Chapter 11- Date Night
Voyage of the Damned pt. 1
Rose POV- One month later
"Alright, here's a bag, there's nappies and extra clothes in there. Here's his TARDIS plushy and his rattle," I said handing Jack the small plush and sonic screwdriver shaped rattle. "There's bottles in the bag for when he gets hungry they'll need to go in the fridge. I don't want you guys to leave the Hub with him. If you need to get something only one of you needs to go."
"Rosie, relax Ianto and I had no plans of leaving the Hub. Also I know how to handle the bottles, I do have a daughter." Jack said holding the now one month old Oliver. I'm sure my eyes nearly popped out of my head at that new information. I was standing in the Torchwood Hub in a formal black dress dropping Oliver off to spend the evening with Jack and Ianto. The three of us had spent the last month mostly floating through the vortex occasionally stepping out to go out to dinner or purchase necessary items. I could tell the Doctor was beginning to go stir crazy when Jack called us and said for Christmas he was going to give us a night off. The Doctor insisted we take it even though I didn't want to. He promised he was taking me to a party and is even wearing his tux. Although bad things always tend happen when he wears it so I'm a bit weary.
Oliver reached out towards me then and I reached out and let him wrap a hand around my finger. The Doctor wasn't lying when he told me Oliver would develop faster than a human baby. He was already bigger than most two month old humans. I leaned down and kissed his hand that was holding my finger making him smile and giggle at me. I felt the Doctor wrap his arm around my waist then.
"Alright Rose, they have everything, it will be fine, let's get going," he said trying to pull me away from my baby.
"Okay, bye my sweet boy, we'll be back soon I promise," I told him and leaned down to him placing a kiss on his forehead before I began walking back towards the TARDIS.
"Hey, where's my kiss?" Jack asked sarcastically.
"Not gonna happen Harkness," I said over my shoulder and the Doctor laughed.
"Can't blame a guy for trying," was his response causing my husband to laugh harder. I just rolled my eyes and pushed open the TARDIS doors. The Doctor bounded up the ramp to the console and began to pilot the ship away from Earth. Something felt off but I wasn't sure what. I felt as we entered orbit outside of earth's atmosphere holding onto the railing to keep myself upright. There was a loud crash and then the sound of a ships horn as I was tossed to the floor. I look up to see the bow of a huge ship coming through the wall of the console room.
"WHAT?!" we both shouted In disbelief as we pulled ourselves off the floor. The Doctor leaned forward and picked something up off the floor in front of him and began turning it around in his hands. Coming up behind him and looking over his shoulder at it, I'm barely able to catch a glimpse at the words before he lowers it and utters "what" once more in disbelief.
He drops the object on the grating and quickly rushes to the console. "Titanic?" I ask as he begins to turn several knobs. "How? We haven't time traveled and we're in orbit outside earths atmosphere." He ignores me for a moment looking at the spot where the bow of the ship is coming into the console room. I turn and watch as the ship moves backwards and the walls repair themselves.
"Honestly Rose I have no clue," he says as he flips one more lever and the sound of the ship materializing fills the console room, "let's find out, shall we?" he says wrapping an arm around my waist and brushing dust off my dress. He then pulls me with him down the ramp towards the door.
"Doctor, you said we were going to a party," I groaned but was secretly anticipating the adventure I could feel coming. He pulled open the door to reveal we had landed in a small cupboard. He leaned around patting the outer wall of the ship, then continued on out of the cupboard pulling me along behind him.
We found ourselves in a lavishly decorated room with different people walking around. I would have believed it were the actual Titanic if it weren't for the small red alien, the gold robot angels and the short skirt on the blonde server walking past us.
The Doctor paused at the angel which turned and looked at us causing me to jump and him to become more confused. He continued on dragging me over to a window which we looked out to see the Earth below. "Right," he mumbled just putting the pieces together as an announcement came on over the speakers welcoming us to Christmas.
We walked into a large dining room with Winter Wonderland playing over the speakers and an advert screen next to a lighted sail boat. I watched as a man named Max Capricorn talked up his cruise liners and the Doctor straightened his bowtie then grabbed my hand as he began to walk off.
"Merry Christmas Sir, Ma'am," said a crew member as we passed them.
"Merry Christmas," we replied in unison as we walked further into the lavish dining room. "Wow, look at this place," I murmured taking in the rows of tables covered in fine white linens.
"Yeah, it's quite the party, don't you think?" He said smiling and taking in the scenery and walking further into the room while clasping my hand in his. We heard a wealthy looking man talking on a communicator and saw another one of those angel robots which the Doctor pulled me along as he approached it.
