Rose Meets the Doctor

Pete drove to the fair for hours. When dark had fallen and he had not reached his destination, he realized that he was complete and utterly lost. The map was lost to the wind and despite trying several different directions, he was nowhere near the fairgrounds. It was growing colder and he shivered as he tried another path, which led his horse to being spooked by a flock of bats.

The horse, frightened, threw Pete off and rode off into the darkness. Suddenly, without warning, a ferocious pack of wolves came and attacked him. Pete ran as fast as he could until he reached the gate of a castle. He strained himself to get the gate open and shut it before the wolves made him their dinner. Rain began to fall and Pete walked to the doors of the castle and went inside.

The inside of the castle was huge and magnificent, but it held an empty and lonely feel. Pete walked down the main hall, searching for the smallest sign of anyone.

"Hello?" he called. "Is anyone here? I'm sorry for the intrusion, but I've lost my horse and I need a place to stay until the storm's passed."

"Of course, sir, you are welcome here," said a voice.

Pete looked around, but saw no one. He picked up a candlestick that held a burning candle. "Who said that?"

"Over here!"

"Where?"

Something tapped Pete's head and to his shock, the candlestick had eyes and a mouth and was talking.

"Hello," it said. "Name's Captain Jack Harkness and this is Mickey Smith."

"Ahh!" Pete dropped the candlestick, startled. "Incredible. How in the world—?"

"You just had to open your fat mouth, didn't you, Jack?" said a clock, who was no doubt 'Mickey.' "You know we're not allowed to let people inside and—Oi; put me down!"

Pete picked up the clock and examined the inside before Mickey swatted his hand.

"Do you mind?" he said, sounding irritated.

"I'm sorry, but I've never seen a clock that talked before. ACHOO!"

Pete sneezed and felt the chill of his soaked clothes.

"Oh, you're completely soaked. Come on, there's a warm fire in the next room. I'll have Sarah-Jane bring some tea and you can leave when the storm's passed."

"Thank you," said Pete.

Ignoring the protests of Mickey, Pete was given a warm blanket was seated by a warm, crackling fire. Before long, a mechanical dog that talked came into the room.

"Greetings, I am K-9. Tea will be along in a moment."

"Thank you. You're a marvelous little thing, aren't you?"

"Affirmative."

A tray then came rolling in with a talking teapot and a talking teacup.

"Hi, I'm Luke! Sarah-Jane's adopted son!"

"Hello there. Just two lumps, please."

"As you wish, sir," said Sarah-Jane.

Pete sipped his tea and soon felt better.

"Hopefully the storm will pass soon and then I'll have the stableman take you back to town and hopefully before the lord finds outs," said Sarah-Jane.

"What lord?" Pete asked.

"That would be me," said a voice.

Pete spun around to see a skinny man in a dark suit with unruly brown hair. His brown eyes were old and full of pain, but seemed to glow like fire and ice at the same time. Pete felt a twinge of fear and immediately got out of the chair.

"Who are you and why are you here?" he demanded.

"I'm sorry, milord. I was just lost and got caught in the storm. I didn't mean to intrude—"

"Then you shouldn't have entered here with permission," he interrupted.

"Please, I mean no harm. I just needed a place to stay!"

"Then you'll have a place to stay. For your intrusion, you can spend the night in the dudgeon until I say you're free to go."

"Doctor, you can't—"

"Yes, I can, Sarah-Jane," he interrupted again. "Rest assured, he'll be comfortable, but an example must be made. He will stay until I say he's free to go!"

No one else argued with him as he dragged Pete off and locked him away.

XXX

"Boy, Rose is going to get the surprise of her life, huh, Jimmy?" said LeFou.

"Yes, this is her lucky day," said Jimmy.

Jimmy, in his arrogance, had set up an enormous wedding party, but he hadn't actually asked for Rose to marry him yet.

"Remember, when Rose and I come out that door—"

"I know! I strike up the band!"

