Chapter 10: Belén, Amazon, 10799

"Said I was gonna die in battle."

"Then it lied."

The word Christmas pounded in the Doctor's head over and over again, but given what they'd been though on Krop Tor, it suddenly seemed cheap and tacky. Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas. Over and over and over and over he listened and racked his brain, trying to figure out what to do. Without realizing it he set the TARDIS in motion, snapping out of his reverie when they'd stopped.

"Here we are... I suppose."

"Where are we?" Rose asked, an apprehensive smile forming.

He shrugged, honestly having no idea whatsoever. "Let's find out, shall we?"

They stepped out into an ancient looking building, the stone walls of which were partially covered by green moss and ivy. It was a church, Rose realized, taking in the aged wooden pews and the altar at the front. Next to her, recollection or some other Time Lord sense kicked in for the Doctor.

"24th of December, 10799. Hasn't been a Christmas mass here in, oh, I'd say one hundred years."

"Bit late then." Rose gave a wry smile and sat on one of the sturdier looking benches. "Beautiful building though."

"Built in the late ninety-eighth century. Had a big, classic temple revival. Tore most of them down a few years later. Something to do with the elephants."

"The wha- You know, never mind. I'm not even going to ask."

He gave her a broad grin, then solemned.

"You know, I never really asked. Are you religious at all?"

"Me? Nah. None of 'em ever made much sense to me, and I figure, whoever or whatever's out there'll be happy as long as I'm a sorta good person."

"Sort of?"

"Well, can't be good all the time." She smiled and her eyes scrunched up briefly. "Anyway, besides that, we never went to a church that left a good impression. Money makin' schemes, most of 'em. Conning people out of their hard earned money in the name of God. My Mum got caught up in one once when I was younger. Apparently God takes credit cards..." She laughed before her face turned solemn. "That was right before I left with Jimmy."

"Jimmy?"

"Jimmy Stone... He was gonna be a rock star."

"Jimmy Stone? The Jimmy Stone?!"

Rose leant forward in shock. "What, does he really become famous or something?"

"No, I was just messing with you."

She paused for a moment to glare at him, then continued.

"Anyway, yeah? I was sixteen then, and he was twenty, far as I know at least. Mum was always complaining about having to pay for food and new clothes for me and things so I figured I'd leave. She never did pay the bills on time and I thought I could do better."

The Doctor watched her silently, waiting for her to continue. She sighed briefly, then smiled.

"Guess I was wrong in the end. Jimmy left, I had no job and I owed over £800 in rent and bills. You wouldn't believe the fit my mother threw when I came back. Mickey too... Kept going I told you so and everything." She sighed. "Still, he took me back anyway. Always been like that. Guess that's why he still waited for me when I left with you."

Rose smiled warmly at the thought. "He's a good bloke, and he'll make some girl very happy some day."

"Not you though?" The Doctor asked. He tried to throw in a teasing smile when he realized the implications of his asking, but must not have pulled it off because Rose began laughing at him.

"No." She answered, regaining her composure. "Different universe and all that. Even without ...that, we never would have gotten back together. We've both changed so much, it doesn't work anymore."

"Sorry."

Rose looked at him, surprised to find a sincerity in his apology. "For what? You haven't got anything to be sorry for."

"But I do. Your entire life has changed because of me."

"For the better." She leaned into him, shoulder to shoulder. "So then, where does Christmas come in this time, besides the date."

"That's it."

Rose looked at him confused. "That's it?"

"Yep."

"You know I must say, you usually do better with these things - abandoning me in New York City not withstanding."

"Oi! I didn't abandon you. You wandered off. No matter how many times I tell you, you always wonder off."

"Do not!"

"Do too."

"Name one time."

"On the spaceship with Mickey."

Rose frowned.

"On Laylora. In Egypt. The London blitz."

"Okay, the blitz was forever ago."

"Still counts."

"Well what about you then? Can't exactly expect me to sit around while you run off to have all the fun."

The Doctor was about to reply with a rather brilliant, cutting remark, but instead he ended up grabbing Rose and pulling her to the floor as something lashed out towards them.

"What was that?!"

"No idea. Best we leave. Come on." He took hold of her hand and turned to face her with a ridiculous grin. "Try not to wander off."

"Seriously? Now off all times you're gonna keep that up?"

"Fine we-" He was cut off when something lashed out again, slapping his against the cheek. He made a look of disgust and turned towards it's source, hidden amongst the dilapidated wooden seating.

"What is it?"

"I don't know but it was... wet."

"Wet?"

"Yeah, felt sort of like a tongue." The Doctor shivered and Rose followed suit.

"Well Doctor, this Christmas was a bit of a bust anyway, wadda ya say we run?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"Oh Doctor?"

"Yes?"

"Don't run off without me."

The Doctor's head nearly hit the floor and he turned to scowl at her. He would have complained about hypocrisy but was distracted by two things. The way her teeth were playing with her lip and tongue, and the strange wet feeling around his ankle.

"Sorry, just might."

He pulled his leg away from the tentacle that had grabbed him, making a mental note to find out what the hell it could be attached to, and took off towards the exit, Rose hot on his heels. He heard a squeal from behind him and knew one of the things had touched her and he'd probably get an earful later for picking a place with "gross icky alien things." In fact she was still screeching when she barreled past him, nearly slamming into the TARDIS when she reached it, fumbling with her key. The strange, tongue-armed creature apparently left behind, the Doctor strode up casually and took her hand, carefully guiding in the key and turning it.

"Honestly, can't even open a lock when you have the key. And you wonder why I leave you behind."

He stepped in laughing, Rose rolling her eyes behind him while wiping at her slimy neck.

"Next time I pick the Christmas." She muttered, walking towards the hall.

"That's not fun!" He called out to her as she continued to walk away. "It's like picking your own Christmas present."

"That analogy only works if you actually get presents." She teased, her voice drifting in with an echo.

"Fine fine. Next time I'll get you a present, but you have to get me one too."

"Deal!"

Rose made her way to her room, and plopped on her bed, considering what on earth she'd get him when their next Christmas trip arrived. She continued to build a list in her head for a while later, but she'd never get the opportunity to try any of them.