"Evening passengers 57 and 58," he greeted the robot, "terrible memories, remind me, you would be?"
"Information, Heavenly Hosts supplying tourists with, information," it responded.
The Doctor raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Good! So tell me, cause I'm an idiot where are we, from," he questioned.
"Information, the Titanic is on route from the planet Stoh in the Casavillian belt the purpose of the cruise is to experience primitive cultures."
"Titanic, who thought of the name," I wondered aloud. It turned its body and looked down at me.
"Information, it was chosen as the most famous vessel of the planet earth."
"Didn't they tell you why it was famous?" the Doctor asked the robot.
"Information, all designations are chosen by Max Capricorn, President of Ma-ma-max-ma" the robot began to respond.
"Oh," the Doctor said reaching into his jacket for the sonic.
"Doctor, what's it doing?" I asked.
"Not sure," he said as we were interrupted by a crew member.
"We can handle this, software problem that's all leave it with us sir, ma'am Merry Christmas" he said as two other crew members grabbed the now disabled 'Heavenly Host' and carried it off. As they walked away I overheard him saying to the other men, "that's another one down whats going on with these things."
We turned and began walking further into the dining room, "Another one?" I said raising my eyebrows at the Doctor, "What do you think is going on here Doctor?" I asked.
"No idea, let's find out," he said as we heard a glass shatter. We looked over to see a blonde server being scolded by a middle aged dark haired man.
"For god sake look where you're going. This jacket is a genuine Earth antique."
"I'm sorry sir," she replied sounding irritated.
"You'll be sorry when it comes off your wages sweetheart. Staffed by idiots, no wonder Max Capricorn's going down the drain." The man said then stormed off. I hurried over and crouched down in front of the woman with the Doctor following behind.
"Careful," I told her when I saw she was about to cut herself on a piece.
"There we go," The Doctor said as he picked up a few large pieces and set them on her tray.
"Thank you, but I can manage," she said barely glancing up.
"I'm sure you can, still gonna help you though, I couldn't stand arrogant jerks like that when I was younger, still can't." I told the woman earning a small smile from her, "I'm Rose, by the way and that's the Doctor."
"Astrid ma'am, Astrid Pith,"
"Nice to meet you Astrid, Merry Christmas," The Doctor chimed in.
"Merry Christmas sir," she replied with a large smile.
"Just Doctor, not sir," he said with a slight grimace that made me giggle.
"Are you both enjoying the cruise," she said finally looking back at me, away from my husband.
"Yeah, I suppose, it's gorgeous in here," I said looking around again as we stood up.
"So, is it just the two of you?" she asked.
"Oh we've got a son, we left him with a friend so we could spend some time to ourselves." I told her smiling as I thought about my little boy on the planet below.
"What about you long way from home, the planet Stoh." The Doctor said looking around with his eyebrows raised.
"Doesn't feel that different. I spent 3 years working at a space port diner. Travelled all the way here and I'm still waiting on tables." She said as she started to walk away. I turned and walked behind her continuing our conversation.
"What no shore leave?" I asked confused.
"We're not allowed, they can't afford the insurance. I just wanted to try it, just once. I used to watch the ships heading out to the stars. Always dreamt of- sounds daft." She said shaking her head.
"You dreamt of another sky," I said finishing her thought knowing the exact feeling.
"New sun. new air, new life a whole Universe teeming with life." The Doctor said staring out the window with a far off look.
"Why stand still when there's all that life out there," I finished knowing that's what he would have said.
"So you two travel a lot," Astrid asked breaking us out of our thoughts.
"All the time, just for fun, well that's the plan. It never quite works." The Doctor said a large grin breaking out on his face.
"You must be rich though," Astrid said looking at the Doctor then me.
"We haven't got a penny," I whispered conspiratorially.
"Stowaways," the Doctor added in the same tone.
"You're kidding," Astrid said her eyes widening.
"Seriously," he said.
"No."
"Oh yeah,"
"Well how did you get on board?" she asked still in disbelief.
"Accident we've got this ship. I was taking her somewhere. Like we said, new parents, bit of alone time," he said with a wink in my direction causing me to blush, "Left the defenses down somehow, bumped into the Titanic, here we are. Bit of a party, so why not." He finished with a shrug. Astrid looked around the room at the other guests.
"I should report you," she said with a nod.
"Go on then," I told her with a teasing smile.
"I'll get you some drinks," she said, then added in a whisper, "on the house."
"Oh I like her," I said as she walked away with a glance back at us.
"She's got quite the spirit," the Doctor agreed with a nod.
We began walking through the dining room again when we heard a group of people laughing and pointing at a couple sitting alone at one of the tables. "What's that all about?" I whispered to my husband as we walked together.
