It Could Be Worse
By Sonic Jules
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Previously, in chapter four...
"But why? Why would she trap us in here like this? And what do you mean, 'get things resolved'?" Rose asked, completely dumbfounded by the Time Lord's revelation.
"It's simple, really. The TARDIS want's us to kiss and make up, so to speak. She knows our thoughts - in your head you know - and apparently she's unhappy that we haven't gotten over what happened out there," the Doctor pointed toward the doors. "Think about it. First she sparks things up a bit with that light show when I tried takin' us into the Vortex. Then she hides your room, makin' you come back here with me. Then she showed herself again, literally shockin' you off the console. Frankly it's more than a bit manipulative, tryin' to get me to worry over somethin' else and just forget all that's happened," he finished, talking more to the ship than his traveling companion.
"But we're not fightin'."
"Not literally, no."
"I suppose this is my fault?" Rose asked.
"Nope. Actually, it's mine," the Doctor acknowledged.
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Chapter Five:
All About ... Who?
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Rose stared at the Doctor for a moment, her jaw going slack. "How's it your fault, then?"
The Time Lord sighed then walked toward the center console, seemingly contemplating his next words. When he turned around to face his companion again, she was right behind him, quietly awaiting his answer.
"I haven't gotten over it. I can't stop thinkin' about the fact that your whole world - and I mean that literally - nearly imploded because of your one selfish decision."
"So this really is all my fault. It's all about me, is it?" Her words raised in octave. "I manipulated you from the beginnin' - all just to see my dad and everyone else be damned - that's what you really believe, right? And now the ship's messin' with things to help us make up? I've got to tell you, if she can't figure out a way to get you to not be mad with me I'm sure I can't, either. I've got nothin' left to make up with, Doctor. I've apologized more than once and I meant it. I'm sorry I did what I did, but like you've said plenty of times before, I'm only human." Rose took a deep breath and stared at him, waiting.
"Oh, don't you go fallin' back on bein' a human," the Time Lord retorted. "It doesn't matter what your species is - what does matter is the choices you make!" He raised his voice as well, his tone proclaiming his rising anger. "I know you didn't do what you did with the intention of destroyin' your world. But that's the problem with that little stunt you pulled. You. Didn't. Think!"
"You're right! I didn't think that someone like me could have that sort of impact on everythin' else! I only wanted to see my dad. It wasn't about you or the Earth or even the universe, it was just about seein' the man that my mum has talked up for forever that I never got the chance to meet - and that's the real problem here, isn't it? For the first time since we met, my focus didn't revolve all around you!"
"That wasn't the case," the Doctor nearly spat. "The real problem is you need to learn to think before you act."
"Because I'm just some stupid ape, right?"
"I'd've said stubborn - among other things - but please, since you're all-knowing and believe you've got all the answers, go ahead. Continue."
"I think what's really goin' on here is that it's not all about me, Doctor, it's about you. You bein' all lonely and needin' someone to travel with. Even with all our many imperfections, you still need us."
"For what? To fix all the things you lot go muckin' up?! I'd be better off alone!"
Both the Doctor and Rose were suddenly stunned into silence when everything went dark. Total blackness engulfed them both. The only sounds to be heard were the ship powering down and their own breaths.
"Doctor? What's going on?" Rose asked quietly.
"Mother Hubbard's interferin' again, that's what," he answered equally low.
"Are you sure? I mean, what if somethin's wrong with the TARDIS?"
"The only thing wrong with this ship is her need to interfere."
Both the Doctor and Rose were speaking barely above a whisper.
"I can't see my hand in front of my face," Rose said.
"Exactly. She's doin' this on purpose. Probably did it to calm us down."
"Well - whatever she's doin' - it's workin' a little bit. At least we're not shoutin' at each other any more."
The Time Lord sighed. "Rose, I don't want us to be yellin' at each other like children. I just want you to get the implications of what you did."
"You think I don't understand? You think I just breezed through this, do you? Well I didn't, trust me. I learned from it. And the worst part of the lesson was that I did meet my dad, and I got to know 'im," her voice broke, "and now he's gone - just like before. But now it's worse, yeah? Because I do know 'im and I know he was smart, and brave, and as wonderful a man as Mum said he was."
The Doctor reached forward, his keen senses allowing his hands to touch her shoulders. He then pulled Rose to him, hugging her. "I'm sorry," he whispered sincerely.
He felt Rose nodding her head before she rested it on his shoulder, then she hugged him back. He knew she was crying.
The room suddenly brightened and the hum of the ship powering back up could be heard. But the Doctor ignored the changes, content to hold his companion a little bit longer in hopes of subsiding her pain.
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To be concluded...
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