Author's Note: This is it folks, the final part. Many, many thanks to all those who've read and reviewed. Thanks to Jilly for being a fab beta and thanks to her, Helen and Sparks for as being as daft about this fandom as I am :)
Part Eight
"There you go, love," Jackie said, passing Mickey the extra large cup of tea with a fond smile on her face, "I've got some chocolate biscuits if you want some."
"That'd be great, ta," he said with a beaming grin, turning to look at Rose as her mum returned to the kitchen.
"It's much better to be the wounded hero than a murder suspect," he pointed out with a happy sigh.
Rose grinned in return, sipping at her own tea, "I'll bet it is."
It'd been four days since Rose had last seen him, lying on the floor in his flat with a hole in his stomach. She had desperately wanted to go and visit him in hospital, to thank him for all he had tried to do for her, but her mum had told everyone that she was in Australia at the moment so she had to keep out of sight. On top of that the Doctor had insisted that she get as much rest as possible before they were off again, particularly since she'd been getting little sleep at night. She couldn't fight both their wishes and so had reluctantly surrendered.
She was quite surprised that the Doctor had so willing agreed to stay when she had asked him if they could hold off leaving until she had had a chance to talk to Mickey. She half expected him to sulk, whinge, get angry or dangle some new irresistible adventure in front of her face to tempt her away. But he'd simply nodded in agreement, saying that that sounded like a good idea. She guessed it showed his gratitude towards the younger man for his efforts, as well as his willingness to please her. Despite her assures that he was not at fault, he was still feeling a little guilty about what had happened and had been particularly willing to agree with anything she asked.
Even though he was still here however, he had spent little time in the flat only really coming back to eat, sleep and occasionally watch TV. Most of the last four days he busied himself with tinkering in the TARDIS, avoiding the claustrophobic atmosphere of the too small flat and her mother's stern glare. Jackie's gratitude for his help had quickly faded when they had got back home. She seemed to have conveniently forgotten that he had helped rescue Rose in favour of remembering that he'd be taking her away again in a few days. And she was apparently determined to make those days as uncomfortable for him as possible, even when Rose begged her to let up on him for a while. She understood how her mum felt, she just wished she'd accept her decision and move on.
Rose herself was looking forward to leaving more and more as the hours ticked by. She'd never really realised how small this flat was until she'd lived in the TARDIS. How small this planet was until she had seen countless others. She was getting seriously itchy feet just sitting round doing nothing. She was bored and restless, feeling like she was wasting precious time and her whole being was just withering away the more she sat here. Her bruises were fading to greens and yellows and she wanted to get back out there with the Doctor and explore new things. Save new worlds. Run away from new dangers hand in hand with the man she loved. Was that really too much to ask?
A suddenly thought struck Rose as she remembered they would be leaving soon and she abandoned her tea to the coffee table, telling Mickey she would be back shortly. Moments later she returned from her old bedroom with an expertly wrapped parcel, covered with ribbons and a bow. She'd always been good at wrapping presents, she'd done it for her mum since she was six years old. On Christmas day everyone used to rib Jackie, being able to pick out by sight her scruffily wrapped parcels in comparison to her daughter's immaculate ones.
"What's this?" Mickey asked in surprise at she handed it to him.
"Gantrium whiskey," she said with a grin, "Well, their equivalent of whiskey anyway. Just a little thank you. It's from me and the Doctor."
He smiled, giving her a quick hug as she sat down next to him, "Wicked."
"Just be careful though," she added with a warning smile, "It's absolutely lethal stuff. I take no responsibility for anything you do after drinking it, okay?"
He nodded with a big, daft grin settling back into the sofa. Rose leaned back also, snuggling into his side slightly, finding herself feeling a little warmth and contentment with the familiarity of the situation. Mickey was always a comfort to her, no matter what. He always made her feel better. That had been one of his great strengths.
