Unto the Universe
Chapter Forty-Eight: Torn in Twain: Nice to Meet You
By Lumendea
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or any spinoff material, and I gain no income from this story, just the satisfaction of playing with the characters.
….
The room Alistair was using as a makeshift office was still for a moment. Rose studied the closed off expressions of both Doctors with an intense sense of déjà vu and wished that she remembered what had happened on that planet where she and the Doctor had both memory gaps. The General looked between them with a mix of both amusement and exasperation. That spurred Rose's Doctor on.
"Rose, this is my sixth incarnation," the Doctor said, gesturing to the man in the brightly coloured coat. He grimaced. "I think I blocked out that coat."
"I suppose to someone who doesn't know what colour is, that it is too marvelous for you to think about." The curly haired Doctor huffed.
"You took all the colours," Rose's Doctor retorted with a huff.
"Doctor," Rose cautioned softly.
He sighed. "This is Rose Tyler," he said. Taking her hand, the Doctor squeezed it quickly before turning his attention to the young woman with the sixth Doctor. "And this is Peri Brown. She traveled with my fifth incarnation for a short time before I regenerated into-"
"Nice to meet you," Rose said, smiling at Peri and cutting off the Doctor before more sniping could start. She held out her hand for Peri to shake.
"Nice to meet you too, Rose." Peri returned the smile, still seeming a little uneasy. "We, uh, met the Doctor's second incarnation not too long ago, so this has happened before."
"So that's where you are," Rose's Doctor said. He frowned a little. "We ran into a future incarnation not too long ago. Don't remember what happened. I hope that isn't a bad sign that both of us have crossed our timelines recently."
"Unlikely," Peri's Doctor replied. "Which one are you anyway?"
"Ninth."
"A way off then. Well, my TARDIS brought us here after picking up a temporal anomaly. Was a bit surprised it was in the old UNIT base."
"It's in the basement," Rose's Doctor said. "UNIT has been monitoring it since they discovered it yesterday. It's still small, but as it was out of the way it's hard to say for certain if it was missed for a few days. They're constructing a room around it."
"A good safety precaution. Well, I suppose I had best go and take a look."
The man nodded to Lethbridge-Stewart, giving his old friend a slightly confused and curious look, and headed for the door. Peri sighed softly. Apparently, this was expected behavior. Rose's Doctor rolled his eyes and Peri chuckled.
Rose and her Doctor exchanged a look. "Please try not to start a fight," Rose asked softly. "I hate watching you be hard on yourself."
"I'll behave." The Doctor grumbled. Then he turned his attention to Peri. "You alright, Peri?"
"Yes, I think so." Peri chuckled weakly. "So, it's really you?"
"Afraid so."
She smiled at that, and her eyes moved over him. "I like the jacket."
The Doctor brightened. "Looks better than his, at least."
Peri laughed and glanced at Rose. She seemed a bit lost, and Rose didn't blame her. No matter how many times she'd met other incarnations of the Doctor, it was always a little weird. Add a strange rip in time and space to the situation and you had a mess.
"Well, we best join him," Rose said. "Unless you want to check something in the TARDIS?"
"No, we best save me from Jack," the Doctor answered. He didn't sound thrilled, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. "Can't have him encouraging Jack."
They made their way back downstairs with Peri staying close to Rose. UNIT soldiers and officers were giving them strange and confused looks. That wasn't surprising given that now there were two Doctors and three companions on site. But it made Rose nervous. If someone said the wrong thing, then she'd have to ask the Doctor to suppress more memories. She hated even the idea of that.
In the basement, Jack was standing next to the younger Doctor and Malcolm near the computer station. Three workers had returned to the basement and were mortaring and stacking the cinderblocks for the wall. Another two were measuring out the entryway of the future room. Rose eyed the rip, wondering if she should stand guard while also wanting to stay with the Doctors.
"Ah, there you are, Peri," the younger Doctor said.
"He says that he's the Doctor," Jack said. He looked over at Rose and their Doctor.
"Another companion?" the younger Doctor asked. "Rather suspicious, isn't he?"
