It Could Be Worse
By Sonic Jules
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Previously, in chapter five...
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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Chapter Six:
Happy Ending
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Rose leaned back from the Doctor and looked around, soon realizing the TARDIS was alive with light again.
"Looks like she got what she wanted, yeah? Does that mean you forgive me - really forgive me?" Rose asked, wiping her eyes.
"It means she got her way, yes," the Time Lord replied softly, walking to the center console. He moved to grab one of the levers, but instead of grasping it tightly, he first touched it quickly with the tip of his index finger. "Yep," he began, wrapping his fingers around the knob. "She's over it now."
Rose grinned at his actions. She truly doubted the TARDIS would ever harm the Time Lord, and that made her wonder. "How come she hurt me and not you, if you were the one holdin' the grudge?"
"She didn't really hurt you now, did she? No, she was just tryin' to get me to focus on what was important - you. And the future - rather than dwelling on the past." The Doctor smiled at Rose, who returned the gesture brilliantly. "Care to go for a spin?"
She nodded enthusiastically, still grinning.
"Hold on!" With those two words, the Doctor set the coordinates and the TARDIS vanished from Earth, whooshing into the Vortex.
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"So, where are we then?" Rose asked as the ship finished landing with a few small bounces and a thud.
"It's a surprise," the Time Lord replied.
She looked at the ship's entryway, then looked back at the Doctor.
"Go ahead. I know it's just killin' you to find out," he teased.
Rose ran towards the exit with enthusiasm while the Doctor followed closely behind. She opened the doors and found herself ... at home.
"So - this is - I mean, we're home - my home," Rose stated, dreading the thought that she quite possibly had stepped out of the TARDIS for the very last time.
"Yep. Thought you might feel a bit better seein' your mum after all you'd been through."
"You're gonna leave me here, aren't you?" she blurted out.
"What? No! Why would you think that? Unless that's what you want..."
"No! I just thought, with everythin' that happened ..." Her words faded off as she looked around Powell Estate. "Is it? It is! It's Christmas time! You brought us back at Christmas!" she said excitedly, eyeing all the different decorations and lights hanging on the doors and railings, as well as a few pillars and shrubs.
The Doctor shrugged. "Good a time as any, I suppose."
"Rose! Rose! I thought I heard that noisy ship of his landin'!" Jackie blurted as she practically flew down the stairs, running to her daughter. "You're here - just in time for Christmas dinner!" She hugged Rose. "I knew you'd come home!"
Jackie withdrew from her daughter's embrace long enough to look at the Time Lord. "Oh, come 'ere, you," she grinned, arms held out to him. He looked from Rose to her mother then to Rose again while his companion nodded, urging him on. Reluctantly, the Time Lord embraced Jackie, his facial features clearly grim.
"Thanks for bringin' 'er back to me," the elder Tyler whispered in his ear.
"Yeah. You're welcome," the Doctor replied a bit gruffly.
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The Doctor sat in a chair at the table, watching Jackie and Rose talk a mile a minute with one another. Mickey had arrived shortly after they did, sitting down with the group and sharing the very large holiday meal. Apparently Jackie had planned ahead in hopes Rose would come back this day. When Jackie insisted on doing the dishes without her daughter's help, Mickey volunteered his assistance, leaving the table as well.
As the duo entered the kitchen with dishes piled high in their grasps, the Time Lord sighed deeply. "I can't believe we get everythin' sorted and then end up here at your mum's - at Christmas no less."
Rose smiled. "You mean you didn't plan this?"
"Well, I planned on bringin' you to your mum's for a visit. The date was all the ship's doin'."
"Remind me to thank her when we get back."
"Yeah, I'll do that all right," he answered with sarcasm.
"You know Doctor, it could be worse."
"Really? How?"
Instead of answering him, she simply stared with a knowing look. Of course it could always be worse, and had come close not too long ago.
"I know, I know," he agreed.
Rose smiled at him. "Merry Christmas, Doctor."
"Merry Christmas, Rose Tyler." The Doctor grinned, then suddenly a very conspicuous look crossed his features and he leaned forward. Rose automatically leaned toward him as well. "You think we could leave now and not get caught?" he whispered.
Rose looked from him to the doorway of the kitchen where her mother now stood, hands on her hips and a frown on her face. "Um, no," she answered, laughing at the look on the Doctor's face when he noticed Jackie staring at him.
The Doctor looked back at Rose. "You're sure it could be worse??"
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The End.
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