Journey Amongst the Stars
By Lumendea
Chapter Twenty: Girl in the Fireplace: France and the TARDIS
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or any of the spinoff material and I gain no income off of this story, just the satisfaction of playing with the characters.
…
Rose sighed and looked out the window at the stars. She was stunned by how many she could see over the lights of the palace. It was strange to remember that amongst all this glitter and glamour that 18th century Paris with all of its poverty was only a few miles away. The Doctor had remarked on Reinette being a part of the history of France for better and for worse. Rose wasn't an expert of history, but even she knew that the French Revolution was due in a generation or two.
Still, the room that Reinette had stewarded her into after the clockwork droid fell apart was ornate and almost overwhelming. Everything was gilded with gold and upholstered with luxurious patterned fabrics. Pieces like this belonged in museums, and likely some of this would, in fact, be museum pieces in the future.
It made her long for the TARDIS. Rose had only been here a few hours, and already she wanted to go home. A bottle of wine had been opened, and while it was good, Rose just wanted some water but knew better than to drink the water in this day and age without boiling it first. There was a dried layer of sweat on her skin that she wanted to shower off, but that wasn't possible. The past was fun and exciting until the moment you got stuck in it.
"Are you alright, Lady Knight?" Reinette asked. She joined Rose at the window. "You seemed confident that the Doctor would come for you."
"He will." Rose smiled at Reinette. "I am confident of that; the only question is how long it will take."
"I don't understand."
"Our ship can move through time," Rose explained. She wasn't worried at this point about telling Reinette too much, not after everything that she had seen. "But the droids who wanted to hurt you put holes in time. It might complicate things."
"His Majesty has assured me that you will be cared for and protected so long as you need to remain," Reinette promised.
"Thank you for speaking on my behalf."
"He is a most dear friend. I was confident that he would value the life of the woman who had protected me my whole life."
"Tell me about him." Rose turned to Reinette and leaned against the windowsill. "Are you happy with him?"
"Romance was never my focus," Reinette admitted. "I was married before becoming his lover. It was a good match." She cast her eyes down, "But a poor personal fit. I wanted more, a chance to be seen and speak. To have my words matter. After I lost my child, it seemed more important to be part of building something for the future. I suppose that a ship in the far future carries my name or at least my title is a promise that what I do has meaning."
"I'm not good at history," Rose admitted. "But the Doctor knew you at once. He said that you are remembered as a great patron of the arts and business, even your enemies respected you."
"Thank you." Reinette didn't seem to know how she felt about Rose's words. "It is perhaps not the life I would have preferred for myself. I think that in another time I might have been happier given that there is a time that has women like you." She smiled a little and then inhaled and relaxed. "But I have seen great things; I have a most dear friend who values me, and not for my body. He listens when I talk to him and trusts me to keep his confidence when he turns to me for advice or a friend. I am the person that he keeps close to him. I must admit that I take pride in the fact that he needs me." Then her smile became a touch more confident. "I think you understand that."
"I do. Though I will admit that my interest is romantic, but I wouldn't trade his friendship for anything."
"Knowing you have value to someone, knowing that someone believes in you matters a great deal." Reinette looked towards the doorway, her expression gentle and warm. "It makes the days when you struggle to believe in yourself easier."
Smiling, Rose nodded and swallowed. She didn't know what to say in response to that. Reinette gave her a nod and then strode towards the door, leaving Rose alone in the room with her thoughts.
…..
The Doctor had been both shocked and resigned when Rose went crashing through the window. It was madness, and yet that meant that it fit Rose. She hadn't landed on the floor, torn to shreds so he could only assume that she made it through. With the time window broken, the droid hadn't been able to return so they had ever given up or Rose had destroyed them. Hopefully both. Clockwork was reasonable technology for Versailles to see, but the materials might be too advanced.
He raced to the TARDIS, almost tripping over his own feet. The ship wouldn't last long. With the engines burning so hot without any place for that power to go, it was only a matter of time before the whole thing either exploded or shut down and drifted into a star. At this point, he didn't care which. He slammed the door closed and went straight to the controls.
"Alright, Old Girl, Rose is stuck in the 18th century." His hands flew across the controls, and he smacked the viewscreen a little too hard. "Get as close as you can." The controls beeped, and the Doctor scowled. "I know that the time windows have created interference! I know that, get as close as you can. She's stuck there with THAT KING!"
