Chapter Two

They'd been walking along a footpath when, without notice, Rose shoved him into a small gap between buildings. She peered furtively out into the street and he became instantly suspicious.

'What is it?' He hissed.

'Me. Going into the animal shelter with me mum. I know they wouldn't recognise me if they saw me but..' She trailed off.

He contemplated being absolutely furious with her, but paused first and took a deep breath.

'Rose, I want you to look me in the eye and tell me this is a mistake.'

She immediately turned her head and looked at him.

'It is! I thought the 18th was the day after we left. But I saw us just about to leave then. I must've got the dates wrong. Like you said, dodgy children's memories.'

He saw only honest guilt in her face. She'd truly wanted to avoid any chance of meeting her younger self. Of repeating the events of last time.

And there was also the slightest chance that he'd landed them a day early and it wasn't her fault after all.

'I believe you.' He said simply and, unexpectedly forgiven, she gave him a relieved smile.

'So what is happening out there? Do you remember?' He asked.

She nodded. 'We go into the shelter, then drive off to my Nan's to stay until Mum can find a new flat, cause she couldn't keep up the rent on the one here.'

'Why the animal shelter?'

'You know what I said about leaving my best friend behind?'

'Yeah..'

'We've just said goodbye to her.'

'Oh.'

They both peered out and saw a short blonde girl get half-dragged into a slightly battered-looking car by a younger Jackie. The car drove out of sight and they both sighed in very audible relief. Then looked at each other and laughed.

'Come on. I'll show you.' She said, all enthusiasm.

'You certain they won't recognise you?'

'Certain.'

'Alright.. I'm trusting you on this one.' He reminded her.

'I know.' She said quietly, feeling a twinge of guilt, which she hid.

The Doctor, despite his words, insisted on leaning in the doorway just in case anything paradoxical looked in danger of happening.

Meanwhile Rose chatted to the tired, yet cheerful natural-redhead at the counter. Her name was Janice.

'Your fella, 'e looks a bit under the weather.' The woman commented.

'Him? Nah, he's not mine.'

'Oh?'

Rose didn't like the knowing look she was being given and changed the subject.

'Er, I know this might sound like a stupid question, but do you have any cats here?'

'Course. We got loads of 'em. And all of 'em wantin a nice 'ome too. Not much of a selection I'll 'ave to admit, but is there anythin in particular you might be fancyin?'

'It'll have to be a young one, if you can manage. I know you don't get many of those here but I just thought..'

'Now you stop right there, I've got just the one for ya. Only ten minutes ago would ya believe, this little girl just went and left the most darling little kitty you could ever want. Fancy you comin in just now! Now if only I 'ad such good timin in the kitchen.. hold on a tic and I'll bring it out for you to 'ave a look at.'

She disappeared into the back before Rose could get a word in.

The Doctor turned away from the door and came over.

'That your friend?' He asked in bemusement, having noticed Janice's habit of endless chatter even if he couldn't tell what was said. Not that he was even slightly interested in the first place.

'Nope, haven't seen her yet. So what you watchin for?'

'Anyone I recognise from that wedding. Or maybe your mum.' This seemed to give him a thought. 'Would we be able to run out the back if we had to?'

'Yeah, I think so.' She suppressed a giggle at the image of them running through a row of dog kennels to escape The Dreaded Jackie Tyler.

'I wish you wouldn't go on about her like that. It's not like she's gonna recognise us and try to kill you.' She said.

'She might. On a whim. Or worse, she might try and chat to us.'

'Oh stop it already! She's my mum. If she's so bad, what does that make me then?'

'A miracle of nature.'

She didn't have a retort for that, unsure as to whether it was a compliment or just a worse insult to her mum. She suspected the former and it left her at a loss. There was a short, awkward pause.

'So, how much longer are you gonna be?' He said at last.

'Not too long. Few more minutes maximum.'

'I'm holding you to that.' He insisted, before going back to his post.

She was exactly the way Rose remembered. Completely black with the most beautiful green eyes ever. And tiny, barely two months old. She rubbed behind her little black ears gently.

'Oh Midnight..' She said, without meaning to.

''Ow did you know 'er name?' Janice demanded.

'I didn't.' Rose lied. 'It just sort of seems like a cool name don't you think? Her being black and all..'

'Well now that you mention it.. first thing that popped into your 'ead then? Now isn't that nice. Y'know I reckon she's takin a likin to ya. Look at 'er, purrin away like a great big truck engine. I think you'd be perfect for each other. What's that word again? Serenitipy? No, that's not it.. serendipity! Yes, that's the word I was after! And really it is. Such good luck you meetin 'er so soon after she gets 'ere, and guessing 'er name right and all. I do 'ope you're going to 'ave 'er. This is an animal shelter and all so you needn't worry about it bein over budget for ya. Oh what am I sayin? Best ask your fella too. Oi you! In the jacket! Come 'ere and tell us what you think!'

The Doctor spun around, looking put out. A very bad start, Rose decided. She cringed inwardly as she saw him take in the scene and come to the obvious conclusion. And gave his immediate answer.

'No.'

The chatty Janice had discreetly gone out the back to "fetch something", so as to leave them to sort it out themselves.

'It's just a kitten.'