"Former Time Agent," Jack answered. He shrugged casually. "I tend to be careful when it comes to potentially crossing timelines." Rose held back a snort. "Is it safe to have two of you here?"
"Safe no," the younger Doctor replied quickly. "But here I am regardless. Your name?"
"Jack Harkness." Jack offered a flirty grin, but Rose cleared her throat. "Uh, this is Doctor Malcolm Taylor. He's been monitoring things."
"Ah, yes!" Malcolm looked ready to fall over with glee. "Two of you are here at the same time. Quite remarkable!"
"Malcolm," Rose said gently. "Anything new in the readings? Nothing spiked when the second TARDIS arrived?"
"Nothing that our instruments could pick up," Malcolm answered. "It is fascinating, Rose. We've had things like this on Earth in the past. You remember, don't you, Rose? That time the Doctor talked over closing a rift with us over the phone?"
"I remember," Rose said. "But that hasn't happened yet." She nodded towards her Doctor. "So please, no talking about that."
"Right." Malcolm peered at her and the Doctors. "Things are never boring around you, Rose." He chuckled warmly and turned back to his computers.
"Something I should know about?" the Doctor asked her softly, leaning close to her.
"Probably not in detail," Rose answered. "Let's just say that if something happens in my past, you're probably okay to call me or show up to help."
He looked like he wanted to ask questions, but Jack had turned to Peri.
"Hello there," Jack greeted with a smile. "Captain Jack Harkness, you are?"
"He's not really a captain," the Doctor huffed. He gave Jack a stern look. "No." Then he joined his counterpart and Malcolm.
"I'm Peri Brown," Peri answered. She was smiling broadly at Jack. "You're American!"
"Ah… no." Jack actually seemed sorry to disappoint her as her face fell. "I'm from a long way in the future. The United States isn't around anymore. I just have a more neutral accent, so that's what it sounds like to you."
"Oh." Peri shrugged. "Well, it's still nice to meet you." She looked over at Rose. "Both of you."
"Nice to meet you," Jack replied. "So, Peri Brown, any good stories to share?"
"Jack!" their Doctor huffed. "Get over here. You're a former Time Agent. Make yourself useful!"
Winking at Peri, Jack left her with Rose near the bottom of the stairs. They were close enough to the computers to hear the Doctors debate over their next course of action. The insults hadn't come out yet so Rose wasn't going to interfere.
"That thing…" Peri murmured, drawing Rose's attention. She was staring at the rift through the opening for the door. "It's… I don't know. There's an instinct to run away from it." Peri shivered. "And that screaming. It's faint, but…"
"I know." Rose stepped closer to Peri and studied her for a moment. She was younger than Rose, probably by a few years at least. "But we have two Doctors here and UNIT. We'll get it sorted out. No one here will let you come to harm."
"Thanks." Peri smiled a little at the promise. "You weren't surprised by the Doctor looking different. Has he regenerated with you?"
"No, not yet." Rose could see the question in Peri's eyes. "And no, he didn't warn me exactly. Our timelines are complicated. We've met out of order. He looked like this when I first met him in my timeline, but I've met him in other bodies in circumstances that required telling me what was going on."
"That's weird."
"Very weird," Rose agreed. "But it works for us." She paused. "Uh, have you been to the Tower of London yet?"
"The Tower of London?" Peri blinked and laughed in surprise. "Yes, a few weeks ago. The Doctor complained about it, but I managed to get him to take me to a few places I've always wanted to visit on Earth. You travel with the Doctor so you know that half the time you end up running for your life!" Then Peri seemed to circle back to Rose's question. "How did you know about that?"
"Oh, I met your Doctor there. A few years ago to me and saw him with you." Rose shrugged. "Like I said, complicated timelines." She eyed Peri, noting the fairly modern fashion. "What year are you from?"
"I'm from 1984, though it's hard to keep track of time in the TARDIS."
"The 80s, huh?" Rose gave herself a moment to consider that. She'd never met Peri or heard about her from UNIT or the other companions. That didn't necessarily mean anything bad, but it made Rose uneasy. "You're a good jump into the future now."
"I figured. The Doctor didn't check the year when we arrived, but the technology is a lot more compact." She pointed at the computers. "They're so small."
