Chapter Sixteen

After a fun night of drinking overly expensive champagne and listening to Jack's inappropriate stories, team TARDIS turned in for the night. The Professor and Tia walked ahead slightly, close together in the chilly, now winter night. The Doctor and Rose could hear their quiet conversation, of how much they enjoyed being here, in this universe. Rose thought it was cute, but The Doctor had other things on his mind as they walked back to the TARDIS, him carrying the baby carrier in his hands. He offered Rose the chance to take it, but she said that she felt too tipsy from drinking champagne, which he knew was a lie, as she had only drunk one glass.

"I'm excited to see what the TARDIS looks like, what about you," Rose said smiling, as she walked next to The Doctor, hanging off of his arm.

"Yep, me too." The Doctor said, a little bit too late after she had asked the question.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her face looking concerned "You seem a bit distracted."

"Are you alright Rose?" he asked, turning his face to look at her. Rose laughed a little, but The Doctor could sense the nerves in her voice as she said "I'm fine doctor!"

"Are you sur-" he began to say, but was cut off by the sound of Tia calling them over to the TARDIS.

"Come on guys! Is she ready yet?"

Rose immediately walked over to them both, talking about how excited she was to see the new décor, leaving The Doctor standing there, watching her. He walked over to the TARDIS, and took the key out of his pocket, it glowed a bright golden, and he smiled. "Right then old girl," he said, turning the key in the lock, "Let's see what you've got for us."

The four time travellers all held astonished expressions as they walked inside the TARDIS. Gone were the tall coral struts and unfriendly grated flooring. The TARDIS console sat in the middle of the huge room, on top of a plinth made entirely of glass. There were two sets of steps heading up there and the wires and insides of the TARDIS controls were contained underneath. The Doctor even noted a small swing which he could sit on and swing around on to do repairs. There was a soft leather jump seat on the edge of the circular design, and The Doctor gingerly placed Xavier atop it so he could stand around and stare. He noted the TARDIS had kept the magnetic pull. Opposite the jump seat was a tall staircase, leading up to a small balcony, which seemed to head into the inner depths of the TARDIS corridors, along with another exit next to it at ground level. The whole room seemed to be concealed in a friendly brownish-golden glow, with blue illuminating around the console.

The console was by far the most wacky and beautiful part of the new décor. There were all sorts of controls disguised as random objects around, and both The Doctor and Professor found themselves walking around it slowly, dragging their fingers over the new buttons and leavers. The Doctor then walked into something dangling down, which he realised, was the monitor. It was now positioned above their heads and could both be pulled down, and swivelled around the console.

"She's beautiful." Rose finally said, breaking the silence.

"Isn't she just." The Professor said smiling.

"Do you think there will be even more new rooms?" Tia asked, looking around the TARDIS in awe still.

"Only one way to find out." The Professor replied, extending a hand. Tia smiled and took it, and the two of them headed up the stairs to look around through the new corridors. The doctor and Rose stayed downstairs in stunned silence, until Xavier's piercing cry broke it.

"Ha, the silence was nice whilst it lasted." Rose said

"Yeah, he's tired I think," The Doctor said, "Why don't you go and put him to bed Rose?" he suggested, studying her reaction intently.

"Oh, I think that you should doctor…" she said "I-I'm feeling really tired myself. Might go and get an early night." She yawned not-very-convincingly. Rose started to head out of the room, but The Doctor circled the console and stood in front of her.

"What is wrong Rose?" he asked, Xavier still crying in the background.

"Nothing is wrong doctor! I'm fine," she insisted, laughing nervously.

"No Rose, because there is something wrong. I haven't left your side once today…"

"And what's your point?"

"You haven't held Xavier once."

Rose looked around the room nervously, still trying to smile. "What are you on about doctor, of course- of course I've held my own son."

"No you haven't, I know you haven't Rose. What's wrong? Why won't you even pick him up."

Rose sighed, somewhat in defeat and looked over to where Xavier was still crying. She could sense that he was tired.

"It's just- I-"

"What is it Rose?! What are you not telling me?"

"I-I"

"You what Rose? Just come out with it?" Rose could sense the doctor was starting to get agitated, and so was she.

"I'M JUST NOT READY, OKAY?" she finally shouted.

"Not ready for what?" the doctor asked, perplexed.

