Disclaimer: "Brilliant, mad as a tree of snakes" - David Tennant in the Commentary of ep 13, season 3. Although he was talking about Saxon's wife, I believe that it would apply to me if I honestly believed that I owned Doctor Who. I think it's safe to say I do not :(
AN - That was a long disclaimer.
Okay, so I have had many many many concerns about this chapter and the next, because it's all about Gallifrey and such. Well, I was worried that I wouldn't describe it right, so I only used pre-existing information that the Dr discloses in other episodes about Gallifrey. Then I created a bit more of a background story for Rose, but I used wiki for help so as to be consistent and continuity-friendly.
Also, I was worried about how Rose would 'see' Gallifrey... so read on and hopefully, it will make sense - enjoy :)
Chapter 10 - Swapping Stories:
"Tell me about Gallifrey, Doctor" she said.
The Doctor stood, her hand warm in his, considering this request. On the one hand, it would be a relief to be able to talk to someone, but on the other, he didn't want to burden Rose with his sadness. After a moment of deliberation, he decided to tell her all he could about his planet and his people. After all, she was his wife, and she deserved to know. But he avoided the topic of the Time War, because it still caused him far too much pain. Maybe one day he would be able to talk about it, but not for the moment.
"It was perfect to look at, Gallifrey, it was beautiful. It was in the Constellation of Kasterborous… They used to call it the Shining World of the Seven Systems. And on the continent of Wild Endeavour, in the mountains of Solace and Solitude, there stood the Citadel of the Time Lords. The sky there is burnt orange, orange Rose - it was beautiful. The citadel stood under the twin suns, enclosed in a mighty glass dome. And beyond that, the mountains go on forever. Slopes of deep red grass, capped with snow. The second sun would rise in the mountains, the mountains would shine. The leaves on the trees were silver. They caught the light every morning, they lit the forest on fire." He paused, looking back at the red robe hanging in front of him. He felt Rose's hand slip out of his as she wrapped her arms around his neck in a soft hug. He brought his arms to her back, returning the hug gratefully. He rested his head on her shoulder, breathing in the lavender scent of her hair before continuing.
"They were the oldest and most mighty race in the universe. Looking down on the galaxies below, sworn never to interfere, only to watch."
"Doesn't sound like you" Rose commented, her mouth twitching upwards in a half smile. The Doctor gave a laugh, "Well, I always was the odd one out" he said ruefully.
"Never quite fit the mould, ey?" asked Rose, pulling out of the hug and walking towards a couch against the wall.
"That's me. Not quite right" he paused again. "They all died, Rose. My friends, my family, even that orange sky… it's all gone" he finished quietly. There was another short silence, during which Rose considered what to say next. Although the Doctor knew an awful lot about Rose - mostly because she was hard to shut up at the best of times - she felt that she should share some of her life with him. Her life before the Nestene Consciousness, that is; her life before the Doctor. He already had vast knowledge about Earth, having defended it for so long, so she decided instead to tell him the little bit about her history and family that he didn't already know - it would mean something to him.
"I met my best mate Shireen at high school. We used to skip classes together, go and hang out at the chippy instead of taking Chemistry or English. We figured we already spoke english, so what was the point in wasting our time in a classroom. As for chem, never figured it'd really come in handy so why bother? If it weren't for Shireen I never woulda met Jimmy Stone and I probably wouldn't have dropped out. I would have got my A-levels. Anyway, that's Shireen. Bad influence, but so loyal. I could tell her anything." Rose's monologue was interrupted by the Doctor's disbelieving grunt.
"Well, not about you. But, you know, nearly everything," she continued. "Anyways, we met Jimmy one afternoon when we went to the park. He was playing his guitar on a bench under this big old tree we always used to hang out under. We started dating a couple of days after we met. He was another bad influence. I left school to go and live with Jimmy. Have I told you about him before? He was a musician - in a kinda punk/rock band - when we dated I used to go and watch him play in pubs and clubs and stuff. He used to smuggle me in, you know? Anyway, one day I wake up in the flat, all his stuff's gone. Just left a note, said he had to leave. And he did - he left me 800 pound in debt to the landlord. That's when I moved back in with mum and got the job at Henriks. And then I met you" she smiled. Sitting next to her, the Doctor had been staring at his hands. Now, however, he looked Rose directly in the eyes.
"Rose, you are so human" he said simply.
"Am I meant to be insulted, or is that a compliment?" she said, again with that half smile on her face.
"Oh, it's definitely a compliment" he grinned, "Always the domestic approach"
"I take it that's a good thing, then" she poked her tongue out between her teeth, in her characteristic smile.
"You don't know how to cheer me up so you chat. It's very human...Sorry I hadn't told you about it before," he continued softly, "It's just that it… you know. Hurts" smile fading.
"What about your family, Doctor?" Rose asked, softly, worried that she was crossing the line. A long silence ensued, in which Rose panicked slightly.
Oh crap, Rose, what were you thinking? she mentally berated herself. Clearly he's not ready, or he would've told me already.
"Nah, I should've told you, but like I said - it hurts" he said, not bothering to apologise for hearing her thoughts again.
"So… are you going to?" she asked tentatively.
"I'd rather… it'd be easier, I mean, to show you."
"What? But, Doctor, Gallifrey's gone. You said. It was destroyed in the Time War."
"Yeah, I know" he said, a small smile playing on his lips at Rose's confusion and concern.
"And you also said that it existed out of time and space - I always thought that that was why we couldn't ever go back to a time before the war, to see your people. Coz it was impossible."
"You're absolutely right, Rose. It's completely impossible. And don't give me that look - I haven't cracked or anything. I'm not a couple of tentacles short of an Ood."
"Tentacles short of an Ood?" Rose raised an eyebrow, now genuinely concerned for the Doctor's mental health.
"You get the gist" he retorted.
"Well, what do you mean show me? How can you do that?" she was unable to keep curiosity out of her voice.
"Hold still" he said, as he placed his cool fingers on her temples. "Close your eyes, and come with me".
Okay, so I hope that the characters were consistent - keeping in mind that they are both on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster so they are both a bit up and down.
I think that the way in which Rose will see Gallifrey is pretty clever, if not a bit unrealistic - i'm thinking 'girl in the fireplace', I hope :)
Sorry if it disappointed any of you! But please review if oyu have time. Will update soon :) Thanks for all the reviews so far, btw!! You're all making me a very happ fanficcer! (if thats a word)
