A/N A special shout out to Yumari! Thank You! Your kind review will help keep me going.
Chapter 23 Intruder
It was a warm day and Rose went out to work in the garden while Alice was having lessons with her father. An hour later she decided to go take a swim. Rose went into the Tardis to the schoolroom, to let them know. Apparently an astronomy class, judging by the planets floating about the room. "We should be done here soon." He replied, "We'll come and join you." "Ok, I'm going to the pond, at the waterfall up river. Don't take too long."
Rose changed and grabbed a towel and her robe. Since Alice had been joining them, they all had swimsuits. Alice loved to splash in the water, and was a fairly good swimmer. The walk was nice through the woods. The smell of the trees and flowers. The sound of the waterfall as she approached it. It always felt like a mini vacation coming here and getting away from the house.
There was a well worn path to their favorite spot. She left her towel and robe in the grass and waded in. The water was clear and cool after walking. She dove into the bottom. Upon surfacing, she just floated along relaxing in the sun, expecting her husband and child at any moment.
"Well, hello there." It took a moment for her to realize she didn't know the voice. "I said hello there." Rose splashed as she quickly turned to the sound. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Can you understand me?" Rose's eyes were wide as she looked at the stranger.
"I said, can you understand me?" Rose did not reply, too shocked to make a sound, quickly going over her defensive options. "I guess not." the tall stranger laughed. "Too bad, you look like you're worth having a conversation with."
Rose did an evaluation. Tall humanoid body, thin but muscular, green and grey military uniform with black stripes across the chest and down the leg, weapon at his side, not drawn, kind face with blond hair and startling blue eyes, no telepathic connection, alone, so far.
She decided to take the upper hand if possible. "Who are you and what are you doing on my planet?" He was taking a drink from a canteen and coughed when she replied. "So you do talk. Your planet Mam? What do you mean, your planet?"
Rose decided she should get out of the water and get away as soon as possible. Military types had a reputation for easy cruelty and they were never alone, and she absolutely didn't want Alice to be here.
"That's right. This is my planet. I found it, there was no one here, and it's mine!" He grinned and looked her up and down as she got out of the water. Rose grabbed the towel and began to dry herself as if she wasn't afraid of anyone, putting the robe and slippers on.
"Well, answer me. Who are you?"
He was a bit pre-ocupied with the color of her bikini. "Hmmm? Sorry Mam. We didn't expect anyone to be here. This is a colony world, and we are the colony. We purchased it from the terraform company when they didn't receive payment from the original owners.
My name is Captain Quinn MacAbee." Rose breathed a sigh of relief. At least they weren't mercenaries or pirates. Rose extended her hand, "Rose Tyler Smith." "How long have you been here Miss Rose?" "We landed just over three years ago." "We?" He inquired. "My husband and I"
There was a noise of breaking branches and loud voices. Rose was startled again to see five more men come out of the trees. She didn't like the odds and began to back up towards the path. The Captain hollered at the men. "Sargent! Stand where you are, all of you."
He had seen the sudden fear in her eyes. "No need to worry Ma'am. We're all family men." At that moment one of them gave out a loud wolf whistle. The captain rolled his eyes and shouted over his shoulder, "Sargent, put that man on report."
Rose chuckled. "I'm sorry Mam, I'm sure he meant no disrespect. Roberts is still single. We've been in space for a while and it's nice to have your feet on solid ground for a change, it's a bit intoxicating." Still smiling Rose was amused and trusted her instincts, "It's ok Captain, no need for anything drastic. Well, I have the feeling that we have a lot to talk about. Can I offer you a cup of tea?"
"Tea?, Mam. Uh, yes, that would be mighty fine."
He looked back at the men. "Sargent, take this rabbel back to base and wait for my orders." The Sargent saluted and yelled a command at the men who obeyed. The Captain looked at Rose in expectation, "Now, about that tea Mam." "Right this way Captain MacAbee."
She led him down the path to the house, sticking to small talk for the time being. "How do you like the planet so far?" "Well Miss Rose, we had a good look at it from orbit. Lots of room, good climate, fertile soil. It should make for a fine colony."
