Chapter 38
The private section of the Zeppelin that Pete's secretary had arranged was extremely cozy and bright. And surprisingly much more luxurious than the one that Rose had flown to New York on. But, it could also have just seemed that way because the entire interior had been decorated for Christmas. Small trees, garland, bows, and such seemed to be everywhere she looked. Even the light music that played in the hallways and common areas seemed to bring more of the festive cheer.
Rose's mood had been lifted as soon as she had boarded. She loved Christmas and all of the wonderful things that went along with that time of year.
The main common room for their party was large. The ceiling was curved with a light in the center that expanded at least twelve feet up. Gold ribbon seemed to twirl around the corners and ceiling, along with twinkling lights to give the illusion of snow against the white. The floor was covered in a patterned carpet that had the same color pillows sitting on the leather white sofas that sat throughout the room.
The walls heal boxed windows that showed the passing Earth that slowly crept under them. The clouds were spotty in the sky, but Rose realized that they had only just taken off and they may not be above the clouds as yet. Just as she looked towards the horizon, the sun was beginning to go down in the sky and beamed her in the eyes.
She quickly covered them and groaned.
She heard a small motor running and then noticed the light become shaded around her. She looked up to see Danny pressing a button to the side of the window. "You don't have tinted windows on the other side?"
"Wot? Tinted windows?"
He shook his head. "Primitive. I'm dating a cavewoman."
She giggled and put on her sunglasses. With a pang, she thought of the Doctor. It sounded like something he would say.
Danny sat down next to her and took her hand.
She turned and smiled at him. She felt her heart skip as he raised her hand to his mouth to kiss making her forget anything about the Doctor. She inhaled deeply and could smell his cologne.
He was dressed in a nice grey suit with a black oxford underneath. The black hair that she could see, reminded her of the last time she had been running her hands across his bare chest. Just thinking about that made her ache for him to touch her more.
He smiled at her, "What's on your mind?"
She giggled, "Nothing."
He laughed with her, "I love this time of year. So….I don't know…."
"Full of hope."
"I suppose so. It's….well. It's like seeing that you're nearly at the end of something. Because, as soon as it's the New Year, everything is…new."
She giggled, "No, it isn't."
"What? You don't think like that?"
"No," she smiled. "It's still the same sort of thing. You don't magically get a brand new life when the clock strikes midnight."
"I disagree."
"You do?"
"What? You don't think your life can completely change on a dime?"
"I've never understood that expression."
"Do you know what a dime is, my lady?" He asked with his perfectly coached English accent.
"Of course, I do."
He laughed under his breath. "Yeah? Who is on it?"
"Some President."
"Good guess." He appeared impressed.
"But, no. I don't believe that."
"You? Miss Cavewoman from a primitive time and place where they use tooth powder from a tube and deodorant from a stick."
She pointed at him, "That is the maddest thing here! Where can I find some decent toothpaste?"
He shook his head. "You don't like brushing powder? How do you even put that on your brush from a tube? Do you put your toothbrush inside of it or something?"
"No. It's not a powder. Well, they have toothpaste powder, too. But, it's like…a liquid."
"Liquid? Like water?"
"No," she sighed, "It's a gel. That's it. A gel."
"A gel? Like hair gel?"
"That's it!"
"I bet it tastes weird."
"Why?"
"It just sounds like it would. Maybe you should try brushing your teeth with hair gel."
"You're no help." She giggled again as he squeezed her hand.
They sat together and watched the world slowly creep along below them. Rose had been surprised that she hadn't gotten nervous because of her sudden fear of heights. She still couldn't explain that. Why did being in a tall building bother her so much?
"Let me ask you something." She said.
He hummed that it was alright and looked at her.
"How do you, deal with people looking at you?"
"I usually have that quick thought that I should have zipped my pants." He teased.
"No." She laughed in embarrassment. "Nevermind, it's stupid-"
"No, you mean. How do I deal with popularity? Not being able to be me without, tripping over me."
"Yes." Of course, he understood what she was trying to say. He always did.
"Well," he began. "It was awesome, at first. It's what you want as an actor. To be working enough, doing something you love. But, it's such a public job that….the more you work, the more that happens. And then, it becomes…."
"Overwhelming." She finished his sentence.
"Yes. Is that where you are?"
She gripped his hand tighter and looked back out of the window. "Danny, I am struggling with this. I've never had bodyguards before. I'm beginning to realize that this is just how my life is now."
