AN: Sorry for the late update, completely forgot to update due to the past busy weeks I've had, recently got a job and its been a bit hectic. -Fleur
For the last two days the TARDIS trio have been taking a break from the running, after our last adventure that nearly ended with the Doctor being decapitated by an alien prince we decided to have a few days of rest. And by rest I mean pure mind-melting boredom. Ever since the Station something changed in the relationship between Doc and I, he isn't as bossy and dare I say it more affectionate. It's weird but I'm not complaining, Finishing the second book of the morning I decide maybe a swim or going to the exercise room, just to keep myself busy. As I stroll over to the pool first, my bikini on with an essentially see through slip on over the top and a towel in my hand. Rose appears around the corner, looking up at the sound of my bare feet padding on the floor, she intercepts my travels her manicured hand gently grips my upper arm before dragging me backwards.
"Hey Rosie, where're we going?" I ask, twisting my body so that I could sort of walk with her instead of being dragged backwards stumbling. She ignores me though and proceeds to take me wherever. Only when the sound of metal sizzling and other mechanic noises do I realise she is taking me to the Doctor, mainly the console room which is where he is tinkering on more things. As said man comes into sight, I wriggle out of her grip before skipping over to him, he was sat cross legged near the console. His sonic aimed at some part of the controls, I wrap my arms around his shoulders causing him to look up and back at me. "I think Rosie wants you cause I was planning on going for a swim and I get dragged here." I state, pulling back before offering him my hand. After hauling him up we move over to the jump seat, I sit down on it whilst Doc moves behind, leaning on the back with his arms either side of my head. His chin resting on the top of my skull.
Rose moves in front of us, fiddling with her sleeves as she leans against the console. Her face is pale with anxiety, she looks almost sick. She clears her throat before quietly starting out,
"Peter Alan Tyler my dad. The most wonderful man in the world. Born 15th September 1954. He died 1987, 7th of November on The day that Stuart Hoskins and Sarah Clarke got married. He was always having adventures and would love to see me, that's what Mum always says. So I was thinking, could we, could we go and see my dad when he was still alive." she states, looking at us, mainly the Timelord hopefully.
"Where's this come from, all of a sudden?" Doc asks tentatively, his fingers fiddling with the collar of my slip on.
"All right then, if we can't, if it goes against the laws of time or something, then never mind, just leave it." she replies quickly, every and all of her defenses coming back up thinking the Doctor was telling her he couldn't.
"No, I can do anything." he states, I gently nudge my head up into his chin. "I'm, we're just more worried about you."
"I want to see him." she assures, I nibble the bottom of my lip, something about this is setting my stomach into summersaults. Or is that because the Doctor is touching me, or both?
"Are you sure Rosie, I feel like this is a big thing seeing someone you have longed to see and know whilst you know the date they die. It will be a heavy burden." I gently say, leaning back so my head rests on the Doctor's chest. He wraps his arms around my shoulders, goosebumps littering my naked arms. That's one of the many things I've noticed, goosebumps whenever the alien touches me. My heart skips a beat when he holds me like this. It's a silly crush that will flash by before anything happens, I mean nothing can happen especially between a mentally fucked up human and an amazing alien hero.
"Your wish is my command." Doc answers, smiling at Rose. "But be careful what you wish for." he gently squeezes me before pulling away, rushing around the console whilst sending us into the vortex. As we land roughly I choose to remain behind, I don't like weddings much, and my head is throbbing. The pills don't seem to be working well anymore, there are more side effects and my sleep is back to being filled with nightmares. Some of the daydreams have come back as well, thankfully they so far are whilst I'm alone. That and I am still in my swimwear and a slip on, with no shoes. Maybe I should go for that swim.
~1~
Once in the pool room I slide the slip on off and jump in, resting at the bottom of the pool for some time. Underwater is one of my favourite things, it's quiet and away from the world. When submerged it's just me and my thoughts, although the serenity inevitably ends when my body demands oxygen. Kicking off of the bottom I surge to the surface, breathing deeply as I break the surface. I roll onto my back, floating on the water top. My body relaxes as my senses are numbed, the smell of chlorine dissipating and the sound of the water moving retreats into the background until disappearing completely. Each sense is filled with the sound smell and sight of destruction and death.
