The noisy grinding of the TARDIS reverberated around the empty area as the petite blue box slowly blended itself into existence. The TARDIS's power cells had been roasted after its trip to the Parallel universe, where he'd left... her. Anyway, the quick trip afterward to 1869 really drained the old girl's energy. So the Doctor had brought the ship back to 21st century London to refuel; which entailed the process of soaking in the energy from the Rift in Time and Space, which just so happened to run straight through Cardiff.
He'd only stop for a few moments and then he would fly off again. The Doctor had purposely landed the TARDIS as quietly as possible, so not to attract any attention from the public and Torchwood. That way he could slink off without being attacked by a bombardment of questions. That was the last thing he wanted right now...
***
However, as it so happened, Jack and Mickey both heard and immediately recognised the unmistakable sound of the ancient Time Machine materialising.
"The TARDIS!" they both shouted simultaneously, grinning like mad.
"Oh, you're keen," Gwen chuckled, looking up from the computer as the two men rushed out.
It was a bit odd though. It had only been one and a half days since they'd previously met...
Jack halted at the familair sight before taking out the silver TARDIS key from his breast pocket. He slotted the key into the lock and was soon enough greeted by the friendly hum of the great machine. It was a bit surprising to find only the Doctor stood behind the console flicking switches with a glum look upon his face.
"Doctor?!"
The Doctor's train of thought was interrupted by Mickey's voice.
"So much for a quick getaway," he thought as a sigh escaped his lips.
He snapped his head up, a large smile plastered on his face; one that didn't quite reach his sullen eyes.
"Hello Captain! And Mickey the idiot! What can I do for you? A party maybe? One that venues cakes with silver ball bearings, hopefully?"
"Not today, Doctor. Just wondering where the fire and flames, Miss Donna Noble was! So where is Donna?" Jack boomed, breaking the silence.
"Yeah, and where's Rose?" Mickey said frowning. "Wait a second, are you the other him? I mean like the other Doctor. 'Cos I remember last time, there were two of you in 'ere. Is the real Doctor inside the TARDIS or somethin' with Donna and Rose?"
"What?! Oh you mean me? No, course not! Can't you tell between two completely different people anymore? Mickey, and you too Jack, remember that I'm always always, always the dashing, clever and might I say, brilliant one with the stunning brown suit," the Doctor babbled, dancing his way round the console. "Speaking of which, Mr Harkness, where's this amazing Headquarters and magnificent team of yours then, you've been going on about, hmm?"
"They're inside, Doc. I could show you sometime when you've got time to spare away from the TARDIS," Jack replied.
"Firstly, don't call me Doc. It's really annoying and secondly, how about now? I'd like to judge for myself how good it is!"
"What?"
"Come on, let's go see this amazing Torchwood of yours!" the Doctor called, grabbing his trench coat and heading out. There was no way of escaping this one; he may as well make the most of it.
"Yeah sure, why not? You have got to meet Ianto and Gwen, life-savers they are. They're the ones that helped us last time, remember? So, where are the rest of your comp--"
He didn't get a reply. The Doctor yanked open the door, gesturing for Mickey and Jack to join him
outside.
Jack stayed rooted to the spot. "I'm not going anywhere 'till you tell me where Donna is."
The Doctor sighed, face falling. "Donna... Donna's not coming. She's not here, I'm sorry. I'll explain on the way."
Jack looked at him with utter confusion while Mickey just shook his head. Once Mickey and Jack filed out, the Doctor gently closed the door behind him and started walking swiftly in the way Jack was pointing.
"You were saying... about Donna?" Captain Jack repeated.
"OK, Donna... I had to wipe all her memories. Every single fragment of me or the TARDIS and every single encounter we ever had. It all had to be erased."
"But why?" Mickey asked, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets.
The Doctor's face fell again. "As I'm sure I've told you over and over again, there's never been a TimeLord-Human metacrisis before. It was that impossible that it shouldn't have even happened! I had to... It was the only option, she would've died if I didn't do what I did."
"Doctor, I'm sorry, " Jack muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
"There's no need. Donna Noble was brilliant. Practically got a brand new life now. Her grandad will look out for her..."
"It was a waste. Brilliant woman, all those memories, lost forever. How will she live?" Jack said, looking up.
"Oh, I'm sure she'll manage! She is Donna after all," The Doctor said; Jack returned a meek smile.
They all walked in silence for a while, the only sound being the continuous rush of traffic on the main road.
"Rose?" Mickey interrupted, determined to get an answer.
Mickey had the suspicious tinge of where this was going, but he hoped badly that it wasn't true. The Doctor could've dropped Rose off somewhere for a holiday or... or... she could still be in the TARDIS sleeping, but the Doctor didn't want to disturb her. Because if what he thought was true, then Mickey didn't know what he would do... He was sure Rose had twigged, that he was only coming back to this Universe because of the bad reactions the Parallel Universe had on him.
"She's safe," the Doctor stated finally. "They're both safe, Rose and the other me. I took them to the Parallel Universe. The walls have closed forever now, for good. Don't worry Mickey, I know what you're thinking, I'm sure Rose will be happy... with him."
Mickey stared at the alien, not quite believing what he was hearing. Oh no, it was all true! His face reddened quickly into a furious scarlet, and Mickey violently grabbed the Doctor by his tie.
"Mickey! Mickey, think about what you're doing! You're going to regr--" Jack started off, thinking that Mickey was going to blow his top and completely lose it. Of course, it also came as a surprise to him that the Doctor would leave Rose on the Parallel Universe again, especially after she'd travelled so far to get to him. But he was sure that the Doctor's decision had no flaws in it, because the Doctor would never do anything that would put Rose in danger, seeing how much he loved her.
Jack was just about ready to step in and pull Mickey away, when Mickey himself retreated. He carried on walking faster ahead of them, muttering to himself. The Doctor shrugged, then ran after him unsure of what to do next. Should he comfort him? Yell at him? Beg for forgiveness?
This was all too confusing for Jack. One minute Mickey was furious and ready for a fight, next second he's off sad and depressed talking to himself. They soon caught up with him.
"Mickey, tell me what's wrong? There's nothing wrong! Rose Marion Tyler is happy and safe in the other universe. I can't promsie no alien threats, but she is safe. She's with Jackie and Pete and the other Doctor, he'll look after her. She's perfectly safe, you don't understand!" the Doctor cried helplessly.
"No, you don't understand Doctor! You don't get it do you? I can't believe you let Rose go, knowing that!" Mickey muttered incoherently.
"What are you talking about? Rose didn't tell me anything."
"It's all my fault. I let her go off with you, trusting you to keep 'er safe. I trusted you Doctor. I honestly did. I thought you were gonna look after her, but look what happened."
"Mickey, I'm not getting any of this. What is going on!?"
"Rose is gonna die now. She'll just get sicker and sicker in that Universe! It's all my fault... my fault... Rose is gonna..."
"Mickey? Mickey! Mickey?!" The Doctor yanked the fellow by the shoulders and spun him round to face him as his double-heartbeat thumped rapidly. "Mickey, did you just say that Rose is going to die?"
Mickey nodded slowly, taking a breath after all that talking. The Doctor glared in horror.
Jack pressed a button on his modernised watch communicator and said into it, "Ianto we're going to need some tea. Lots of it."