"Wait until you see phones."
Footfalls on the stairs made Rose turned away from the rip for a moment. Kate was coming downstairs with an armful of files and an impatient expression. Still, the expression softened when she caught sight of Rose.
"How bad is it?" Kate asked.
"They aren't throwing punches," Rose answered. "So far, so good. Uh, Kate, this is Peri Brown. She's traveling with the younger Doctor. Peri, this is Kate Stewart. She's…" Rose trailed off and sighed. "I'm not sure what your actual title is at this point."
"That's because you're never on Earth." Kate none the less didn't seem annoyed and gave Peri a nod. "I'm UNIT's Chief Scientific Officer. Usually I'm the Head of the United Kingdom branch except when the General is in the country."
"Ah." Rose nodded her understanding. Yeah, Alistair's presence did probably make things weird. It was natural for folks to defer to the more experienced Lethbridge-Stewart. "Well, Malcolm seems to be holding his own, but if you've got anything else, you best check in with them."
Kate looked over at the pair of Doctor and shared a smile with Rose before walking over. Jack was already looking frazzled and Malcolm was staring at them with wide, confused eyes, so Rose was certain that the technobabble was reaching epic levels.
"You seem to know the folks here," Peri observed.
"Yeah, I actually spent a few years as a contractor with UNIT." Rose flexed the fingers of her right hand, taking comfort in the weight of her bracelet. "So, I know I most of the leadership in the UK at this point. Kind of hoping some of my mates show up before we leave. If not, the Doctor gonna be stuck on Earth for a couple of days while I catch up."
There was a shout of surprise from the younger Doctor that drew both Rose and Peri's attention. Without a word, they hurried over to join the group by the computer. It was officially too crowded now, and Rose peered at the monitoring screens. Nothing had spiked. Her Doctor rolled his eyes while Kate apparently chuckled at the younger Doctor and confirmed that she was Alistair's Kate.
"Focus," the older Doctor sighed. "Rift in time and space."
"Yes, well it would already b closed if you weren't insisting on poking at it!"
"I told you, these things have been popping up all over the place. This one is small and nothing is coming through. If I can learn what causing them then maybe I can put an end to this problem before they cause the death of a world!"
That made the other Doctor fall silent. He stared at his future self intently while Peri shifted uneasily at Rose's side. Jack, Malcolm, and Kate all seemed to be holding their breathes. Then the younger Doctor turned to Malcolm and Kate.
"What do you think? This is your planet? Do you want this closed up immediately or are you alright with him poking at it?" His tone was sharper than Rose liked, but she appreciated him asking the humans in the room.
"Do you think this is important?" Kate asked the older Doctor, crossing her arms and staring intently at him.
"Yes," the Doctor answered. "Most of the rips we've seen have been on Earth in different eras. They represent a serious threat, and I can't assume that I'll always find them in time."
"Rose?" Malcolm asked, looking at her. "What do you think?"
Rose gave herself a moment to consider it, even as the soft screaming continued in the background. An icy shiver rolled down her spine, signalling that the rip was getting stronger.
"We can't wait too long," Rose sighed. "But I'd like to give the Doctor at least a few hours. If we can find the source then we can keep people from getting hurt by more of these things."
"Alright," Kate said. "Let's say four hours and reevaluate then."
"Thank you, Kate." Rose's Doctor replied.
"Well then," the younger Doctor huffed. "You do that. I'll make sure what we need to close it, is ready and on hand."
"Fair enough," Rose's Doctor answered. "Jack, with me. I have some instruments in the TARDIS that might help."
There was a soft collective sigh of relief as the two Doctor separated to return to their TARDIS. The younger Doctor called for Peri as he headed up the stairs. Rose's Doctor grabbed a notebook from Malcolm and took some notes while he waited for his counterpart to get upstairs. When the way was clear, he gestured for Jack to follow and stomped up the stairs.
"Well," Kate sighed. "That was pleasant."
"Could have gone worse." Rose sighed. The lingering tension in the air was uncomfortable. "They both have a point."
"I know." Kate looked over at the rift. "You should head upstairs, Rose. Get something to eat and drink while you can. I have a feeling that this is going to be get more complicated."
