As Rose took her bow and exited the stage, her eyes flickered one more time to the strange looking man in the front row. There was something odd about him…and not just the way he was dressed, which seemed as if he was a 70 year old professor in a 20-something year olds body. It was his eyes…they seemed sad. Her initial thought was that it seemed weird that someone would look so sad while at a high-energy concert, but maybe he didn't quite enjoy her music. Then she thought, no that wasn't it. There were times, even now, that she would catch a glimpse of her Doctor's eyes…her husband's eyes…and they seemed to have that glimmer of sadness and if it was possible, this man's eyes seemed even worse. That look make her think twice…there was no one who had more sadness in him than the Doctor…and that man still hadn't taken his eyes off of her. No, that's impossible, she thought to herself…can't be him.
While trying to shake the thoughts from her head, she hadn't realized that she had walked right into a pair of warm and safe arms that seemed to wrap around her automatically. "You were brilliant! As always!" said the Doctor. Rose looked up at him and beamed at him. "Thank you, sweetheart." she said to him, with a quick peck on the lips. "Something the matter?" he asked her, noticing her perplexed expression. "It's nothing…just this fan in the front row. Just something about him…I don't know, something that just…reminds me of you. Ya know, the other you…" she said. He had always known that his Rose was smart and there was no one else that was faster at picking up on something than her. So when he began to feel a presence in his mind, a presence that he recognized, he knew exactly what it meant. Not wanting to worry her in the middle of her show though, the Doctor chose to wait to tell her. "There might be a reason for that…" he started when he noticed her eyes grow wide. "What?!" she asked in surprise. "I think he's here. I've felt him in my mind…for a little while now." he said to her. "So…" she began to say, stunned. "So, that could have been him then?" she asked him. "Yes, it could. River did say he had regenerated. What did he look like?" the Doctor asked her. "Younger, floppy hair…dressed like an old professor…bit of a chin…" Rose said as she described the odd man in the audience. "Even wore a bowtie…" she said as she watched a scowl come over her husband's face. Apparently, this new regeneration hadn't kept the same sense of style that this version of himself had. Rose watched her husband fidget and knew exactly what he was thinking. "Oh, but you…you look cool!" she said to him with a kiss on the cheek. "Course I do…look at me!" he said with a sniff and a head tilt, which made Rose giggle. Now that he was human and leading a somewhat normal life, the Doctor found he had no choice but to wear more than one suit. Tonight, while standing backstage to watch Rose perform as usual, the Doctor was wearing a pair of jeans with a t-shirt and black jacket over…although, he did keep the converse.
Just then, Rose and the Doctor heard a set of footsteps approaching and turned to see Martha coming towards them. "Why don't you go with Martha and head to your dressing room…I'll go fetch some water for you and meet you there. I'm sure if he is the Doctor…we'll see him again. Don't think he'd come here for nothing." the Doctor said to his wife and Rose nodded. "Ya, you're right. Don't take too long though…" she said with a smile before walking off with Martha. On their way to her dressing room, Rose was stopped by a fan with a backstage pass. She had always loved meeting her fans, but on this night…her mind was other places. As the security guard approached Rose with the young girl, she noticed the girl seemed to be shooing someone else away but she couldn't see who. "Ok, I'm going…shut up!" She heard the girl say and smirked. "Oh, uh…hello Rose! I'm a big fan…" the girl said someone reluctantly, gaining a hesitant look from Rose. "No, I am! It's just…my friend over there is a bit shy." Rose nodded in understanding. "Well, it's very nice to meet you…?" she said, trying to gather the fan's name. "Clara…my name's Clara." said Clara with a smile. "Nice to meet you Clara! Where you from?" said Rose, as she shook the fan's hand, noticing an English accent. "Oh, from London." said Clara. "Nice, me too! Well, I sure hope you enjoyed the show?" said Rose. "Oh, yes…loved it! You're one of my favorite performers…well, you and Beyoncé." Clara said. Well, that had taken Rose aback. A confused expression came over her face and the fan noticed. Beyoncé wasn't a singer in this universe…and Rose suddenly had an idea of who her mysterious friend was. "Sorry, is that not good? That was supposed to be a compliment…" Clara said, noticing the look on Rose's face. "No, it's great. Love Beyoncé!" said Rose, not trying to let on. "Rose, we need to get you to your dressing room." interrupted Martha. "Ya, sure…" she replied to Martha. In an attempt to keep this girl and "her friend" around, she had an idea. "Listen, there's a party going on backstage tonight and any fan with a backstage pass is invited. You and your friend should come!" Rose said to Clara. "Ya, love to!" Clara replied. "Great, see you there! It was nice to meet you!" said Rose as she headed down the hallway with Martha.