Struggling I rise to my feet, I glance around stopping when I catch sight of a falling body. Nina.
"Nina no, no please." I exclaim, racing over to her now crumpled body. The Dalek had just shot me, except I didn't die. She stopped it, she saved me. Frantic I rushed my hands over her trying to find the wound. "Where is it? Where are you injured." I ask, not really wanting an answer. I watch as her hand pulls away from just below her breasts, slick with her blood. "No, no, no, no!" I shout, frantically looking around in vain hope to find help. "Please, Ni, you can't- You can't leave me." I sob, my voice wavering as she lifts her bloody hand to my cheek, her eyes watery as her breathing comes out in harsh gasps.
"Es, I- I love you." she mumbles, stroking the apple of my cheeks with her thumb. "Save us. Save us, Phoenix. You know how-" her hand slowly falls, eyes losing life as she stares blankly. I fall back onto the ground, clutching her to my chest as sobs and wails fall from my lips. Pure and utter agony filling my heart, she sacrificed herself, over exerted herself and her abilities to save me. Just so that I can end it. End the war, and save hopefully some people. Except I don't know how. I can't use the Nether, they only go so far. Maybe the Gallifreyans have something. Something they aren't willing to use, since their arrogance and self preservation controls their actions.
I'm dragged forcefully from the 'vision' when my head fully submerges under the water, I splutter coughing the water from my lungs as I kick my legs hastily. Maybe a swim wasn't the best idea. Gasping I struggle to make it to the pool ledge, my hands grip the pool side tightly my chest heaving as I gasp for air.
"All I wanted to do was have a nice swim." I whine to myself, my voice slightly raspy. Once my lungs settle I pull myself up and out of the water, lying at the water edge.
"Alula, Al? Al-" the Doctors voice echoes into the room, I hear his footsteps gradually getting closer before his head pops in the doorway. "Oh, there you are."
"Mhmm." I reply, pushing myself off the floor to walk, well stumble, over to a towel.
"Are you alright?" he questions, strolling over to me as I briefly pat dry myself. I nod, towel drying my hair. He watches my closely before shrugging and walking back out calling over his shoulder, "Ready to come with us, we're going to visit the day Rose's dad dies. She'll need our support."
I inhale sharply at his statement, the day he died? How is that safe? Surely that is too risky, what if Rose tries to stop it? Doubts fill my mind, I can only wait and see what happens though. Shrugging off my doubt I changed into some plain baggy light blue denim jeans, a cropped long sleeved loose grey top with a v-neck some rainbow striped socks and black converse. I leave my hair down, letting it air dry before putting on some of my normal jewellery. Necklaces layered and my rings adorn my slightly pruned skin, I do my makeup; keeping to the basic moisturizer, mascara, highlighter and some tinted lip balm.
Once ready I make my way towards the waiting pair, Rose stands anxiously at the doorway whilst the Doctor remains leaning on the console fiddling with some of the controls. I clear my throat as I approach, the pair snapping the heads in my direction.
"Let's go meet dear ole' daddy Tyler." I state, holding my hands out to the pair. The Doctor takes my right hand whilst Rose tightly grips my other, I squeeze their hands encouragingly before we all leave the space and time machine. Rose bites her thumb nail as she looks up at the sky, her brow furrowing slightly.
"It's so weird. The day my father died. I thought it'd be all sort of grim and stormy. It's just an ordinary day." she explains, she was right. The day was slightly sunny, a typical autumn day in the uk.
"The past is another country. 1987's just the Isle of Wight." Doc voices, a grim smile on his face.
"Are you sure about this?" I ask, repeating my question.
"Yeah." she nods, heading ahead to lead us to the road. We make it to Jordan Road, standing on the curb as we await for the moment that changes Rose's life. "This is it. Jordan Road. He was late. He'd been to get a wedding present, a vase. Mum always said, that stupid vase."
A small green van turns around the corner, number plate D602 PKW. Rose makes a sharp intake of breath leading me to believe that this is Pete.