She'd treated him so badly, she knew that. She just wished he didn't like her so much. Wished he wasn't so bloody nice. It'd make her feel better about her behaviour if he wasn't.
"I'm sorry you had to find out like that," she said eventually, unable to ignore the matter any longer as they sat here alone, comfortably watching television like they used to do.
"About you and the Doctor?" he asked evenly , his eyes fixed on the Eastenders omnibus.
Rose nodded against him, somehow unable to admit it out loud.
"Does your mum know?" he asked, lowering his voice a little.
"No," she stated, slightly ashamed of the fact, "And I'd rather she didn't for now. I mean, she went mental when she heard I was going out with you…"
He laughed slightly at the memory, "Yeah, she's a challenge, alright."
There were a few more moments of silence, Rose unable to read his reaction and unsure of what to say.
"Does he make you happy, Rose?" he asked quietly, his voice sounding oddly strained.
"Yeah, he does," she admitted with a small, guilty nod.
"Happier than I did?"
Rose felt her heart twist at that. This wasn't fair. Mickey was a good bloke. One of the best she'd ever met on this planet at least. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. But she also knew that she couldn't string him on.
"Mickey," she said gently, sitting up to look at him, "It's different… I still love you."
"But not enough, yeah?" he pointed out, knowing the answer before he'd asked the question.
A few tears sprung to her eyes at that and inwardly she pleaded with him not to make this more difficult than it had to be.
"Mickey, I-"
"It's alright, Rose," he interrupted immediately, his tone forcefully bright, giving her shoulders a quick comforting squeeze, "I understand, okay? He's good man…"
He smiled broadly.
"Well alien, at least," he corrected, "He'll look after you. Give you a great life. Treat you proper. And that's good."
Okay, now Rose knew that she really didn't deserve him. Whoever he finally set his heart on was going to be one lucky girl.
"Besides," he said with a cheeky grin, "There's a lot to be said about bachelorhood…"
Rose beamed in return, pleased to see him smile again, to see the pain in his eyes fading, "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!" he exclaimed, looking smug, "Women think I'm hot I'll have you know."
She giggled, raising a sceptical eyebrow, "Really?"
"Yep."
"Well," she teased, poking him gently in the ribs, "If you're really lucky you might be able to persuade one of them to come and clean your flat."
"Oi!" he protested with a laugh, "I like it like that. It's comfortable."
"It's a state!" she corrected with a huge roll of her eyes, "Look, I'll give it a quick go over before I leave if you like, it's the least I can do."
He suddenly looked uncomfortable with that, his smile fading and his voice lowering.
"Er…No, don't worry about it."
Rose knew what that meant. He didn't want her to clean his flat like she used to. He didn't want sympathy. He didn't want her doing the things that she did when she was his girlfriend. What he wanted was a clean break. It wasn't asking much really. But a little part of her was sad to say goodbye to what they'd once had.
Her face fell slightly.
"Oh, okay…" she said softly, not having any more suitable response than that, finding it odd that that seemed to be the moment they both admitted it really was over.
"Reckon I can get your mum to do it anyway…," he added, his tone bright, trying to lighten the mood once more, "Since she likes me so much right now."
Rose forced herself to grin too, moving on, "Now that I'd like to see."
"But you won't, will you?" he pointed out a little sadly, as if he'd only just realised, "Cos you're going again…"
She looked at him for a long moment. If there was one thing he deserved it was her honesty.
"Yeah," she said with a firm nod, "Yeah, I am."
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning," she said without hesitation. Nothing had been discussed yet, but Rose had said to the Doctor they need only stay until Mickey was out of hospital. Besides, she was dying to get going again herself.
"You gonna come and say goodbye?" he asked hopefully.
She held his gaze steadily.
"Do you really want me to?"
"No," he admitted after a moment, "Not really."
She nodded in understanding. Glancing at the two empty mugs she nodded her head towards them.
