New chapter! This one is special. He is dedicated to my beautiful and perfect girlfriend. Happy birthday to you! I hope you will love this chapter as much as I love you. Happy birthday! (again).
Also thanks to my beta Penandpaper who was awesome, as always!
Enjoy the chapter, don't hesitate to tell me what you think of it.

Chapter 18

As the TARDIS materialized, Rose was the first one out of the door. Soon followed by the Doctor and Donna, who were talking about the possibility of the TARDIS going directly into the sun. "For the last time Donna, she cannot go inside a star! It's ridiculous!" said the Doctor, raising hands to the heaven in exasperation.

"But she can go in the middle of a Black hole without issue," added Rose with a cheeky smile. Soon followed by a triomphant "Ah!" from Donna, who looked at the Doctor with a boastful grin. He turned to Rose, throwing her a dark look before faltering as she only smiled brighter. He sighed and turned around, trying his best to ignore Donna who was still mocking him with glee, completely aware he could never win when Rose smiled at him like that.

Rose chuckled at the exchange while looking around trying to decipher where they were. She spied a vintage car in the distance. One that her grandfather would have gushed over for hours if he were still alive. Then she rolled her eyes at a realization. Of course, it would be too easy to go somewhere else.

"We're on Earth. Again," she said more in direction of the TARDIS than her pilot. "Did we move at all at least?"

The Doctor suddenly started sniffing at the air, looking like one of those anti bomb dog she would sometimes see at the airport. She snorted at the image, almost ready to hear him bark and pant. When he looked at them with a serious look, oblivious to Rose still trying to not double over with laughter, he nodded visibly sure of himself. "Oh, smell that air. Grass and lemonade. And a little bit of mint. A hint of mint. Must be the nineteen twenties," he said with a satisfied smile.

"You can tell what year it is just by smelling?" Donna asking in surprise of the weirdness that was her best friend. She almost added if he was also capable to smell bullshit but she just barely refrained. And at the face that Rose was making she was clearly not the only one that was thinking that.

Before he could respond, Rose pointed to the Victorian house and car a hundred meters away in front of them, just scarcely concealed by trees and bushes. "I will say, those helped a lot as well…"

"Mostly the lemonade I will say, but let's see where we are!" the Doctor said before strolling to one of the bushes, closely following by Donna who had never before looked so excited. Rose took one last look at the TARDIS, who was the picture of an innocent time machine, before shaking her head and following them.

"It's supposed to be a party." Rose heard one of the men say as she moved closer. "All this work will be the death of you," he finished and then disappeared inside with the two other servants. One she supposed was a butler as he looked rather similar to the one who was employed at her parent's house in the other universe. At the delight of her mother, who had passed the first three weeks in their new home, asking for the most absurd things just so she could merely say 'The butler did it!' again and again. Rose had not been in the best condition at the time to see the humor, but now it was one of her favorite memories of the other universe.

"Never mind Planet Silex or something. A party in the nineteen twenties, that's more like it." Donna exclaimed, almost jumping up and down at the possibility.

The Doctor looked at them in feigned sadness. "The trouble is, we haven't been invited." He took out his psychic paper, and glanced at them with visibly forced surprise. "Oh, I forgot. Yes, we have!"

"I need to change into something more...Flapper," said Donna as they entered the TARDIS again. "Do you think the TARDIS has that?" she asked in direction of her two friends.

"I remember her having clothes for literally every scenario, so I'm sure we can find you something in the wardrobe," Rose answered before turning to the Doctor. "See you in a half hour!" And took off, dragging Donna behind her.

The Doctor sighed as they disappeared down one of the corridors. He briefly considered moving to the Vortex, because knowing them, they would be at it for hours… "Please, if they aren't back in one hour, please cut the lights out," he asked with a tired voice in direction of the time motor. "I want to at least enjoy the cocktails..."

"So what do you think of this one?" asked Donna, placing a pink monstrosity in front of her, making Rose frown in disgust. "That's what I thought," she said before throwing it back onto one of the rack. "I didn't realize that the TARDIS had so much clothing hidden back here. It's really a wonder why he always wears the same thing over and over. I mean, I think I've only seen him change ties and perhaps his shirt two times at the most." She looked puzzled for a second. "Does he at least wash them regularly?"

