Sitting in the living room of her mothers flat, Rose and the doctor sat quietly watching the news on today's events.
"Big Ben destroyed as a UFO, crash lands in Central London. Police reinforcements are drafted in from across the country to control widespread panic, looting and civil disturbance. A state of national emergency has been declared. Tom Hitchinson is at the scene." The correspondent informed the nation before the scene shifted to Tom Hitchinson.
"The authorities are urging the public not to panic. There's a helpline number on screen right now if you're worried about friends or family."
"Here love." Jackie said as strolled in carrying teas, one for Rose, her friend Ru Chan and one reluctantly for the doctor.
"You've broken your mother's heart," Ru informed Rose. "I cradled her like a child."
Rose wanted to tell the woman to mind her own business, but she couldn't. The woman had been there for her mother when she needed someone the most.
"Oi," The doctor said irritatedly, though a little more forcefully than last time. "I'm trying to listen."
The news then cut to outside 10 Downing Street.
"His current whereabouts?" The correspondent asked, before going on to something else. "News, is just coming in. We can go to Tom at the Embankment."
"They've found a body. It's unconfirmed," Hitchinson announced, resulting in both the doctor and Rose glancing at one another. "But I'm being told a body has been found in the wreckage." The camera then paned around the river. "A body of non-terrestrial origins. It's being brought ashore".
Both were still concentrating on the news, even as the house began to fill with people. For her 'welcome home party.' Much to Rose's dismay.
"A body of some sort has been found inside the wreckage of the spacecraft," Hutchinson informed.
All the while her mum spoke to someone, behind her, making it difficult to concentrate on the news. Especially, when she wanted to know if she missed anything from last time.
"Brought to the nearest shore. Unconfirmed reports say that the body is of extra-terrestrial origin. An extraordinary event unfolding here live here in Central London. The body is being transferred to a secure unit mortuary, the whereabouts is yet unknown. The roads in Central London are being."
The channel unexpectedly changed to blue peter, no thanks to a toddler who had crawled into the doctor's lap then proceeded to take the remote.
"Oh, look at that. Then ice it any colour you want. Here's one I made a little bit earlier. And look at that, your very own spaceship ready to eat. And for something a little extra special." Matt Baker commenced only to be cut off when the doctor turned it back onto the news.
"Albion Hospital. We still don't know whether it's alive or dead. Whitehall is denying everything." Hitchinson broadcasted, outside the hospital. "But the body has been brought here, Albion Hospital. The road's closed off. It's the closest to the river."
"Go on." the doctor mumbled in concentration, he was so enticed with the screen.
"I'm being told that General Asquith is now entering the hospital. The building's been evacuated." Hitchinson recounted. "The patients have been moved out onto the streets. The police still won't confirm the presence of an alien body contained inside those walls."
The scene then shifted outside Number 10 again.
"Mystery still surrounds the whereabouts of the Prime Minister." The reporter Andrew Marr informed. "He's not been seen since the emergency began." Rose remembered too well what happened to him. "The opposition are criticising his lack of leadership, and. Hold on." The camera zoomed briefly onto an official car pulled up as a portly man got out and Rose narrowed her eyes. "Oh, that's Joseph Green, MP for Hartley Dale. He's Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission, on the monitoring of sugar standards in exported confectionary. With respect, hardly the most important person right now."
Finally having enough, Rose stood and walked out the flat for fresh air. Her brain was working overtime, trying to recollect what occurred the first time around and if there was, anything she could do to change it.
She wrapped her arms around herself as she looked over the estate.
"Rose what are you doing out here?" The doctor asked from behind her.
"Just wanted to get out of there for a moment," She replied, turning to face him as she leaned back against the brickwork. "What about you? Where are you going?"
"Nowhere." The doctor lied, folding his arms across his chest. "It's just a bit human in there for me."
She could see that he was generally uncomfortable as she was in there.
"History just happened and they're talking about where you can buy dodgy top-up cards for half price. I'm off on a wander, that's all."
"Right." Rose laughed. "There's a spaceship on the Thames and you're just wandering."
"Nothing to do with me." The doctor lied, flashing her a grin.. "It's not an invasion. That was a genuine crash landing. Angle of descent, colour of smoke, everything. It's perfect."
"So I'm not going to see on T.V, that a man has been arrested, for trying to see the spaceship?" She inquired, raising a brow.
"Well…"
"Doctor, it's fine," She reassured the Doctor. "Though you could have asked me to come along."
She could help but smile when he tilted his head at her.
"I'm curious, myself, about what crashed." She answered.
"I thought you should spend time with your mum for a little." He replied though his words were unsure. "That if you are really going to travel with me."
"Of course I'm going to still travel with you." She smiled, rubbing one arm. "There is too much to see."
He looked at her for a moment and she could not break the gaze that he held her with, it was as if he had gripped her with his own hands but she still had to bite her lip, as the same old fear consumed her, so bad that she couldn't contain herself from saying. "Promise you won't disappear?"
"Tell you what." He said, walking over to her, as pulled something out of his pocket. "Tardis key. It's about time you had one. See you later." With a grin, he turned and left.
