Chapter 10: The Unquiet Dead
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who, it belongs to BBC
Must be Good- I Said Yes
Ever since the winter when you took flight,
I still see your shadow in the lamp light,
I still get the messages you ghost write,
but everything is quiet in the dark.
I didn't want the living that you sold me,
I didn't want to hear the things you told me,
it wasn't that you even meant it coldly,
it wasn't that you meant to leave a mark...
but if it makes you feel,
it must be good
They were sitting around finishing their fries as the Doctor told them stories about his trip on board the Titanic.
"So then I decided to jump onto the iceberg!"
"You didn't!" Rose exclaimed in astonishment as Kit just laughed.
"You bet I did," he grinned smugly.
Rose just shook her head and laughed. "You're impossible. Your life is impossible!" She marveled. "I wish I could do what you do, travel to the past." There was a question in that statement that Kit caught and she wondered if the Doctor heard it too.
"Who said you can't?" He replied. "I did promise you time travel and it wouldn't be much of a promise if we didn't travel to the past."
Rose beamed. "Seriously?!"
"Of course," he smiled then turned to Kit. "You don't mind making another trip, do you?"
Kit snorted. "You'd really think I'll pass up an opportunity like this?"
Kit loved traveling to the past. She never got over how exciting it was traveling to a different time. If she had to choose between traveling to the past or the future; she would choose the past any day.
He smiled. "Alright, you two, let's go to the past!"
"Could I help you drive the Tardis?" Rose asked suddenly. "Last time you looked like you could have used a hand so I thought I'd ask." Kit raise her eyebrow in question. The way she said that was almost flirtatious but Kit thought better of it.
"Well, I suppose you could," the Doctor hesitated. "But this isn't like driving a car. This is the most complex machinery that you will ever see in your entire life," he said sternly.
"So is that a yes?"
The Doctor sighed. "Yes, you can help but you have to do exactly as I say."
Kit just shook her head. "Oh, this will end well," she muttered. It took her years to figure out how the Tardis worked. Not to mention, the Doctor wasn't the best teacher.
The Doctor and Rose went up to the console as Kit held on to the railing tight knowing it was going to be a very bumpy ride. The Tardis started up and jerked forwards. It kept jerking, even more then usually. The Doctor started yelling orders to Rose.
"Hold that one down!" He yelled, pointing to a button on the console.
"I'm holding this one down!" Rose yelled back.
"Well, hold them both down!"
Rose stretched across half the console to reach the other button. "It's not going to work."
The Doctor looked up. "Oi! I promised you a time machine and that's what you're getting," he argued. "1860. How does 1860 sound?"
"What the hell happened in 1860?" Kit questioned. She, herself, had never been to that time so she was curious as to why the Doctor wanted to go there.
The Doctor shrugged. "I don't know, let's find out. Hold on." He pulled a leaver on the side of the console. "Here we go!"
The Tardis whipped about then lunged forwards to a stop making Kit, Rose and the Doctor fall to the ground.
Kit heard the Doctor and Rose laughed. "Blimey!" Rose exclaimed.
The Doctor jumped up. "You're telling me. Are you two alright?" He asked as Kit and Rose stood up.
Kit rubbed her head. "Yeah, as long as you promise to never let Rose drive the Tardis ever again."
"Hey! It wasn't that bad," Rose argued.
"It was pretty bad," the Doctor commented.
Rose just rolled her eyes at them. "So, where are we?"
The Doctor looked at the screen on the console. "I did it. Give the man a medal," he exclaimed. "Earth, Naples, December 24th, 1860."
Kit frowned. "It's Christmas," she muttered.
"That's so weird," Rose added looking off into the distance.
Kit nodded. It was weird but probably not for the same reason as Rose. This would be the first Christmas without her Doctor and something just felt off about that.
The Doctor gestured to the door. "All yours."
Rose didn't move. "But, it's like, think about it, though. Christmas. 1860. Happens once, just once and it's gone, it's finished, it'll never happen again," Rose pondered. The Doctor just smiled at her. "Except for you. You can go back and see days that are dead and gone a hundred thousand sunsets ago. No wonder you never stay still."
Kit had thought the same thing when she got a little older. She never wanted to stop traveling, to experience all the days that were long gone. She thought that was the Doctors reasoning too but there were many darker reasons for his traveling.
"Not a bad life," the Doctor remarked.
