at Donna's request, professionally attired and ready for whatever she could throw at him. An hour and eight phone calls later, he'd arranged for their office equipment to be delivered, some other strange pieces at the Doctor's request, ordered lunch and managed to procure a rather elaborate looking coffee machine from a dusty storage cupboard, as well as a handsome looking tea set. The Doctor personally had been a little offended when Ianto felt he had to ask if he could stay on and work with them permanently.
"I'm glad Sir." He smiled from behind the coffee machine, shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbow digging in the bowels of the machine.
"No Sir, just the Doctor." Ianto nodded and closed the back of the machine, filled it with fresh beans, milk, and water then flicked it on.
"That should be it." He grinned wiping his hands on a tea towel before rolling his sleeves down, buttoning his cuffs and shrugging his suit jacket back on.
When Rose walked in, still sulking the Doctor noted mentally, and plonked herself next to him, the smell of fresh ground coffee and steaming milk causing her to sniff loudly.
"That smells brilliant." She moaned, Ianto set a mug down in front of her and she took a cautious sip. "Tastes even better." She added. The Doctor rolled his eyes looking up as Jake entered the room last, taking the proffered coffee from Ianto he sat down between Martha and Donna.
"I have an announcement." Jake grinned, momentarily distracted as he took a sip of his coffee, "Ohh that's good ta." He took another sip, Martha nudged him.
"Right." He began. "I think now would be a great time to tell you all, since the people round this table mean the most to us, and in light of recent events, it brings me great pleasure to announce that me an' Martha are gettin' married." There was a round of applause from table.
"Congratulations." The Doctor beamed shaking Jake's hand.
"And about time too." Donna quipped kissing Martha.
"So when's the big day?" Rose laughed at Jake as Donna planted one on him too.
"December 23rd." Jake smiled putting his arm around his fiancé.
"What?" Donna gaped. "But that's just under a month away, how are ya gonna manage that."
"It's not going to be an extravagant affair or anything, just something simple." Martha smiled happily. "Jackie and Pete already said it was okay to use their gardens."
"Anything I can help with?" Ianto offered. "It wouldn't be any trouble, I know some people."
"You sure Ianto?" Jake frowned and chuckled, "I mean this place needs enough attention as it is, and you've already volunteered for that."
"I assure you I'm being adequately compensated for my work here thanks to the Doctor." He glanced at the man who nodded. "And really it wouldn't be a problem, just give me a list of anything specific you want or need and I'll see what I can do."
"Here." Martha pulled a list, a little red faced, from her pocket and handed it to Ianto. "It's not much." He looked over it briefly.
"If you'll excuse me." He smiled pulling his phone from his pocket and stepping out of the room.
"He's marvellous." Martha gaped.
"Told ya." Donna smirked.
"I was thinking," The Doctor spoke up, breaking his uncharacteristically silent spell.
"Oooh careful." Rose jibed quietly, Donna's snort earning her an almost glare.
"As I was saying," He gestured at the two of them, "Since you two will be, together, as such, perhaps we could offer our friend Ianto a place to live as well as employment. Donna tells me he lives with his sister and her family in a small estate, they don't have much. This would be a great place for kids to come visit, I mean the pool, and the library. Hell they can live here with him for all I care." He shrugged.
"I'm all for it," Jake pulled out his flat key and tossed it to the Doctor. "Consider it his to keep."
"You're all in agreement with this." The Doctor looked around the table, receiving nothing but affirmative nods.
"Excellent." He beamed as Ianto stepped back into the room, placing a tray of sandwiches and fruit on the table. The Doctor slid the key across the table to him.
"Welcome to the family Ianto." The Doctor smiled. "Third floor is all yours, your family is welcome anytime, to come and go as they please." There was silence for a few moments.
"I don't understand." Ianto whispered a little wary glancing down at the key. "Why would you do this?"
"Because everyone deserves a second chance." The Doctor replied seriously.
Rose inhaled sharply as Ianto's variant time streams were relayed to her through the Doctor's connection, Jack and Ianto facing the 456 side by side, Jack's pain at reviving to find him dead and his doppelganger watching his alternate self's funeral, saved from his fate by the deal with Mairwyn leading to the enslavement of the human race. She covered her reaction with a cough. The Doctor's eyes flickered to his companion briefly in concern.
Ianto nodded slowly and tucked the key into his breast pocket.
"I don't know what to say," He began. "I-" He made to leave.
"If you'll all please excuse me, I should probably call my family, plus I fear unconsciousness may be a few moments away." He chuckled lightly before disappearing out the door.
