So this is the entirety of Father's Day right here, because it became probably the shortest episode in this series (except the one I originally wrote, but I may or may not post that one) mostly because I think a lot of the time in this episode was dedicated to more private conversations Alex would feel out of place in. It was very person to person on screen, so because we're focusing on the one, it became a lot shorter. Sorry 'bout that. But here you go. Hope you like, as always.
"Alex?"
Alex rolled over with an annoyed groan, waving a hand at whoever was standing beside her bed.
"Alex, I'm taking Rose back in time, to see her father, back when he was alive" He told her, his voice sounding closer as he crouched down beside her. Her eyes flicked open to watch him as he spoke. "You can come, or you can stay here" Alex thought about it for a moment but then simply snuggled back into her blanket nest.
"Stay" She mumbled simply, closing her eyes again.
"Alright, we'll all go somewhere together later" He promised. Alex gave him a sleepy thumbs up and he left her room, closing the door quietly.
Alex opened her eyes, yawning as she rolled over in her bed. She sleepily thought back to what the Doctor had told her earlier. She was about to burrow back into her blankets when something in her mind finally clicked.
'I'm taking Rose back in time, to see her father, when he was alive'
Alex jumped out of bed so quickly she nearly fell to the floor as her legs got tangled in the sheets. She freed herself and ran into the walk-in closet the Tardis had given her. She didn't really pay attention to what she was picking up, throwing on a random pair of jeans and a plaid shirt, quickly tying up a pair of converse and throwing on her army green jacket as she ran out of her room. She cursed at the sight of the empty console room, continuing her run without faltering. She heard the Tardis door close behind her and decided to remember to thank her later.
Alex realised she had no idea where she was going until she spotted another Tardis. Her breath caught and she stopped. But her other self was still inside, sleeping. That was when she saw where the Doctor and Rose were standing just ahead, peering around the corner of a brick wall. Alex's eyes widened when she saw Rose take off, running forward even as the Doctor called for her to stop. Alex ran forward herself, stopping unsteadily beside the Doctor as she watched Rose talk to a very alive Pete Tyler.
"Damnit Rose" She mumbled under her breath. Alex and The Doctor shared a look. This wasn't going to end well.
Pete let the three into the flat, placing the vase in his hand down on the table in the hall.
"There we go, sorry about the mess" He told them politely. "If you want tea, kitchen's just down there. Milk's in the fridge…well it would be wouldn't it? Where else would you put the milk? Mind you, there's always the window sill outside. I always thought if someone invented a window sill with special compartments. You know, one for milk, one for yoghurt… make a lot of money out of that. Sell it to students and things…" He went silent for a moment, thinking. "I should write that down. Anyway, never mind that, excuse me…" He disappeared off to one of the other rooms, leaving the three alone.
Rose started looking around at the things scattered about the cluttered flat while the Doctor leant on the doorframe, staring at her with his arms crossed. Alex stood beside him, looking incredibly uncomfortable. She could practically feel the anger and even betrayal radiating off him. Rose looked around, talking and pointing things out and trying not to meet either of their gazes. She turned finally to smile at the Doctor, he just stared blankly back.
"Okay, look, I'll tell him you're not my boyfriend" She assured him, seeming to hope that was his issue. Alex shook her head slightly. When the Doctor finally spoke, he sounded nothing short of incredibly suspicious.
"When we first met, I said 'travel with me in space'. Alex said yes, you said no. Then I said 'time machine'"
"It wasn't some big plan" Rose tried to tell him. "I just saw it happening and thought, I can stop it"
"I did it again" The Doctor shook his head, sounding disappointed in himself. "I picked another stupid ape" Alex flinched at those words, even though they weren't aimed at her. "I should've known. It's not about showing you the universe, it never is. It's about the universe doing something for you"
"So it's okay when you go to other times, and you save people's lives, but not when it's me saving my dad"
"I know what I'm doing, you don't" The Doctor pointed out. "Two sets of us being there made that a vulnerable point"
"But he's alive!"
"My entire planet died. My whole family. Don't you think it occurred to me to go back and save them?"
"But it's not like I've changed history. Not much. I mean… He's never gonna be a world leader, he's not gonna start world war three or something"
The Doctor took a few steps forward, trying to make her understand.
"Rose, there is a man alive in the world who wasn't before. An ordinary man. That's the most important thing in creation, the whole world's different because he's alive"
"What, would you rather him dead?" Rose asked, annoyed.
"I'm not saying that"
"No, I get it! For once you're not the most important man in my life" Rose accused.
"Let's see how you get on without me then, give me the key"
Alex's mouth dropped open in shock and she took a step forward. He couldn't really kick Rose out of the Tardis, could he?