"He got out of his car." Rose explains, we watch as the van pulls over not too far down the street from us. "And crossed the road." Mr Tyler reaches across his car to get the present before sliding out of his seat. Just as he closes the door a beige car starts approaching. "Oh, God. This is it." Rose whimpers. I grip Rose's hand tighter as we watch Mr Tyler and the car collide. She hides her face in my shoulder, flinching harshly as the sound of Pete making contact with the car. I quickly memorize the number plate, NEH 793W.
"Go to him, quick." Doc encourages, nudging her we all look up to see the man attempting to move, his body slightly twitching in pain. She does the opposite though and runs off, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. The Doctor and I share a look before running after her, we find her crouched against a wall sobbing into her arms. We quietly sit either side of her, offering silent support. The sound of ambulance sirens disrupts the silence, we all look up at the sound.
"It's too late now. By the time the ambulance got there, he was dead." she mumbles, her voice thick with emotion. "He can't die on his own. Can I try again?" she requests, her face determined. The Timelord and I share a look of hesitance and concern. So many things can go wrong. Although as the Doctor looks back at Rose's pleading eyes I see his thought process slowly change.
"No. Doctor, Rose no. I know you want to try again Rosie but this isn't a good idea." I start, frantic to catch up with the pair who had decided to head towards our time machine. The pair ignore me though, "Doctor. Doctor stop!" he stops, spinning to face me. "You know we shouldn't do this, it's going to go wrong and you know it. This will cause a weak spot in time, and God knows who or what will want to use that to their advantage." I try, hoping the TIMElord would understand. His face hardens though as Rose tugs on his hand.
"What would you know about time, I'm the Timelord so stop trying to act like you know more than me." he all but snarls at me. I frown at his reply, before turning to Rose in hopes to get her too understand instead.
"Rose. Rose understand that as much as you want to do this it isn't going to be good."
"And how would you know. Huh?" she snaps at me.
"I have a really bad feeling Rose." I answer, not thinking about how lame that sounds. She chuckles humorlessly rolling her eyes.
"A feeling." she mocks, before walking off and into the TARDIS. The Doctor follows her, without watching to see if I follow.
~1~
We now stand not too far away from our past selves.
"Right, that's the first us. It's a very bad idea, two sets of us being here at the same time. Just be careful they don't see us. Wait till she runs off and they follow, then go to your dad." he explains, admitting without intention that what I had said was in fact correct. We watch as the green van pulls up again.
Past Rose muttering "Oh, God. This is it."
"I can't do this." Rose states, looking on in horror as her dad exits the vehicle.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to, but this is the last time we can be here." Doctor comforts, his words send Rose in a flurry. She bolts forwards, I reach out to grab her briefly missing her jacket.
"Rose! No!" we shout, watching in utter horror as she bolts past our past selves and towards her father. As the beige car approaches she shoves her father out of the cars path, the vase rolls and me and the aline watch as our past selves share a look before the trio disappears.
"I did it. I saved your life." Rose states in disbelief. The Doctors hands tighten into hard fists, his glare fixing on our blonde friend.
"Blimey, did you see the speed of it? Did you get his number?" Pete questions, slightly shook.
"I really did it. Oh, my God, look at you. You're alive! That car was going to kill you." Rose gushes, overly happy with what she had just done. A sickening feeling settles in my stomach, shit is about to hit the fan.
"Give me some credit, I did see it coming. I wasn't going to walk under it, was I." Pete tries to maintain his dignity, if it wasn't such a serious situation I might have chuckled at the irony.
"I'm Rose." she introduces smiling at the man.
"That's a coincidence. That's my daughter's name." he replies, still looking around almost skittish as if he expected another surprise attack.
"That's a great name. Good choice. Well done." Rose preens, the two slowly calm down. I watch the pair with a sense of disappointment, I had truly expected better from Rose. Especially since the Doctor had already given us a brief crash course on fixed points in time.
"Right, I'd better shift. I've got a wedding to go to." the man informs, the adrenalin of his near death experiences slowly dissipating.
Rose quickly blurts out, "Is that Sarah Clarke's wedding?"