"It's just-he came early…"

"And now he's perfectly fine!"

"It isn't his health that bothers me doctor it's just. Before, I never really wanted kids. It wasn't part of my life plan. And then I got pregnant and I started warming to the idea. I knew I wasn't ready to be a parent, not really, but I knew that I had nine months to prepare. And I just- when he came early. It took me by surprise. I mean, what if I'm still not ready? What if he keeps crying, or-or if I drop him or something?"

The doctor was shocked by Rose's sudden outburst. He could hear in her voice that she was getting close to tears, so he gently touched her arm. "Hey, Rose. Why didn't you say any of this before?" he asked. Rose sniffed, and The Doctor lightly rubbed his thumb under her eye, wiping away the stray tear that threatened to fall.

"I guess I didn't want you to think I was an idiot, or a crap mum or something. I don't know, it's just… I'm scared because when I pick him up, when I hold him for the first time, that's it. All of this, it becomes real. I can't just give him back."

"And that's okay Rose," he said gently. He could still here Xavier crying behind them, albeit a little softer now. "Lots of people feel this way, but like I always say to you Rose. You can do anything you set your mind to. You're amazing, especially to me and Xavier."

"Really?"

"Of course. Look, he's still crying, and he's super tired. Go and pick him up, and rock him lightly. Everything will feel right from then. I promise."

Rose looked up into the eyes of the man that she loved with all her heart, and nodded. She knew that The Doctor would never lie to her, so she nervously walked over and lifted Xavier out of his carrier. And then the strangest thing happened. Xavier immediately stopped crying, and looked up at his mother. Rose suddenly felt a thousand maternal instincts that she had never knew she had inside of her soar through her, and she started to rock the baby slowly. Xavier yawned, and stretched a little, before gently falling to sleep. It amazed Rose the way that he fit perfectly into her arms, he looked so comfortable, like they had been made to fit like this. "He stopped crying," Rose said, smiling as she turned to the doctor, still holding Xavier like he was the most precious thing in the world. The Doctor smiled, Rose was beaming. She looked like she had been engulfed in happiness and the golden lights from inside the TARDIS illuminated her featured perfectly.

"You did it perfectly, just as I thought you would." The Doctor said, giving Rose a light kiss on the nose "Now let's get him to bed yeah?"

So Rose and the doctor headed through the new corridors, where the TARDIS led them to Xavier's room. He was still sound asleep, and the two of them stood by the cot. Rose's gaze was still fixed on the sleeping baby in her arms.

"Are you going to put him in the crib then Rose?" The Doctor laughed.

"I think… I think I'm going to stay here with him. Just for a little while. Make sure he's completely asleep. You don't mind do you?" Rose said. The doctor just smiled, and kissed Rose lightly on the ear. "Of course not. I'm heading into the library, I'll see you later."

oOo

about half an hour later, Rose laughed as she saw The Doctor asleep on the sofa, book still in hand. After her arms had started to get tired, she decided to officially put Xavier in his bed and flip the lights off, leaving a projection of the galaxy flitting across the room.

She walked over to the doctor, and sat next to him on the sofa, cuddling herself underneath his arm which was stretched along the sofa. She felt safe in The Doctor's arms, as she always had. Subconsciously, The Doctor lowered his arms and tucked it around her waist, lightly snoring and smiling to himself. Rose laid into his shoulder slowly falling asleep. Unknown to her, Tia and the professor entered behind her, and the pair stood in the doorway watching them.

"They're so cute together." Tia whispered, smiling.

"Do you think you'd ever want a relationship like that?" The Professor whispered back.

"Yeah. Maybe one day…" Tia said, her eyes still watching them both sleep soundly on the sofa. She didn't see The Professor watching her intently, his gaze not leaving her for a second.

"Me too," The Professor said "But only if I could have it with…" suddenly Tia turned her head around, and stared into The Professor's blue eyes. "Have it with who professor?" she asked. The two of them had their eyes locked on each other's for a little while, before The Professor looked away.

"Nothing-nothing. It's not important now." He said, looking away "I'm going to head to bed. Goodnight Tia." He said, walking away through the corridor. Tia turned around and watched The Professor with a frown from the doorway of the library. Why can't he just tell me how he feels? She thought to herself sighing. Maybe she had just gotten the wrong end of the stick with The Professor, when he kissed her back in the parallel world, perhaps he didn't mean it in a romantic way. So Tia just pushed her feelings down inside of her, flipped open her phone and called Jack, heading to her room.

oOo

Jack answered after a few rings. "Tia doll," he said and Tia could hear the smile in his voice "Just can't stay away can you."

