Getting to Know You

The trip back to Earth wasn't going to take long, funnily enough it was the designated redevouz point for the exchange. It didn't seem to bother the Doctor that he was the intended target, but after the initial debrief the Time Lord had kept to himself - sat at a porthole window eyes fixed on space as it hurtled past them at the speed of light. Perhaps he was contemplating the future, the knowledge that he had a family? Perhaps he was formulating a plan to rescue their mother, or perhaps he was still in a bit of shock from it all.

Whichever it was, Laura-Rose reasoned she still wanted time to find out about the man behind the stories her mother had told of him. Had he really ignited a sun simply to say goodbye? Blown up Ten Downing Street with a nuclear missile? Changed every cell in his body in order to save her mother?

As the Time Lord sat watching stars, so she sat watching the Time Lord. Watching, waiting, wondering. Who was he? And would he stay?

Jimmy was wondering the same thing, but jumping to the assumption that this man.. this Time Lord, would disappear as soon as the threat was over. He'd read the files at Torchwood, having gotten in under his mother's credentials. The Doctor never stayed around after he'd saved the world, he left the devastation and cleanup to whoever was left alive. Just because he had two kids he'd never even known about this time, didn't mean anything reflected the boy. As soon as he could, this Doctor would be away. He wouldn't stay for their mother, he wouldn't stay for them.

As if he could hear the boy's thoughts, the Doctor looked up suddenly, his brown eyes sad. Jimmy started, but recovered quickly, stalking out of the room, and running into Captain Fallen.

He sighed as he saw the sullen face on Jimmy Tyler's face.
"C'mon, guys. He doesn't bite!" He said, and walked over to the Doctor - handing him a steaming cup of something. As if it had only just occurred to him, he leaned forward towards the Time Lord conspiratorially.
"You don't bite do you?" He asked.
The Doctor looked bemused for a second, then amused. He shook his head.
"Only when sorely provoked." He confirmed, solemnly, and winked.
Laura-Rose giggled.

"So where's Mickey boy then?" He asked taking a sip of the hot liquid which turned out to be tea.
"Back at home with his wife, waiting on us"
The Doctor smiled.
"Got married to Liz then. Good man - always said there was some intelligence somewhere in there." He joked.
"You know Mickey then? I mean back before.." Jimmy suddenly became interested in the course of the conversation.
"What Mickey? Yeah, travelled with me for a while even. Till we landed in this universe. Then he chose to stay. Although as I have learned through lengthy experience, companions never seem to stay where you leave them. I had to admit, seeing him in our universe was... amusing? confusing?.. No... whats the word..." The Doctor waved his hand in the air, as if trying to grasp it for himself.

"Brilliant?" Supplied Captain Fallen.
"Amazing?" Tried Laura-Rose.

"Fantastic!" He grinned at their faces, the smile infectious. Except for Jimmy.
"Learned alot though, although he still didn't like rats. Or bat people." He added, remembering.

Laura-Rose giggled again. The kind of giggle that only a prankster can give.
"We know"
The Doctor raised an eyebrow in enquiry, then decided that he didn't want to know the grisley details after all.
"Got your mother's sense of humor at any rate." He said, and took another sip of tea, before setting the cup down.
"So. Aren't you gonna ask me then? Come on, don't tell me you're not dying to know." He said, eyes flickering over their faces, waiting expectantly.
"What's that then? Fashion tips?" Sniped Jimmy.
"And I though I was the rude one - or so Rose was always telling me." Mused the Doctor.
"Know where I get it from then, don't you." Retorted Jimmy, looking away.
But Laura-Rose knew what was being asked.

"Mom told us she never told you - about us, being pregnant." She said quietly.
"No she didn't. But thats not the question you really wanted to ask was it." He said, looking at his daughter, but addressing Jimmy. He didn't disappoint his father.
"Would you have stayed if she had?" Blurted the boy.
The Doctor considered, and then looked up - locking eyes with his son. He nodded once.
"In a heartsbeat. Speaking of hearts - have you two "
"Yeah. Two hearts same as you." Said Jimmy, his cold shield of indifference dropping just a bit.