Danny hadn't gotten on the Zeppelin the same time with Rose, but the press seemed to have had a warning what time she would be there.
"It was bad when went through, but-"
"It was terrible. Lewis and Sam are furious with the security here. A cameraman pushed his way in and cut just under one of the bodyguards' eyes. Did you see it?"
"No." He shook his head. "Lewis didn't hit him?"
"He was too busy getting me in the door." She sighed. "At least there is a private area for us so we don't have to deal with that madness. And that's something I want to talk to you about. Well, I want to talk to you about a million things-"
"Really?" He asked and grinned. "That's good. It's a long way to Florida."
"No, I mean." She stopped to gather her thoughts again, "If people find out that we're dating, you're going to have to start having bodyguards."
"I'm not."
"Oh, yes you are!" She insisted.
He looked at her in question, "You think?"
"Danny." She shook her head. "I wouldn't be so worried if it was just one. Or even two at a time. Why in the world do I need all of this security? I tried to not think about it, or even let it get to me. But, then this….mob. I mean, I get that Pete Tyler is-"
"Pete Tyler is…. Wow." He sat back and shook his head. "I still can't believe that's your Dad."
"Well, yes and no."
"Well, yeah." He agreed, "It's just…everyone in the world knows him. He's more popular than even the new President here."
She smiled, "I can't understand a thing that man says."
"I don't think he can." Danny teased. "But, I hear Pete old friends with him. President Howard Shepherd. Howie. As in, 'How-do-we' understand what he is saying?"
"Very old friends." She smiled. "He talks about him a lot. He wants me to meet him and…I just can't even believe this is my life." She looked at him in surprise. "Danny," she began but, stopped to think about her question.
"I suppose this is about that old tattoo I have on my ass, right?"
She laughed, "Stop. No, seriously. Are you dating me to just…"
"Because you are a Tyler? Nah."
She knew he was telling her the truth and smiled.
"Truth is, it rather turns me off quite a bit."
She looked at him and smiled, "It does not."
He mumbled, "I've heard of The Jackie Tyler. She has a reputation that actually scares the hell out of me."
She laughed at him. "It should. It's probably all true."
"Maybe this isn't a good idea at all. I think I'll go ask the pilot to turn the Zepplien around."
She giggled as he leaned in closer to her. Her heart lept again as his lips met hers.
She rose her hands to cup his face. She could feel him put his hand on the back of her head to keep her close to his eyes after a few, gentle kisses on her lips. He looked in her eyes as he whispered, "Rose. You could tell if I was lying. The only problem I'm facing at the moment is just how much I want to tell you how I feel. And how much I'll miss you once we arrive."
"Russ bossing you around again?" She teased.
He leaned in again and she became lost in his kiss. They sat on the sofa together and he explored her mouth with his tongue.
There was nothing but him and her. She wrapped her leg across his lap and could feel his hand beginning to creep up her thigh.
"SMACK!"
Both of them jumped nearly out of their skin when Lewis smacked Danny on top of his head with a rolled-up newspaper. He said something that sounded to Rose like Russian and then stopped speaking to think of the words. "Umm."
"Get a room?" Danny helped.
"Close enough." Lewis insisted. "I need to speak to Rose for a second, please."
Danny turned back to her, "I'll step down to the restaurant. What do you want?"
"Something cold to drink. But, non-alcoholic. Just…not water, either. And some chips."
"Chip-chips or-"
She rolled her eyes, "French fries."
"Alright." He stood up and held his hand out to invite Lewis to his seat. "Can I get you something, Lewis?"
"Nah, I'm alright, cheers." He said and Danny walked away.
Lewis made eye contact with Rose and smiled before he sat down. "Sorry about that."
"About what? What language was that?"
"What? When?"
"Just then?"
He looked at her in confusion, "English?"
She groaned, "Anyway. What did you need?"
"So, how are you doing?"
She rose her eyebrow in suspicion, "That's what was so important?"
He shook his head and smiled, "It's just that I have a meeting shortly with Pete, and I know he will ask. Any father would."
"Are you a father, Lewis?" She asked.
"What? Why?"
"I'm just curious. I don't know much about you."
He looked out of the window and smiled. "Yes, I am."
"Really?" She seemed surprised.
He nodded, "Yes. But,-"
"Sons? Daughters?"
He stopped talking and looked at her. "Why?"
"Sorry, is it a secret?" She asked quietly.