"I should give them to mum," she pointed out a little awkwardly, "You know, she gets all funny about tea stains."
Before she had a chance to stand, Mickey had pulled her into a fierce, protective hug. After a moment's shock, Rose hugged him back.
"Just take care of yourself, Rose," he said with a heavy sigh, as he pulled away.
She nodded, slightly tearful again.
"And," he said, smiling gently once more, "If he ever hurts you, you bring him back here and I'll sort him out, yeah?"
Rose laughed and nodded as a promise, "My hero…"
Inside her mum was cooking dinner. Mickey had gone home not long after the Doctor had returned, apparently not quite comfortable with his presence, although the Doctor had nodded at him and shook his hand in thanks before he departed. One day she hoped they could get on.
Whilst they waited for dinner the Doctor had disappeared outside, standing on the balcony, looking at the TARDIS parked conspicuously below. That's how Rose found him, leaning heavily on the railings, looking at his hands, enjoying the cool air and the escape from her mother's nattering.
She came to stand beside him, running one hand softly up his leather clad back. He turned to her with a slight smile.
"It's alright," she said with a reassuring grin, "A couple more hours and we'll be out of here, okay?"
He nodded tightly.
Rose sighed, "I should have listened to you when you said I didn't need those trainers. If I hadn't come back none of this would have happened."
"See why I don't do domestic," he said, only half joking, "It's dangerous."
She laughed slightly, "Yep, the universe certainly seems safer than a south London housing estate."
Every night since the incident with Jimmy, the Doctor had slept by her side, holding her like glass, removing himself to the air bed on the floor before her mum came in with cups of tea in the morning. To be honest, Rose was disappointed, wanting more from him. Needing more from him. But he was so hesitant, so annoyingly delicate with her when what she really needed was the roughness of skin on skin and the force of body pressing intimately against body.
Yesterday afternoon her mum had finally gone to work, being told that she'd taken enough time off this week and if she didn't get back that day, not to bother coming back at all. The moment she was sure she was really gone, Rose had kissed him firmly, pushing him to her bed and proceeding to coax him into making love to her. But even that had left her feeling slightly disappointed. Something was missing. His usual passion was dimmed somewhat, the sparkle in his eyes was no longer there. She had thought it was because he could still see traces of her battered face and bruised body as a reminder for what it had happened, but as she stood here now she realised it was something else that had changed him. She realised in an instant what had been bothering her about him during the last few days. And it was nothing to do with what had happened with Jimmy Stones.
The Doctor was becoming domesticated and it was all her fault. He was doing it because he thought that's what she wanted, what she needed. The sight of it was just indescribably wrong. He was wandering aimlessly around this place, tinkering with the TARDIS, watching TV, blending into the background.
But he was the Doctor. He shouldn't blend into the background. He shouldn't fade into the shadows. He should be vibrant. He should stand out. He was all life and energy and light. Seeing him here was like seeing him trapped in a cage and he was just fading away.
He was an oddity. The last of his race with no where to go, nowhere to really belong. And yes he was making things up from scratch. Finding his place and seeing where he fitted into a universe that had abandoned the rest of his kind. But this certainly wasn't it. It wasn't where or how he was meant to be. They should be making their own normal life – on the TARDIS, seeing the universe together. That's where he belonged.
And, she realised, so did she.
She suddenly slipped her arms around his wait, hugging him tightly. He looked down at her a little surprised for a moment before he smiled and hugged her in return.
She was going to take him away from here. She was going to protect him from becoming just another one of the crowd. He was her Doctor. Her vivacious, exciting, fantastic Doctor and she had to make sure he stayed that way. For the universe's sake as well as her own.
"So," she said, sighing against his chest with a small happy sound, "Where you taking me now, Doctor?"
She felt him tense.
"We don't have to leave quite yet if you don't want to," he eventually forced out in a quiet, flat tone.
Rose grinned up at him gently.