"The Tardis key, if I'm so insignificant, give it me back" He ordered.
"Alright then, I will" Rose said simply, pulling the key out of her pocket and slapping it down in his hand.
"Well you've got what you want so that's goodbye then" The Doctor turned back to the door. "Alex" He called. She didn't move. The Doctor stopped and looked at her. "Alex, let's go" She looked between him and Rose, confused and upset and not wanting to leave her behind. "Alex, stay or go, but you're making a decision right now" He warned her. Alex took one last look at Rose and huffed as she turned to storm towards the door. Rose was shouting behind them as the Doctor followed her out and she slammed the door when they were gone.
Alex was walking quickly and had no intention of letting him catch up. But, of course, he was taller than her and his longer legs let him catch up quickly.
"Alex" He tried.
"No" She snapped. "No, you can't do that, Doctor" She was fuming, pausing after every sentence to make sure she didn't start yelling. "You can't just leave her behind. You can't put me on the spot like that. You can't make me make a decision like that" She walked faster and heard him sigh from behind her.
"Alex" He repeated, catching up again.
"You're not my only friend!" She shouted suddenly, rounding on him. He froze at the sight of tears in her eyes. "Rose is my friend too and you can't just expect to give me five seconds notice and then leave her behind! I know, I'm being selfish, but you can't do this to me!" She gave him a hard shove but he only took a single step back. She huffed, turning back to get to the Tardis as fast as possible. She didn't really want to have a fight with him, all she wanted was to get back and lock herself in her room for a couple decades. She pulled out the key she had gotten since Satellite Five and quickly unlocked the door, swinging it open.
Alex froze, her mouth hanging open in shock as she suddenly remembered.
"Alex?" The Doctor called, concerned suddenly.
"Rose!" Alex shouted, taking off down the street. There was another moment before she heard the Doctor's footsteps follow. The Tardis was gone. They were all stuck. Which meant this timeline had been sealed off. And that meant nothing good. Alex knew where she was headed. There was a wedding at the church, and that's where Rose would be. She finally rounded the corner to see a mass of people outside the church she had been looking for, Rose standing apart from them.
"Rose!" She called. Rose turned, smiling.
"Get in the church!" The Doctor shouted from beside her. Rose's smiled faded suddenly as she heard the urgency in his voice. He looked to the side of her and she followed his gaze right as a giant bat-like creature appeared. Rose screamed as it headed right for her and the Doctor pushed her out of the way of it, the both of them falling to the ground. Alex rushed over, helping Rose to her feet as the Doctor jumped up and started yelling for everyone to get inside the church. They turned to run inside and stopped when another creature appeared between them and the door.
The people already inside the church started to try to come outside to see what was going on. They spotted the creature quickly and some started screaming. Some of them went to move forward, but stopped when the Doctor shouted at them to stay inside. One of them men didn't listen, running out, and the creature dove at him. He was gone. The bride tried to run for the church but was stopped when the creature moved to block her way. Alex took off without thinking, ignoring the Doctor calling for her as she stopped in front of the woman, staring right back at the creature.
The creature turned away, heading instead for the priest and Alex hurried the last of the guests inside with Rose and the Doctor. He closed the door right before it could get inside and it screeched loudly in protest. The Doctor quickly rounded on Alex, surprising her.
"What did you do that for?" He demanded. "You can't just throw yourself in front of something like that. What did I tell you?"
"I'm sorry" She said weakly.
"Sorry won't be good enough when you're dead" He snapped. Neither spoke and the whole church went silent but they were still only focussed on each other.
"It goes for the older people, I'm far too young for it to want" Alex told him in a whisper.
"You can't be sure of that" He pointed out, calmer than before. "Alex, you promised me" There was another pause.
"I know. I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time" She assured him. He gave a nod and wandered off, talking to himself about old doors and windows as he went. Alex looked back down the aisle, not missing the fact that people were just looking away. She looked along the stained glass windows and the large cross at the front. She glanced back at the Doctor, who was, surprise surprise, arguing with Jackie, before looking back to the front. She moved down to sit on the edge of the front pew, staring up at the cross.
"It's been a long time since I've been in a church" She muttered to herself. The bride came to sit down next to her after a moment.
"You saved my life" She said quietly.
"Not really" Alex shrugged. "It probably would've left you alone whether or not I was there. See it goes after the oldest first, you were too young, I simply jumped in because I'm younger. I thought it might give you a better chance" There was a moment of silence before she spoke up again.
"Your friend, he's mad at you now, isn't he?" She asked, glancing at Alex. Alex looked back towards the Doctor, who was now talking to someone else.
