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Chapter 16 – Just Different
Rose and the Doctor sat at a table inside of a chip place someplace in London. Thankfully, the shop was mostly empty. Being in the early morning, they had just opened. Rose was grateful she wasn't recognized by the man who had given them their chips.
The floor was a blue and white checkered pattern. It appeared that they had either built it in the 1950s, or just had decorated that way. The scrubbed booth that they sat in still smelt of the strong lemon cleaner someone had used.
It had begun to rain outside on the cloudy day.
"Beautiful English weather." Rose complained and returned to her chips.
"Ah." He said as he sprinkled some salt on his chips, "It could be worse."
She asked as she bit another chip. "How's that?"
He looked up at her, "It could be cold."
"Well, that's true."
From across the table, she thought he looked tired.
She remembered when they had been here before. He had just changed into the body he wore now. So handsome. After they had returned from seeing the destruction of Earth, she had taken him to this place to get some chips. Well, the other version of this place in the dimension where they had came from. Just what she needed to settle her nerves. Comfort food.
She noticed that he continued to look out of the window at the weather. He had abandoned his chips and instead, sat with his chin on his fist. His mind, probably dreaming of being back on the TARDIS or some adventure that he had been on.
She remembered when she had first arrived here, she would do that a lot. Daydream about the places they had been. Him. How much she missed him. Traveling and just being together. Even though she was blocking her to keep her from feeling it through their connection, she could tell by the look on his face that his mood was just as the weather. Gloomy.
"Have you had any sleep?"
He glanced up at her and shook his head. "Nah. Not for a while."
She sipped her drink. "What's wrong?"
He sat up and inhaled deeply, "Nothing. Well, Arles giving us that fright last night-"
"But, he's going to be fine-"
"He's going to be alright. It's a long recovery, but…yeah. Yes. But…all of the children. Even Genie, when we find her."
"Anything new with that?"
"Lewis has an idea. We'll see if it gets Tony's attention."
"Hopefully it will. I wish I could do something."
"Oh, I'm sure we'll sort it out. Sam thinks that we aren't giving her enough credit to bring herself home when she's ready."
"Really?"
"Apparently, she's learned a lot from you."
She smiled proudly. "Well. That's comforting. Would you expect any less?"
"Nah." He continued, "It's not just this with Genie. It's the younger version of these children, too. Well, and the older. And with all of this new information, I'm finding that they just don't really talk to us. And this bit with Arles. It just shows they are actually keeping things from us. Important things!"
"Come on, honey. They're only children."
"Funny, you and Lewis seem to keep telling me they are adults."
"Is it that? Worried about the children, then?" Rose asked, while she returned to eating her chips.
"Yeah. And I guess…. Well….."
She stopped eating and looked up at him. "I feel that."
"What?"
"You were going to keep going and stopped."
"Well, yeah. I don't think it's important-"
"Wasn't you the one that told me that everything is important?"
"I don't know did it look like me?" He teased.
She grinned, "Not really."
He thought, "Nah. This isn't important."
She returned to eating her chips.
He sat with his arms crossed. He had managed to lose his appetite. "Well, I just…I don't know. This is so different for me."
She looked up. Was he really actually talking to her? She knew she best not make a big deal otherwise he would stop. "Tell me some of the ways it's different."
"Oh, you know." He looked around the room as he thought.
"No. I really don't. Our ideas could be different."
"Yeah, that's true." He sat back and crossed his arms. "Umm. Just, being in one place. You know-"
"Well, you have a way to go someplace else-"
"Not, like that."
"Yeah, I suppose being in one time, has to be…odd."
"Well, I actually feel that I'm getting some of that with all of this madness with the children. I can feel…..there's just a lot of interruptions in the time line. It just looks….I don't know."
"Looks how?"
"Different."
"Hmm." She managed.
"And that's another thing. Things are just….strange. What with Samuel being normal, and Karen and him and Halley and…well…..and….Did you know that I compared their DNA?"
"Samuel and Halley?"
"No, Karen and Samuel's."
"I see. Compared it? Why?"
"There are just so many unanswered questions about Karen."
"Well, what did you find?"