"Well that went well," Donna grinned stuffing a strawberry into her mouth, turning to Martha and Jake excitedly as they began to discuss the impending wedding.
What the hell was that?
I'm still adjusting to this universe, the parallel's cascaded momentarily showing me two of his alternate realities. What I don't know is how you even perceived that, my time sense isn't something that should be able to be shared through a telepathic link.
He helped enslave Earth? Her thoughts were uneasy.
He isn't that man. His reply soothed her apprehension somewhat.
Is this what you see all the time? No wonder you ain't half balmy sometimes Doctor.
Oi. I don't comment on the flutterings that go on in your head. Some I might add, bordering on the perverse.
Those thoughts are private ya know. She crossed her arms and huffed, the gesture appearing almost bizarre to Donna who glanced over briefly before returning her attention to Martha.
Oh trust me I know. I've seen just about enough of naked Roger Daltrey to last me a life time.
We were at Woodstock, he was already half naked! The whole bleedin' crowd was almost starkers.
I noticed, payed particular attention in fact to the 'sex god', your thoughts not mine, that attempted to relieve you of that tiny scrap of material you called a dress.
Your TARDIS picked it, besides, didn't see you fightin' off Janis 'I can't keep my hands to myself' Joplin when she started undressin' ya in the middle of a field.
She wanted my jacket. He really was oblivious sometimes.
Yes Doctor, of course that was the ONLY thing she wanted.
Do I detect a hint of jealousy Rose? He raised the mental equivalent of an eyebrow.
Oh that's rich comin' from you. It's all well and good that you render everyone impotent-
That was your doing, not mine. He replied calmly
Their internal argument was interrupted by the sound of Ianto's voice, the Doctor secretly thankful Rose hadn't the required mastery to participate in two conversations at once.
"Doctor," Ianto stood beside Rose's chair with a clipboard. "I found I have access to the majority of the buildings systems through the desk in the lobby, would you object to me making it my station?"
"Whatever you fancy Ianto." The Doctor replied swinging back and forth on his chair.
"Excellent, now the rest of the office will be ready by the end of the day, the pool has been cleaned, the laundry will be sent out every Thursday unless there is a more pressing need in which case let me know, the whole complex has wireless internet access which is also operational as well as the CCTV systems, those storage containers from the garage are now in the vault, you're mail, if any, will be with me in the foyer for you to collect at your leisure."
"Now about this wedding," He flipped his page over, "Martha a man called Jeffery Walters will be in tomorrow at 9am with cake samples, the florist at 10.30, the celebrant at 11.30 and you have a dress fitting at 12.45 at the boutique down the road, Jake I've sent to your phone the address of a decent jeweller, if you need any assistance let me know." He looked over his list once more. "I also have a friend in the party hire business whose going to email through a few images of their marquees and table settings, when I receive them I'll forward them to your phone too Martha. Well, I believe that was everything for today, if it's not too much bother I'd like to have some of my things brought over and get settled?"
"Blimey." Rose breathed.
"Oh you're good." The Doctor was speechless beyond that.
"Thank you Doctor, I'll take that as a yes, I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow." And with that he departed the room.
"Now that was impressive." Jake laughed.
"Rose I think I'm in love." The Doctor stared after the door, Rose shooting him the mental equivalent of daggers.
"Donna you're brilliant." Rose grinned in spite of her mood.
"Oh I know, but it's nice to hear it." She beamed back turning to Martha.
"Now," She began, "Let's talk shoes."
Two hours later, the Doctor and Rose sat in companionable silence despite their earlier disagreement. The Doctor had managed to tune out any talk of shoes, cakes, dresses or cabaret acts, a feat he was most impressed with. Rose had added her suggestions when Donna would let her get a word in and Jake had made himself scarce under the guise of running off to the jewellers when in actual fact he was upstairs in the library catching up on the latest sports results.
"Well I suppose," The Doctor sighed pushing himself out of his seat, smiling to himself as he felt Rose's relief that he was finally moving to get them out of there, "Since we're going to be opening our home as such to intergalactic relations, just to be on the safe side I'll have to use my unrivalled knowledge of transtemporal extopatiens method to neutralise our residual electronic pattern."
"You what?" Rose stared mutely at him, following him through the door as he held it for her. Ignoring the fact that their companions carried on oblivious to them departing the room.
"I'm going to make the building disappear." Rose rolled her eyes.
"How?" She asked as they headed down the hall and back into the lobby.