"Yeah, are you going?" the man answers, curiously.
"Yeah." she nods, shoving her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.
"You, your friend and her boyfriend need a lift?" the man questions, I frown. Boyfriend? I look down to see the Timelord gripping my hand tightly, his vice-like grip actually causing a tingling sensation in my hand. Rose looks back at us, her happy expression faltering slightly at our glares.
"I hate to be the person who says it but-" I start only to abruptly stop when the Doctor turns his hard glare on me. I freeze at the sight of his icy steel blue eyes focused on me, his expression that of a heartless man. Someone who had seen and done things, one without mercy or care for his own wellbeing. I clamp my mouth shut as he turns away from me, slowly approaching the blonde who waved us over and simultaneously dragging me along.
The trip to Pete Tyler's car was relatively short, although it felt as though we were drowning. The atmosphere is tense which isn't helping with my anxiety. Ever since his 'miraculous' survival the feeling of being watched won't leave me. A sickening feeling settling in my stomach causing my body to feel off. I can't explain it but I really wish it would go away.
Once we arrive our group enters the middle aged man's home, the room and corridors all scattered with random chemicals and objects. I disregard them though as Mr Tyler turns to us.
"Right, there we go. Sorry about the mess." he awkwardly apologies. "If you want a cup of tea, the kitchens just down there, milk's in the fridge. Well, it would be, wouldn't it." hsi thoughts begin to trail off, "Where else would you put the milk? Mind you, there's always the window sill outside. I always thought if someone invented a window sill with special compartments, you know, one for milk, one for yogurt, make a lot of money out of that. Sell it to students and things." he trails off. "I should write that down. Anyway, never mind that, excuse me for a minute. Got to go and change." he then leaves the room, leaving an over the moon blonde and the enraged Timelord alone.
Ignorant to the Doctor's fury Rose starts to excitedly inspect different trophies and other items around the house, "All the stuff mum kept. His stuff. She kept it all packed away in boxes in the cupboard. She used to show me when she'd had a bit to drink." The Doctor and I lean against the doorway, a permanent scowl resting on his face whilst I smile softly. "Here it is, on display. Where it should be. Third prize at the bowling. First two got to go to Didcot. Health drinks. Tonics, mum used to call them. He made his money selling this Vitex stuff. He had all sorts of jobs. He was so clever. Solar power. Mum said he was going to do this. Now he can." she finally looks up to see us. My expression falls back to my glare, the sickening feeling amping up ever so slightly. "Okay, look I'll tell him you're not together." she naively informs, oblivious the the ticking time bomb next to me.
"When we met, I said travel with me in space. You said no. Then I said time machine." Doc starts, his arms crossed as anger seeps into his words.
"It wasn't some big plan. I just saw it happening and I thought, I can stop it." Rose explains, I frown at her opening my mouth to but in but stop as the Timelord rounds in on me.
"And you, did you know this was what she was going to do. Did you plan it together, scheming at this brilliant plan." he sneers, "I did it again. I picked another set of stupid apes. I should've known. It's not about showing you the universe. It never is. It's about the universe doing something for you." he angrily continues, not giving me the chance to defend myself, my eyes sting at his insults. He thought I had done this, how am I to blame when I tried to stop them?
"What the fuck is wrong with you, you pompous bastard? I tried to stop you. Both of you." I snarl, red tinting my sight. "I am the one who tried to prevent this but because you," I stab my finger into his chest, "know better you decided to be a twat and do whatever you can to help the poor fatherless young innocent girl." I snap, glaring at the pair. "I can't believe you!"
"Because you definitely knew this was going to happen, the all knowing Alula Smith. Sooo knowledgeable and intelligent that she knows better. You're a stupid ape, why would I follow anything you say." he snaps back, his words bouncing off of me this time. There is no way I am allowing an arrogant man make me cry. "I should have known better than offering an ape anything."
"So it's okay when you go to other times, and you save people's lives, but not when it's me saving my dad." Rose pitches in, heatedly glaring at us.
"I know what I'm doing, you don't. Two sets of us being there made that a vulnerable point." he growls.
"You just fucking repeated what I said. And I'M a stupid ape. You arrogant selfish twat!"