"I think he's just worried" She sighed, looking forward again. "See, I did something dangerous a bit ago, and he got upset when he found out. I could've died" She frowned as she thought about it. "And I didn't mind at the time" The woman next to her looked absolutely horrified at the revelation. "He, uh, talked to me later that day. Made me promise to not put myself in danger like that again. And I think I've just broken my promise" She looked down at her feet, falling silent.
"So do I" The bride agreed. Alex looked up, frowning. "What you did was very dangerous, but I won't say it wasn't also very brave. But what's the point really when it's one life for one life?" Alex was incredibly confused now, but she listened. "You and your friend, you know what's going on better than anybody else. If anybody can save us, it's you two. You shouldn't sacrifice your life for one person like me, I'm not important" Alex stared at her a moment when she finished.
"Who says you're not important?" She asked softly. The woman looked surprised but before she could say anything the Doctor spoke up from the back of the church.
"Nothing in this universe can harm those things. Time's been damaged and they've come to sterilize the wound. By consuming everything in sight" He finished looking at Rose.
"Is this because…" She trailed off shakily. The Doctor simply watched her, but he didn't seem upset. "Is this my fault?" He didn't answer, but the look he gave her said it all. He walked past her to check another door. Alex looked down at her feet with another sigh. The woman beside her seemed to understand and left her alone. Alex moved to sit on the raised stage in the front of the church, watching the other people in the room talk to each other, some quietly panicking and some checking the doors. It was later when Alex glanced up to see Pete talking to Rose. Alex smiled as they hugged, but tears filled her eyes and she fixed her gaze on the ground.
Rose was meeting her Dad for the first time. Her Dad was getting to meet her as an adult. But Alex could never see her Dad again. It all became too much, the argument between the Doctor and Rose, and between herself and the Doctor. Then what she had done outside the church, she knew the Doctor must've been mad at her. And then everywhere she looked she saw people with their families and loved ones, everything reminding her that the two she had been arguing with were the only ones she had left.
A tear fell from her eye and she wiped it away angrily, standing up to move to one of the back rooms. She checked the doors even though she was sure those had already been checked. She heard someone walk in behind her and stopped, not turning around.
"Are you alright?" The Doctor asked. Alex didn't respond for a moment, thinking over what to say.
"I'm fine" She told him unconvincingly. He stepped closer and put a hand on her shoulder, turning her to face him. She wiped her eyes quickly but she knew they were probably red anyway.
"That doesn't look fine" He pointed out. Alex huffed in annoyance, looking away as one of the walls became particularly interesting. "Don't you trust me?" Alex hesitated, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
"I learned to only trust myself" She responded curtly.
"But… I thought…"
"Doctor, this is entirely real and I know that, but sometimes it's hard to remember. I've spent a lot of my life trusting only me and you, because back then you were fiction, you weren't real and you couldn't…" She sighed, but the Doctor waited patiently. "When you weren't real, you couldn't let me down. I couldn't let you down. That's why I trust you so easily"
"Alex, I'm not mad at you" He assured her. "You've not let me down. I was just worried. You're gonna yourself killed"
Alex sighed, meeting his eyes again.
"Well that's gonna happen every now and then, travelling with you" At his almost devastated face, she added. "But I wouldn't change it for anything in the universe. I'd risk my life to save you Doctor, and I wouldn't be sorry about it. 'Cos I know you'd do the same for me" There was a pause and the Doctor pulled her in for a hug.
"What am I gonna do with you?" He muttered.
"Not let go" Alex suggested, holding him tighter.
"Never" He promised. When they eventually pulled apart Alex smiled up at him.
"Well, better get back out there. They think we're the ones who know what's going on. They'll be freaking out without the Doctor" She told him, brushing down the still burnt arm of his jacket. He smiled slightly as she walked around him to leave, glancing behind her as he followed. They weren't out there long when a tiny Mickey ran past and Jackie stopped them. She sent a glance at the Doctor before talking to Alex.
"Would you mind looking after Rose for me?" She asked, handing her over. Alex's eyes went wide as she took the baby gently and she stood completely still for a moment, afraid she'd drop her. Jackie gave her a small smile before rushing off after the boy. Alex turned slightly, staring at the Doctor in her shock, who laughed.
"Nineteen years earlier, she still trusts you with Rose more than me" He commented moving to sit on a banister beside baby Rose's carrier. Alex laughed, sitting beside him and rearranging the baby in her lap so she would be comfortable where they could both see her.
"Hello, Love" Alex smiled down at her. Baby Rose gurgled happily, reaching up to her and Alex laughed again.