Malcolm made a sad sound of agreement. Rose nodded as Kate moved to join him in going over the readings they'd collected so far. She headed for the stairs, telling herself that Kate was right. Food and something to drink was a good idea. Once that rip got bigger, Rose would be on guard duty with her sword to give the Doctor as much time as possible.
…..
It was approaching the evening of a very long day when Lethbridge-Stewart looked up as the younger Doctor stomped into his office. He was carrying a small metal box with various bits and pieces that weren't at all familiar. Then again, he'd done his best to largely ignore the Doctor's tinkering back when he'd been exiled on Earth. Lethbridge-Stewart had found that it was better for his sanity if he gave the Doctor's technical experiments space.
"Are you two sorting this mess out?" Lethbridge-Stewart asked.
"There is some progress," the Doctor replied tightly. "Your men are making good work on that wall, though I hope it won't be needed." He looked down into his box. "I am constructing a stabilizer to use the moment he comes to his senses."
"Doctor," Lethbridge-Stewart sighed. "A little less of the arguing with yourself please."
"I'm not arguing with him." The Doctor scowled at him. "I'm speaking with an old friend. That other fellow is in his TARDIS prolonging whatever is happening here."
Lethbridge-Stewart studied his old friend. He wasn't sure about the coat, but then the Doctor traveled the whole of time and space so it was probably considered fashionable somewhere. And at this point, the man had earned the right to wear whatever he wanted. Even if it hurt his eyes a little.
"Do you have everything you need?" Lethbridge-Stewart asked the Doctor. "I can't promise that Earth has materials you need, but we'll get you anything we can."
"Thank you, but I think between the pair of us, we have what we need." The Doctor paused. "I didn't realize the year until meeting Kate. Well, I suspected, but she confirmed it."
"Ah." Lethbridge-Stewart leaned back in his desk and shrugged. "You can ask if you like."
"How are you so young?" the Doctor asked, almost suspiciously. "Apparently Kate is an adult woman now and by my estimate you are-"
"It's a rather complicated story, Doctor," Lethbridge-Stewart said. "And I'm not sure that it is safe for you to know."
"With the timelines out of sync I won't remember this," the Doctor replied easily. Almost flippantly. "Only my elder self will." He did not sound happy about the arrangement at all. "So might as well tell me what happened." Now he was smiling a little, confident that his curiosity was going to be satisfied.
"I was captured and deaged by a War Lord to serve as a vessel for the injured Eternal War." Then Lethbridge-Stewart chuckled. "Gave Kate quiet a turn when I came back only a little physically older than her. Still, as unusual as it is, she rallied. It gives me time to make sure that UNIT is in good shape before I potentially enjoy an actual retirement, and watch my younger grandson grow up."
"That certainly sounds like it shall be an interesting adventure when it happens." The Doctor chuckled. "Then I am pleased for you," the Doctor said. He was smiling a little. "It is good to know that you are on Earth, keeping it safe when I'm not around."
"Yes." Lethbridge-Stewart studied the Doctor and smiled. "So, you won't remember anything of this?"
"Nothing," the Doctor agreed. Then he narrowed his eyes. "I don't think I like that expression on your face, Alistair. You are plotting something."
"Oh, I'm considering doing something foolish and potentially childish," Lethbridge-Stewart admitted. The idea brewing in his mind was certainly childish, but oh he did rather like it. "Over the years, well, you've hinted about my future."
"From time to time, I suppose," the Doctor admitted. He sniffed and gave Lethbridge-Stewart a stern look. "But I'm sure such childishness is beneath you, old chap. Besides, I won't remember it."
"No, you won't." Lethbridge-Stewart glanced at the doorway. He could see Thorn in the hallway. "But I will and honestly, that might just be worth it. Seeing your reaction." Holding back his smile, he turned his attention fully to Rose. "Thorn, a moment please."
As expected, Rose paused and looked into his office. After a flicker of hesitation, she stepped inside and joined the Doctor in front of his desk. He was a bit surprised that she was upstairs without the Doctor. The fellow in the leather coat tended to keep her close.