Instantly, the band played a wedding march, which only stopped when Jimmy shoved a tuba over LeFou's head before going to Rose's door.

XXX

Inside, Rose sat alone, comfortably reading her book. She was at the ending when Beauty broke the spell on the Beast and caused him to be turned back into a human. Rose had often thought of Beauty's love for the Beast. Beauty had seen something special inside the Beast that no one else did. Would Rose ever find a person as special as that?

Someone pounded on the door.

Rose got up and looked through a special device Pete had made. She softly groaned when she saw it was Jimmy. Reluctantly, she opened the door.

"Jimmy, what a surprise," she said, with force politeness.

"Isn't it though? I'm full of surprises. You know, Rose, this is a special day for you. Today's the day I make all your dreams come true."

"Really?" said Rose, skeptically. "And just what would you know about my dreams?"

"Plenty! Picture this—" he sat down, shook his boots off and set his smelly feet on the table. "A rustic hunting lodge, my latest kill roasting on the fire and my little wife massaging my feet; while the little ones play on the floor with the dogs."

"Not in a million years!" said Rose, knowing exactly who he intended for his 'little wife' to be. "Jimmy, you and I aren't meant for each other."

"Rubbish!" said Jimmy, almost pinning her by the front door. "You should be honored someone like me is offering you the chance of a lifetime—my hand in marriage."

Honored? Rose was disgusted! "I'm sorry, Jimmy, but—" Rose fumbled for the doorknob. "I just don't deserve you!"

The door flew open and Rose kicked Jimmy's rear end, sending him flying into a mud pit before she tossed out his filthy boots.

XXX

LeFou, who had started up the band, suddenly noticed Jimmy's state and lifted up a lock of hair. "So, how'd it go?" he asked.

Jimmy stood up and tossed LeFou into the mud. "I'll have Rose for my wife. Make no mistake about that!" he snarled before storming off.

XXX

After a period of silence, Rose cautiously glanced outside.

Was he gone? He seemed to be. She couldn't believe it. He had asked her to marry him! Rose! The wife of that boorish, brainless swine!

"Mrs. Jimmy Stone!"
Can't you just see it?
"Mrs. Jimmy Stone"
His "little wife"
No sir! Not me!
I guarantee it
I want much more than this provincial life
I want adventure in the great wide somewhere
I want it more than I can tell
And for once it might be grand
To have someone understand
I want so much more than they've got planned."

Rose danced in the fields before blowing on a dandelion and sending the seeds flying. Why couldn't anyone ever understand she wasn't like that? She wanted more than just a boring old life. She sighed and closed her eyes in peaceful thought before the sounds of her horse startled her. Pete wasn't due back for another few days, had he returned early?

Rose calmed the horse before she examined it. Her heart pounded when she saw there was no sign of her father. Had something happened to him? Quickly, she prepared a lantern, locked the house, and unhitched the horse before going off in search of her father.

Before long, she found herself at the gate of a huge castle. She slipped off the horse and found part of her father's cloak. He'd been here. The gate opened and Rose went inside.

"Good-evening, Miss, how may I be of service?" said a voice, startling her. "I'm Captain Jack Harkness, and who are you?"

It was a candlestick.

Suddenly, a feather duster came in. "Jack Harkness, stop it."

"Oh, come on, Gwen, you know you're my girl," said Jack.

"Hmm, prove it."

Jack then kissed her for several moments until Rose interrupted.

"Uh…yes, sorry to interrupt and intrude, but have you seen my dad, Pete Tyler? He's missing and his cloak was outside your gate and I was wondering if he'd passed by here."

"Pete Tyler?" said Gwen. "Is he older man, slightly out of shape with red-ish hair?"

"Yes."

Jack's eyes lit up. "Oh, you're Rose. Yes, I've seen Pete. He's right this way."

"JACK HARKNESS!" shouted a clock. "What in blazes do you thinking you're doing? You know the lord won't like it if he finds another intruder in the castle!"

"I think I'd better go dust," said Gwen, looking amused before going off.

