She had tried on nine dresses. The first one was a light coral colored dress, strapless, and came down to her knees. She had liked it, until she saw the giant bow on the back. She had asked it was removable, but of course, it wasn't. She asked if she could cut it off, but the clerk insisted that the removal of the bow was not an option. The next three had been picked out by her mother and none of them seemed to look good on her. The third one she had tried on- An olive dress that came to the floor-had made her look as if she were shaped like a pear. When she wined and told her mother that, the Doctor outwardly cringed and said, "Rose, never compare anything to a pear. Pears are disgusting." When Rose had gone back into the dressing room to remove the dress, Jackie came in bearing another one. This one was another short one, red in color, and very pretty. She snatched it from her mother's grasp, eager to try it on. She had always hated trouser and shirt shopping, but dress shopping was exciting. Jackie had lingered for a bit and asked, "What's he got against pears?" Rose laughed and shrugged her shoulder,
"Dunno. I once asked him if he wanted a pear with the soup I was making, and he freaked out. Started mumbling about how awful they are and how they do nothing for the environment." Jackie nodded,
"He's a weird one, that Doctor of yours. It's still a little odd to see him. All.. different." Jackie sighed and pulled back, looking over at the Doctor. As she did she created a gap in the curtain that Rose could see through. He was sitting in a fluffy chair, his eyes on his sonic screwdriver. He turned it on and scanned the couch, looking bored. She could hear the soft hum from where they were standing. When he looked back at it there was a frown of confusion casting over his features. "What? But that's not possible, you're only found on Dismuck. I wonder.." He sounded interested now, and suddenly he shot up like a bullet and was crouching in front of the leather-looking chair. Without hesitation, he took a long, wet lick of the chair. He put his tongue back in his mouth and smacked his lips together in concentration. "You are made of Carotine leather. But how you got on Earth is a mystery in deed.." His eyes had brightened and he was smiling, searching for something in his pockets. Rose smiled softly, kindly, "He's still the same man," She had said, "Just.. Different. And honestly, I like him better this way; He's kinder, sweeter. He says nice things to me, and we'll flirt with each other.. He's just a better person in my eyes." Jackie nodded, understanding her daughter completely. Jackie had then put on a smile and said,
"Well, try that one on. Then come out and let me have a look."
That had been six dresses ago, and already Rose was in a fit of frustration. Her mother had insisted on waiting until Rose had a dress to go looking for herself, and she hadn't gotten the Doctor out of that suit yet. She sighed and took a long, deep breath. Jackie was standing outside the door by the Doctor, tapping her foot,
"Come on Rose!" She shouted, "I wonna see you in it." Rose cringed,
"I look weird," She insisted, poking her sides where the dress hung loosely, "I think it's too big." Jackie scoffed,
"I'll be the judge of that Come out and le'me see you." Rose wined,
"I look fat. I'm just gonna take it off." After shrugging off the dress and hanging it back on a rack in the dressing room, Rose opened the door and came out, feeling defeated,
"Can't I just help you find a dress?" Rose asked desperately. Jackie shook her head,
"Not until you're done!" Rose pouted out her lip. She hadn't found one dress that fit her well and was pretty. She was just about to pester her mother some more when she saw it; A beautiful yellow dress that would most likely end up a bit above her knee. It had no straps and a nice front for her breasts. She walked slowly towards it, running her fingers through the fabric. It was soft and cool. She checked for her size and lifted it from the hook, dashing into the dressing room. She pulled off her clothes and slipped on the dress. Instantly she felt a jolt of happiness. This was the one. This was her dress! She stepped out of the dressing room and leaned up against the door frame, waiting for her mother and the Doctor to look up. When they did Jackie shrieked, happiness etched on her face. The Doctor's reaction, however, was much different. His mouth dropped open slightly, his eyes widening ever so slightly and his eyebrows skyrocketing into his hairline. When he met her eyes he closed his mouth, color rising in his cheeks. Rose smiled and walked in front of the mirror, spinning so the dress fanned out. She giggled.
"Oh sweetheart you're beautiful," Jackie exclaimed. "Absolutely stunning." Rose giggled again,
"Thanks mum," Rose said happily. The Doctor's eyes still looked like saucers,
"You're so beautiful," He said slowly, as if trying to control his response. Rose's smile widened.