"Better with three," Rose smiled widely. They both stared at each other for a moment which made Kit feel like she was intruding on a private moment. Rose slapped the Doctor arm suddenly. "Come on, then!" She said excitedly, running down to the doors and Kit followed.
"Hey!" The Doctor called making the two stop. "Where do you two think you're going?"
"I don't know, Doctor, where do you think we're going," Kit replied sarcastically.
The Doctor just rolled his eyes at her. "Go out there dressed like that, you'll start a riot, Barbarella," he explained to them. "There's a wardrobe through there." He pointed to the other end. "First left, second right, third on the left, go straight ahead, under the stairs, past the bins, fifth door on your left. Hurry up!" Rose rushed out of the control room but Kit stayed where she was. The Doctor noticed this and narrowed his eyes. "Well, aren't you going?"
Kit shrugged and moved towards the console. "Nah, I'll be fine."
"Didn't you hear me? You might start a riot in the that outfit," he argued.
Kit rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. It's 1860, the people seen weirder."
She never did like getting dressed up in some outfit from a different time. She was stubborn that way and her Doctor hated that. She did have her reasons though. Kit loved the past but she never wanted to be fully apart of it. If she did dress up, then she felt like she would forget who she was; loose apart of herself. It was something that most people wouldn't even think about but for Kit, it was always on her mind. She didn't have a lot of people growing up, only herself and the Doctor. So if she lost herself, she wouldn't have anything but the problem was, she so desperately wanted to lose herself. So she wore he usual clothes to make sure she would never forget who she was even though some times she wanted to, just for a moment.
"But it's fun," the Doctor kept trying. "Getting to be someone different, getting to immersed yourself in the culture."
Kit's face grew sour and she frowned. "Yeah, I'll passed. Besides, how am I suppose to run in a dress?"
"How do you know you'll be running?" The Doctor questioned.
Kit gave him a pointed look. "Because I've only been with you a short amount of time and I've already ran my butt off," she retorted.
"But this is just a short little trip to 1860. We'll meet some people, maybe see a play and then leave," he argued.
Kit snorted. "That's what you said about our short little trip to the future and how did that go?" She countered which earned her a glare from the Doctor. "Anyways, it's not like I see you getting dressed up. We're basically wearing the same thing!"
The Doctor crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm going to changed my jumper," he explained. "And we are not wearing the exact same thing. My jacket is obviously better."
Kit glared at him. "Well, that's debatable."
The Doctor sighed. "Aright, fine, you don't have to change but I'm warning you, people will stare you and those cowboy boots of yours."
"Oh no, the staring! My greatest weakness!" She shouted dramatically falling into the captain's chair. "Whatever will I do!"
The Doctor shook his head but Kit could see the corner of his lip lift slightly up. "Oh, ha ha ha, very funny," he said dryly.
Kit grinned. "Why thank you," she bowed.
"I feel like we're going to have these arguments a lot," he commented.
"And I'll look forward to them," she smiled.
The Doctor shook his head and moved around the console. Kit watched as he lifted up a section on the grate. He stepped inside the opening that he created.
"You think she'll be long?" He asked.
"Who?"
"Rose."
"Oh, well, you didn't give her the best directions so I'm guessing she got lose at least once. Not to mention she'll probably take awhile to pick an outfit so yeah, she'll be awhile," Kit answered.
"Good, give me time to work on the Tardis," he muttered taking out his sonic and going deeper into the hole.
Kit walked to the hole and sat down crossed legged watching him work. "Do you need any help?" She asked. She knew she couldn't help him in the way she was able to help her Doctor but she never liked just sitting around.
He looked up at her. "I doubt you would be able to help me."
Kit frowned. "Are you calling me dumb?"
"For a human, no. For a TimeLord, yes," he responded.
"Not sure if that was a complement or not," she muttered.
They stayed like that for awhile, the Doctor fiddling with the Tardis and Kit watching him. It was the same thing she used to do with her Doctor when she was younger and it felt nice doing it now. Suddenly they heard foot steps coming from behind them. Kit turned to see Rose in a 18th century dress. She stood there shyly and unsure.
"Blimey!" The Doctor exclaimed looking at Rose in awe.
Rose smiled. "Don't laugh you two!"
Kit put her hands up in surrender. "Hey, I wasn't going to laugh. You actually look really good, Rose." She gave Rose a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, she does," the Doctor muttered in a daze. Kit raised an eyebrow at him in question. He seemed to be in a kind of love trance. The Doctor noticed Kit staring at him and he looked down quickly. "Considering," he rushed out.