"I think it's just how he does things?" Rose answered, not really sure of the answer to that herself. She had try to ask once back when he was in his previous body, but he never really gave her a clear response. "Wait, he doesn't change his shirt? Like ever?" She frowned. That was not like the Doctor she traveled with. Yes he never changed his suit, but she clearly remembered him changing his shirt and tie quite regularly.

Donna shrugged. "I don't really check, but I'm the suit doesn't really move that much, that I'm sure." She suddenly lit up. "Oh! How about that one?" She showed Rose a rather lovely black and gold charleston dress, which was the perfect mix of the era and the spiky personality of the red head.

"Perfect!" Rose exclaimed while still deep into her own rack. "Go try it on. I'm sure you'll look absolutely banger in that dress." She took out an outrageous green dress that wouldn't look out of place in the MET gala and snorted a laugh. She did however hesitate just for one second, wondering if trying to get in it would be worth the look on the Doctor face. But she decided it was clearly too much work and put it back. After a few minutes, still without dress or anything that caught her eyes, she was ready to forfeit and just ask for a perception filter to the Doctor when Donna suddenly appeared, looking really lovely in her new dress.

"Do you think we can found some accessories with that?" She asked, twirling with glee.

Rose smiled widely. "Oh you look fantastic!" She moved to hug her friend, when she tripped on something and almost tumbled into a rail full a clothes. As she tried to get up, Donna asking if she was okay with a voice full of concern, she came face to face with a silver beaded sequin dress that looked absolutely lovely.

"Ooooh! How about this one?" She took it out and showed it to the redhead who grinned instantly when she saw it.

Donna squealed. "It's absolutely perfect! If the Doctor don't fall on his arse when he sees you, it's a real crime against fashion. You have to try it!" Donna pushed her in the cabin, not giving her the possibility to change her mind. "Wait we have to find you accessories too." Donna was now a woman with a mission.

"We'll be late for cocktails if we don't get out there!" the Doctor yelled from the console room. "And probably supper at this rate," he grumbled to himself. He would definitely never understand woman in why they needed that much time just to put on clothes, and he resigned to the fact that it would always be a mystery.

"Alright, alright, coming!" Donna called as she appeared. All smile and swagger. "So what do you think? Flapper or slapper?" she asked, doing a little spin as she walked to the Doctor.

He smiled broadly. "Flapper. You look lovely." He turned around, frowning when he realized that Donna was alone. "Where is Rose? We are really going to be late."

"Coming, coming!" Rose exclaimed from one of the hallways. "Do you know how hard it is to find nice shoes from that period that's not a death trap, or look like what my nan would wear?" she asked as she entered the console room, rolling her eyes at the inconvenience. She continued to talk but the Doctor was not hearing anything. All he could see was the striking vision that was Rose Tyler in silver, twirling and spinning around with the biggest smile.

She was magnificent, a picture of beauty and grace. And all he could think was that day back in the early days of their travels, when he realized for the first time that she was simply perfection for him. She had been wrapped in a black dress, all shy smile and excitement, ready to see her first Christmas past. She had stolen his hearts that night. When he had closed the door to the TARDIS, seeing her looking around with childish wonder and big beautiful eyes, he had knew right at the instant that he was doomed. Doomed to fall for an human. A human who would become so important that he would gladly lay his life to save hers, without even looking back. And he would do it over and over if needed, even if the Rose from today would probably make him regenerate again just for having the idea alone.

She had been his supernova back then, the brightest star in the endless sky that was his mind. And now as he looked at her, shining like the heavenly body she was, he realized that nothing had changed. She was still his north Star, the sole light in the darkness.

"Still alive here?" asked Donna, nudging him with a knowing smile.

He suddenly realized he had not breathed since Rose had appeared. "You look beautiful," he said softly, still a little winded by the vision.

Rose smiled shyly. "You mean for an human?"