Upon entering the dressing room, the Doctor was already there…bottle of water in hand, waiting for her. "And you said I shouldn't take so long?" he teased her. "Just met a fan in the hallway…she said that me and Beyoncé were her favorite performers." Rose told him. "Well, Beyoncé is wonderful…but I think you are much better." the Doctor said as he approached Rose and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Well, thank you darling…" she said, putting her arms around his neck. "But isn't there something about that that sounds odd to you?" she asked him. "Wait? Beyoncé isn't famous in this universe…" he replied. "Exactly! Which means, she must be from ours…which also means…" she said, as the Doctor cut her off. "That's she's with me!" he finished. "Yup!" said Rose. "So what did you say?" he asked her. "Nothing. I said that her and her friend should come to the party later." said Rose, breaking away from the Doctor's hold and sitting down in front of the mirror. As Rose proceeded to take off her stage make-up and clean herself up, the Doctor kept talking. "Good idea. Although, he must know that I know he's here…" he said. Suddenly, a mischievous smile crept onto Rose's face. "What's that look for?" he asked her. "Wonder how long it will take him to crack?" she said. "Well, if he's still anything like me…" the Doctor started to say. "Then it won't take long…" Rose finished with a laugh. "Oi, I'll have you know Rose that I'm excellent at…" he started again, but was cut off. "At not keeping your mouth shut?" she laughed at him. He threw his wife an insulted look, but Rose just rolled her eyes. "So what do you suggest then?" he asked her. "Oh, I think we should just be ourselves." she said to him with a wink. The Doctor knew exactly what she was thinking…and the other him was definitely not going to like it.
Meanwhile, Clara had returned to her Doctor. "Alright I talked to her…happy?!" Clara said to him. "Well, what did she say?" the Doctor asked, sounding like a schoolboy. "Other than you're a git? Nothing!" she huffed at him. "She said what?!" he said, alarmed. "I was kidding, Doctor! I still don't understand why you just don't go talk to her yourself?" Clara said to him. "I just don't think…" he stuttered. "Hold on! You're scared!" she said, disbelieving. "Am not!" he quickly replied, brows furrowed in annoyance. "Yes, you are! Doctor, why are you scared to talk to her?" Clara asked. "Alright, I'm scared. Happy!" he said, folding his arms across his chest. Truth be told, there were many reasons why the Doctor was scared…all of them more ridiculous than the next. Would she be happy or sad to see him? It had been so many years since he had seen her last and he had some so many hours thinking about this moment, that now that he was suddenly here…he had no idea what to say. What it came down to was…she was married. And even though it was a version of him, he still felt incredibly jealous. If he was supposed to have a future with her, then how? He couldn't even think about breaking up her marriage to…himself. It seemed this was going to be complicated. What he know though, was this clearly was not the future Rose that had appeared to him in the console room. "Well then, I believe we have a party to go to!" he said to Clara, with a tug on his bowtie.