A semi awkward moment developed, but Laura-Rose broke it, hugging him tightly, so tightly that he thought she might crack a rib, but her brother stayed where he was. Apart.
He wasn't ready yet, and the Doctor knew he had to give him some space. Time enough for all that later, he reasoned, after he'd rescued his Rose. A thought occurred to him and he asked a question of his own.
"Did Rose marry"
Jimmy shook his head, his personal shields back up full force.
"She devoted herself to raising us and living in the past." He answered, his eyes blazing with sudden hate.
That was it, reasoned the Doctor, that was the crux of Jimmy's problem with him. He felt his mother has wated her life loving a memory instead of moving on with her life. The Doctor could relate in more ways to Jimmy then his son would ever know. Before he could speak however, the three were interrupted by Captain Fallen who had returned to his pilot duties.
"We're coming into land"
Jimmy looked away, arms folded, and the Doctor sighed.
"Acknowledged."

Nafficilon was communicating with his hidden sponsor, the one responsible for giving him the means and security codes to capture Ambassador Rose Tyler. He did not know the identity of his benefactor, nor did he care. He would have his revenge upon the Doctor, make him suffer like he had, make him pay.
His sponsor spoke to him, a dull emotionless voice which gave a clue that it was a she rather than a he.
"Sensors have detected the use of the CVE. The Doctor has been brought over." She stated.
Nafficilon was elated.
"We will soon have him in our power! We will have the power of the Universe in our hands, we will rule over all -"

"Nafficilon shut up and listen." Commanded his sponsor.
When he had obeyed, she continued.
"Is the female unharmed"
"Yes. As instructed. I haven't laid a finger on her." He promised, nervously.
"Do not harm her Nafficilon. Your life depends on hers." Warned the darkened figure. The communication ended.

As soon as she had completed the transmission, and her screen darkened, the 'sponsor' slumped back and let out a sigh. She took out a battered photo, of a man in a brown suit - with chocolate eyes, brown hair and sideburns."Soon my love. Soon we will be together, and all will bow down to their rightful masters." She whispered, her fingers brushing the photo reverently.

At his end, Nafficilon was grumbling about lack of respect amongst colleagues, and went down to check on Ambassador Tyler. If the woman so much as caught a cold, he'd be for it.But when he entered the room, it was devoid. Empty. Without an occupant.
Confusion warred with suspicion as he looked around the room.
"Now is this anyway for an Ambassador to act!" He called out, when the fourth 'certain' hiding place revealed no hidden Rose Tyler.
"Nope, it isn't." Agreed Rose, with feeling , and kicked him right in the groin.
He doubled up in pain.
"And neither was that." She added, giving hima solid whack to his face.
"Or that"
"How about this!" Grunted Nafficilon and shot her with a concealed taser.
Rose went down, jerking in obvious pain, before lying still on the floor.
"I'm moving you upstairs woman! I can see I can't afford to leave you alone for more than five minutes!" He hefted her up, over his shoulder and then carried her away.

"DOCTOR!" Mickey yelled in delight, a genuine grin lighting his face. He ran over to pull the Time Lord into a massive bear hug.
"Nice to see ya!" Agreed the Doctor, giving him a whack on his back.
Liz Smith came up a little slower then her husband.
"So. What've you been doing upta Mickey?" Asked the Doctor.
Then he saw Liz, and more importantly her bump. He chuckled in delight.
"Never mind. I can see what you've been upto." He grinned, giving her a hug in congratulations.
"Due in another three months." He assessed.
"Four actually." Corrected Mickey. The Doctor simply gave him an all knowing look.
"He'll be early. Trust me.Three months." He said.
Realisation spread across Mickey's face and he nodded.
"I hate to admit it Doctor, but I've missed you, know it all Time Lord!" He grinned.
"Not a patch on you, idiot" Shot back the Doctor and both laughed.
"Ummm.. sorry to break up the reunion, but some lunatic's got my mother!" Said Jimmy stepping forward.
"Met the kids then." Said Mickey.
The Doctor nodded.
"Something I want to discuss with you at a later date." Promised the Doctor.
Mickey nodded.
The Doctor deserved to know his part in concealing the children from him. Whether or not they'd still be friends after.. well time would tell, thought Mickey.
"Right then." Said the Doctor, rubbing his hands together.

"Conference."