Torchwood Convention

November 12, 2011

Joshua hated tuxedos. Never mind that nothing good every seemed to happy in one. Tuxedo of Doom, he once dubbed it. Disaster always seemed to strike when he wore one. He had managed to stay away from the fateful ensemble during his wedding and subsequent required functions for the University. This, however, he couldn't avoid. It was the annual Torchwood Convention. It used to be the Vitex Convention but once Pete had gone public with Torchwood, they had merged. They still touched on Vitex, for sure, but they mostly concentrated on Torchwood and the varying causes they pursued.

Most colleges and Universities in the World were funded, at least in part, by their local Torchwood. Joshua had been volunteered as his University's spokesman for the event, mostly because of his close ties to Pete and Rose. It wasn't his favorite thing in the world and he didn't want to do it. He felt like the University was using him, thinking they could gain extra influence because of his relationship with the Tyler's.

Rose was wearing a simple black dress with minimal makeup. She was playing up the role of Vitex heiress and as such, did not have a firearm of any sort on her. They had been having these conventions for three years and not once had anything gone wrong. They had plenty of guards, and Joshua was carrying his sonic, so she kept her weapons at home. It was too difficult to try and conceal in a dress, anyway. She had an image to uphold.

They arrived in a limo which was provided by Pete. Joshua didn't like it. He didn't like the publicity that came with being associated with the Tyler name. Wisely, he shut his gob and just went with it. Rose could feel his apprehension and tried to soothe him as much as possible but nothing she did could really calm him.

They took their seats after mingling for a bit and waited for the introductions and presentations.

~DW~~DW~~DW~

Joshua was extremely bored. Well, bored didn't really cover it. The presentations were all on things he'd learned in his early years. A couple held promise. Ways to get into space and explore. But mostly, he was tired of sitting and listening to people drone on about things they really didn't know anything about.

More than once, Rose had to kick him under the table to keep him from correcting a speaker. Finally, he started keeping running commentary in his mind, making sure to keep their link wide open so Rose could hear. More than once, she'd had to stop herself from laughing out loud. It helped keep him amused until the last speaker. He'd almost snorted out his champagne.

There, on the podium, stood Adam Mitchell. He still looked as pompous as Joshua remembered. And he doubted this one had a door that let you see his brain. Still, he kept imagining snapping his fingers and it opening. Rose had to excuse herself before she fell into a fit of laughter. It was the highlight of his night, really.

After the presentations, there's drinks and nibbles and all sorts of things that remind Joshua why he likes parties. There's also mingling and forming alliances and other stuff that he absolutely hates.

When Adam sought out Rose, Joshua's hackles rose. Rose was swift in deflecting the boy. It wasn't as if the entire world didn't know they are married. Their wedding made international headlines. He took the plate he had loaded with assorted nibbles and made his way back to his wife. He glanced at Adam pointedly and wisely, the boy backed off. Secure in his place, he let their conversation continue.

Adam was talking nonsense about slip stream engines and space travel. More of the useless drivel they had heard in the presentations. Even though this world was much further along than where he came from, space travel still wouldn't be possible for at least another century. It would take another century before they would be able to venture into deep space.

Oh, they had the mechanics correct. And plenty of off-world friends to help them along. That thought made Joshua pause. With help, they could get off the planet. So the theory was plausible. He wasn't about to let Adam know that, though.

~DW~~DW~~DW~

Joshua managed to expertly avoid unwanted questions for most of the night. The press was there, of course. They wanted juicy gossip bits to print or air the next day.

Then there were the other intellectuals from other Universities. He held polite conversation with them, but never let it go for too long.

Rose was busy playing heiress as well as Ambassador. A few off-worlders had attended the party. Of all the people there, Joshua felt most at home with them. They received a few wary glances, of course. Not everyone was happy with them living here, but thankfully, they kept their opinions to themselves.

That's where Rose found him, close to ten in the evening. He was chatting with a Fuloxian couple about different cuisine across the cosmos. She smiled as she listened. This was the Doctor she remembered. The one who jumped feet first into danger but also into companionship. He would make friends with anyone, so long as they weren't threatening. He'd proven he was as much the Oncoming Storm that she remembered. A little more brutal, perhaps. But his main goal was still to try to solve things without violence.

And she loved him for that. Because he wasn't the monster the Time Lord had made him out to be. Yes, he definitely needed her, just like he'd said. But he was compassionate and thoughtful of others, usually before himself. All the things she's always loved and admired in the Doctor, Joshua possesses in spades.

She took his hand and squeezed gently. He smiled down at her. The couple he was chatting with politely took their leave.

"Ready to go home, my love?" Joshua's eyes danced, but there was a heat there that made her shiver.

"Always."