He cleared his throat and shook his head, "No, it's….I didn't think about you asking me that."
She looked confused. "Why not?"
"Umm. Yes." Lewis decided. "Two daughters and two sons. And none of them even look like me."
She smiled, "Well, that's a waste."
"I hear that's just life. Arla has only been able to meet one, though. Samuel."
"You named him after your friend, Sam." She realized. "The other bodyguard."
He laughed under his breath. "Nah, his mother did."
"He doesn't look like him, does he?" She teased.
"Not at all." He laughed and ran his hand through his hair.
He turned his head to look at her. "Are you alright? After all of that, outside?"
"I'm fine, Lewis. It just…frightened me more than I thought it would."
"This is hard to deal with. I've known a lot of people in this business. You're the first one that I've personally known who came from another life. A quieter life."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Who else have you known?"
"No one you would know." He winked at her. "But, mostly royalty and the like."
"How do they deal with it?"
"The same way you are. The best they can." He grinned at her. "Everyplace you go, won't always be bad. But, there will be worse."
She sighed, "Lewis. You give me so much to look forward to."
"But, you are alright? Not hurt, or anything?"
"No. I'm fine." She smiled. "How is the guy who got hurt?"
"That's Timon. I don't know if you have properly met him or not. He's on his way out of town this afternoon. I'm going to put him on another detail. But, he'll be back in a few days."
She remembered about what he had said before they had left when she had mistaken him for her Doctor. "Lewis, I'm curious how you know, 'The Doctor'."
Sam the bodyguard walked over and put his hand on Lewis's shoulder. Nothing was said aloud, but Lewis seemed to know what he was saying.
"Thank you, I'll be there shortly," Lewis said and stood up.
Sam smiled at Rose before he walked away.
Lewis stood in front of Rose while he buttoned his jacket. "What can I tell Pete?"
She laughed in disbelief. "You're not going to tell me how you know him?"
"Are you going to tell me what I can tell Pete?"
She crossed her arms, "No."
Lewis put this hands on his hips and smiled. "Mickey told me about him."
Rose stared at him as she wondered what he wasn't telling her.
"Rose. I'm in charge of your security. Completely. Mickey had to tell me about him. Especially that he can change his appearance."
"He wouldn't hurt me."
He smiled at her. "I know he wouldn't. I would just have to notify Mickey if I thought he was here."
"But, he can't come here. Lewis, -"
A male voice called to Lewis. He waved at them and nodded before looking back at Rose again and smiling. "I'm glad you and Danny are getting along so well."
Her serious tone changed to laughter, "Yeah, right."
"Ugh. So, what can I tell Pete?"
"Other than I'm a pain in the ass?" She teased.
"That's my opening statement."
She relaxed, "Tell him that I'm rattled, but fine. I'm better. Getting used to everything."
He nodded, "Alright. And Danny?"
"Oh." She realized that was probably what had been the reason he broke them apart. She thought of Jackie and what she would say. Rose dating THE Danny Morgan?
"Lewis, let's just keep that quiet for now."
He winked at her, "I understand. Thank you, Rose."
He walked away down the hallway to some unseen conference room.
Rose looked back out of the window just in time to see an urban area begin to pass far beneath them. She could almost make out the tiny cars that sat in traffic on the roadways. Probably people coming home from work to be with their families.
Nice, normal families.
Like she used to be with her Mum.
Without warning, she suddenly became homesick for her old life. This time of day, she would probably be coming home from working at the shop. Maybe her Mum would have asked for her to stop off at the market to pick up something. She smiled as she remembered one of the few last "normal" days she could remember. Of course, that would have been before she met the Doctor and he blew up her job!
She closed her eyes tightly with the memory of him.
Why was she so unimportant to him? Without warning, tears begin to threaten to overtake her.
She took a deep breath and thought to herself. "Stop. Don't break down."
It was no use. She felt a single tear fall down her cheek. She quickly wiped it and demanded her emotions to come under her control.
As she held her breath, she heard her voice say, "Rose. You are so powerful."
It was the Bad Wolf's voice. She knew it. And the very idea frightened her into a near panic. She jumped out of her seat and looked around the room.
"Hey, Rosie. You alright?" Danny asked.
She spun around to see him standing right in front of her.
He put his hand on her elbow. "You look sick."
"I'm….fine." She managed.
"Yeah, like hell you are. Come on. They just opened the suites."
She was so grateful he was there. She held onto this arm as they walked down the opposite hallway.
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