Child of Earth

By Lumendea

Chapter Forty-Eight: Champion of Time: Place Mumbai India

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or any of the spinoff material and I gain no income off of this story, just the satisfaction of playing with the characters.

…

Rose Marion Tyler stood at the sink of the large kitchen and dutifully washed the dishes from the morning's breakfast. Overhead she could hear the chatter and clatter of the children as they rushed about preparing for their day of school. A grunt and a groan from the main room made her chuckle.

"Insanity!" Ben Jackson sighed as he walked into the kitchen. Rose shook her hands and looked over her shoulder at him.

Ben Jackson may have been in his mid-sixties with white hair and wrinkles, but his eyes remained sharp and his jaw line was stubbornly set. His gaze softened a bit as it landed on Rose. "Sorry about this Rose. We invite you for a visit and you end up working."

"I'm just sorry that Tanvi is sick today," Rose said. It was true, she'd become fond of the little girl during the last few days. "And I'm a big girl, I can explore on my own."

"Still, you came here for Spring Break and we promised to show you around," Ben reminded her. His discomfort was clear and Rose shook her head fondly.

"Ben you're worrying about this way too much." She dried her hands on a small towel. "Seriously it's fine. And you guys took me out to the Elephanta Caves yesterday. That was amazing, but you've got a sick kid today and she is the priority."

Ben smiled a little in relief and glanced towards the main room. Overhead and noise increased and Rose was half tempted to duck under the table. The seven children in the Jacksons' care really knew how to make noise. Ben shook his head and for a moment Rose thought he might say something, but he just shook his head. Rose gave him a smile as he grabbed his keys and turned her attention back to the sink. There was a rush of footfalls and a slamming door that made the kitchen walls quiver. The noise died away and Rose breathed out a sigh of relief.

"I'm never having that many kids at once," Rose said. "No matter what the Doctor or Astra or Alistair ever says."

There were a few minutes of relative silence that Rose savoured. So far she liked India, but it was crowded and noisy even by the standards of someone who grew up in the Powell Estates. Of course, it also had amazing things to see. There were moments where it was less familiar than some of the planets Rose had been to. She smiled at the thought and started to hum softly as she finished washing the dishes.

Then she heard someone coming down the stairs and turned to find Polly Jackson walked into the kitchen. Even in her sixties Polly still had amazing cheekbones and her eyes took in the mostly clean kitchen quickly. She gave Rose a smile and pulled her long white hair up into a ponytail. Rose returned the smile and turned to the still warm kettle, pouring a cup of tea for Polly and handing it to her.

"You are a wonderful girl Rose," Polly sighed. She took the cup with a happy hum. "And don't let the others bully you into thinking otherwise."

Rose laughed at the remark and leaned against the kitchen island as Polly sat down. "Honestly as much as I love you all I'm completely willing to ignore you."

"Smart girl." Polly laughed and shook her head. "Any plans for the day then?" Polly asked. She picked up her tea and took a long sip of it as her wedding band caught in the light.

"Nothing in particular," Rose answered as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "I think I'll just look around a bit. Maybe check out some of the shopping areas."

"Just be careful," Polly cautioned Rose. The former companion fixed her brown eyes on Rose. "I know you're very capable against aliens, but Mumbai has its fair share of human dangers."

"I'll be careful," Rose promised. There was no arguing with Polly. "And you two call if you need me to grab anything."

"We will," Polly promised. "Thank you for understanding Rose. With me needing to be home with Tanvi that leaves Ben wrangling all the others by himself."

"Eight kids," Rose sighed. "You two are crazy you know that."

"It's a small orphanage," Polly pointed out with a slight frown.

"Keep telling yourself that."

Chuckling, Rose went to the front of the house to collect her things. The Jackson Orphanage was a two story building that was a home to eight little girls who had been abandoned for various reasons. Polly didn't discuss it and Rose wasn't going to ask. The house itself was a mix of Indian and western style with photographs of the girls lining the walls near the front door. Rose grabbed her shoulder bag, double-checking that she had her phone and sonic pen. Her translator was firmly behind her ear and while English was widely spoken it had already proven useful in helping Rose cope with the thicker accents.

Rose stepped outside into the side street and looked up at the sky. Mumbai wasn't the cleanest city, but a beautiful blue sky stretched out above her with wisps of clouds. So far she had avoided the really bad weather. With a spring in her step, Rose decided to head for the centre of town and see what she could find. She still needed to pick up something for her Mum, Sharon and Shareen. And maybe something for the other companions depending on what caught her eye.

It didn't take Rose too long to reach her destination and the various markets that catered to tourists. She was used to long walks and runs at this point. People were crowded together around stalls and in the walkways. The noise washed over Rose and in the corner of her eye, she saw a woman cradling her baby protectively. A sad smile tugged at her lips. The aftereffects of the alien invasion were still being seen everywhere.

Rose tried to focus on the here and now. She wandered through the small shops, noting a few trinkets that were of interest, but held off buying anything just yet. A strange shiver went up her spine, making Rose turn and look around in confusion. The weather was still very warm to her and nothing seemed out of place. Yet it happened a few more times and a sense of worry was growing. Finally, Rose abandoned the shops and started walking around the perimeter, unable to shake the suspicion that something was wrong.

"One spring break," Rose grumbled. "Is one quiet trip to visit some friends too much to ask?"

She didn't get an answer of course. Instead Rose navigated her way through one of the side streets just off the market. There were a few small restaurants and a couple of small stall shops tucked back here, but Rose ignored them. Something was tickling at her brain. The sensation was unpleasant and a jolt of worry rushed through Rose. There was a mild pressure that made her nervous and she sped up her space.

