Chapter 6
For Rose and Jon, it had been three years since the Doctor had dropped them off at Bad Wolf Bay. A year later, they had married. Jon had suggested Rose keep her name if she wished to, as that was the tradition on Gallifrey. "We never went through that 'wives are property' phase you humans did," he joked. "Besides, you'll always be 'Rose Tyler' to me." The deep emotion in his eyes as he said her name told her all she needed to know. She agreed.
In the 2 years since, they had been hoping to conceive a child. When it hadn't happened, Torchwood had been kind enough to allow them the use of their facilities (they were, after all, key employees) for genetic testing. There were no surprises where Jon's DNA was concerned, his showed both human and Gallifreyan characteristics. Rose's DNA, however, caused a bit of consternation. Hers was mostly normal human DNA, but some parts had changed, and were somewhat similar to Gallifreyan DNA. This cause a great deal of excitement among the Torchwood research staff, and Jon and Rose were thankful that Pete was there to prevent her from becoming an experiment herself.
The conclusion of the staff was that there was no reason they could fathom why they had not conceived. "But too little is known of Gallifreyan DNA and the effect that the Time Vortex had on you, Rose." Pete offered. "Just keep trying, and don't get too discouraged." He smiled and gave her a hug. "Something else we noticed. Neither of you is showing much cellular degradation. We suspect you two may have longer-than-normal lives. So don't try to rush things, you have plenty of time."
That conversation had been a month ago. Since then they got back to their lives, Jon continued teaching scientific classes at Torchwood in everything from Xenobiology to Astrophysics. He also oversaw the development of the space fleet. Rose, meanwhile, taught alien cultural and diplomacy classes. Slowly, Torchwood was gaining the practical knowledge they needed to be able to go out into the stars and contact alien races without (hopefully) causing conflict.
This morning, Pete met them at the door of the Torchwood medical facility as they rushed in. Rose had insisted on dressing, despite Jon's concern that she might contaminate evidence.
"Rose, sweetheart, are you alright?" Pete's brow was lined with concern.
"Of course, Dad, it's not like I was attacked," she said, trying to ease his concern. "Please tell Mum I'm fine." Jon rolled his eyes and ushered her over to the examining room that had been prepared, as Pete pulled out his cell phone to call Jackie. Their friend Dr. David Johnson was waiting for them, he greeted them warmly and introduced them to a new intern who had recently been recruited, Dr. Martha Jones. Jon and Rose beamed at her, "Brilliant! So glad to meet you!" Their eyes met and both relaxed just a bit, for the first time that morning since the "incident".
"Dr. Jones, would you make Rose comfortable and interview her while I speak with her husband?"
"Certainly Dr. Johnson."
Jon and Dr. Johnson left the room while Martha opened a cupboard and got out a hospital gown and slippers for Rose to change into. "Here you go, Ms. Tyler. You know what to do with them," she said, with a cheeky grin.
"Please Martha," She smiled and put a hand on the intern's shoulder. "I feel like I already know you, and my friends call me Rose."
"Why thank you M-- I mean, Rose." Martha gave her a brilliant smile, then turned her back and busied herself organizing her clipboard while Rose changed into the hospital garb. When Rose was finished and hopped up on the examination table Martha pulled a stool over and sat.
"So, Rose," she said gently, "tell me what happened."
Meanwhile, Jon and Dr. Johnson were analyzing the sample he'd brought it. "Preliminary tests show that it is semen, and seem to indicate that there is no human DNA in it," Dr. Johnson told Jon. "Of course, we need to perform more thorough tests before we can be sure." He hesitated. "Jon, it would be helpful to get another sample from you, just so we can rule out the possibility that you've undergone any changes yourself."
Jon rubbed the back of his neck resignedly. "Sure, when Martha's through with Rose, I'm sure we can get you a sample." He looked at his friend, "But I can tell you it isn't mine. I don't know how, but I'm pretty sure it's going to turn out to be my brother's."
"In that case, Jon, I can offer Rose a 'morning after' drug."
"That decision is, of course, up to Rose," Jon said sourly, "but unless that sample actually contains Slitheen DNA or something equally disgusting, which obviously it doesn't, or you'd have told me, it isn't an idea I want to entertain. It just doesn't sit well with me."