Linking her arm through his, Clara and the Doctor made their way down the hallway….hearing the thump of base from the music becoming louder as the got closer to their destination. As they rounded the corner, they entered a room full of people. Fans, crew, a DJ spinning in the back, and who he assumed were friends of Rose's, were everywhere…the Doctor even spotted a few people that he knew to be famous in his universe as well. He could see Clara bobbing her head to the beat from the corner of his eye. It was a semi-slow song, with a bit of a beat. "Songs kinda…seductive…isn't it? Rose has a good ear…" she commented, gaining a blush from the Doctor. Apparently, Rose's tastes in music had matured a bit. "It's a bit…Madonna-Justify My Love…ish." commented Clara. The Doctor just nodded. As the crowd on the dance floor in front of him parted, he spotted her…with him. There was Rose dancing with her husband…the human Doctor…rather seductively. And he seemed to be enjoying it…well of course he would! The Doctor noticed a rather shocked expression come over Clara's face. "Wait…that's you?!" she said, pointing to his human counterpart. "Well yes, you've met that version of me before…rather recently infact." he responded. "No, I remember. It's just…I didn't know you could dance like that." she said as she cocked her head to the side. "And he looks so much more…" she started, still figuring out how to finish her sentence. "So much more what?" he asked. "Cool." she finished. "Oi, I am very cool!" he said, offended. Clara just let out a laugh. "Rose and I used to dance quite a bit on the Tardis in my previous regenerations, as a matter of fact." he stated. "But, I've seen you dance, Doctor…and it's not good." she laughed. "Guess she makes you look good." she continued. "Yes, she definitely does." the Doctor responded. Something began to rise in the Doctor as he watched Rose dancing with the human Doctor to the lyrics of Rose's song…which she was mouthing the words to. He was getting jealous.
"A limited sensation to that feeling that you crave. One that means much more to you than to socialize stroke rave. The remedy is pure to me, taking the honey from the bee. You adopt this smooth sensation, taking in deep meditation. Baby sacrifice your stress, then I'll help you melt your best. Trust it baby nice and slow. Trust me baby you're to know.
The love groove has a different kind of move. The feeling of security…tenderness, reality. The love groove…it flows from me to you. Your filling your best fantasies. Baby set your mind on me.
Sugar, honey, honey, sexy. Feel it set your mind on me. Sugar, honey, honey, sexy. Feel it set your mind on me.
The portion that relies on pulse, absorb it baby to your most. Oh, I'm sure you know the score. Just lay it honey nice and cool. Come and fix your dreams on me. Be the best that you can be. You adopt this new devotion…given in to pure emotion.
Take it, strip low. Baby, baby, baby you know. Take it, strip low. Trust me baby 'cos you know."
Rose could see the Doctor and Clara enter through the corner of her eye and decided to take it up a notch. She threw her arms around her husband's neck and ground her body into his. His hands gripped her hips as he buried his face into her neck. Rose laughed in her husband's ear as she saw the Doctor's expression change from curious to uncomfortable in no time flat. "I think it's working." she giggled. "Well, it was never hard for you to make me jealous Rose." said the human Doctor. "So he should crack any minute now…" she said. "Why do you think he hasn't just said 'Hello' yet?" she asked him. "It's been a long time since he's seen you Rose. He's probably very nervous." he replied. "Better speed this up then, yeah?" she said to her husband as she leaned in snogged him. As she pulled away, she saw a livid Doctor take a step forward as if he was ready to storm towards her. Clara threw out in front of his chest to stop him. "Yup, that's him! Look at him…looks like he's gonna tear your head off." Rose said with a laugh. She always did find it rather humorous that she could make the Doctor so jealous and knew it wouldn't take long. She could think of no better reason to get the Doctor to show himself then to make him jealous. He never could stand to see her with someone else…even if it was him.
Rose turned towards the Doctor and Clara, pretending as if she had just noticed their entrance. "Oh, hello. Clara is it?" she said as she took her husband's hand and pulled him towards them. The Doctor stiffened as they approached, but attempted to put on the best innocent face he could. "So this must be your shy friend then?" said Rose as she looked at the new Doctor in front of her. He was trying desperately to look anywhere but at his human counterpart's face. Of course he assumed his human self knew he was here, but what the Doctor didn't understand is why he hadn't told Rose yet. "Hello." he said looking at Rose. "Hello." she replied with a smile. "So what's your name?" she asked him. "Uh, my name?" he replied. The Doctor truly had not thought this far ahead yet. He couldn't say John Smith…chances are that was the human Doctor's name. "I'm Rory. Hello!" he said. Rose glanced at her husband slightly, who was smirking at her. "That's funny…we have a friend named Rory. Well, Rory…it's nice to meet you. I hope you enjoyed the show." Rose said as she extended her hand to his to shake it. "I did." he said as he took her hand, trying not to lose his cool.