"Thank you Doctor. Now I don't suppose I can help you pick out something, yeah? Mum, check this out please. I'm gonna dress up Ken here and we'll meet you when you find what you want." Jackie mumbled an "Okay" and rushed towards the dresses in her size, grabbing two at a time. Rose laughed out loud,
"Mum, how are you supposed to check out a dress if I'm in it?" Jackie looked up, finally noticing Rose's existence,
"Oh. Right." Rose rolled her eyes and bit her lip, holding back a laugh she'd very much like to let escape. "I'll be right back, okay?" Rose said, looking at the Doctor. He nodded his head and she slipped past him, entering the dressing room once again. As she was slipping out of that wonderful dress and back into her streets, she couldn't help but let her mind wander to the Doctor's response to her. "You look so beautiful," He had said. Rose's stomach filled with butterflies, but she pushed them aside, mind going back to the task at hand. When she emerged some minutes later, Jackie was waiting outside the door along with the Doctor. Rose handed her the dress and she smiled at Rose before heading to the check out counter to purchase the dress. Rose smiled at the Doctor, her tongue poking out between her teeth; A special smile only for the Doctor.
"You ready to be my perfect model?" Rose asked cheekily. The Doctor's face tinged with embarrassment, but that didn't phase his flirty manner,
"Oh more than ever Rose. After playing dress up for that long, you sure you can handle being my personal dresser?" Rose blushed a bit, knowing exactly what he was implying, but smiled anyway saying,
"Of course. I like that side better anyway." The Doctor smiled broadly and offered her his hand. She took it without hesitation and let him lead her to the men's apparel. Suddenly surrounded by tuxes, Rose was uncertain what the Doctor should wear. Should he go with classic black, or maybe something a bit more colorful? A bow tie or regular tie? She chuckled softly when her eyes fell upon a jacket with tails. Her hand moved deliberately towards the jacket, her fingers twisting into the fabric. The Doctor groaned,
"You're not seriously going to make me wear that are you?" He wined. Rose laughed out loud that time. She took it off the rack and held it up to the Doctor. It didn't seem his style-or the right size-but Rose thought she should have him put it on out of spite. She put it back and shook her head, smiling at the way his face muscles softened into a relived expression. Suddenly a white tux with a black undershirt caught her eye. She moved towards it, pulling it off the rack and holding it up to the Doctor. Her features brightened, and she held it back in front of him, indicating she wanted him to take it. The Doctor looked unsure, an eyebrow raised and the only indication of a smirk on the corner of his lips, instead of a full out grin like he normally wore. Rose pouted,
"Come on," Rose begged, shoving it into his chest, "You'll look handsome. Now let me see if I can find the matching trousers.." It didn't take long for her to find them. When she did, she thrust them into the Doctor's arms and turned him around, shoving him into a dressing room. "If you don't like it I don't care. Come out so I can see it!" Rose turned her eyes away from the changing room door, her brown eyes searching for her mother. When she didn't see her, she sighed. "I'm gonna go find my mum Doctor. When I come back I fully expect you dressed in that tux, you hear me?" She was playful but firm. She desperately wanted to see how he looked in that tux. She turned away from the Doctor and was about to leave when she heard the Doctor say,
"And what if it doesn't fit?." He wined. Rose giggled,
"Not my fault you're so skinny. I offer you chips all the time and you never except.." She didn't get to hear the Doctor's response; She rushed after her mum, desperate to find her so they could look upon the Doctor together.
She found her in the shoe department, thankful it was right next to men's apparel. Her mother was in a beautiful red gown and was trying on red shoes to match. She'd never seen her mother so beautiful. She gasped,
"Mum, you look gorgeous!." Jackie Tyler beamed,
"Thank you sweetheart. You're gonna be beautiful tonight." Rose smiled.