Jack just snorted at Mickey. "Will you relax, Mick? He won't hurt her. And another thing, this is Pete's daughter. I think she has a right to see him."

"But what if—"

"Oh, pipe down already! Besides, she could break the spell."

"Spell? What spell?" Rose asked. "And where is my dad?"

"All in good time," said Mickey. "Your dad's down that way. Jack, show her."

"Right this way, my dear," said Jack.

Rose, still confused, followed Jack up a flight of stairs to a cell door.

"Dad?"

"Rose?" said a surprised voice.

"Daddy!"

"Oh, Rose!"

Rose knelt by the bars of the door and took her father's hand. "Dad, I've been so worried. Who did this to you?"

"That doesn't matter! Rose, get out of here."

"I'm not leaving you!"

"Rose; you need to get out of here!"

"Not yet, she doesn't," said a voice.

Rose spun around and saw a handsome man with unruly brown hair and brown eyes, dressed in a dark suit.

"Not until I get some answers. Who are you?"

"My name's Rose Tyler. Who are you and why have you put my dad in here?" she demanded.

"I'm the Doctor. He came into my home uninvited and I had to punish him. I would've released him when the time was right. I didn't leave him uncared for."

"He needed help and shelter! Locking him up just because he came to your castle doesn't make what you did to him right! Let him go!"

"I can't do that just yet. If word got out that I've gone soft, there'd be nothing but trouble. Your father he may be, but I can't let his intrusion into my castle go unpunished."

"Please, I'll do anything if you'll let him go."

"There's nothing you can do," said the Doctor, turning to leave.

Rose glared at him before she tried to think of a way to get Pete out. She couldn't let her father stay in this dreary place. There had to be a way to get him back to town quickly. There was only one choice. It was a bit of a risk, but what else could she do?

"Wait!"

"What is it?" said the Doctor, turning to look at her.

"Take me instead," she said.

"What?!" said Pete and the Doctor; in unison.

"Would you let him go if I took his place?" Rose asked, ignoring their outburst. "He goes back to town unharmed and I'll stay here for as long as you want me to in his place. The punishment will be fulfilled and there will be no trouble for you. Please."

The Doctor seemed to hesitate and shifted his foot uncomfortably on the floor. "Well…if I can't persuade you otherwise…there's no changing your mind, is there?"

"No."

Rose didn't know where this newfound bravery was, and she tried to ignore the twinge of fear she felt. She knew she was doing the right thing, but she was scared about her future. She felt the sting of tears in her eyes and fought them back.

The Doctor sighed. "Alright then, we have a deal."

"No, Rose, don't do this! You don't know what you've just done!"

"Yes, I do know, Dad. I've got your freedom and your safety. It'll be okay, Dad, I promise."

But her words seemed empty. She didn't know if she was going to be okay and she wasn't entirely sure what would be in her future now that she was a prisoner.

The Doctor took out a long silver tube with a glowing blue light and when he pressed it again the door, it opened. "Jack will take you down. You can say your good-byes."

"Thank you," said Pete.

Rose and Pete followed Jack down to the horse and soon they were parting ways. Rose let out a few tears as Pete hugged her tight.

"My brave girl," he murmured. "Don't worry about a thing. I will see you again, Rose."

Rose nodded. "I love you, Daddy."

They remained in each other's arms for a few more moments before Pete got on the horse and rode off.

"I'm sorry," said the Doctor, startling her. "I know how it feels to watch those you care about leave."

Rose didn't reply as she followed him back inside the castle. He took her down the halls and to her room. He said wouldn't place her in Pete's cell as she given up her freedom for Pete's sake. Rose just mumbled a "thank you" and didn't speak much. The two continued to walk in silence for a while.

"I hope you like it here," he said, breaking the silence. "If you need anything, the others will tend to you. You can go anywhere in the castle you like except for the West Wing."

"Why? What's in the West Wing?" Rose asked.

"It's just forbidden. I don't like anyone going in there," he said, sternly.

