The Bits in Between

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Knighting of Rose Tyler

By Lumendea

AN: This takes place after Daughter of the World. I've had a lot of requests for this and finally got a scene written that I like. I'm sorry it was in writing limbo for so long.

…..

Rose wasn't sure what a person was supposed to wear to be knighted. Alistair had worn his uniform, and most men probably wore fancy suits. Rose hesitated to wear a dress just in case. It might have only been a week since the Qreiz'elt were defeated, but it wasn't too soon for something else to cause trouble. Rose had no intention of fighting off aliens in heels. So she let Sharon and Shireen drag her out shopping for a pants suit and dressier boots.

Her Mum was over the moon about all of it. Ever since the incident, she had been oddly patient with Rose and actually asked occasional questions about UNIT and aliens. Rose didn't think it would last long, but the peace it brought between them was nice. Jackie had gone shopping herself and found a horrible pink outfit that looked like it belonged at one of those garden parties that Jackie liked to read about. She looked pretty good in it but reminded Rose too much of the other Jackie, causing a near panic attack the first time Rose saw her in it.

No one could know about the knighting, of course, or at least the full reason for it. She was officially being honored for her service to UNIT with no mention of the Qreiz'elt in the public record. Harriet Jones insisted that the Queen wouldn't mind, and she didn't need to worry about Torchwood, but Rose was still nervous about the whole affair.

So now Rose was in an elegant small salon waiting for the Prime Minister and Queen. Thus far, Harriet was holding onto her job, which was a relief. Her final speech about the crisis and handing over evidence of the darker dealings had earned her a boost to her popularity. Rose just hoped it lasted; she was leaving Earth soon and would feel better knowing that someone with some sanity was in a top position.

"I don't understand why you don't want it public," Jackie huffed. "You saved the world."

"Yes, and I want to be left alone so I can do it again if I need to."

"That doesn't mean-"

"Mum," Rose interrupted gently. "It's okay. I prefer it this way. I will have a public claim to the title, but the details don't need to be known."

"Gita was curious as to what all the fuss was about," Jackie said. "Haven't owned a dress like this…" Jackie trailed off and laughed. "Well, I've never owned a dress like this."

The doors opened again, and Jackie jumped off the sofa she's been seated on. In walked Benton, Alistair, and Malcolm along with, to her great surprise, the Tenth Doctor and Jack. All five of them were chatting with easy-going smiles. Well, four of them were. Malcolm looked like he was mere moments from fainting out of excitement. The Doctor caught her eye and smiled. Rose's heart might have jumped, but she stayed in her place by Jackie.

"Mum," Rose said. "You remember Brigadier Benton." She blinked. "I can't recall if you've ever met General Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart. They are both good friends at UNIT."

Jackie nodded to them, but the slight curl of her lip wasn't' exactly friendly. Rose looked at the Doctor and Jack, unsure of how to introduce them. She really wasn't ready to try and tell her Mum that she had a boyfriend, that he was an alien, or try to lay the groundwork for explaining regeneration.

"And you remember Jack, I'm sure."

"Yes," Jackie snarled. "I remember him."

She glared, and Jack rubbed his jaw, getting a sympathetic look from Benton and the Doctor. Given Alistair's lack of response, Rose figured that he had yet to receive a Tyler slap. That was something. Jackie's gaze jumped to the Doctor, and she was about to ask who he was when the double doors at the far side of the room opened. A smiling Harriet Jones strode in with Ganesh at her side. Rose grinned, both in pleasure at seeing her and the distraction right in time.

"Congratulations on remaining Prime Minister, Harriet," Rose said. She beamed at Harriet Jones, who stepped forward to hug her tightly.

"Oh, you precious thing," Harriet said. Releasing Rose, she shook her head fondly. "I blame you for that. My grand speech apparently had a big impact." Harriet paused and reached out to squeeze Rose's hand. "That wasn't why I made it, of course; I hope you know that."

"I do," Rose assured her. "Your sincerity was obvious; I think that more than anything touched people."

Harriet rewarded her with another beaming smile. "The Queen will be here soon. I know that you didn't want a huge fuss, but she's hoping to have you join her for tea afterward."

"Tea," Rose repeated. "With the Queen?"

"It's fine, Rose," the Doctor's voice said behind her. "She's really very nice and has wonderful nibbles."

"Who are you again?" Jackie asked.

Rose turned to find her mother glaring at the Doctor, who didn't seem to know how to deal with her. Alistair thankfully came to the rescue.

"This is Doctor John Smith. He's one of our scientific advisors." Alistair looked at Rose. "I'm sorry that not all of your UNIT friends could be here."

"I understand," Rose said. "I didn't want a big thing, and it's important to keep all positions manned."

"We'll make a military mind out of you yet, Tyler."

The Doctor snorted, earning a dark look from Alistair. Grinning at Alistair, the Doctor rubbed the back of his neck and shifted back. Rose smiled at him and smoothed down her blouse, suddenly even more nervous.

Everything moved quickly after that. The Queen entered, dressed in a soft green dress and, to Rose's surprise, wearing a crown. Harriet was respectful while introducing them, but Rose was unable to speak. Her mouth was too dry. It was silly; she'd met plenty of famous people. Maybe this was just part of growing up in England. She'd been raised with respect and had never expected this.

Kneeling, Rose tried not to fidget as the Queen began to speak. She knew that she should be paying attention, should be listening to the speech, but the nervous energy was too much. Fighting the urge to look at the Doctor or her friends, Rose held back nervous giggles. She could hear her mother's barely restrained squeals as her own heart tried to pound out of her chest.

The weight of the sword on her shoulders was unexpected. Rose hadn't been sure that they actually used those. Maybe it was special for her because she was actually a warrior. Rose told her brain to shut up, but it didn't. Then it was over, and she stood with the Queen, actually smiling gently at her. Managing a thank you, Rose was at a loss, and the Doctor was chuckling behind her.

Harriet walked out of the room with the Queen towards the salon, where tea was apparently waiting. Jackie was trailing after them, beside herself in excitement. Rose finally exhaled, and the Doctor caught her hand. Jack winked at her, drawing a curious glance from Benton. Rose just shook her head fondly at Jack. She wasn't even going to try to explain her friend to Benton. The Doctor's grasp on her hand tightened, and he drew her a little closer to him.

"Honestly, it's Jack," Rose whispered.

"Exactly," the Doctor muttered.

"So, you haven't met Mrs. Tyler yet," Alistair said. He sounded amused.

"Jackie doesn't know about Rose and me," the Doctor said. He shrugged a little. "She's not very… aware of the complexities of time travel. We'll meet… properly soon." He flinched, and Rose guessed that it wasn't a pleasant memory. "But eventually, we'll get on fine. Haven't had that kind of hostility from her in years." He grimaced and shuddered but then looked at Rose. "But today is about you, Rose. What do you want to do? Either before or after we contain your mother."

Rose couldn't help it. The nerves finally caught up with her, and she started laughing. Muffling her giggles into the Doctor's shoulder, she smiled when he wrapped an arm around her. She caught Alistair, Benton, and Jack all smiling warmly at them and sighed in relief. Exciting, but Rose would be just as happy when this was done. She really wasn't much for being the center of attention. Still, she really did feel deeply grateful and honored. Thanks wasn't necessary, but it was nice sometimes.