"I've got the Doctor in the changing room putting on a white tux. It's the first one he's tried on. Thought you might want to come and see?" Jackie nodded and followed her daughter on clumsy feet; It had been a while since Jackie had worn heels. When they arrived at the appropriate door, Rose knocked. Rose heard, rather than saw, the Doctor jump. She laughed,
"All right in there?" It was quiet for a while before the Doctor said,
"Yup," the Doctor replied, popping the 'p'. Rose smiled. She loved it when he did that, "I'm actually done now." Jackie rolled her eyes at the Doctor's obvious shyness, but Rose smiled. She liked that the Doctor was bashful about showing her what he looked like in something other than pinstriped suits and leather jackets. Jackie sighed, obviously wanting the Doctor to come out so she could see him and stop being so bloody timid.
"Well come out Doctor, we haven't got all day." The Doctor sighed loudly and exited the changing room. The first thing Rose noticed was that his hair was sticking up in more varied places than usual. She knew it was due to nervousness; He had a habit of running his fingers through his hair when he was scared or embarrassed or even angry. Next, her eyes trailed down to the jacket and shirt of the tux. He wasn't wearing any sort of tie-she'd forgotten to pick one out-and his thin torso fit the shirt perfectly. Thank God they had the smallest size, the next one up would have definitely been too big. Then she moved down to his trousers. They were a perfect fit. Everything was perfect about him until she got to the trainers he still wore. She chuckled. The Doctor visibly winced and she felt bad, even though she was laughing at his shoe attire rather than the way he looked.
"There wasn't a mirror in there, so I might have buttoned up the jacket wrong. Although I don't think I did; Fairly certain I didn't. In case I did though, I want you to know the reason why. I'm not a git, I know which buttons to-" He stopped abruptly, hand tugging on his ear lobe, eyes narrowing in confusions and something that looked a bit like disappointment. "You're staring." He stated. "You're staring, you're both staring. Is it good staring or bad staring? Do I really look that bad?" The Doctor asked, a hint of something in his voice Rose had never heard before; Insecurity. Rose shook her head,
"No," She began breathlessly, "You look-" But she was cut off by Jackie nonchalantly saying,
"Sexy. You look really hot Doctor." Rose was surprised at her mother's sudden outburst. All though she had to agree. The Doctor did look very sexy.
"Well I don't think you need to try anything else on, that's obviously a keeper," Rose said happily. He arched an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips,
"Oh really?" The Doctor asked boldly, all nervousness gone, replaced by his flirty self. He began to walk towards the large body length mirror, "Do I really look-" When he got to the mirror he stopped talking, gazing at his reflection. He stepped closer and looked at his mirror image with something Rose could only describe as interest. "Oh. I look good in white." Rose chuckled as the last drop of his shyness drained away and the Doctor turned into his normal, cocky, fun and flirty person. Jackie turned abruptly to Rose and asked,
"Do you want to try on shoes sweetheart?" Rose shook her head,
"You can just pick out a pair for me. Just make sure they're walkable mum, I don't want to be wobbling about like a fish out'a water." She paused for a moment, thinking. "Yellow and nude are except able colors." Jackie raised her eyebrows but made no further comment. She turned and left, her dress skirting after her. The Doctor seemed to just notice she was wearing something other than her streets,
"Oh, your mum's wearing a dress." He seemed dazed, as if he had just been dashed in cool water. It was quiet for a moment before he said, "She looks nice. Very nice." Rose raised her eyebrow. If she didn't know better, she'd think he was flirting. But she did, and she knew that he would never flirt with her mother. Plus, her mum wasn't interested in the Doctor. Maybe the last him, but not this him. In fact, now that she thought about it, the old Doctor might have even given in to the Tyler charm and pursued her mother. She shuddered at the realization that he mother and the past Doctor would make a great couple. The Doctor seemed to snap out of his trance,
"So I should probably get out o' this thing," He said, his Scottish accent thick and heavy, tickling her ears,
"Yup." Rose said, popping the 'p' in a perfect imitation of the Doctor's habitual phrase. He grinned at her,
"Alright then. I'll get to it," He turned from her to give himself one last, fleeting glance and approaches the dressing room door. Before he goes in though, Rose begins to chuckle. The Doctor stops abruptly, turning to look at her. Her chaste chuckle turns into a full out laugh when the Doctor looks at her, confused but with an ounce of mirth, "What's so funny Miss Tyler?" He wants to know. Rose laughs, feeling tears begin to spring forth in her eyes,
"You," She manages to get out, gasping for breath, "You're the most vain alien I've ever met. Have to keep looking like you're the sexiest thing in the world.." She trails off and chuckles harder at his reaction; His eyes hooded, his mouth slightly ajar. He recovers and smiles at her,
"How have you not gotten this yet Rose? I am the sexiest thing in the world." Rose laughed harder, eyes dancing. "Apart from a good banana of course." Rose's eyes twinkled in amusement, not able to stop the onslaught of laughter that was threatening to choke her. Then his features became softer, "However, I'll be even sexier walking into a party with a certain Rose Tyler on my arm." Rose blushed but giggled as well, happy the Doctor thought her more attractive than a piece of fruit.