"Perception filter," He replied simply slipping his key into the old lock.
"Right," She nodded following the Doctor into the TARDIS.
"So how are people gonna know it's there?"
The Doctor threw his long coat across a coral strut and rounded the console, shifting the monitor as he went and began typing away. Rose spun around the console ginning up at the time rotor like a mad woman, he glanced up from his work for a moment to beam at her. She returned it brightly. Just like old times.
"We already know it's here," He replied answering her previous question, "Those who don't, won't see it unless they know its specific location." He poked his head round the rotor to make sure she was following.
"Unless they're invited you mean," Rose gave him a knowing grin as she caught on and he returned it.
"Very good," He praised her, "Come hold this down." She rounded the console.
"What this red one?" He nodded coming to adjust random knobs and dials beside her.
"Don't let go until my mark." She nodded her understanding, waiting expectantly for his next instruction.
"And, three, two, one." His tongue resting against his teeth in concentration as he reached his foot across to another lever, "Mark!"
They moved as one, and with a small murmur from the TARDIS and a quick check of the monitor the Doctor grinned madly, his hair sticking up at different angles from a day's worth of raking his fingers through it.
"All done," He leaned casually against the console as she moved to sit in front of him, "Well done Tyler." He mock saluted.
"Aye, Aye Captain." She returned, tongue caught mischievously between her teeth. He swept around the console in an instant, pushing and pulling levers here and there then finally releasing the hand brake with a quirk of his lips.
"So," Rose swung her legs happily, buzzing with anticipation. "Where to now?"
"Weeelll," He drawled, "Pond needs some time to calibrate, so we're confined to the vortex for a while, but-" He was enjoying leaving her hanging.
"I do believe she has a few surprises for us." He waggled his eyebrows as he grabbed her hand and pulled her along the gangway.
"Where are we going?" She squealed happily, bouncing behind him. She felt like she was nineteen again, even though he had the weight of the universe on his shoulders then, somehow the two of them together made it more bearable, as it did now, she found it an immensely welcomed and freeing sensation.
"Deeper!" He exclaimed pulling her around the winding corridors then coming to a stop in front of a large set of what looked like oak doors.
"Let's start with this one." He whispered, eyes wide and grin so infectious Rose burst out laughing once more. He took a deep breath and pushed both doors open.
"Oh wow," Rose breathed, stepping slowly into the room and running her fingers across the book shelves, skimming the titles as she went.
"Very nice," He nodded in approval. Shelves upon shelves of books all held in dark wood casing which ran the perimeter. In the centre a warm, inviting fire crackled away in the hearth in front of several arm chairs and a soft beige sofa with a full complement of fluffy cushions and throws. Even the glass coffee table was piled high with books of every sort, and the desk off to the side with its small lamp held writing materials and maps, an old gramophone and a quill with several ink pots. The Doctor ran his fingers lightly over its surface appreciatively, his gaze following his companion as she perused the books before coming to warm her hands by the fire. She turned, blushing slightly but wearing a most beautiful smile and he gladly returned it.
"Come on then," He moved towards the door waggling his fingers at her. "More to see."
They ventured for what seemed like hours, deep into the ship encountering, in particular, a games room with a pool table, dart boards and card tables, a full service bar with an efficiency kitchen, a wine cellar with a bistro, a laundry room with an ironing board and a sewing machine, an indoor pool, a theatre room with 10 sets of love seats to accommodate a crowd, a sauna, a whole room dedicated to spas, a kitchen with a small green house attached, an artificial outside barbeque area, a study with wooden panelled walls and a huge carved desk and a red leather chair, a music room with a baby grand piano and other instruments, a formal garden, an infirmary and two tennis court.
Those were just the ones she could remember, or rather those that were relevant to her particular species. Rose was exhausted by the time they reached the grand foyer with its magnificent winding stone staircase that branched off to the right and left wing much like a tree, and black and white marble flooring.
"I hope she remembered to give us somewhere to sleep." Rose yawned, taking the Doctors hand as he stood, eyes fixed on the tapestry above the staircase. She followed his gaze as it drifted over the depiction of a great battle as it raged across the stars, and then its sole surviving participant. She gripped his hand tighter, an assurance of sorts. The Doctor squeezed her hand back.
"It's from the planet Crafe Tec Heydra." He began, "It's a- a." He looked down at her, the sadness she saw in his eyes threatening to consume her. Then it was gone, his eyes flicking back. "It's the only- The final battle." He whispered almost inaudibly. "That's me," He pointed to the last shadowy outline of a man, his mouth opening and shutting mutely. "Was me, I guess. Still." He shrugged.