She had remembered he realized, as he looked at her hairstyle, which looked rather similar to that night. "No, for any species," he answered firmly. Before realizing how much he had overplayed himself when the stunned face of Rose was his only response. "I propose that we go now!" he said with an over the top joy, pushing Donna in direction of the door. Sometimes he wanted to hit himself.

As Donna and the Doctor were moving at the rapid pace in the direction of the door, Rose was still stunned by the Doctor words. She had been pleased to see his slightly shocked face when she had appeared and even more at his words, but she never expected to have that response when she had teased him. He had always been closed off. Too prompt to divert every compliment and make a joke of heavy moments. She realized that even if she changed, he had changed as well. He was not the same man that shared her life decades earlier. He was still joyful and maddening but he was also deeply wounded. He had not healed from her departure from his life. At least not completely, and she will have to live with that now that they were in each others lives again. She told him to adapt, but it was clear that she would need to do the same.

"You coming?" She heard Donna say from outside. She shook herself, determined to not dwell on it and overthink it and followed behind them.

As she stepped out in the sunlight, the Doctor offered his arms to both of them with a big smile. "Let's party like the twenties!" Donna laughed, clearly the more excited of the three, and led the way.

They approached the house, seeing more and more people fluttering around, adding food and drink around them. And Rose could not help but smile too. It was the beginning of a great day, she thought, she could feel it.

"Good afternoon!" said the Doctor with his usual charm, already blending in like he belonged.

"Drink Sir? Maam's?" asked the butler with a definite english accent.

"Sidecar please," asked Donna, looking around with curiosity.

"Lime and Soda for me thank you," continued the Doctor. Sticking to his non alcohol drink as always.

"Bee knees please, double on the lemon," requested Rose as the Doctor looked at her with surprise.

She shrugged. "Well, try to survive constant parties at Vitex without alcohol and we'll talk."

The Doctor had a second of pause, before shrugging. Fair enough he thought.

"May I announce Lady Clemency Eddison," the footman loudly announced as a petite older woman made her appearance.

"Lady Eddison!" exclaimed the Doctor when she made her way over to them, like he knew her for half her life. Rose knew it was just a diversion to hide the fact he was, well basically an alien here. But she could not help but the smile at the air of confusion on the lady's face.

"Forgive me, but who exactly might you be. And what are you doing here?" she asked a little harsly. Not completely sold on the acting of the Doctor.

He pushed his companions in front of him, trying his best to be as charming as possible. "I'm the Doctor. This is Miss Donna Noble, of the Chiswick Nobles." Donna made a curtsey with much more grace than her when she had to do it for the first time. "And this is Miss Rose Tyler, of the Powell Tyler." Rose bobbed in a brief curtsey as well, more to the fact that she was not trying to laugh than anything else.

"It's a pleasure to meet you my lady," Rose said, trying to remember the few lessons of good manners she had to endure on the other side.

"Good afternoon, my lady. Topping day, what? Spiffing. Top hole," said Donna in the most hilarious fake posh accent that Rose had ever heard. And that sentiment included her mother.

The Doctor looked at Donna, horrified as Rose was trying her best to not giggle at her friend. "No, no, no, no, no. No, don't do that. Don't," he muttered as he took out his psychic paper with a flourish and turned around with a smile. "We were thrilled to receive your invitation, my lady. We met at the Ambassador's reception." Donna and Rose nodded at the affirmation in the background.

Lady Eddison still clearly didn't know who they were, but was trying her best to not show it. She smiled brightly, leading them to the buffet. "Doctor, how could I forget you? But one must be sure with the Unicorn on the loose."

The Doctor looked around, positively thrilled at the idea. "A unicorn? Brilliant. Where?"

Rose snorted at the childish manner of the Doctor, rolling her eyes at the posh attitude that everyone was trying to converse around them. Realizing that she's been there for ten minutes, and she already wanted to bow out and go back to the TARDIS. These kinds of parties were never been her forte, even when she was the Vitex hairess. Well, especially then. It was always anxiety inducing for her, and with time she was less and less comfortable with each party thrown.