"Now Rose" The Doctor spoke up, leaning closer. "You're not gonna bring about the end of the world, are you? Are you?" Alex shook her head in almost amusement at him before older Rose caught her eye, stopping beside them.
"Your mother gave her to Alex to look after. Things never change" The Doctor told her.
"I'd better be careful, I think I just imprinted on Mickey like a mother chicken" She joked. She reached out to her baby self and the Doctor quickly snatched her hand away.
"No, don't touch the baby" He warned. Alex looked around quickly at a particularly loud screech from outside. Baby Rose complained at the movement and Alex looked down at her with wide eyes.
"Oh no, no don't do that, don't cry, Love. Please don't" She whispered to the baby, bouncing her slightly "It's alright. It's alright Little Rosie, I've got you" She placed a kiss on the baby's head, looking up as the Doctor explained the paradox to older Rose.
"Can't do anything right, can I?" Rose asked quietly.
"Since you ask, no. So don't, touch, the baby" The Doctor scolded.
"I'm, not, stupid" Rose returned the same.
"You could've fooled me"
"Doctor" Alex snapped as Rose looked away, hurt. The Doctor glanced at Alex as she scowled at him, bouncing baby Rose gently on her lap. He looked back up at older Rose, realising his mistake.
"Alright, I'm sorry" He told her. She looked back at him. "I wasn't really gonna leave you on your own" He told her softly.
"I know" She said quietly, obviously still upset.
"But between you and me. I haven't got a plan. No idea. No way out"
"You'll think of something" Rose assured him quietly.
"The entire Earth is being sterilized. "This, and other places like it are all that's left of the human race. We might hold out for a while, but nothing can stop those creatures. They'll get through in the end. The walls aren't that old. And there's nothing I can do to stop them. There used to be laws stopping this kind of thing from happening. My people would have stopped this. But they're all gone. And now I'm going the same way"
"If I'd realised…" Rose trailed off. The Doctor looked up at her and she met his gaze.
"Just… tell me you're sorry"
"I am" She told him sincerely. "I'm sorry" The Doctor reached up to cup her cheek with a hand, and she stared back at him, looking close to crying, almost like she expected him to start yelling again. He grinned suddenly, standing as he pulled her into a hug which she returned quickly.
"See, Rose, that's the man you want" Alex whispered to the baby. "The most wonderful man in all of space and time. Because he can see the best in everyone. And even if I'm here, he loves you very much" She pressed a kiss to the baby's head, smiling as Little Rose giggled happily. She looked up as Rose pulled away from the Doctor, asking about anything hot in his pockets. She pulled out the glowing Tardis key and dropped it quickly with a gasp.
"It's the Tardis key!" The Doctor realised, taking off his jacket to pick it up inside the leather. "It's telling me it's still connected to the Tardis!" Alex stood with baby Rose still in her arms and grinned between the two.
"Well, what're we waiting for?"
Alex was sat on a table up near the Doctor as he explained everything to the remaining people in the room, all of which were sitting and listening closely.
"Has anybody got a battery?" He asked then.
"Phone" Alex pointed to the old phone on the seat in front on the Groom, who picked it up.
"This one big enough?" He asked, walking over.
"Fantastic" The Doctor agreed, hurrying down to him.
"Good old Dad. There you go" The man nodded, handing it over.
"Just need to do a bit of charging up" He muttered, pressing the sonic screwdriver to the battery. "And then we can bring everyone back" He glanced around as he charged the battery, his gaze meeting Alex's. She gave a hesitant smile and he returned it with a reassuring one.
It wasn't much longer until he found a clear spot and held the key up to the same height as the Tardis lock. The Tardis almost immediately began to appear, materialising slowly. Alex grinned.
"Oh, Sweetheart, you have no idea how glad I am to see you" She said quietly. The Doctor grinned back at her as he slipped his jacket on, running back up onto the front of the raised stage to address the rest of the room.
"Right, no one touches that key" He announced. "Have you got that? Don't touch it. Anyone touches that key, it'll be, well, zap. Just leave it be any everything will be fine. We'll get out of here. Stuart, Sarah, you're gonna get married, just like I said" He grinned at the Bride and Groom.
The Tardis was taking a long time to materialise, but it was surely happening. Alex was sat between the Doctor and Rose with Pete behind them.
"When time gets sorted out…" Rose started.
"No one here will remember anything that happened" Alex told her. "But don't worry, the thing you changed will stay changed"
"You mean I'll still be alive" Pete spoke up, making the girls turn. "Though I'm meant to be dead" Rose didn't say anything and Alex simply glanced worriedly at her. "That's why I haven't done anything with my life. Why I didn't mean anything"
"It doesn't work like that" The Doctor told him.