Rose nodded and they came to a huge polished door. The Doctor opened it and revealed a huge, brightly colored room with expensive furniture.

"I'll send Sarah-Jane up to prepare for dinner later."

"Okay, thank you." said Rose. "Just give me a little while to get settled."

He nodded understandingly. "See you in a few hours."

Once alone, Rose thrust herself onto the bed and began crying. Not even an hour had passed and she was already missing her dad more than anything. She softly sang to herself.

"Yes, I made the choice
For Dad—I will stay
But I don't deserve to lose my freedom in this way
You monster!
If you think that what you've done is right, well then
You're a fool
Think again

Is this home?
Is this where I should learn to be happy?
Never dreamed
That a home could be dark and cold
I was told
Every day in my childhood
Even when we grow old
Home will be where the heart is
Never were words so true
My heart's far, far away
Home is too

Rose would've gladly made the choice a second time if it meant her father's safety. She knew she had done the right thing, but at that moment, she would've given anything to be back at home, even in that boring old town with him.

Is this home?
Is this what I must learn to believe in?
Try to find
Something good in this tragic place
Just in case
I should stay here forever
Held in this empty space
Oh, but that won't be easy
I know the reason why
My heart's far, far away
Home's a lie

What I'd give to return
To the life that I knew lately
And to think I complained
Of that dull and provincial town

Truthfully, she had hated that town where she had no real friends except for Mr. Smith and her father, but part of her longed to be back there and have her regular life again.

Is this home?
Am I here for a day or forever?
Shut away
From the world until who knows when
Oh but then
As my life has been altered once
It can be change again
Build higher walls around me
Change every lock and key
Nothing lasts
Nothing holds
All of me
My heart's far, far away
Home and free

Rose finally wiped her tears away and took a few deep breaths.

"Hey, don't cry, it'll be okay," said a soft voice.

Rose looked and saw the wardrobe was talking.

"Who're you?" Rose asked.

"Doctor Martha Jones. You?"

"Rose Tyler."

There was a knock on the door and in came in Sarah-Jane and Luke, a teapot and teacup.

"Hello, dear, bit of tea before dinner?" she offered.

"Yes, thank you," said Rose.

"Jack told us about the deal you made with the Doctor. It was quite brave of you to take your father's place like that," said Sarah-Jane.

"We all think so," said Martha.

"But now I've lost everything. My dad, my life…" Rose's voice wandered off.

"But the Doctor's not so bad when you get to know him," said Luke. "He's just lonely."

"And this stupid spell doesn't help matters," said Martha.

Rose frowned. Jack had mentioned a spell earlier. What was going on that had caused these people to be household objects now? "What exactly is this spell?" she asked.

"I don't know if it's my place to say…" said Sarah-Jane.

"She might as well know now, Sarah," said Martha.

"Know what? What is going on?"

Finally, Sarah-Jane told Rose the story of the Doctor and how the status of the others came to be. To know that the Doctor a Time Lord from Gallifrey and could completely change his body, Rose couldn't believe it, but accepted it nonetheless. But was it because of the chance that Rose might break the spell that the Doctor had accepted the deal in the first place?

"I honestly don't know," said Sarah-Jane. "The Doctor's someone who keeps to himself a lot. He doesn't like to confide his fears or troubles in just anyone."

Rose felt a swell of pity for the Doctor. But the story didn't explain what was in West Wing. What could be in there that would be forbidden? "And what's in the West Wing?"

"Don't know, the Doctor wouldn't tell us," said Martha. "And anyway, you need to get ready for dinner. How about this dress?"

Half an hour later, Rose was dressed in a dark green gown and had her hair pinned up. She still felt nervous as she walked down the stairs and to the dining hall where the Doctor was waiting.

"You look lovely," he said, taking her hand and seating her.

"Thank you," said Rose.