Not that Rose was the sort to be taken in by a fancy title. Rose wasn't the sort to play around, even if she did flirt sometimes. She'd promised to stay with him and even though he knew how dangerous that promise was, he intended to hold her to that.
"Just find her," the Doctor said. "We can't leave her waiting too long in the past."
The TARDIS hummed around him in agreement, but the Doctor also got the distinct impression that she was laughing at him. Hopefully, the Old Girl's reach was enough to keep translating for Rose. Suddenly not being able to speak French when she was before might alarm a people. There was no need to tempt the superstitions of humans. The controls beeped, and the Doctor eagerly threw the switch.
….
It had been three days. Three long days of trying not to second guess everything that she said and did for the sake of history. If she hadn't known that the Doctor was coming, she'd be tempted to disappear out into the countryside to escape the curious gossips that filled Versailles.
But Rose knew that the Doctor was coming. The TARDIS was still translating for her, somehow, which meant that their beautiful ship had a lock on her. That was a relief a Rose had been halfway through the mirror before realizing that she didn't have her translator on her. She'd gotten out of the habit of carrying it with her. Since they'd been so close to the TARDIS throughout their day, she hadn't bothered with her shoulder bag. It was not a mistake that Rose would make again; always carry your supplies should be rule one, no matter what the Doctor said.
After this, maybe she could convince him to give one of her coats those special bigger on the inside pockets. Granted, she had several that she wore on rotation, but it would be worth it. It was something to think about once she was home. Rose paced the room. It was too big, and she felt exposed. The views of the gardens were stunning, and she'd taken a few walks, but during the day, it was full of gossips, and everyone stared. Rose had no idea how Reinette coped with all of it.
A knock on the door distracted her, and Rose walked over. Wrinkling her nose, Rose tried to hold her breath as the door opened. 18th century France was smelly. For as grand, as the palace was, Rose had seen people just go into a corner to quickly relieve themselves. She took it for granted before that such an elegant place must have had regular bathing. They didn't. Perfume was the primary way they dealt with their body odor, but you put hundreds of people all wearing different perfumes into an enclosed space, and the smell is still bad.
That was the real reason that Rose had been staying in her room. His Majesty had been more than grateful and put Rose in an apartment close to Reinette. She'd been invited to attend a couple of functions, but Rose's goal was not to impact history further. At her request, Reinette had gotten her a few simple items of clothing and some soap, so Rose could hand wash her things as needed. The servants brought her food, and Reinette had provided her with several books to keep her entertained. They also spoke frequently as Reinette's schedule allowed, but Rose wasn't engaging. She was waiting.
….
On the fourth day, Reinette had come to sit with Rose. They'd been talking for hours, Reinette telling Rose all about the court and her patronage of the arts. It didn't come across as arrogant, and Rose could see the glow that filled Reinette's eyes when she spoke about her passions. She'd lamented that winter prevented Rose from seeing the gardens that their best.
Rose was content to let Reinette's words wash over her. They had a few interests in common, but Rose had to be mindful of everything that she said, which took some of the fun out of it. Sometimes, she found herself wondering what Reinette would have been like if she'd been more in a more egalitarian time. It made her sad and then guilty for wondering such things when Reinette had accomplished so much despite the ideas of her era.
"What will happen when your Doctor arrives?"
Reinette was completely poised, her expression giving away nothing and her posture perfect despite the heavy gown that she wore. For a moment, Rose was simply in awe. Even when she dressed up, the TARDIS always gave her more comfortable costume versions of old-fashioned clothing.
"Uh, I'll go with him."
"And I will not see you again?"
"Probably not," Rose admitted. She liked Reinette, but in truth, Reinette wasn't someone that Rose was likely to visit with the Doctor. They'd been noticed too much as it was and repeated visits would probably alter history. "I have my life to live, and you have yours."
"Will you tell me of your life?" Reinette sat down across from Rose. Her eyes were bright and curious but also guarded. "I- I don't imagine that it is always so frightening."
"It isn't. There are marvels too, but the Doctor and I… we do spend a lot of our time protecting people. Trying to right wrongs and keep history from being changed."