As they continued to move in direction of the rest of the group, she did her best to stay behind. Lagging by the buffet as her two friends were oblivious to her departure, too engrossed by the stories of Lady Eddison. When she was sure that she was alone, she turned around, taking out her cocktail as the server passed her, and admired the garden. It was rare for her to see that much peace, and she was savoring it at the best of her capacity, because knowing the Doctor, she would run for her life before the end of the day.

"Rose!" the Doctor called from a few feet away, bringing her out of her thoughts. As she turned around, she could see his face flowing with joy as he approached her with big steps. "I have someone that you have to meet!" he said, taking her hand and pulling her in the direction of a blonde lady that Donna was visibly fangirling over.

"Rose, may I present to you, Agatha Christie," he said with pride and happiness written all over his face.

Rose looked at the blonde woman, and then the Doctor with shock. "THE Agatha Christie?"

Agatha looked a little taken aback by all the attention. "Yes, that's me." She looked at her and then the Doctor for a few seconds and smirked. "Well Doctor, like I said before, the thrill is in the chase, but sometimes even I can be wrong."

Rose turned to the Doctor, who was visibly embarrassed, as Donna was snickering at the remark. "I don't understand,"she said, completely lost in the subtext.

"Excuse me, Agatha?" said Roger cutting in the middle of them with a smile. "I have a few questions about your books."

"If you'll excuse me," Agatha announced in direction of the Doctor and his friends before joining the rest of the guests who were visibly eager to grill her on her writing habit.

Rose turned to Donna as the Doctor wandered about. "Did I miss something?" she asked, still not totally sure about what happened.

"Except for fanboy over there making a fool of himself, and me lamenting on the lack of good suitor?" She shrugged. "Not really. But I have to say it's a banger party! We should let the TARDIS choose more often," she said, snatching a pastry in passing.

She looked around with a throuthful eyes. "I wouldn't say no to more authenticity but well you can't take out England out of the English."

She raised her glass. "Preach to that."

The Doctor finally reappeared, looking at a paper with a concerned face. "The date on this newspaper."

"What about it?" Donna asked mindlessly, still in her discussion with Rose.

He ushered them a few feet away, making sure that nobody would be listening." It's the day Agatha Christie disappeared."

In one movement, Donna and Rose looked at the novelist with interest, who was still laughing away with the colonel and his son. "Why?" asked Rose with intrigue. Donna shared the same sentiment as she looked as eager to learn the response of the Doctor.

"She'd just discovered her husband was having an affair," he answered, his sad eyes setting on on the joyous blonde. Learning that the person you love with all your heart is now with another was heartbreaking. For every species. Well most of them.

Donna looked somber for a moment, completely understanding the feeling. "You'd never think to look at her, smiling away." And when she looked at Agatha she could never guess the turmoil she was in. Sad story…

"The curse of being british and with money. If you don't look happy prepare for a storm..." Rose said with a sad smile, remembering only too well the feeling. She had to endure way too many functions as a Vitex Heiress. Trying her best to look somewhat happy when her heart was still in shreds. Mourning the Doctor while she was vilified in the diverse tabloids because she looked not cheerful enough. Forced too many times to smile when the only thing she wanted was to cry, and grieve her life and love lost to another universe. It had been hell and only time had partly cured that. Time and long months out of view of the world, while she was too busy training for Torchwood and studying for university. She would have exploded if she had to appear like there were no cares in the world again and again. She pitied the poor Agatha.

"Well, that's what they do," he continued, looking at her with understanding. But she was looking at everything except him. "They carry on. Except for this one time. No one knows exactly what happened. She just vanished. Her car will be found tomorrow morning by the side of a lake. Ten days later, Agatha Christie turns up in a hotel in Harrogate. Said she'd lost her memory. She never spoke about the disappearance till the day she died, but whatever it was…" he said ominously, visibly excited by the mystery that now the heavy subtext was gone.

"And it's about to happen," said Donna, feeling the excitation of the unknown, sharing smiles with the Doctor.

Rose rolled her eyes, children, they were all children. "And with our chance, right at this instant."

As soon as she finished her sentence, Chandrakala, who had been sent to retrieve Professor Peach, ran screaming and crying from the house the house. "Professor! The library! Murder! Murder!"

Rose turned to her friends, crossing her arms with a scowl. "You had to jinx it."