"Weird." He shook his head. "If you take Sam's DNA and lay it down. Then, lay Karen's on top of his….they fit together. Just like a puzzle."
She smiled, "That's so romantic."
"It's weird is what it is. That child is weirder than he even realizes."
"Well, don't tell him that. He's having a hard enough time."
"What? What's wrong with Sam?"
"Well, you know how it was when you first got here-"
"Yeah. Lots of changes for him what with a new wife. A baby! And he's only been here-"
"I know. But think about it. How long were we together before…"
He crossed his arms and nodded. "I see your point."
"Our son found the perfect woman for him. As if they were made for each another."
He stopped and looked at her in surprise. "What?"
"That's what Mum would say. 'They were made for each another.' I'm sure you've heard that."
"Yeah, probably." He continued. "And this stuff with Arles. It's just…..I don't know."
"Lewis is on his way?"
"Yeah, we're going out to meet him."
"How can he even leave to be here?"
He looked at her in surprise. "He's his father, Rose."
She spoke quietly, "Well, I know that. But, Lewis is King. They are at war."
He grinned. "Summus is brilliant. Lewis is using a decoy."
"What? Where did you find-" She stopped as she realized. "Luce."
He leaned back on the table and tossed a chip in his mouth. "Brilliant idea. I can't believe I didn't think of it."
"Or Lewis. Gosh, what did he say about all of this?"
"About Arles? Oh, he's….livid."
"Are you angry with Arles?"
"Nah. I'm more hurt at the realization of I still haven't gotten this right."
She looked up at him sadly. "I don't think there is a right way-"
"Well, that's what I think, too. But, then I realize, I've done it wrong….again….so there has to be a right."
"But you know things aren't always like that."
"Simple, Rose." He told her and tossed a chip in his mouth. "The simple of it, is. And when you start over complicating it, you're actually finding a reason to make the wrong, right."
"I don't believe that."
He didn't say anything and tossed another chip in his mouth.
"This is odd to hear you talk like this-"
"Well, it's true. I imagine I should just accept that I have limitations now. I have to sleep more. I have to….not drink as much-"
"You make is sound like a death sentence."
"I'm sorry. Nah. There are good parts about it, too."
Her face slowly spread into a smile. She teased, "Playing football."
He nodded, "I do like that. Yes."
She playfully looked at him and whispered, "The sex."
He laughed under his breath. "Oh yes."
She could feel his apprehension. "But, that's not enough."
His eyes met hers. "It is, Rose-"
"It's not. Baby, I can feel that."
He groaned and rubbed his face. "Please don't pay me any attention, Rose. It's been a long night."
She looked at him, sadly.
"Rose. It's not you. You are the best part of this. Completely."
"Thank you for being polite but-"
"It's not being polite. It's true."
She could feel his worry that he had hurt her. She reached out and took his hand. "Sweetheart. I can tell you've had a hard time with this adjustment. You were on your own for so long, don't expect it to happen overnight."
"Yeah, but…I'm still doing really…" He shook his head as he thought. "This sickness I had this week. Explain to me what happened."
"Phh. Like I can. You're the Doctor." She insisted and returned to her chips.
"Well, yeah. But, I've never had anything like that."
"Sure, you have. Samuel told me that you do it often."
"Rose! I don't!" He insisted.
"Yes, you do. You forget when you changed and slept-"
He held his hands out. "I'm still me. It wasn't Regeneration sickness."
"It was exactly like that."
"But, for a week?"
She looked surprised, "Was it a week? It didn't seem that long."
He stopped, "How long did it seem for you?"
"You said it was a week."
Realizing that she must have shared the time with the Bad Wolf (if that had even been her), he decided he needed to drop the subject before she became cross. "That's what Samuel told me. He may have been exaggerating."
"Oh, I ran into him. Rather, literally. He said you had good news."
He ran his tongue around his mouth and crossed his arms. "Did he, then?"
"He didn't say what, but…." She shrugged her shoulders.
He shook his head and looked annoyed.
"Alright, Doctor. What is that about?"
"Well….we….."
"You and Sam, what?"
"Had a…disagreement. He…well, I said some things that he…well…..and he said some things."