"I want to," she reassured him, "I want to go home. Back to the TARDIS. With you. I want my normal life back."
For the first time in days he grinned, his full face, daft grin that made her stomach flutter just because it was such a happy sight.
"Fantastic," he said brightly, the spark flickering to life in his eyes as though someone had just lit him up inside.
She crushed herself into his hug again for a few moments before a cheeky grin spread itself across her features.
"What?" he asked suspiciously, knowing she was smiling without even looking at her.
Rose giggled, "I was just thinking…that whole mean and moody Time Lord showing off thing?"
"Yeah?"
"That was sexy."
She felt him laugh slightly, "Really?"
"Hmm….Very impressive."
"Well, you know me…so impressive and everything."
"Prove it," she challenged, looking up at him through thick, heavy lashes.
With a warm smile his lips descended slowly on hers, her eyes drifting closed in anticipation just before he reached her. His mouth hovered millimetres from hers and she could feel his breath on her lips, almost hear the rush of blood under his skin. She murmured slightly in annoyance as he paused too long and felt his lips move into a large smile as they finally pressed against hers. They were both hesitant at first, lips brushing tenderly against each other, drawing a deep sigh from Rose as a warm shiver fluttered through her. Then she pushed her body closer to his on instinct and his arms tightened around her waist, his lips pressing harder and more insistently against hers. He groaned slightly as her hands fluttered over his chest and his tongue pressed at her lips, pleading for admittance. She opened her mouth to let him in, her own tongue sweeping over his, exploring his mouth as he did hers. He tasted like nothing on Earth and she mumbled lost words as he found a spot on the roof of her mouth that made her shudder. As his fingers dug into her hips as he held her more demandingly.
He finally pulled away when he knew she had to breathe. She smiled down at her flushed face, his expression somewhere between smug and loving.
"Well?" he asked with an enquiring eyebrow.
Rose grinned, feeling the tingle still racing around her body.
"You're a scientist, Doctor," she said with mock innocence, "Don't you know you can't get a fair result unless you do repeats?"
"That's true," he said with a thoughtful nod.
Smiling still, Rose cupped the back of his head and pulled him back towards her mouth.
"Better come here then," she whispered, pressing her lips to his once more, mumbling incoherent words and moans as his tongue pushed its way back into her mouth where it seemed happiest.
She'd almost forgotten when and where she was by the time an ear splitting shout interrupted them.
"Oi!"
They both froze in an instant.
"Do you wanna get your tongue out of my daughter's throat!"
Springing into action they jumped apart, startled, turning to see a furiously looking Jackie staring at them with a piercing look and hands on hips.
"Mum!" Rose exclaimed in horror and surprise. Well this certainly wasn't good.
"I might have known!" she fumed, glaring menacingly at the Doctor, "Should've known he was only trying to get into your knickers! Blokes are the same on matter what sodding planet they're from!"
"Mum!" Rose hissed, hoping no one had heard that last point. She looked around desperately, seeing no escape, seeing no route out to give her time to think. Frantically she shoved a fuming Jackie back inside.
"We'll be in in a minute," she reassured, slamming the door shut holding it closed and turning back to the Doctor.
"What do we do?" she asked, wide eyed.
The Doctor shrugged, surprisingly calm, "How long do you reckon it'll be before she loses the urge to make sure that I'm definitely the last of the Time Lords."
"Dunno," Rose said nervously, "Somewhere between 10 and 20 years probably."
"Right," the Doctor said, grinning at her, large and manic, promising her everything. He held out his hand, and Rose automatically grabbed it firmly.
"Run for your life!" he instructed.
She did so without a moment's hesitation, following him back towards the safety of the TARDIS, beaming as they ran.
As they took the stairs two at a time she could here her mum's angry shout for them to get back up there, but they ignored her, still running, still laughing. They'd have to come back and talk to her eventually of course, they'd have to explain things and face her accusations and questions. But they'd do it another day.
For now they were going home.