"Like my story."
"Like your story."
"It makes me wonder," Reinette confessed. "Would my life be as it has been without those creatures? Or would my life have unfolded in the same way? A fortune teller assured my mother that I would be queen in all but the crown when I was only a child. Was it always meant to be this way?"
"I don't have any answers like that for you," Rose admitted. "But… would it be so terrible? You seem to like your life."
"I am content. I have made mistakes." Reinette grimaced at her words but didn't lower her gaze. "But I believe that I have left a positive mark. Having a vessel so far in the future that carries my name reassures me of that."
"I'm glad that you're content."
"I know that you do not completely approve of my life."
"My approval doesn't matter." Rose felt a flash of guilt. "And if I'd lived in this time, I might have taken the same path."
"I'm glad you were not," Reinette said. She had a teasing smile once more. "We would have been rivals."
"I thought the king had other lovers."
"He has a woman at all times for his bed, but I have his heart. I would not allow another to take that from me, and you would have been a worthy rival on that front."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Rose licked her lips. "I've met many strong women, Reinette, women who made history. All of them have had to face trials, but you have lived and thrived with danger stalking you even in your moments of triumph. That's very impressive."
"And you? You have never told me how you became a knight?"
Rose hesitated, but only for a moment. Smiling, she leaned back in the elegant seat and studied Reinette. The woman who was now older than her truly seemed curious. Rose was much more interested in hearing of Reinette's life from her, but she supposed that the little girl who had been brave in the face of monsters deserved her story.
Then a grinding sound, the wonderful wheezing noise echoed around the room. Grinning, Rose leapt out of her seat and searched the room. Wind tugged at her hair and Rose quickly walked over to the pile of her modern clothing, scoping them up in her arms. A bright outline appeared, and Rose smiled as the shape manifested.
"Rose?" Reinette called nervously.
"It's okay; it's the Doctor!"
The TARDIS settled into view, its marvelous blue color a stunning contrast to the golds and pale colors of the room. Rushing forward, Rose started to dig out her keys when the door was thrown open the Doctor poked his head out. Relief filled his face, and Rose threw herself against him. The Doctor's arm were around her in an instant, and Rose wrapped her free arm around him.
"How long have you been waiting?"
"Four days."
"Sorry," he apologized. "The time windows made it a bit tricky."
"It's okay. I know you, and the TARDIS did your best." Rose rubbed her cheek against the leather of the Doctor's coat. "They've been nothing but kind to me. Even if I'm sure, they think I'm weird. But everything is okay. The droids shut down, and I made sure that everything was melted down."
"The king didn't argue."
"He was really freaked out, but I think Reinette gave him a shortened version of the story. He listens to her; it's really impressive." Rose tilted her head and smiled up at the Doctor as he looked down at her. "Smart men know when to listen to the women in their lives."
"I do! And good work, with the droids."
"Yeah, well, one of us had to try and fix things. You're the pilot, so it just made sense."
"Crashing through a viewscreen made sense. A truck couldn't have broken through that."
"Good thing I have my sword then."
A soft clearing of a throat drew Rose's attention back to Reinette. Turning back to Reinette, Rose felt her cheeks warm at having completely forgotten the woman. Reinette was standing, her eyes only slightly wider than usual at the sight of the TARDIS and the Doctor.
"Rose?"
"Reinette." Rose offered the woman a soft smile. "It's time for me to go."
"I see." Reinette fumbled with her hands for a moment before smiling softly. "Then I will say farewell, dear Lady Knight." The nickname was soft and sweet in the air. "Thank you for everything."
"You are very welcome," Rose answered. She stepped forward and took Reinette's hands, gently squeezing them. If Reinette hadn't been taller than her, Rose would have kissed her forehead. "I'm proud of you."
Reinette's eyes brightened, and Rose was grateful that she'd said the words. Then she kissed Reinette's cheek and released her hands. Rose didn't wait around. There was nothing more to say. She and Reinette were very different women with very different priorities, but she was proud. It was humbling. Stepping into the TARDIS, she gently closed the door behind her and set her things on the jump seat. The Doctor grinned at her, flipped a switch, and then opened his arms for another hug.
Rose happily gave it to him.
*******Next Time: The Empty Child***********