The Doctor changed clothes and left the changing room to stand by Rose's side. She was just about to suggest they sit down somewhere when an eager Jackie Tyler came bustling up the isle towards them, a smile displayed on her features, "Rose! I just bought my dress; It's red. A bit like the one you saw, only different. I got red shoes to match as well." She pauses and calms down, "Sorry you didn't get to help me pick one out. I know you love that." Rose smiled and waved her hand,
"It's all right mum. So will Howard be joining us?" Jackie smiled and giggled like a school girl, surprising not only her but the Doctor as well ,
"Yes. The car Todd is sending to pick us up will stop but his home as well." Rose smiled. She was happy her mother was finally putting herself out there. Howard was kind, funny, and really cared about her mother. Having met her father only two years past, she wasn't surprised that he mother hadn't wanted to move on. But Howard made her happy, and when her mother was happy, she was happy. Rose looked at her watch; 11:36. She looked up at her mother,
"We should probably get going. Nail appointment at 12:15 and all," She turned to the Doctor, "And what will you do while we're out?" The Doctor smiled cheekily,
"I don't know. I think I can find something to occupy my time. Probably work a way to make landings in the TARDIS more smooth." Rose smiled but Jackie scowled,
"Oh no you don't Alien boy." Jackie exclaimed. The Doctor grimaced, looking at Jackie like she were gum stuck on the bottom of his shoe.
"You can't tell me what to do," He said bravely, crossing his arms and looking away, a pouty expression on his face. Jackie's eyes bulged,
"Excuse me?" His eyes squeezed shut, afraid she might slap him, which made Rose giggle. She clamped a hand on her mouth, afraid the Doctor would be upset if he knew she was laughing at him. He didn't seem to notice. He was too preoccupied with a different Tyler, who was currently staring at him as if he were a gazelle and she a tiger. She bit her lip to stifle a laugh.
"There will be no tinkering for you until this party is over. You could hook up two wires or tie things together and end up throwing yourself into space." The Doctor retaliated,
"I think I know my own ship, thank you very much," He said a bit defensively. Jackie knew she hit a mark and delved deeper,
"Which is supposed to be operated by six people at a time. Rose told me you failed your exam." The Doctor-finally realizing Rose's presence-looked to her and wined,
"Rose! I told you that in total privacy!" His accent spiked on the last word and Rose giggled. She loved his accent. Somehow just him speaking and letting his Scottish accent kick in was enough to get her wet. She groaned. She certainly wasn't going to have those thoughts while he was only inches away from her. He could smell better than humans. In fact, all the five senses are heightened for Time Lords. At least that's what he'd told her.
She loved learning about his race. She was so awed how someone so human looking could be so different from one. Her mind trailed to his double hearts and she smiled. The fact that he had two hearts was quite mesmerizing. She liked it when they shared a bed together and Rose would lay against him, her ear against his chest listening to the dual thumping. When she heard a wining noise she gave her mother and the Doctor her full attention. His jutting lip that indicated pouting was replaced with a look of pure distress. Like he just saw someone get hit by a car.