Rose on the other hand ran inside, determined to find something to put the key on so she would never lose it.
000
"Here's to the Martians!" Her mum cheered, as she came back into the room with an old chain tucked beneath her top.
"The Martians!" Everyone cheered, in chorus to her mum.
Except, her and Mickey who came running into the flat, looking shocked as he took her in. Not really believing it was her.
"I was going to come and see you." Rose began only for Ru to interrupt.
"Someone owes Mickey an apology."
Though she knew Ru didn't mean her, she still felt like she had to apologise. "I'm sorry."
"Not you."
"Well, it's not my fault. Be fair." Her mum defended, she couldn't blame her mother either. "What was I supposed to think?"
It was her fault.
"We need to talk." Rose said, then she walked into the kitchen.
"You disappear, who do they turn to? Your boyfriend." Mickey said, making her feel even worse. "Five times I was taken in for questioning."
She felt the tears begin to form as he told her what happened to him.
"Five times. No evidence. Course, there couldn't be, could there? And then I get her, your mother, whispering around the estate, pointing the finger. Stuff through my letterbox, and all 'cos of you."
"Mickey, I didn't think I'd be gone so long." Rose replied, though that was a lie wasn't it? She knew what happened last time and it went over her head like nothing was wrong.
"And I waited for you, Rose. Twelve months, waiting for you and the Doctor to come back." Mickey exclaimed clearly irritated.
"Hold on." Jackie interrupted. "You knew about the Doctor? Why didn't you tell me?"
Mickey then moved to shut the serving hatch and the door so no-one else could hear.
"Yeah, yeah. Why not, Rose? Huh?" Mickey stressed. "How could I tell her where you went?"
"Tell me now." Jackie commanded.
"I might as well, 'cos you're stuck here," Mickey said, clearly trying to hurt her. "The Doctor's gone. Just now. That box thing just faded away."
"He'll be back." Rose answered, though her nerves were on end, at the thought of losing him once more.
"He's left you. Some boyfriend he turned out to be."
"He'll be back," She sighed, passing a hand over her face, then looked up. "And he's not my boyfriend, he's better than that."
"Are you seriously that delusional?" He questioned, clearly hurt by her words but it was the truth.
She knew at some point, she would have to sit him down and have a word.
"Yes, I am." She snapped, with that, she went and got her jacket then left with her mum and Mickey in tow.
000
When she got to the place where the Tardis was parked, Mickey laughed, clearly thinking he was triumphant when the tardis wasn't there.
"Oh, he's dumped you, Rose. Sailed off into space. How does it feel, huh? Now you are left behind with the rest of us Earthlings. Get used to it."
"He'll come back." She determinedly replied.
A part of her knew it was the truth. He would always come back to her or at least try. While another part prayed that she was right.
"What're you two chimps going on about?" Her mum demanded, hating being last out in the dark. "What's going on? What's this Doctor done now?"
"Mum you shouldn't be here." Rose started only to get interrupted by Mickey.
"He's vamoosed." Mickey continued to laugh, completely ignoring her mum's question.
"No he hasn't, he wouldn't have given me this if he did." Rose stated as she pulled the chain out hidden under her top.
Just then the key began to glow and Rose smiled. Which widened as the Tardis materialised.
"I told you," She responded, as she smiled widely to a terrified Mickey. "Mum! Mum, go inside." Rose shot a pleading look to her mum when she saw her, standing in shock. "Mum, don't stand there, just go inside."
But her mum did no such thing.
She was utterly stunned.
"How'd you do that, then?"
Rather than answering her, Rose used her new key and ran inside.
"See I told you I'll be back." The doctor grinned at her before returning to the screen. "The crash was too perfect. I mean, hitting Big Ben. Come on.."
"We have a slight problem." Rose began, as she ran up the ramp towards him. "My mum is here."
Just then her mum and Mickey barged in.
"Oh, that's just what I need." The doctor snapped before looking at her. "Don't you dare make this place domestic."
"You ruined my life, Doctor." Mickey barked. "They thought she was dead. I was a murder suspect because of you."
She couldn't blame him, he was utterly justified to snap at them.
"You see what I mean?" The doctor countered glaring at her, though he was just at fault as she was. "Domestic."
"I bet you don't even remember my name."
"Ricky."
"It's Mickey." Mickey said with indignation.
"No, it's Ricky." The doctor ridiculed him with a smug smile.
"I think I know my own name."
"You think you know your own name? How stupid are you?" Rose stared as it went from Mickey to the doctor. They were like children.
"Enough both of you."
Both turned to her, at the same time. They were both clearly irritated though one was more justifiable than the other.
She was about to lay into them both when her mum ran out of the Tardis. "Don't go anywhere and don't start a fight!"
With that, she ran out of Tardis.
"Mum, don't!" She tried to make her voice seem as calm and neutral as possible as called after mum, but she could tell her mum wasn't really listening, instead her mum carried on walking. "Mum, it's not like that. He's not." She tried to explain but couldn't find the right words. "I'll be up in a minute." Rose told her as she turned back to the Tardis.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. l :)