"Ha-ha whatever," she said, laughing "I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out, hit up a bar or something. I'm bored and everyone in here has gone to bed."

"Sure thing sweetheart, I'll pick you up. Were the doctor and Rose being sickly sweet as usual with their new bundle of joy"

"Yeah, how did you know?" she asked

"I travelled with them for a long time before their relationship took off, and even then they were sweet as sugar" he laughed "What about your buddy The Professor? He's turned in too."

"Yeah," Tia said, sighing. "Anyway, we're still in the TARDIS parked on the Powell estate."

"I'm already here." Jack said from behind her. Tia smiled as she turned around, and grabbed her jacket from the corner of the bed "Let's go then" she said smiling and the two of them zapped out, not noticing The Professor standing just behind her door.

oOo

Jack took them to a bar on Pluto that he frequented often, and the bartender, an old friend, treated them both to two free shots of hypervodka. Noticing how quickly Tia downed the shot, he rose an eyebrow.

"Two more please. And make them double." She said.

"Be careful there doll, that's hypervodka you know."

"Believe me, I know full well what it is" she said, downing the next shot straight away.

"Something troubling you Tia?" Jack said, taking his first shot.

Tia laughed "It must be obvious, if you're calling me Tia for the first time."

"Yep, you're making it clear by the way you're downing those shots like they're water." He said, smiling before ordering a few more.

"It's The Professor" she said eventually, running a hand through her hair.

"How am I not surprised." Jack said sarcastically.

"He can't even tell me how he feels. I thought that I meant something to him you know? Three hundred years I've known him, and he's never once made a move."

"Tia," Jack said "I can see as clear as day that the man is crazy about you. But I think it's a timelord thing."

"What do you mean?"

"They can't handle their feelings. He looks at you, the same way The Doctor would always look at Rose, although he never acted on it. Only because she got pregnant after some drunken night, was what brought them together. I think that eventually, The Professor will have to make his move, but until then you've just got to be patient." He pulled the two shots away from her "and don't drown your sorrows in hypervodka. I've done that many a time before, and trust me doll, it doesn't work." He chuckled.

Tia smiled, and then surprised Jack by hugging him tightly. "Thanks Jack. Sorry that it took you dragging me out here to realise that. Do you think you could take me back to the TARDIS now?"

"Of course" Jack smiled, and with a zap they were back in Tia's bedroom. Tia and Jack both stretched slightly. "Space travel without a capsule, it's a killer" Tia said, stretching slightly. She didn't know it, but The Professor was sat against her door, listening in.

"Oh crap," Jack said looking down at his wrist. "My vortex manipulator is dead."

"I'm sure The Doctor can fix it for you. You could always just stay here the night." Tia said.

"Okay, thanks doll" he said taking his jacket off and jumping down onto Tia's bed.

"Oi, that's my bed." Tia laughed.

"What? So you can't join me?" Jack asked smiling.

Tia laughed before flopping down on the bed. The Professor heard the springs squeak as they both got comfortable, and heard Tia giggling. Deciding that he'd heard enough, The Professor angrily walked away from her room, storming into his own bedroom. How stupid could he have been, thinking Tia was actually interested in him? Yet there she was about to sleep with a 51st century guy who'd sleep with anyone. He slammed his bedroom door shut behind him, and flopped down on his bed, punching the pillow beside, him.

Unknown to The Professor, Jack and Tia both laid on her bed fully clothed, just talking to each other through the darkness.

"I just, really like him you know" Tia said, turning over to face Jack "I haven't been able to stop thinking about him in the past three hundred years."

"I know how you feel doll," Jack said, stroking her hair "now get to sleep."

And Tia fell asleep, into the first peaceful sleep she'd had in a long, long time.

Doctor x Rose x Baby fluff, and Professor x Tia drama AND Jack x Tia friendship, all in one chapter? Amazing I know. Just letting you guys know, that I probably won't be around to update for a little while, as I'm going on vacation for a few weeks on Sunday. So I love you all my readers and reviews will make me super happy