Army of Ghosts, Part Two

Clara sat on the captain's chair in the console room, newspaper in hand. She flipped through while Rose stood next to her.

"According to the paper, they've elected a ghost as MP for Leeds." Clara called down to the Doctor, who was in some basement room under the console. Rose nodded.

"Yea, I saw that." She said. She scratched behind her ear, looking a little sheepish. "Thought it was a cool idea at the time."

Clara flipped the page, reading some more. "Now don't tell me you're going to sit back and do nothing." She shouted as she read. She looked up just in time to see the Doctor pop up from the opening in the floor. He had a backpack and a hose. He had a manic smile on his face, grinning like the Cheshire Cat at the two women.

"Who you going to call?" He asked playfully. Rose and Clara shared a look, matching smiles on their cheeks.

"Ghostbusters!" They cheered. Clara punched the air.

"I ain't afraid of no ghosts," the Doctor drawled. Clara giggled, taking his hand as he held it out. She jumped off the captain's chair, following him out of the TARDIS. They exited the TARDIS, Rose right behind them, to see a playground. A few kids were playing, but for the most part it was empty. Jackie was sitting on a bench right next to the box. Clara's dad had turned down accompanying them; he wasn't one for weird things. Clara had been a little disappointed- she had hoped to share this part of her life with him the same way she had shared it with Angie and Artie- but she understood. She knew how her dad was.

"When's the next shift?" The Doctor asked as Rose closed the door. He bent down, placing three metal cones linked by wires in the grass. Jackie checked her watch.

"Quarter to," she reported. "But don't go causing trouble. What's that lot do?" Jackie asked, nodding to the cones.

"Triangulates their point of origin." The Doctor replied, pointing his sonic screwdriver at it. Rose walked to his side.

"I don't suppose it's the Gelth?" She asked. Clara raised her eyebrows. What are Gelth?

"Nah. They were just coming through one little rift. This lot are transposing themselves over the whole planet. Like tracing paper." The Doctor answered vaguely.

"You're always doing this. Reducing it to science." Jackie complained. "Why can't it be real? Just think of it, though. All the people we've lost. Our families coming back home. Don't you think it's beautiful?" The Doctor thought about it a moment.

"I think it's horrific. Rose, give us a hand." Rose nodded, bending down to help. After a second, the Doctor led Rose into the TARDIS to plug some wire in. Clara, trying to ignore the tinge of jealousy in her heart when she watched them walk together, sat on a swing. She kicked her feet back and forth, watching them. Jackie walked over to her, sitting on the next swing. They watched as the cones lit up, the Doctor and Rose calling back and forth.

"Clara, come on! The TARDIS will be transported wherever the ghosts are coming from, so get in!" The Doctor called. Clara nodded, standing up. Jackie followed. They stepped into the TARDIS and watched some more as Rose and the Doctor worked.

Clara bit her lip, determined to not be jealous. The Doctor loved her, not Rose. Except, or course, the Doctor had never actually said that he loved her. Clara stared at her feet as the TARDIS rocked harshly.

"Allons-y!" The Doctor crowed as the TARDIS was transported. He laughed. "I like that. Allons-y. I should say allons-y more often. Allons-y." Rose laughed at him. Clara watched him amusedly.

"Doctor, you're rambling." She stated. He beamed at her.

"Allons-y, Clara!" He crowed. "You know, it would be really brilliant if I met someone called Alonso, because then I could say, 'Allons-y, Alonso', every time." He was moving as he blathered and noticed Rose staring at him. "You're staring at me."

"My mum's on board." She told him, half a smile on her face. Clara and the Doctor turned to see Jackie sitting on a railing.

"If we end up on Mars, I'm going to kill you." Jackie threatened, not sounding scary in the least. The Doctor scratched his ear, then jumped when the scanner made a noise. He bounded over to it, as did Rose. Clara, feeling a little left out, stayed put. The Doctor pouted at the screen; Clara heard the clear sound of guns being loaded. She assumed they were surrounded.

"Oh, well, there goes the advantage of surprise. Still, cuts to the chase." He stood straight and turned to Rose. "Stay in here, look after Jackie. Clara? Allons-y!" Clara beamed. He wanted her to go with him! She skipped over to him, taking his hand. Rose put her hands on her hips, a scowl on her lips.

"I'm not looking after my mum.," she insisted. The Doctor shrugged.

"Well, you brought her." Rose huffed.

"She came in with Clara!"

"I was kidnapped!" Jackie cried. The Doctor didn't stop, though. He and Clara were right at the door when Rose jumped in front of them, blocking their way.

"They've got guns." Rose reminded them.

"And we haven't. Which makes us the better people, don't you think? They can shoot us dead, but the moral high ground is ours." He moved Rose out of the way and opened the door. They walked out together, arms up. Clara shut the door behind her, keeping Rose inside. A well dressed woman ran up to them, an award winning smile plastered on her face.

"Oh! Oh, how marvelous. Oh, very good. Superb. Happy day." She cheered, clapping for the two of them. The soldiers put down their guns and joined her. Slowly, Clara and the Doctor lowered their arms.

"Er, thanks. Nice to meet you. I'm the Doctor." The Doctor said awkwardly. "And this is Clara."

"Oh, I should say. Hurray!" The woman cheered again. The Doctor raised his eyebrows, sharing a look with Clara.

"You- you've heard of me, then?" He asked. The woman laughed.

"Well of course we have. And I have to say, if it wasn't for you, none of us would be here. The Doctor and the TARDIS." She announced. There was more applause.

"And you are?" The Doctor asked. The woman waved her hand dismissively.

"Oh, plenty of time for that. But according to the records, you're not one for traveling alone. The Doctor and his companion. That's a pattern, isn't it, right? Is this her?"

"Yes, but it's not just her," the Doctor said. "Rose is here, as well. She's just a bit shy." The Doctor opened the door to the TARDIS as little as he could, stuck his arm inside, and grabbed someone. He pulled her out, shutting the door quickly. "Here she is, Rose Tyler."

But, it wasn't Rose that he grabbed. It was Jackie.

"Yea, not the best I've ever had. Bit too blonde. Not too steady on her pins. A lot of that." Jackie glowered at him as he tried to right his mistake. Clara crossed her arms, happy to watch him scramble out of his mess. "And just last week, she stared into the heart of the Time Vortex and aged fifty seven years. But she'll do." Jackie looked offended.

"I'm forty." She hissed. The Doctor shook his head.

"Deluded. Bless. I'll have to trade her in. Do you need anyone? She's very good at tea. Well, I say very good, I mean not bad. Well, I say not bad. Anyway, lead on. Allons y. But not too fast. Her ankle's going." He gestured for them to move on, only stopping his chattering when Clara elbowed him.

"I'll show you where my ankle's going." Jackie grumbled as they started walking. They walked a while until they made it to the central area of the building.

"It was only a matter of time until you found us, and at last you've made it." The woman who had greeted them said. "I'd like to welcome you, Doctor. Welcome to Torchwood."

A/N: Another chapter done! I hope you liked it. Let me know what you thought in a review.

BTW, I have a new Doctor Who story up. (I know, I know) It's Eleven/Rose, so go check it out!

Until next time, sweeties.