"But he's alive!" Rose exclaims in disbelief.
"He's not meant to be!" I snap, turning my gaze at her.
"My entire planet died. My whole family. Do you think it never occurred to me to go back and save them?" the Timelord adds, I flinch at his lack of emotion.
"But it's not like I've changed history. Not much. I mean he's never going to be a world leader. He's not going to start World War Three or anything." she attempts to fix the situation.
"Rose, there's a man alive in the world who wasn't alive before. An ordinary man. That's the most important thing in creation." the Doctor states, approaching the blond.
"The whole world's different because he's alive." I add, remaining in the doorway.
"What, would you rather him dead?" she snaps, glaring at him.
"I'm not saying that." the man protests I on the other hand add.
"Yes." this causes the blonde to round in on me.
"What and you have a say? You're just a mentally ill, crazy lady with no family or loved ones that followed an alien in the hopes of escaping your tragically boring dead life." she snarls, I flinch ever so slightly. She isn't wrong.
"Rose you don't understand what you've done." I state, numbness seeping into my bones.
"And you do? You can't even stay in reality long enough to realise where you're unwanted. Why don't you just fuck off back to your daydreams and remain useless." she yells, the Doctor remains on the sidelines watching us with narrowed eyes.
"Oh fuck off you bleach blonde bitch." I snarl back, turning away from the pair before storming out of the place. I hear some distant shouting behind me Rose yelling,
"No, I get it! For once, you're not the most important man in my life."
I quicken my pace hoping to hide in the very deep depths of the multi dimensional spaceship. Somewhere where neither of them can find me, somewhere where I will get lost. As I make it to the familiar blue box that had become my home a sob escapes my lips. I press a hand to the doors, the sickening feeling increasing to the point where bile shoots up my throat. Turning away I heave up the little to no contents of my stomach, pure stomach acid burning my throat and mouth. The taste and smell cause me to dry heave. Gasping, I fall to my knees the world spinning as the feeling of being watched floods over me again. I haunch over slightly as sobs wrack my body, I press a hand to my mouth muffling the noise as tears roll down my cheeks. I had truly thought the two had become my friends. Hell even my weird dysfunctional family. And yet the pair turn on me as quick as the wind. Once I calm down I pick out some tissues from my pockets, wiping away the snot and tears I gently shift so that I'm resting my back against the wall on the right of the TARDIS.
I sit, tilting my head back, allowing my stomach to settle. It also gave me time to truly process what was said, a few tears leak down my face. I frustratedly rub them away. Why does it hurt so much? At the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching I snap my head and eyes up and open. Snapping my attention to the brisk walking Timelord, his eyes focused solely on me. I hurriedly stand up, pressing myself against the wall hoping it would just swallow me. He pauses in front of me, briefly taking in the sight of my surroundings before focusing on me. I self consciously squirm, very aware that I probably reek of vomit and my eyes and nose are probably red and puffy. My skin definitely marred with tear stains.
His glare softens before swirling into self hatred and guilt, he steps forwards causing my to sharply take a breath. What is he going to do? And where is Rose.
"Alula." he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "I- I'm so sorry. I can't believe I even thought that you were involved with her foolish actions." he apologises. "I, I was so angry I couldn't see reason, I mean you were the one who tried to warn me. I- I can't even begin to explain how sorry I am." he continues, his gaze locked on my tear stained cheeks. My mind works slowly to comprehend his statement, he was sorry. Do I forgive him? What he had said had genuinely hurt, to the point of tears.
"I can't forgive you." I state, staring at him. His head bows, fists clenched tightly. "Not right now, I need to think. I, you hurt me." I continue, feeling very exposed. He nods in understanding before slowly walking to the box, he turns to me expecting my too follow. I slowly walk over, standing on his right as he swings the doors open. The interior causing me to stumble, the sick feeling flooding through me again. I turn dry heaving once again, nothing coming up though as nothing remains in my stomach. I feel a large hand gently rub my back, resting on my neck as he gently rubs the exposed skin.
"She's gone." I mumble, stumbling as I stand. "Doctor. How bad is this?"