Dinner was a fine meal. The food was simply delicious and the Doctor couldn't seem to stop gazing at her. He patiently answered a lot of her questions—which were about the future, a bit about his travels and a small bit about himself—and didn't seem to mind whenever Rose insisted on wiping the marmalade off his chin whenever he dripped. Rose found herself enjoying the Doctor's company a great deal.

Dinner ended when the clock chimed eight.

"I've got some things to attend to, but I'll see you in the morning for breakfast," he said. "Sarah-Jane or one of the others will show you around if you want to explore."

"Alright," said Rose.

He gave her a brief smile and then disappeared down another corridor before Jack came up to her.

"Alright, darling, follow me. You need some serious cheering up."

"Jack, you know we can't—" Mickey began, but Gwen cut him off.

"Oh, come off it, Mick! Either zip it or help!"

Rose laughed as Jack led her to another room. He stood on the table, put a saucer on his head for a hat and held a matchstick for a cane.

"Jack
Be our guest! Be our guest!
Put our service to the test
Tie a napkin round you neck, cherie
And we'll provide the rest
Soup du jour!
Hot hors d'oeuvres!
Why, we only live to serve
Try the grey stuff, it's delicious
Don't believe me? As the dishes!
They can sing, they can dance!
After all, miss, this is England!
And a dinner here is never second best
Go on, unfold your menu
Take a glance, and then you'll
Be our guest
Yes, our guest!
Be our guest

Flatware
Beef ragout!
Cheese souffle!
Pie and pudding en flambé!

Jack
We'll prepare and serve with flair
A culinary cabaret!
You're alone and you're scared
But the banquet's all prepared
No one's gloomy or complaining
While the flatware's entertaining
We tell jokes, I do tricks
With my fellow candlesticks

Flatware
And it's all in perfect taste, that you can bet!
Come on and lift your glass
You've won your own free pass to be our guest!

Jack
If your stressed
It's fine dining we suggest

Just about everything surprised and amazed Rose. The silverware swam in a huge silver bowl. Beautiful, brightly colored lights gleamed. Huge mugs did tricks. The glasses danced. Then Jack held Mickey as salt fell on them.

Jack
Life is so boring
For a traveler's who's not traveling
He's not whole without a new soul to speak to
Ah, those good old days when we were useful
Suddenly, those good old days are gone
For so long, we've been rusting
Needing so much more than dusting
Needing exercise—a chance to use our skills
Most days, we just lay around the castle
Flabby, fat, and lazy
You walked in and ups-a-daisy!

Sarah-Jane
It's a guest, it's a guest
Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed!
Wine's been pouring and thank the Lord
I've had the napkins freshly pressed
With dessert, she'll want tea
And my dear, that's fine with me
While the cups do their soft-shoeing
I'll be bubbling! I'll be brewing!
I'll get warn, piping hot!
Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot?
Clean it up! We want the company impressed!

All
We've got a lot to do

Sarah-Jane
Is it one lump or two?
For you, our guest

All
She's our guest!

Sarah-Jane
She's our guest!

All
She's our guest!
Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!

All
Be our guest! Be our guest!
Our command is your request
It's been forever since we've had anybody here
And we're obsessed
With your meal, with your ease
Yes, indeed, we aim to please
While the candlelight's still glowing
Let us help you, we'll keep going

All
Course by course, one by one!
Till you shout, "Enough, I'm done!"
Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest
Tonight you'll prop your feet up!
But for now, let's dance up!
Be our guest!
Be our guest!
Be our guest!
Please be our guest!

Rose clapped loudly. "Bravo! Bravo!"

"We did do pretty well, didn't we," said Mickey, looking proud of himself. "Well, it's late. Off to bed with you."

"I'll go to bed soon enough. Mind if I look around? I'm sure you know quite a bit about this place," said Rose.

Mickey blushed. "Well, I do, actually. I suppose a small tour wouldn't do any harm. Come along then."

"Just remember we can't take her you-know-where," said Jack.

"I know. I'm not stupid," snapped Mickey.

"Could've fooled me," Jack muttered before they led Rose down the corridor.