She looked back up at him. "What things?"
"We just don't get on together. Genie had warned me about this, but I couldn't imagine it. Last night…we were talking….and he…." He bit his lip. "And the way Sam said, 'Well, that took a short period of time,' when we argued."
"Hang on. You and Sam had a row?"
"Well, yeah. He…and then there's Genie. Young Genie. Our Genie-"
"Both of them are ours."
"Yeah, that's right. She doesn't want to come home."
"Why? Where is she?"
"With Sam and Karen."
"Oh, then it's probably to see the baby. Sam brought Halley to me while I sat with you."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. I let her sleep, all curled up in your arm. See?" She took her phone out of her jacket pocket and showed it to him.
He slipped on his glasses and looked at it. Smiling proudly, "She looks so much like…." He stopped and handed Rose back her phone while he clearing his throat and putting his glasses back into his pocket.
Rose's heart hung heavily as she realized he had been reminded of someone else. Someone from very long ago.
"You can talk about that, you know."
"Nah. Let them sleep."
She reached over and took his hand to give him a reassuring squeeze.
He whispered, "Thank you, Rose."
"I know what you need."
"What?" He mirrored her smile.
"Well, how long before we leave?"
"38 minutes…well…actually 37 and-"
"Plenty of time." She smiled at him with her tongue in her teeth. He could feel her mood change from concern, to aroused.
He looked at her in surprise. "Oh really, then?"
"Absolutely! Maybe you can even tell me about your good news someplace in there."
He groaned, "Damn that Sam, Rose-"
"Shhh. No more about that right now. Focus."
"Oh, I have the best focus."
"Prove it. Tell me what you are thinking."
"You. Me. A bed. Maybe, make sure I am actually completely well…you know…from my sickness."
She giggled. "I like that idea."
He smiled at her and then realized something. "Hang on. This is….the place."
"Well, it's about time." She laughed.
He looked around the room. "It's not. Is it?"
"Yes." She laughed. "Where we had our first date."
"Taking you see the end of the world. I really have no idea what I was thinking." He leaned back on the chair and looked around. "But, it's different."
"Wasn't that your point? Everything is different here." She teased.
He chuckled, "Yeah. But…well…"
"What?"
He scratched his chin. "Hang on. I'll get it." He snapped his fingers. "Got it. The floor was-"
"Black and white." They said together and laughed.
Rose looked back at him. "Sometimes, I still….just….am….amazed that you're actually here. I mean, look at you. Just sitting there."
He met her eyes and smiled, "Me too."
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Tony was downstairs in his workshop. "Three" by Massive Attack played loudly. He danced in front of one of his suits as he worked.
"Hey, Jarvis. Are you finished running that analysis, yet?"
"I'm nearly complete, sir."
Tony continued to dance while he grabbed a small, square device, and a rolling stool. He sat down on it and rolled over the front of one of his suits where the side had nearly been completely blown away.
Jarvis spoke, "Sir. The analysis is now on your handheld device."
He looked down at the device, "Well, that's not good."
"Tony!" A small boy's voice shouted over the music.
"Jarvis. Mute."
The music stopped.
"Your favorite song!" Soli laughed.
Tony didn't look up from the device and typed in some information on it. "Three my favorite number."
Soli walked over and stood next to the suit, "Because there are three Starks." He said proudly.
Tony glanced up at him and grinned. "Exactly."
Soli looked at the suit.
Tony looked at the reading. "That's odd. Jarvis are you sure of these numbers?"
"I'm running the analysis again, sir."
"What happened to this suit, Tony?"
"Ah, it stopped something to keep the person inside of it from getting hit with…. something."
"Wow, is he hurt?"
Tony looked up and smiled at him. "He's completely alright. What are you doing down here, Spark?"
"I'm ready to go to the ship."
"Are you? We're just going out for a few hours."
"Yes. The Princess said I really didn't need to bring anything."
"Is she coming?"
"No, Tony. She said she needed to make someone a phone."
Tony chuckled as he continued to look over the readings. "Or something like that."
Soli looked back at the suit. "I like these."
"What? The suit?"