Dr. Johnson nodded. "You're a good man, Jon."
"Thanks."
Martha Jones had just broached the same subject with Rose, after confirming the Rose appeared to be ovulating. "I dunno, I'll have to talk to Jon about it." Rose said. Somehow that option just didn't feel right. Jon had said she had glowed, if so the Bad Wolf must have been involved, if so this was meant to happen. "How long before I know if I'm pregnant?"
"Well, it can vary, but most tests can tell within 10 days from conception."
Rose let out a long breath. "That's a long time to wonder about it, under the circumstances."
"Yeah," Martha sympathized, and squeezed Rose's shoulder. "Do you want to be pregnant?"
"Absolutely," Rose declared, "but with my husband, not his brother – if it was even really him."
"Well then," Martha instructed, "if I were you, I'd shag that gorgeous husband of yours 'til he drops tonight. Get all the sperm you can in there. No telling which little soldier will win the battle."
Rose laughed in delight, and Martha joined her.
"Martha Jones," Rose laughed, "You are brilliant!"
Jon came in during the giggle-fest and smiled. It was good to see them get on so well together, even if this wasn't "their" Martha Jones. "Martha, may I speak with my wife privately?"
"Certainly, Doctor" She smiled and left briskly.
"It's Jon!" he called out after her.
"Well," Rose smiled hesitantly, "I'm ovulating, but I can take the 'morning after' drug if I want."
"Do you want to?" Jon asked innocently, masking his feelings.
"No," she said quietly, watching his face.
"Good." He nodded and took her hands in his. "This isn't how I wanted things to happen, but if it does happen, I'll love this child as my own – which it probably sort-of is, anyway." He cocked his head and flashed her his maniacal grin.
She couldn't help but laugh. "So are the tests back yet?"
"Only the preliminary ones, and the sample I collected from you doesn't seem to have any human DNA." He watched her face as she absorbed and processed this information and its implications.
"What about Gallifreyan DNA?"
"David didn't really say, he's waiting on the advanced tests to be sure. But he'd like an additional sample from me, to rule out any changes in my genetic make-up." He saw her frown. "What is it?" he asked.
She told him Martha's idea about loading her up with 'little soldiers'. "I don't want to waste any!" she insisted.
Jon burst out laughing. "I'll have plenty!" he assured her. "Let's get David his sample go we can go home and shag like bunnies!"
On the way out, they stopped off at his office and asked his secretary to to send Martha a bottle of her favorite wine, hoping it was the same in this universe.
That night, Jon had a dream of his own. He was on Gallifrey, near the Academy, in a little grove with a bench just off-campus where he often went when he was bullied, to be alone with his thoughts. This time there was someone sitting on the bench. Whoever it was, was covered in a hooded robe.
"You look like a man with the weight of the universe on his shoulders," the other man observed.
"Not the universe, just a possible child," Jon responded.
"Why, that's wonderful! Congratulations – hopefully, yeah?"
"Well, it's complicated."
"Oh. You don't want the child?"
Oh, no – I mean, oh yes, I do!" Jon assured the stranger. "But it may be my twin's child, and not mine."
"Oh, I see. You must be very angry with him."
"No, I'm not actually. He thought it was a dream, as did my wife."
"Will he have a part in raising the child, then?"
"Probably not," Jon sighed. "He's in another universe, and can't get to us."
"So you're going to raise this possible child as your own then?"
"Yep-p."
"Do you love your brother?"
"Very much. I miss him, too."
"I'm so glad to hear that. You're a good man, Jon. Better than me. I wish I were in your shoes. But I've got to go, got to save the universe again. Give Rose my love." The stranger got up to leave.
"WAIT!" Jon gasped, "What is your name?!"
The stranger threw back his hood, and Jon found himself looking upon his own face, looking back with tears in his eyes. "John. John Smith." The stranger faded away.
Jon sat bolt-upright in the bed, gasping, sweat pouring off him. Rose stirred. "Are you alright?" she asked sleepily as she rolled over and hugged him.
He laid back down, held her close, and wept.