"What does it say?" Rose whispered, gently running the hand not clenched in his across the swirling font which the TARDIS either couldn't, but more likely, refused to translate.
"Hmmm?" Came his distracted reply.
"I can't read it." She whispered, wrapping herself round his arm.
"Oh," He murmured slowly in realisation, reaching his other hand and placing it gently against her temple. "Try now." He breathed, the swirls fading into comprehension she read just above a whisper.
"You Are Not Alone..." His fingers slipped from her face and she moved quickly to hold his palm against her cheek.
"You're not you know," She kissed his palm lightly, "Not anymore." He nodded, squeezing her hand affectionately. "We're like two of a kind, yea, no me in this universe, no you, that makes us unique, together."
"Universal Strays?" He quirked an eyebrow chuckling softly.
"Oh definitely," She smiled up at him. "No one here quite like us Doctor."
He laughed loudly, the sound bursting from his chest. How was it she always knew just what to say to bring him back from the edge.
"No," He grinned kissing her forehead, "I should hope not." Her objection was muffled by a small yawn.
"Come on then," They climbed the main staircase admiring the Alien landscapes which extended along the landing to a large old door with an intricately carved swirl laced with silver and gold metalwork. "Is it-?" Rose frowned.
"Your room actually." He chuckled nervously, rubbing the nape of his neck.
"I've seen this before," She squinted back at it, stuffing the feeling of disappointment at her having her own room deep down, hoping he wouldn't catch it.
"Yes," He agreed slowly nodding his head, watching as she ran her fingers gently over the door seal.
"On the console of the old TARDIS." She looked to him for the piece of information she seemed severely lacking.
"It's your room Rose," He murmured. "What do you think it says?"
"My name." She whispered, eyes wide in realisation, turning to him grinning madly.
"It's my name." She laughed happily turning back to it. "It's beautiful."
Rose pushed through the door excitedly, followed closely by the Doctor. They ascended a spiral staircase at the top of which was truly astonishing.
"Oh." Rose breathed. "Pond, you clever beautiful ship you."
The ceiling domed similar to the console room, but instead of the organic orange a galaxy of stars blazed overhead. More rich tapestries adorned the walls which were half dark wood panelling, half stone. Beside the open log fire, golden painted stars shone like jewels in the sky above a circular semi-sunken bath already full of hot fragrant steaming water and an endless supply of bubbles. The focal point of the room however, was the hand carved four poster bed draped in deep red velvet with swirls of sparkling silver.
The Doctor's attention was diverted from his perusal of the room by his squealing companion as she stepped out of a closet hidden within the wall.
"It's all my stuff." She grinned at him clutching a photo frame to her chest. "From the other TARDIS. Clothes, souvenirs."
"Well of course it's here," He smirked glancing down at the photo of his former self, Jack and Rose, taken at the hatcheries on Raxacoricofallapatorious. "Look there's Margaret." He pointed grinning.
"But how?" She was breathless, tracing lightly over the image.
"Our TARDIS was created from a piece of the original, it's a part of her genetic make up to remember everything as it was before, she simply recreated it."
Rose placed the image down on the bedside table and practically launched herself onto the bed beaming at the ceiling, imagining herself pushing all the love she felt for the ship from her chest up and out at her. The Doctor gasped as the sensation slammed into him through his link with Rose and the ship simultaneously.
"Doctor," She was off the bed and at his side, doubled over he held up a hand chuckling breathlessly.
"I'm fine," He assured her. "Secondary relay of emotion transmitted through something as big as the TARDIS, just caught me off guard that's all."
"You what?" She looked at him as though he'd just drooled down his shirt. He laughed genuinely then, breathing deep as the feeling began to wear off.
"She's still young, hasn't learnt to dim down the sensory input she sends back to me, so when you expressed an 'appreciation' for what she'd done, she sent it to me as she felt it. Which to me, felt about the equivalent of being hit by a lorry."
She stared at him curiously for a moment, watching as he returned to his normal posture taking a deep breath. "Alright?"
He nodded with an exhausted grin. She raised an eyebrow at him.
"You look like you've just been shagged rotten Doctor." She smirked taking in his slight panting, dishevelled brown mop and now faint blush.
"Yes, well." He breathed, "Wait, what?"
She collapsed on the bed cackling horrendously at his indignant splutter, she had tears in her eyes as he left muttering about finding his room and taking a shower.