"Let's see," He whispered, then took a seat at the table with the couple. "Somethings tickled them," he said to the couple as I took a seat beside him and smiled at the couple in purple.
"They told us it was fancy dress," the woman said looking down at her clothes. "Very funny I'm sure."
"They're just picking on us because we haven't paid," the man told his wife, "We won our tickets in a competition," he informed us proudly. I smiled at them.
"I had to name the five husbands of Jufi Cristal in By the Light of the Asteroid. Do you ever watch By the Light of the Asteroid?" she said with a proud smile as he husband rubbed her arm. I pursed my lips and thought for a moment of the many hours of T.V. I had spent watching in the media room while Oliver would nap.
"Is that the one with the twins?" I asked looking back at her.
"That's it, oh its marvelous," she said with a smile.
"Probably not good enough for that lot," her husband said jabbing his thumb towards the still laughing group. "They think we should be in steerage."
"Oh," the Doctor mumble reaching into his coat and taking out the sonic. "Can't have that can we," he said holding it across his body and under the opposite arm. He then turned it on causing the champagne to burst and spray all over the group.
"Rude," I grumbled elbowing him in the ribs.
"Did you do that?!" the woman asked.
"Maybe," the Doctor said with a slight shrug, they both began to laugh. "We like you," she added.
"We do," the man said reaching his hand towards us. "I'm Marvin Van Hoff and this is my lovely wife Foon."
"Foon, Hello, I'm the Doctor and this is my wife Rose." He told them gesturing to me with his hand.
"Hello," I said with a smile and a small wave of my fingers.
"Oh, I'm gonna need a doctor by the time I finish with that buffet," she chuckled. "Have a buffalo wing they must be enormous these buffalo, so many wings," she said biting into a chicken wing. I just chuckled at what she said and grabbed one myself.
An announcement came on then 'attention please shore leave tickets red 6-7 now activated red 6-7, thank you' said the voice over the noise of the party.
Foon reached into her top and Morvin into his vest both grabbing out large red tickets. "Red 6-7 that's us," she said as they both stood from the table. "Are you two red 6-7?" she asked raising her eyebrows at us.
"Might as well be, right love?" I asked hooking my hand into the crook of his elbow and giving him my best tongue in teeth grin.
"Right," he replied as I pulled him out of his chair a grin breaking out on his face. He reached into his jacket to fish out the psychic paper.
"Come on then," Morvin said with a wave of his arm, "We're going to Earth," he smiled putting an arm around his wife.
We made our way back into reception through the crowd of people. We saw an older man holding up a red sign with 6-7 printed on it.
"Red 6-7, Red 6-7 this way, fast as you can," he called through the reception area as we followed Morvin and Foon's fast pace toward him when we were intercepted by Astrid carrying a tray with two drinks on it.
"I got you those drinks," she said with a smile.
"And we've got you a treat," I told her grabbing her by the elbow. "Come on," I said as I began to pull her towards the podium, the Doctor grabbed her tray and put it down on a table.
"Two for Red 6-7, plus one," he said flashing the psychic paper at the older man at the podium.
"Quickly sir please, and take 3 teleport bracelets if you would," I grabbed two of the bracelets from him as he approached us at the back of the group.
"I'll get the sack," she whispered as I reached down and put a bracelet around her wrist making me pause before I clasped it.
"Brand new sky," the Doctor murmured to her making her smile then she looked to me and nodded. We turned to the front just as the older gentleman began to speak.
"I'd like to repeat, I am Mr. Copper the ships historian; and I should be taking you to old London town, in the country of U.K. ruled over by gook king Wenceslas." As he spoke I could feel my brows pinching together and my eyes beginning to bug out of my head.
I turned my body slightly and whispered towards the Doctor, "Seriously?" To which all I received was a shush.
"Now human beings worship the great god Santa," he continued with a completely serious look, "a creature with fearsome claws and his wife Mary. And every Christmas Eve the people of U.K. go to war with the country of Turkey, they then eat the turkey people for Christmas Dinner, like savages."
"Scuse me," the Doctor piped up, "sorry, sorry, but where did you get all this from?" he asked the man.
"Yeah 'cause that doesn't sound right at all," I added hoping the man was just testing the people of the group.
"Well I have a first class degree in Earthnomics," he said still completely serious. "Now stand by."
"AND ME! AND ME!" we heard someone shouting coming up quickly , "Red 6-7," said the little red alien as the Doctor looks at him wide eyed.
"Take a bracelet please sir," says Mr. Copper.
"But um, hold on hold on, what was your name?" he says to the small spikey red alien.
"Bannakaffalatta," stated the small alien looking up at him.