Stopping in her tracks, Rose trembled as the air was forced from her lungs. The pressure in her head increased sharply quickly conjuring up a headache that she pushed her way past as she looked around. She couldn't see anything special about the area and there were other people moving about as if everything was normal. Licking her lip, Rose studied the wall of the alley and tensed when she spotted some graffiti down a few feet. She wasn't sure if it was in English or her translator was activated, but the words: Bad Wolf were clear.

Rose moved forward a little more and studied the walls. Then she saw a slight shimmer in the air to her right and looked right at it. The air flickered as if it wasn't really there. Wondering if it was a hologram, Rose carefully reached her hand out and brushed at the air. An icy sensation travelled up her fingers, but Rose gasped not at the cold but at her hand. The skin shimmered and aged before her eyes only to transform again and become young as her fingers shrank. Pulling her hand away in terror, Rose examined it as she stepped back. It had reverted back to normal, but her eyes went back to the strange ripple. Something was very wrong.

Still, she looked around carefully. Noting the nearby businesses, Rose tried to set the location in her memory. But then in the corner of her eye, she saw someone watching her. Turning her head quickly, Rose tried to surprise them. The man was Indian in appearance, wearing a red robe-like garment and looking like he belonged on the busy street. But his eyes kept shifting over towards her and the strange point in the air. Rose frowned and watched him carefully as she started walking slowly herself so as not to attract too much attention. He looked back at her and his eyes flashed silver. Rose gasped and he began to run. Rose's muscle twitched to go after him, but the lingering cold on her back from the… whatever it was gave her pause.

Her legs were moving before Rose thought better of chasing down the Silver Lord. The pain in her head flared from just the memory of what he had done. Ahead of her he was twisting and turning through alleys. Then as she turned a corner there was a flash of silver and a thump as the man's body collapsed to the ground. It was a darker alley and Rose entered it carefully. Her eyes scanned all around her as she dropped her right hand. A gold sword appeared at Rose's call and she moved forward. But there was no one. She knelt down next to the prone form and put her hand to the side of his neck, but there was no pulse.

Holding back a shout of angry and frustration, Rose gently brushed the man's eyes closed. It made her think of Richard Beckett. She'd never gotten an answer as to if she'd ever met the real man. Rose pulled out her phone and dialled 112, remembering Polly's lecture when she first arrived and looked around. There was a sign from the business it was behind. Rose quickly reported the body in the back alley but hung up before giving her name. She turned and quickly walked out of the alley. UNIT India could probably help if she got into trouble, but there was no time for red tape. The Silver Lord was finally making another move.

Slowly she retraced her steps to the where the strange spot had been. Her heart was pounding and worry gripped her heart. Had she made a mistake going after the Silver Lord? Had he just been trying to get her away from the… whatever it was or did he just want her to think that? A cold shiver overtook Rose and she grit her teeth. She was getting close. A couple of tourists walked past her, chatting happily about their purchases. They didn't notice the cold at all. Up ahead Rose saw the shimmer in the wall one again, but there was no sign of anyone near it.

Biting her bottom lip, Rose slipped back into the alley, forcing herself to ignore the strange feeling and pulled out her phone. She scrolled down to the TARDIS number and pressed it before bringing the phone to her ear. However, only a faint static met her and Rose frowned.

"Not again!" She tried again, but it was still just static. "Come on TARDIS! We're past the fixed point in time!" Rose nervously looked down at the phone. "Aren't we?"

There was only silence to her question and Rose slipped her phone back into her bag. She resumed walking, her eyes searching the walls and shadows for anything else strange. The icy sensation was still travelling up and down her spine, but Rose couldn't see anything else. Around her, the hum of the city seemed to be fading away which only added to her unease.

Walking into the side alley, Rose looked around for any sign of the Silver Lord or anything else strange. Her eyes landed on a very unexpected, but familiar tall blue box. The TARDIS was parked in a small corner of the alley, tucked between a pair of buildings. Breathing out in relief, Rose began to walk towards it, but movement at the far end of the alley made her stop. Just in case it was the Silver Lord again, Rose pressed herself back into the shadows and waited. A moment later a figure came strolling down the alley, twirling an umbrella and whistling lightly to themselves.

He was about the same height as her, dressed in a vest covered in question marks with a dark brown jacket. There was a Panama hat with a burgundy ribbon on his head over his brown hair. His features were stern and thoughtful and Rose recognised him at once as the seventh incarnation of the Doctor. Lingering in the shadows, she waited and watched for a moment just in case a younger Ace was about to appear. However, he seemed to be alone and Rose silently debated with herself as to what to do.

The Doctor had a stern and worried expression on his face that told Rose he was here about the time hole. Pressing her lips together Rose stepped back into the shadows and held her breath. This was the incarnation that was supposed to be the Champion of Time. Maybe it was for the best if she left him to it. He didn't know her yet and Rose didn't exactly want to see the Silver Lord again. The Doctor walked to the TARDIS and reached into the pocket, humming softly.

Then he suddenly stopped and straightened up. Sharp light blue eyes scanned the shadows and landed on her moment later. He leaned on his umbrella, somehow intimidating and not at all both at the same time.

"I suggest you come out of the shadows," the Doctor said. His accent had just a touch of Scottish to it this time. "Spying will gain you nothing."

Rose hesitated, but then stepped out into the sunlight. She waited for any sign of recognition, but none came. His eyes widened slightly as he took her in, but there was no glimmer of recognition in his eyes. The Doctor's frown deepened for a moment and Rose wondered just what he could see. She still wasn't clear on just how he saw her timelines and what they'd tell him now. Holding her breath, Rose waited for the Doctor to say something.