Forgotten Roses
By Kyizi
Disclaimer: The Doctor, Rose, TARDIS, and all related items do not belong to me; to my knowledge, they're some lucky git at the beeb's.
Rating: PG (may up later on)
Pairing: Ninth Doctor/Rose
Spoilers: Lets just say any episodes 9th Doctor/Rose are fair game.
Notes: Wow…what a response! I love you all g I'm sorry that this update took so long, but I just moved house, my computer wouldn't log on to the internet, and I suck:p
A note for corrupted-innocent and all those who mentioned this being a pre-series fic…it isn't! Just keep reading and all will become clear… ;)
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Part One: Shrouded in Enigma
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He hears something in the distance, a little squeak of a sound that should barely penetrate the furthest edges of his sleep, but it is tugging at him, forcing him to wake. He blinks a moment, waiting for reality to set in and he no longer remembers what it is that he dreams of. Rubbing at his eyes, as if that should dispel any and all vestiges of the dreams that taunt him, he moves off the bed and heads towards the doorway, pausing only briefly to look around.
There are things in this room that he cannot explain; clothes and trinkets that belonged to someone he must have known, but no companion comes to mind when he tries to assign them somewhere. He's not even sure what it was that prompted his change in room, or even his sudden need to have one, but, somehow, lying on the bed in the corner of the room (and only this room) he feels a sense of home. And, even if he can't explain it, that's something he wouldn't give up lightly.
He turns and exits the room, taking care to be light on his feet lest he should wake his companion. After making a cup of tea, he makes his way to the TARDIS controls, fiddling with the landing coordinates, something that has become a 'morning' ritual for him. The TARDIS seems weary and lost, but he's not sure why, all he knows is that she's missing something, like an ache in her heart. No, not something…someone, but then he knows that's not right; it can't be.
Sounds echo through her now, sounds that he's sure he has never heard her make before. As though she's calling out for something she's lost, something that has been torn from her. It's not a sound he likes to hear and yet he's never really sure that he hears it anyway. She continues to land in London; the same place, the same time, without explanation. He can't find any problems in her navigational systems and he has often wondered if he's the one getting it wrong; is he the one missing something? Someone?
At that thought he feels sleep tugging at him again. He doesn't want to let it win because he knows what will happen. He feels as though he's losing time and, for a Time Lord, that doesn't happen often…in fact, he's not sure he ever remembers it happening before. When he's fully awake she cannot find him and he doesn't even remember her until a sudden flash of blonde hair brings the dreams rushing back to him for a second. Seconds had never seemed to long before.
The air is light and he grins at her, knowing that she's up to mischief. It's the way her tongue sneaks out, unbidden, to the one side of her mouth. It's her tell and he knows it, and so does she. The planet is filled with an almost ethereal light, causing shapes to dance in front of his eyes and he scrunches his face a little, trying to focus on only her. He remembers why he brought her here and grabs her hand, slipping it into his as though it were a part of him; he sometimes thinks it is.
Pulling her away from the vast crowds, he leads them into a smaller alley, the tall buildings creating well needed shade as they begin their trek up the step incline. The street is empty and he turns to face her, her questioning gaze only fuelling his desire to surprise her. The first time he'd tried to show her something spectacular he'd chosen to show her the destruction of her home planet; not a wise choice in hindsight, especially given the almost life threatening ending it had lead to, but this time? This time he was going to make that pretty little mouth of hers drop in awe. It had happened since that first trip, but this time he was showing her something spectacular and he knew she'd love it.
She was beginning to tug him back a little, trying to slow their pace slightly, but he wasn't about to let up. They were almost there.
"Come on," he says encouragingly and she shakes her head at him, but smiles and follows; just as he knows she will.
When they reach the glass elevator, he makes her close her eyes. The ride up will be spectacular, but he wants her to see this single event from start to finish in the only way it should be seen. She could wow at the scenery later.
When the lift comes to a halt, he's almost sure she'll love it…but there's always an almost and he no longer cares to wonder why; his need to please her just is. Knowing he only has a few minutes, he leads her out onto the platform, not even glancing at the others there to watch; as far as he can see, they are the only two people in the world. He leads her to a secluded viewing spot, well away from the others, and stands directly behind her.
"Three…two…one…open your eyes," he says softly, sure that her name should follow, but it doesn't leave his lips. He has no time to wonder at that as her gasp tells him everything he needs to know. She leans back into him and he smiles, allowing his fingertips to graze the slight hint of skin above her jeans.
"It's a bit like your Northern Lights," he says, still in his hushed tone. "Only this time, the star behind it is going supernova." When she doesn't speak, he pre-empts the question he knows should have been spoken. "I know what you're thinking; I've brought you to another planet to watch it be destroyed, but not this one. These people are well advanced. They're going to ride out the wave and hitch on to the nearest star. It works, too."
She turns to face him and smiles. He's still waiting for her to speak, but nothing is forthcoming and he frowns. He knows her; she does nothing but talk and yet she's watching him in silence. Her eyes are the only thing saying anything. She needs his help…but, looking at her, he doesn't know what to do.
He jumps as the TARDIS lands, not quite sure when it was that he slipped into the dream. For a moment he knows who she is, knows her name despite the fact that she has not spoken to him, but, before the thought is fully formed, she's gone, shrouded in enigma, and he finds himself wondering exactly what it is that he's been thinking about.
"We there yet?" asks a sleepy voice and he turns to grin at her. She rolls her eyes and pulls her hair back into a ponytail. He frowns briefly thinking it should be blonde, not brown. "So long as we're not back in London again. There's only so many times I want to look at those ruddy counsel houses."
"Snob," he says with a grin. "Come on, there's a world waiting to be explored."
"Yeah, yeah, and you can't wait. You and your adventures; sometimes I wonder why I even bother putting up with you."
His grin widens and he spreads his arms, turning in a small circle. "Because I provide the transport."
"You know one of these days I'm going to convince the TARDIS to run away with me and then where would you be?"
"The TARDIS would never leave me, would you girl?" There is a small rumble that he takes as her assent and he raises his eyebrows cockily.
"Stop being so smug," she says, walking towards him.
"Come on, let's explore." He grabs Kit's hand, something telling him that the act should feel familiar, that it should feel right, but it's not…he just isn't sure why.
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End Part One
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