Rose frowned. "Considering what?" she questioned, looking slightly offended.
The Doctor looked back up at her. "That you're human."
"Was that a compliment?" Rose asked Kit.
Kit shrugged. "I'd take it. I have a feeling that's the best you're gonna get."
Rose just shook her head. "Aren't you going to change, Doctor?" She asked.
"Nah, I'm good," he waved, standing up in the hole.
Rose crossed her arms. "And what about Kit? Why isn't she changed?"
"She's stubborn," he put simply giving her a pointed looked. Kit just smiled sarcastically at him. "Anyways, come one!"
Rose moved to stop him from going to the door. "You stay there. You've done this before," she told him and rushed to the door. "This is mine!"
"When's it going to be my turn," Kit whined quietly to herself. She jumped up and ran to catch up to Rose.
Kit watched Rose slowly leave the Tardis. She was hesitant which was understandable. Kit knew the feeling that Rose was experiencing all too well. She felt it every time she landed in the past. She was stepping in a time long gone. It was exciting and yet nerve wreaking.
Kit stepped out and felt the cold air hit her. She put her hands in her pockets. She heard the Doctor close the Tardis door and come in between her and Rose.
"Ready for this?" He held out his arms for them to take. "Here we go. History."
They walked through the streets. Around them were people running about, doing their everyday thing. Kit looked over at Rose and noticed the shock on her face. The Doctor just smiled happily. He suddenly took off and walked over to a man selling papers. He rummaged through his pocket and payed the man.
They were walking away when Kit noticed the Doctor frown while reading the newspaper. "What?" Kit asked. "What's wrong?"
He stiffened. "I got the flight a bit wrong."
"I don't care," Rose piped in seeming less shock and more excited.
Kit shook her head. "How wrong?" She knew the Doctor had the tendency to not land in the right time or place.
"It's not 1860, it's 1869," he explained.
"I don't care," Rose kept saying.
"And it's not Naples."
"I don't care."
"It's Cardiff."
Rose suddenly stopped in her tracks. Kit on the other hand burst out in laughter. "Oh man, Cardiff!?" The Doctor just glared at her. "You're right, you should get a medal. Bronze maybe?" She joked.
"Oh, don't start," the Doctor warned but Kit just kept laughing.
Suddenly, they heard screaming coming from one of the buildings. "That's more like it!" The Doctor beamed and took off running.
Kit shook her head. She shouldn't have been too surprised, it was close to Christmas after all and bad stuff always happen on Christmas.
They ran into the building that the screams were coming from. When they went into the building, Kit noticed that it was an auditorium. In the auditorium was some kind of blue mist flying around the room.
Kit had never seem anything like it and she loved it. "Is that a ghost because that would be awesome!" She exclaimed.
The Doctor suddenly took off running again to a man on the stage and Kit followed.
"Did you see where it came from?" He asked the man.
"Ah, the wags reveal themselves, do they?" He accused. "I trust you're satisfied!" He fumed.
Kit was about to make a snappy remark when she heard Rose yell, "Oi! Leave her alone!" Kit looked to where Rose was looking and saw two people carrying on old women away. "Doctor, I'll get them." And she ran after them.
"Be careful!" the Doctor cried. Kit and The Doctor brought their focus back to the man. They jumped up onto stage. "Did it say anything?"
"Yeah, did it speak at all? Was it in English or a different language?" Kit questioned as well. The man just looked at them like they were insane.
"Oh, I'm the Doctor, by the way, and that's Kittredge," he told the man.
The man frowned. "Doctor? You look more like a navvie."
Kit bit her lip to try not to laugh. "What's wrong with this jumper?" The Doctor asked.
"Well…"
"Don't," the Doctor warned her.
They went back to looking at the blue mist when it suddenly flew into the gas light. Kit frowned. That was odd for a ghost to do that so she ruled out that possibility.
"That was... strange," the Doctor pondered. The Doctor turned to Kit. "Come on, let's find Rose."
The bolted out the auditorium and Kit realized the man that was on the stage was following them. Kit didn't have time to question him because once they were outside she saw one of the people that Rose followed shut the carriage door. Kit had a gut feeling Rose was in there.
"Rose!" The Doctor screamed, obviously coming to the same conclusion as her. They tried to run after the carriage but it was too fast.
"You two aren't escaping me," Kit heard the man that followed them say. "What do you know about that hobgoblin, hmm? Projection on glass, I suppose," he kept pushing. "Who put you two up to it?"