'No.'

'Please?'

'No.'

'Come on..'

'No.'

'Why not?'

'No.'

'That's not an answer.'

'No.'

'Please?'

'NO! For god's sake Rose, I'm not having a cat comin with us!'

'Why not?' She insisted, hands on hips.

'The TARDIS is no place for a domestic animal.'

'I don't care.'

'I do.'

'You care about things when it suits you.'

'What do you mean?'

'You heard me.'

'Look, you don't understand -'

'Oh I think I do! You don't mind me getting treated like some sort of sex object for your benefit, but you mind me keeping a cat I lost when I was a kid!'

'Rose-'

'My first real best friend gave her to me when hers had a litter and they had to sell them before they moved to America! Except I got to choose Midnight for m'birthday pressie, even though Mum got really mad at me and I got in heaps of trouble after but it was worth it cause I had a kitten and it was the most wonderful thing ever! Then Mum stops dating the landlord and "suddenly" can't afford the rent and I had to leave Midnight here and move to a godawful hole in Islington!'

She paused for breath and at that moment the woman walked back into the room, completely oblivious as to what had been going on.

'Talked sense into 'im yet love?' She turned to face the Doctor. 'You know you ought to be thanking your lucky stars you've got this beautiful girl, with your looks. Why not let 'er 'ave a little pet? What 'arm could it do?'

The words sent the Doctor into another level of shock - if that was at all possible. He didn't know what to say. That he in fact spent every waking moment thankful for Rose? That he was sorry and didn't know how to say so without admitting that her childhood was all his fault, like she'd made it sound?

Rose elected to ignore him and turned to Janice with a forced smile.

'Don't worry about it. I'm getting Midnight anyway. If he doesn't want her inside his place then I'll take her home with me.'

The woman's brows drew together as she finally sensed a bit of the tension, which was like a glacier had suddenly replaced all the air in the room around Rose and the Doctor.

'Somethin the matter?'

'No, no, everything's fine. So can I have her then?'

'Of course dearie. We've checked and she's already been de-sexed, and wormed. You'll just have to fill in a few forms, won't take you a minute. It's not too important of course, but we always like to be sure our animals are going to nice, stable 'omes.'

Rose paused. How could she do that in 1993?

'Are you sure it's necessary?' She asked.

The woman gave her a suspicious look.

'It's just I don't actually have one at the moment. I've sort of been just travelling around for a year and..'

'Well how on earth did you expect to be able to take care of a cat if you're livin on the streets?'

'No, I'm not on the streets! I just travel a lot. Midnight can still come with me.'

'Oh now I do 'ope you aren't thinkin of condemning the poor thing to constantly going through Customs and quarantine now are you? I can't imagine a nice-lookin girl like yourself to be so 'orrible!'

'No. I wouldn't dream of-'

'Then 'ow could you possibly think of considerin yourself fit to take care of a pet? You've got nowhere to keep it and you don't want to give any details of yourself. For all I know, you'll find it too 'ard to look after and dump it somewhere.'

'But-'

'Will this do?' The Doctor interrupted, placing his psychic paper on the counter.

Rose stared at him incredulously as the woman read whatever he'd deemed it to show. He met her gaze, with an odd yet serious expression on his face. She managed a small smile.

'Well.. of course! You never said you were a professional animal trainer, Mr Smith! You ought to 'ave mentioned it at once! Fancy that - training animals for big American movies! Though I suppose this isn't really business now is it, getting a pet for your girlfriend? No matter, I won't tell a soul. 'ere you go, she's yours.'

The woman placed Midnight, who had been attacking a vase of plastic flowers, into Rose's arms. She stroked the soft downy fur, unable to quite believe her luck.

'Nice meeting you.' The Doctor lied to the woman, impatiently steering Rose out.

'Keep in touch won't you? It's just-' Janice began to reply.

'Not sure I could. I'm usually busy travellin - like she said – and I might not find the time.'

'Oh well, that's the way it is I spose nowadays. Best of luck.'

'Bye!' Rose managed to get out before the door closed behind her.

They walked in silence for a while. Then Rose finally worked up the courage to ask the obvious question.

'Why'd you do it?'

'Like you said, I owe you one.'

'Oh. Thank you. I'm sorry for the bother this'll be.'

'Nah, we'll sort something out. The old girl will manage. Though she won't like you any more for it.'

Rose hadn't considered that.

'Bollocks.'

(wakes up at 1:30 am and writes second chapter for no particular reason other than excessive suger consumption, English assignment due today, and.. erm.. obsession with Doctor Who?)

Jack is gone because I'm in a narky mood with him at the moment. If he hadn't gone and died in 'Parting of the Ways' Rose might've had time to get rid of the Vortex herself. But no, she goes and brings him to life.

I wouldn't mind, except that he got left behind. So what was the point of bringing him back? To avoid repeating Adric's fate? Cause he's not in the next series.. gah.. Ignore me, I've had two hours sleep in the last twenty four hours and English assign is due next lesson ad I have to write a ten minute speech between now and then...

Y'know, I seriously think this story reminds me of Ark Led's style of writing. Romantic comedy with a bit of angst. Except not as well written. Not depressing or having evil dark themes underneath like my other ones. Score.