"Oh no Jackie Tyler that will never happen. Not in this life time." Rose was puzzled. The Doctor seemed-dar she say it-frightend. What was going on? The Doctor looked to Rose, his pouty face back. She was staring to think he knew that she thought he looked incredibly sexy when he pouted. Like puppy dog eyes, only with his whole, handsome face,
"Rose, dont let your mum do it to me. It's not fair!" Now Rose was extremely lost. Her eyebrows shot to her hairline,
"What? I wasn't paying attention." The Doctor wasted no time in getting her up to speed,
"She wants to slick back my hair. My hair Rose. I like my hair spiky." He sounded like a child that just got their favorite toy taken away. Rose couldn't stop herself from letting out a little giggle. The Doctor looked away, blushing and grumbled,
" 'S not funny.." Rose looked at her watch and sighed. They really needed to go if they wanted to get to the Nail Palace and she didn't want to be late. She felt so odd, getting her nails done and buying expensive clothing. She was going to pay, but the Doctor insisted they use the Sonic Screwdriver. At first she had refused; She was a Tyler, and she had her pride. But he had told her that she had always paid for chips when there wasn't a cash machine in sight and he wanted to do something nice for her. She hadn't liked it, but Jackie had heard him out - after all it wasn't really anyone's money - and agreed. And if her mum agreed, so did Rose.
"We really do need to get going mum," Rose said, wanting the awkward tension between the Doctor and her mother to end. Jackie finally realized Rose's presence and nodded. She pointed at the Doctor and said forcefully,
"Go buy that tux and get moving. And NO tinkering in that ship of yours." The Doctor scowled but stopped at Jackie's face. Jackie began to walk off towards the exit, a grin on her face. "Come on Rose!" She shouted over her shoulder. She turned towards the door but the Doctor grabbed her arm and spun her around,
"What am I supposed to do while you're gone Rose?" He asked, eyes pleading. She knew he couldn't stand being away from the TARDIS. It wasn't just about going off into the universe and traveling through time and space, it was about seeing her, talking to her. She knew he wouldn't admit it-or just maybe he might-but he missed her. And Rose thought she missed the TARDIS too. Even though they couldn't speak to each other like the TARDIS and the Doctor could, she would hum at Rose and lead her to rooms and through doors that were so beautiful. She was the greatest ship in the universe, and even though she ached to be back inside of her, she was going to have to wait until her and the Doctor were ready to go,
"Watch some telly. It will keep your mind off the TARDIS." He wined,
"But what would I watch?" He asked. Rose sighed,
"I don't know, find something in my mum's video section, yeah? Well I'm off, we might not be back for an hour and a half. Two tops." The Doctor nodded and she walked towards the exit. She was nearly there when she heard his accent lingered after her,
"Rose?" She turned,
"Yes?" She asked. The Doctor reached into his pocket and withdrew the Sonic Screwdriver, then threw it to her. She caught it in her palms, looking at it with interest, then to him in confusion. He smiled,
"For the money machine." She nodded in realization and put it in her pocket.
"Try not to get into too much trouble," She added behind her shoulder, waving a hand at her companion with the arm she didn't use to open the door. Rose closed her eyes as she breathed in the cool, Christmas air. It was such a joy to be back with her mother again. After her and the Doctor's encounter with the Silurian she had wanted nothing more than to go strait back home and hide in her room. But she didn't. She insisted she was fine every time the Doctor asked her. She hadn't wanted the Doctor to know that she was scared.
They had traveled through time and space for three years now and Rose had not once been afraid. Sure, there was that fear that you may not get out alive, but she could always manage it. She was never so scared that she zoned out and became deadweight to the Doctor. Her knees were shaking, her hands quaking, and she couldn't hear the Doctor when he called for her. She had felt like a child; A defenseless infant who didn't know any better. She knew the Doctor had been disappointed with her. He was trying to save people, asking for her help, and she froze. She felt so useless.
She opened her eyes to find her mum standing beside her. She flashed her mother a fake smile and walked beside her, following her down the road but not really paying attention to where she was going. She pushed away her insecure thoughts and focused on thoughts of the Doctor. Of how she wanted to know what his lips feel like-when she wasn't being possessed by a skin trampoline-what it would be like to stroke his hair, and other appendages. She wanted so desperately to be with him. But if this was all he could give her-a friend to share a life with, to care for like family-then she'd take it. Because Sarah Jane was right; Some people are worth getting your heart broken for.