"Yeah, all of them. Even the ones in the floor. Are they all for you?"
"Well." He rubbed his chin. "Anyone could probably wear them-"
"Even me?"
Tony looked at him in surprise. "Well, yeah. I would have to make one more your size."
"Are they all the same?"
"Well, each one is a bit different. Hang on a bit." Tony pushed the stool over to his desk. "I'm glad I checked this. Hang on a bit, Soli. And then we'll leave."
"Sure, Tony." He agreed happily.
Tony sat at his computer and typed in some information. Consumed in his work, he sat with his hand on his cheek and mumbled to himself. "That's not right. My math is way off. What the hell are you thinking, man?"
He began to type on the keyboard. "Hey, Sol. I need to fix this real quick. I have to reboot the system, so everything can be reset. Alright?"
There was no answer.
Tony continued to type. "Soli?"
The silence continued.
Tony looked up, "Soli?"
It wasn't like Soli not to answer Tony.
"Jarvis. Did Soli go back upstairs?"
There was no answer.
"Jarvis?" Tony shouted and then complained, "Damn. Restarting the system."
Tony stood up and walked around the workshop just as the lights blinked out.
"Soli?" He called as he continued to walk towards the suit, knowing where he had a flashlight. He picked it up and turned it on.
"Pepper?" He shouted.
He continued to look around his workshop for a moment. The door opened and he heard her voice. She was using the light on her phone, "Oh, good. You have a light-"
"I can't find Soli." He told her.
"He came down here, didn't he?"
"Yeah. But, -"
They both heard a muffled shout. They started to run towards it.
"Stop! Stop!" Tony shouted. "The floor is open."
Tony ran over to the opening in the floor. By the time Pepper got there, Tony handed her the flashlight he had, and quickly went down a ladder.
She stood at the top of the opening and shone the flashlight down into the circular room that Tony had under the floor of his workshop. The room was so dark that even the flashlight didn't help but illuminate what was directly in front of it.
Pepper heard metal crashing against metal and then Soli's cries became extremely loud.
"Soli!-"
"I've got him." Tony called.
Pepper carefully went down the ladder and followed the sound of Soli crying. When her light found Tony, he was sitting on the floor holding the small boy in his lap.
Soli was hysterical. He held Tony's neck tightly has he continued to howl.
"Oh my God! Tony!-" She dropped behind Soli and rubbed his back.
Tony spoke gently to the boy, "Are you hurt?"
Soli was continued to cry.
The power came back on, causing all of the lights to brighten the workshop and the room they were in.
Tony continued to hold Soli. "Shh. Shh." He kissed the side of Soli's head. "We'll get you out of here, son. You're going to be alright."
Tony's frightened face looked up at Pepper, "Hang onto us."
Pepper stood up on her knees and hugged them just as Tony shouted, "Jarvis! Emergency transport to John's ship now!"
Jarvis spoke, "We haven't tested that-"
"Do it!" Tony shouted.
The three of them disappeared.
"Well, there's no need to shout." Jarvis complained to the empty room.
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The Doctor and Rose had returned to their suite onboard the Doctor's suite. They were both all giggles and silliness as they made their way to the large master bedroom.
Once they were there, The Doctor closed the door and grinned at her. "So, tell me. Am I more of a 'Doctor' or 'John' to you?"
She leaned into him and began to undo the buttons of his oxford. She whispered, "Whichever you prefer."
He held onto her waist while she began to kiss his neck and run her hand through the hair on his chest. It made him moan.
"Which would you prefer?" Rose asked him.
He looked into her eyes and smiled. "You've called me both, so-"
"I don't remember calling you 'John'. Do I?" She looked at him in surprise.
He realized that must be when she was the Bad Wolf. "Umm. Maybe, I'm mistaken-"
"I could, if you prefer that."
He leaned down and caught her lips with his own. "It's not important. Never mind."
They began to kiss one another as they made their way over to the bed. Rose lay down and he climbed over the top of her just as Friday interrupted, "Doctor John."
He rose his head up and complained, "Oh, now it's Doctor John-"
"There is an emergency in the med bay that requires your attention."
Rose's eyes became large. "Arles?"
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