Kit rolled her eyes. "Not the time, buddy, now shut up!"
"Oi!" The Doctor suddenly said and rushed over to one of the carriages with a driver in it. "Follow that hearse!"
They climbed into the carriage but the driver didn't do anything. "I can't do that, sir."
"Why not?"
Suddenly, the man that was yelling at them appeared. "I'll tell you why not. I'll give you a very good reason why not. Because this is my coach!"
Kit groaned. "Of course it is," she muttered. "Look, we don't have a lot of time to talk about this so just get in!" She snapped and yanked the man into the carriage with them. "Now go!" She shouted at the driver.
The carriage went into motion. "Come on, you're losing them," the Doctor ordered.
The driver looked back at them. "Everything in order, Mister Dickens?" He asked which caused Kit and the Doctor to freeze.
Kit shook her head. It was not possible that he was the Dickens. She really hoped it wasn't.
"No! It is not!" Dickens huffed.
"What did he say?" The Doctor questioned.
"Let me say this first. I'm not without a sense of humour—"
"Dickens?"
"Yes."
"As in The Charles Dickens?" Kit questioned as well.
"Yes!"
"No but the actual Charles Dickens?"
"Should I remove the gentleman and the lady, sir?" The Driver asked but Kit and the Doctor weren't paying attention to what he said.
"Holy shit!" Kit exclaimed causing Dickens to jump in surprise. "You're actually him! You're Charles Dickens! I always wanted to meet you. You're amazing!" She beamed but then her smile dropped and she looked over at the Doctor. "Oh my God, I told Charles Dickens to shut up."
The Doctor shook his head and looked back to Dickens. "She's right. You're brilliant, you are. Completely one hundred percent brilliant." Dickens started to look less angry and more bashful the more the talked. "I've read them all. Great Expectations, Oliver Twist and what's the other one, the one with the ghost?"
"A Christmas Carol?"
"No, no, no, the one with the trains…"
"The Signal Man," Kit jumped in. "I love that story! It gave me nightmares as a kid."
Kit knew the Doctor loved Charles Dickens. He always read his stories to her before bed and when she got older she read them countless of times. She used to ask the Doctor if they could go see him but he would always say that he met him before and that it was best not to see him again.
The Doctor nodded. "The best short story ever written. You're a genius!"
"You want me to get rid of them, sir?" The driver asked again.
Charles straighten. "Er, no, I think they can stay."
The Doctor and Kit smiled widely. "Honestly, Charles. Can I call you Charles? We're such big fans."
Dickens gave them a confused look. "A what? A big what?"
"Fan. Number one fan, that's us," the Doctor tried to explain.
"How exactly are you a fan? In what way do you resemble a means of keeping oneself cool?" He questioned, still very confused.
"Um, no, it means fanatic. It means we really love your work," Kit explained.
"Mind you, I've got to say, that American bit in Martin Chuzzlewit, what's that about? Was that just padding or what? I mean, it's rubbish, that bit," the Doctor rambled out.
Kit elbowed him noticing Dickens less the pleased face. The Doctor realized this and stopped talking.
Charles glared at him and looked very offended. "I thought you said you were my fan."
The Doctor shrugged. "Ah, well, if you can't take criticism. Go on, do the death of Little Nell, it cracks me up. No, sorry, forget about that," he shook his head. "Come on, faster!"
Dickens watched then for a second. "Who exactly is in that hearse?" He asked.
"Oh, our friend," Kit replied.
"She's only nineteen. It's my fault. She's in my care, and now she's in danger," the Doctor added, growing serious.
"Why are we wasting my time talking about dry old books? This is much more important," Dickens announced. "Driver, be swift! The chase is on!"
Kit smiled even more. "I knew you'd be cool, Charlie!"
"Nobody calls me Charlie," he demanded.
"Dicky?"
"Nobody calls me that either," he muttered angrily.
"Can we call you Dicky?"
"No."
"I think I'll call you Dicky anyways."
Charles Dickens glared at Kit.
A/N- Hey everyone! I hope everyone is having a good week. I just wanted to let you guy know that I am getting very busy at university and I'm not going to have as much time to write. It doesn't really matter right now for you guy because I have a lot written but I'm already catching up to myself. This might mean that I'll have to start posting every two week but we'll see. Lucky for you guys, I write fanfic when I procrastinate lol. Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter and don't forget to review.