"Okay Bannakaffalatta, but it's Christmas Eve down there. Late night shopping, tons of people he's like a talking Conker," he started babbling. My mouth dropped open at the last part and I jabbed my elbow into his ribs muttering 'rude' to him. "No offence," he continued, "But you'll cause a riot, 'cause the streets are gonna be packed with shoppers and party's and," he continued babbling as I felt the familiar tingle of a teleport and we were suddenly on a deserted London street. "Oh!" he said when he saw his surroundings.
"Now spending money," Mr. Copper began as the Doctor and I took in our surroundings. "I have a credit card in Earth currency, if you want to buy trinkets, or stockings, or the local delicacy, which is known as beef, but don't stray too far, it could be dangerous any day now they start boxing." He said I was too distracted by the lack of people to say anything about his dangerous comment.
"Where is everyone, it should be full," I said turning around in the street.
"It should be busy, somethings wrong," the Doctor agreed.
"I'm calling Jack," I said fishing my phone out of the small wristlet and walking away towards one of the shops. I dialed his number and it rang 3 times before he picked up.
"Hello Rosie, everything's fine, you've not even been gone that long, did something happen?" said the concerned voice on the other end.
"Well we kind of ran into this space cruise liner, we decided to stay but now we got teleported down to Earth and it's completely deserted, I just wanted to make sure there were no alien threats or anything like that." I said in a rush, half hearing Astrid gush about how amazing it is.
"No, nothing like that, everything is actually surprisingly quiet," he told me making me breathe a bit easier.
"Alright Jack, thanks, how's Oliver doing?" I asked.
"Oh he's great, just lying in his little pack and play playing with his rattle. He's a real cute kid Rosie," he told me.
"I know he is, alright Jack I'll call you if I have any other issues, see ya later," I told my best friend.
"Bye Rosie, Oliver says bye too." He said then the line went dead. I turned to find the Doctor and Astrid by a news stand talking to the man running it.
I walked up behind him and heard the Doctor say, "But where's everybody gone?"
"Oh-ho-ho, scared," the man stated.
"Right, yes," he agreed looking around, then pinching his brow in confusion.
"Scared of what?" I asked feeling my own confusion as well as the Doctors and grabbing his arm ready to get back to that ship and then into the TARDIS to get to Oliver.
"Where have you been living," the man said like it was obvious. "London, at Christmas," he made a gesture linking the two together, "not safe is it?" I could only nod, remembering my Christmas with the Doctor and what he told me about the Christmas he experienced while I was away.
"Why?" the Doctor asked still looking perplexed and all I could do was give him the same look the elderly gentleman was. For a superior race, Time Lord genius the Doctor was sometimes the daftest man I knew.
"It's them, up above." The man said gesturing towards the sky. "Look, Christmas before last we had that big bloody spaceship everybody standing on a roof. Then last year that big Christmas star electrocuting all over the place draining the Thames."
"This place is amazing," Astrid responded looking around like she was waiting for aliens to attack her any minute.
"This year lord knows what, so everyone's scarpered, gone to the country. All except me and her majesty." He finished not even acknowledging that Astrid had spoken. Then gestured to the small T.V in his stand where a man was talking about how she was staying to show the people of London there is nothing to fear. "May God bless her, we stand vigil," he finished with a salute.
"Well, between you and me I think her Majesty's got it right as far as I know, this year, nothing to worry about," he began as I felt the familiar tickle of teleportation and we were suddenly back on the ship. "I was in mid- sentence." The Doctor complained to Mr. Copper.
"Yes, I'm sorry about that, bit of a problem. If I could have your bracelets," he apologized as two crew members approached and Astrid ducked behind the Doctor and me hurriedly removing her bracelet.
"Excuse me ladies and gentleman and Bannakaffalatta, we seem to have suffered from a power fluctuation. I you would like to return to the festivities and on behalf of Max Capricorn Cruise liners, free drinks will be provided," he said eliciting excited murmurs from the rest of the group."
"That was the best, thank you, both of you," Astrid said coming out from behind us and placing the bracelet in my hand then squeezing the Doctors before she scurried away to get back to work.
"Power fluctuation," I said turning to my husband, "What sort of power fluctuation?" He gave me one of his sideways grins then held out his elbow to me.
"Not sure lets find out, shall we," he said as I hooked my hand into his elbow and walked over to the two crew members together. "So, what sort of power fluctuation?" he asked handing the teleport bracelets back to him.
A/N: Sorry this took me a while, I was a bit intimidated with the rewrite. Anyway hope you like it and i already have the rest planned out i just have to type it so it shouldn't take too long. As always leave a review I love them.