However, before the Doctor could get another word out, the four of them were brought out of their conversation with a scream coming from behind them. "Noooooooo! I don't want to go to bed!" they heard as they all turned to look behind them. Running towards Rose through the middle of the dance floor, was a little girl who couldn't have been more than 4 or 5, with long ginger hair. 'Oh shit…' Rose thought to herself. The appearance of this little girl was going to change their reunion now…she could feel it. At the same time, the Doctor's hearts stopped at the little girl's appearance. Was this their daughter? He was crushed at the thought of Rose and his human counterpart having the happy family he had always envisioned with her. But, no…neither Rose nor his other self were ginger. Rose let out a laugh as the little girl threw her arms around Rose's leg and clung on. Martha soon approached them behind the little girl, apparently out of breath from the chase. "God, she can run!" Martha huffed. "Oh, what's wrong sweetheart?" Rose said as she removed the little girl from her leg and crouched down in front of her. "She's trying to make me go to bed. I don't want to go to bed yet. I want to come to the party!" the little girl said to Rose with a pout. "I know you do love, but your mum and dad said no. It's past your bedtime." she said to her. "But Aunt Rose, I don't want to!" she yelled. The Doctor let out a relieved sigh at the revelation. Wait, did she say aunt? But Tony couldn't have been old enough yet, so who could she possibly be that close with? With a smile to the little girl, Rose stood up and turned to Martha. "Martha, why don't you go ask her parents. If they say it's ok, then you guys can stay here. I'll keep an eye on her." Rose said to her. "Ya, ok." Martha said as she walked off.
As Martha walked away, the little girl ducked behind Rose, seemingly scared of the strangers in front of her. She glanced a wary eye up to the man with floppy hair before poking Rose in the leg to ask who he was. "It's ok, sweetheart. These are some friends of mine and John's. Can you say hi?" Rose said to the girl, who shyly waved back. "Hello, I'm Clara." said Clara as she knelt down in front of the little girl and smiled, gaining a smile back in response. "Don't mind him…" Clara said to the girl, who looked scared of the strange man. "He's just a bit daft." Clara said, eliciting a tiny giggle from the girl. "So what's your name?" she asked her. "Melody." the girl replied. "Melody? That's a lovely name! This is my friend, Rory." Clara said, pointing up to the Doctor. That got the little girl talking. "That's my daddy's name." she said with a smile as she looked up at the Doctor. Watching the entire exchange, Rose couldn't help but smile at the irony. It seemed as though River had not told him about her experience in this universe or else he would have known not to use that name. However, before the Doctor could respond, he was frozen by a voice that he hadn't heard in a long time…one he thought he had lost. "Melody Williams! You are supposed to be asleep on the bus young lady." said the loud ginger as she approached the group with her husband and Martha close behind. The Doctor's face went slack and his hearts stopped in his chest. How was Amy here and how did she know Rose? This reaction was not lost on Clara, but she would ask later. "But I want to come to the party. I'm not sleepy…please mum?" Melody pleaded as she rubbed her eyes, clearly tired. "It's way past your bedtime already, young lady." Amy said with her hands on her hips, as Melody pouted. Rory stepped forward and knelt down in front of his daughter. "You mum is right. You should be in bed. Would it be better if I tucked you in?" Rory asked, before he lifted the little girl in his arms. She nodded as her head slowly fell against his shoulder. "Alright, I'll be back soon." he said as he turned to kiss Amy on the cheek, before walking away with Melody and Martha. "Sorry about that…" Amy said as she turned to Rose. "That's ok…too much like her mum, that one." said Rose in response.