Lethbridge-Stewart gave himself a moment to wonder how things might have turned out if Rose had met this incarnation of the Doctor or an even earlier incarnation and her history had synched with them. Would they still be romantic or would it have been a case of right person and wrong time? Or would she not have been the right person then? Lethbridge-Stewart didn't know all of the details of the Time War, but the Doctor had spoken a little with him and it had left its marks on him. Maybe such an event was necessary for the Doctor to consider forming a romantic relationship.
"Doctor, this is Rose Tyler," Lethbridge-Stewart said.
"I am aware of that, Alistair," the Doctor chuckled. "My future self, drab fellow he is, did stop to introduce her. You were in the room."
"Alistair?" Rose asked, narrowing her eyes. "What's going on? Do you need something?" She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. "I don't like that look on your face. What's going on?"
"Having some fun at the Doctor's expense," he answered. "For once. Doctor, Rose Tyler is your future lover and wife. You two even have a son, which you named after me. Thank you for that."
"Alistair!" Rose scolded.
But Lethbridge-Stewart kept his eyes on the old boy. The Doctor's eyes narrowed, searching his face for signs that this was a joke. But then they widened in shock. His mouth opened and closed, the Doctor clearly at a loss of what to say. Lethbridge-Stewart decided it was worth any scolding Thorn gave him to see that expression on the Doctor's face. After everything he and the Doctor had been through, he had earned this pleasure.
"Turnabout is fair play," Lethbridge-Stewart said.
"Not really," Rose sighed. "Alistair, he won't remember this, but all of that is still in the future to his present self. If he says anything-"
"I am very capable of protecting future information, thank you," the Doctor huffed, finally recovering. Then he seemed to realize that he had snapped at the woman Lethbridge-Stewart had just told him he'd marry. His eyes widened and the Doctor once again seemed at an utter loss of what to do. Lethbridge-Stewart smirked. This was exactly what he'd hoped for. "That was irresponsible, Alistair," the Doctor sputtered, turning his attention back to Lethbridge-Stewart. "Especially given we're facing a strange temporal event."
"Perhaps," Lethbridge-Stewart agreed with a nod. "But at least now you'll believe me when I say that Rose can handle anything that needs doing. And if it is so dangerous, then one of your future selves was very careless whenever he swung around." Rose sighed and shook her head. "Brown hair, green eyes, bowtie. Constantly flirting with Rose and kissing her, all while wearing his wedding ring. Basically, everyone at UNIT knows. All I can assume is that you didn't like the UNIT boys flirting with your future wife."
He enjoyed the further widening of the Doctor's eyes. He should stop. Lethbridge-Stewart knew he should stop, but it so very rare that the universe gave him the opportunity to have a leg up on the Doctor. Thorn was looking at him in disapproval, but there was amusement glittering in her eyes. He rather suspected that Rose understood his feelings on the matter. Though the poor girl likely had to always watch what she said. He didn't envy her the burden of her knowledge.
"And now you know the Earth's devious plan for you," he continued. He gestured at Rose. "Create a child of Earth that you can't help but fall in love with and marry, thus tying you to this planet forever. A marvellous plan if I do say so myself."
"Alright, alright," Rose said. She chuckled softly and her eyes glittered with amusement despite her supposed annoyance. "You've had your fun, Alistair. But I've eaten to make Kate happy so I want to stand guard over that rip. Just in case."
"As you say, Thorn," he agreed. "Let us know what you and the Doctor, either of him, need."
Rose huffed and Lethbridge-Stewart just knew that he'd be hearing more about this later. But for now, he didn't care. The Doctor was still staring at Rose and trying to recover himself. She nodded to him and gave the Doctor a small smile before leaving the room. Lethbridge-Stewart watched as the Doctor finally recovered enough to glare at him. But the old boy didn't linger to scold him and instead hurried after Rose Tyler. He held back a laugh and sank back in his chair. Childish maybe, but there was no way that someone in UNIT wouldn't let the relationship slip. It was far better to get that revelation out of the way and if Rose or the older Doctor tried to argue with him over this, he'd be sure to point it out. He reached for the intercom and pressed the button to link to Doctor Taylor for an update.