"Rubbish" Pete scoffed. "I'm so useless I can't even die properly. Now it's my fault all of this has happened" Rose reached over to put a hand on his arm.
"This is my fault" She corrected.
"No, Love. I'm your Dad. It's my job for it to be my fault"
Alex smiled sadly, remembering a time when her own Dad said something much the same.
"Her Dad?" Jackie spoke up, appearing beside them. "How are you her Dad? How old were you? Twelve?" The Doctor rolled his eyes and turned away while Alex cringed slightly, turning towards him.
"Domestic" She muttered, earning a nod from him.
"Oh that's disgusting" Jackie went on.
"Jacks, listen" Pete tried, standing. "This is Rose"
"Rose?" She asked incredulously, angry but keeping a low voice all the same. "How sick is that? You give my daughter a second-hand name? How many are there? Do you call them all Rose?"
"Oh, for god's sake, look! It's the same Rose!"
Alex turned around with wide eyes as Pete took baby Rose from Jackie and handed her to older Rose.
"Rose! No!" The Doctor cried as Alex pulled her away. But it was too late, they had touched. One of those creatures appeared in the middle of the room and everyone screamed.
"Everyone! Behind me!" The Doctor ordered. Alex went to take a step forward but she was still holding baby Rose. "Alex don't you dare! You've got two promises to keep right now" He reminded her. Alex looked down at the baby girl fussing in her arms and knew he was right. The creature screeched and spread its wings menacingly.
"I'm the oldest thing in here" The Doctor told it. The creature dove for him.
"Doctor!" Alex and Rose cried in horror. Too late. The Doctor was gone and the creature flew around the room once more before colliding with the Tardis and they both disappeared in a flash of light. The key fell to the floor, looking like nothing but a regular key. Rose ran forward to pick up the key but Alex stood still, unmoving as she stared at where the Doctor used to be. Pete walked forward to comfort Rose and Alex felt Jackie rest a gentle hand on her shoulder. The sky darkened as if the world knew its last hope was gone. The guests looked around, terrified but silent.
"This is it" Someone said. "There's nothing we can do. It's the end"
Alex sat silently on the stage, Little Rose held tightly in her arms. Jackie hadn't had the heart to take her from the poor girl. She'd tried to talk to her but she remained stubbornly silent, not even crying. She just sat there, looking down at the baby who hadn't a care in the world. A world that soon wouldn't exist anymore. She finally forced herself to look up in time to see Jackie join Pete and Rose. She saw the realisation dawn on her and soon the three were hugging. Alex took a deep shuddering breath and looked back down at baby Rose, who was staring intently at her. She smiled sadly.
"Oh, Rose" She whispered. "I'm gonna miss little you, you know. But you won't miss me. In a few moments you won't know you've ever seen me. But I'm gonna tell you something anyway. For the first nineteen years of your life, nothing really happens. You grow up wonderfully, and then on the first of January, 2005, you meet the most wonderful man in the universe, and you'll never even know. Later that year, you meet him again. Don't be upset when your job is blown up" She laughed. "Because it's the best thing to ever happen to you. When the man asks you to go with him, you go Rose. Because him, and that girl by his side, they need you. They need you more than you could ever believe. And they could never leave you behind" She pressed a kiss to Little Rose's forehead, smiling softly at the joyful giggle.
"See you around, Love" She whispered, standing as Pete made his way to the door. Alex handed the baby over to Jackie with a small smile and followed Rose. She stood beside her as Pete ran in front of the car. The Doctor walked up behind them and put a hand on Rose's shoulder.
"Go to him. Quick" He told her. She ran down to him, kneeling next to her father as he died. Alex turned to the Doctor and he stared back at her. She didn't cry when he was gone, but now, seeing him again, she had tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Hello" She said softly.
"Hello" He replied.
Alex practically jumped on him in tight hug, sobbing in his shoulder. He held her tightly in return, whispering softly to her, assuring her he was there. They pulled apart after a bit, both walking over to stand on the road for Rose. She took one last look at her father and then looked up at them. Alex had wiped her tears away, now feeling horrible because the man she had lost was right there, while Rose's father died anyway. Alex and the Doctor each took one of Rose's hands, leading her back to the Tardis. There was a lot of them comforting each other that night. They all sat together in the console room, Rose told them about how her Mum used to talk about her Dad, Alex told stories about her own Father, and the Doctor listened. And when both girls fell asleep one after the other, holding onto each other in comfort, the Doctor took them both back to their beds.