Rose stopped suddenly and looked him in the eye, "Do you intend to ask us to leave?" she said defensively. "Uh, n no Mam," There was surprise on his face. He was caught off guard as she intended and he stuttered a little. "That is to say, it's not up to me, but I don't see why you can't join our little group." She smiled. "Thank you" That told her much about the people who wanted to live on her world. Colonists, not exploiters looking for mineral or material wealth. Rose wasn't sure why she should, but she believed him.
They emerged from the forest and could see the house. She looked up at him to gage his reaction. He smiled at the sight. "Yes Mam, Mighty pretty." "Thank You. We've worked very hard at it." She opened the door and called out, "John. John! You'll never guess what I found."
A door slammed shut and he came running down the stairs. He was in battle mode. He had seen them coming and told Alice to stay in her room and not to make a sound.
Rose smiled to put him at ease as he eyed the stranger cautiously. "John, this is Captain Quinn MacAbee. Captain, my husband, Dr. John Smith." The captain smiled and offered his hand, "At your service sir." The Time Lord extended his hand and smiled. "You're quite a shock. We've been here three years and haven't seen a soul." Rose chimed in "A colony bought the planet and just arrived." He looked from Rose to the Captain,
"Please come in and sit down." He led the Captain to the living room and they all sat down. "How many in the colony?" "Right now there are 300 in the advance party to get things set up. Engineers, architects, construction folks and their families, but when complete we expect at least five thousand to start."
Rose caught her breath. "Wow, that's a lot." Rose was disturbed, after so much time alone she imagined a horde of people invading their space and destroying the environment. The Time Lord smiled and reminded her, "You used to live in a city of 8 million." She shot him a dirty look, "Yes John, but I've gotten used to walking around in my underwear."
The minute she said it she remembered who was in the room. Her jaw dropped and she turned a bright scarlet. "I'm sorry, I guess it has been a long time since I've had to have social graces." The Captain and her husband both chuckled at Rose.
"So Captain, what's the next step?" he inquired.
Rose interrupted, "The Captain said he sees no reason why we can't stay. Although it might be a good idea for us to present ourselves formally. Have you set up camp yet?"
"Yes, just the other side of the ridge where we met." He smiled at Rose. The Time Lord was uncomfortable with his interest in his wife and spoke up, "We'll be there tomorrow. We have surveyed much of this area if it will help. The original village is about a mile west of here, but there's not much left. We had a bad storm and everything collapsed. The foundations will still be of use, but clearing out the rubble may make it more trouble than it's worth." "Thank you Doctor. I'll tell our planning commission."
"Would you like that cup of tea now?" Rose stood up to go to the kitchen. "No, thank you Mrs Smith don't trouble yourself. I have to get back to my men."
The Captain rose and headed for the door. "If you need anything from me don't hesitate to ask. I'll be at headquarters. Anyone there can direct you." He held out his hand again. "Goodbye Doctor, Mrs Smith." Rose shook his hand, "Thank you for your kindness Captain. Perhaps we will see you tomorrow."
The Captain left and they went into the kitchen. Rose wanted that cup of tea. He looked at her, in her blue bikini and a flimsy robe. "I suppose you were only wearing that?" There was a tinge of jealousy in his voice. "So just how did you meet?" Rose gave him a patient look. "I wear it for you. And I told you. I went for a swim. I dived in and when I turned around he was there."
"What else?" he insisted knowing it all. She grinned at him, "Well being buck naked I walked right up and tickled his chin." He grabbed her arms and pulled her close to him. "You what!"
"Oh my, we are jealous aren't we."
He released her and walked out of the room. She followed. "I'm just teasing. Why are you acting this way?" He sat on the couch, picked up a book and ignored her.
"Hey. It was nothing. I was swimming, he was there, he thought I couldn't understand him, until I told him to get off my planet." He was still ignoring her. "I had my swimsuit on. I was expecting you and Alice. I got out of the water, grabbed my robe, he introduced himself and told me about the colony. I offered him some tea, he sent his men back to camp. End of story."
He was still being petty. "And do you generally tell every man you meet about your underwear?" Stung, she ignored that last statement and got up to check on Alice. "So much for you trusting me. You blow it on your first test." She marched up the stairs to Alice's room.
He watched her go up and put his book down, crossing his arms.
Alice was asleep on her desk. "Alice, it's momma" Rose picked her up and cuddled her. She woke and giggled when Rose blew a raspberry on her cheek. "How's my darling girl? You were so good staying here and being quiet for daddy. No more school today. We're going to play hookey."