The Doctor stood there looking from the Rory that had just left to Amy, then to Rose and the human Doctor and then back to Amy. He was gob smacked and Rose saw this as her opportunity to let the cat out of the bag…seeing the clearly distraught look on his face. She just didn't have it in her to mess with him when he was in this state. Since River had explained what happened during her visit to their universe, Rose had an idea of what he was going through in that moment. He looked into Rose's eyes, so confused and saddened at the same time…unable to speak. Rose smiled at him as she looked from Amy to him, and his eyes widened as soon as he understood that look on her face. She knew exactly who he was…and apparently who Amy was to him. Clara still hadn't caught on to the silent exchange. As Rose looked into the Doctor's eyes, she explained. "Amy is one of my best back-up singers and she's quite like family to us." Rose said to the Doctor and Amy smiled, the Doctor looking ready to cry. "Amy, these are some friends of ours from London…Clara and the Doctor." she said as the Doctor finally found his tongue. Clara suddenly becoming very confused as to what was going on…how did Rose know who they were? "Another doctor, huh? So, doctor who?" she said as she reached forward to shake his hand. He smiled at the question as he gently took her hand to shake. "Just the Doctor. It's lovely to meet you Amy…or is it Amelia?" he asked her with a smile that she returned at the question. "Well, it's Amelia but I go by Amy." she said. "Amelia is a brilliant name…like in a fairy tale." he said to her, eyes beaming at his long lost friend. Amy smiled at his compliment. "That's just what he said when we met." she said with a laugh as she pointed to the human Doctor. "Well, great minds think alike." he replied. Finally, both Doctors met each other's eye. "Hello again." said the human Doctor. "Hello." nodded the Time Lord. "Well, I really should go and make sure those two don't tear the bus apart. It was nice meeting you both." Amy said before turning to leave.
The Doctor turned back to Rose, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "How did you…" he mumbled, as Rose stepped forwards towards him. Her hand found his cheek as one lone tear fell, which she wiped away with her thumb. "Hello, Doctor." she said with a smile. The Doctor took a deep breath to regain his composure and met her hand with his. "Hello." he said back to her with a smile. They immediately wrapped their arms around each other in a hug…the Doctor pulling all the strength he had not to snog the life out of her. As they broke the hug, Rose stepped back and grasped the hand of her husband who turned to smile at her. "It's good to see you again Doctor…" said the human Doctor. "And you…" replied the Time Lord. "Ok, hold on…how did you know who we were?" Clara asked Rose. "Wasn't hard to figure out with that one…" she said pointing at the Doctor, "and…Beyoncé isn't famous in this universe." she finished with a laugh. "Oh…whoops." she said looking to the Doctor, who scowled at her. "You had one job!" the Doctor said to her. "Well how was I supposed to know? You could have just talked to her yourself!" retorted Clara. "It's alright. I was having fun trying to get him to crack, but…well, River told us what happened and I just couldn't…" she tried to explain, but the Doctor knew. "Wait, you know River?" Clara asked. Rose nodded, "She got stuck in our universe on our wedding day…we had to help her get back." she said as the Doctor's head snapped towards her. "That was your wedding day?" the Doctor asked them, looking between Rose and the human Doctor. Suddenly, the image of the photo he saw on his monitor flashed in his head. "She didn't tell you?" she asked, but the Doctor just shook his head. "Amy and Rory are her parents…" finished the Doctor. "What?! How is that possible? They don't even look old enough…" Clara asked. "It's a long story, but they used to travel with me…and I lost them." he told her. "And her real name is Melody…Melody Williams." said Rose. Clara's mouth dropped. "So…that was…" she tried to ask. "That little girl was River as a child…in this universe." said Rose. Clara was floored. "So that was a parallel version of River? And her parents?" Clara asked. "Yes." the Doctor responded. "Anyone else?" she asked. "Martha also used to travel with the Doctor," Rose said to Clara, "and Donna works with us at Torchwood." she said to the Doctor, who smiled widely. "Wait, you work for Torchwood too?" Clara asked, becoming more astonished as the conversation went on. "My dad's the head of Torchwood and the Doctor and I work as consultants." Rose said, squeezing her husband's hand. Clara was still surprised. "Um, I think we all have a lot of catching up to do…how about we go to my dressing room?" Rose asked. The Doctor and Clara nodded and followed Rose and the human Doctor down the hallway.