Chapter 14

The Trap

"So," said the Doctor, re-reading the letter on the screen. "Not only does the Dark Vat produce dark clones, it makes them pompous as well. Imagine me talking like that. 'I need hardly remind you...' If Rose was in her right mind, she'd never fall for that."

"But she's not," said Jack, slumping back on the bed. He put his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. He was tired.

The Doctor stood up and wandered over to the window. He stared out. "You know..." he said slowly "...Rose is back from Brighton."

"Is she?" sighed Jack, "I'd kinda lost track."

"She and Mickey got back yesterday."

The Doctor continued to stare out of the window thoughtfully. Suddenly he strode over to the computer and started shutting down.

"Come on," said the Doctor, glancing at the prone Jack, "we need to get down to East Street and keep an eye on the charity shop. I don't want to miss her."

"But, Doc, what's the point? We can't take the crystal off her – you said so yourself..."

"No, we can't do that. But there may be another way round. It's risky, but it might just work. We need to talk to Rose. We need to talk to her in the TARDIS. But you need to disable it first, Jack, so it doesn't decide to take off for 11/05/16..." The Doctor stood up, pocketing Jack's fisheye camera. "Ready, then? Let's go and check out the charity shop..." Receiving no reply the Doctor glanced at Jack who lay peacefully on the bed, gently snoring. He smiled to himself and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

-

Two days later, Rose emerged from the charity shop into the autumn sunlight. Dazed, she made her way to a bench and sat down. She almost grasped the crystal round her neck, and then caught herself, realising the problems it could cause. She closed her eyes. "Thank you Doctor..." she whispered. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." The familiar voice made her jump.

"Doctor! But… I swear I didn't hold…"

"'Course you didn't," said the Doctor, sitting down beside her. "But I only live round the corner. I just happened to be passing."

"Oh? Thought you'd be off in the TARDIS by now. Where are you living?"

"Didn't Jackie tell you?" said the Doctor, genuinely surprised. "She's given me a room… well… er, your room to be precise… Just while we get the TARDIS fixed."

"Has she?" said Rose, amazed. "We've not spoken since I got back. We didn't part on great terms. She seemed to think I was partly to blame for the whole reception disaster. She's clearly forgiven you," she said, a little put out. "You were the devil incarnate when we left."

"Ah, well. That's me, see. Natural charm. Nothing I can do about it. Anyway, the good news is, it looks like we've mended the TARDIS, so you'll be rid of me soon. But I thought you might like to join us for a glass of something before we go."

Rose smiled. "Love to." They both stood up. "And I'll buy the bubbly! It's the least I can do after…" Rose fingered the chain around her neck and looked down at the crystal. She took the Doctor's hand and squeezed it. "Thanks, again. You don't know how happy this has made me."

-

Rose stepped into the TARDIS and unexpectedly felt tears pricking her eyes. Jack was busy fiddling with some wires in the corner. The things they'd been through together in here. The things they had seen. The world behind her, beyond the TARDIS door seemed so tame; so mundane. She heard the Doctor step in after her and the door close.

Jack sprang up, ran over and gave her a big hug, squeezing her so tight she could barely breathe. Overwhelmed, she disentangled herself and turned away, busying herself with the top of the Champagne bottle.

"So… er… great news about the TARDIS," she said, blinking back the tears. "When d'you leave?"

"In the next day or so, we hope," said the Doctor, producing glasses from a shelf. "We're going forward a few years to check out Jack's great-granny."

Pop! The Champagne cork hit the central pillar. Rose recovered herself and smiled at Jack. "Still working on that Family Tree?"

"You bet!" he said, taking a glass from the Doctor. "Cheers…"

"To the future," said the Doctor, raising his glass. "May we all live happily ever after."

"The future!" Jack and Rose echoed.

They clashed glasses and drank.

"So," said Rose. "How's Mum – behaving herself?"

Jack and the Doctor exchanged glances.

"Uh-oh," said Rose. "What's she been up to?"

Between them, Jack and the Doctor described the 'Cabaret' episode. Then the Doctor told her about his visit to the benefit office, and how it had landed him in trouble with Jackie. By the time he had finished, both Rose and Jack were weeping with laughter.

"Poor Mum," said Rose, wiping away the tears. "She drives me round the bend, but I wouldn't change her for the world."

The Doctor re-filled their glasses. Rose, feeling a little dizzy, made her way round the TARDIS, stroking things, looking at everything. It was like a photo album. She would see parts of the TARDIS that resonated - things that brought back memories. It was hard to believe that all this had been part of her life once. A part that was now over forever. Suddenly she pulled herself together.

"I have to go," she said, putting her glass down and heading towards the door. "Mickey'll be worried."

In an instant, Jack and the Doctor stood in front of her, before the door.

"Rose," said the Doctor, "please stay."

"What?" Bewildered, Rose looked into the Doctor's eyes, then into Jack's.

"Rose…" the Doctor ceased to bar her way, and walked towards a computer screen. "Rose, this isn't going to be easy… But I'm asking you to stay. It's important."

Something happened in her head that completely reversed the high brought on by the champagne. She felt sick and leant on Jack for support. She didn't know what was going to happen, but she knew it was going to be bad.

"Please don't…"

The Doctor tapped something into the computer and an image appeared. The image was of Rose. It was her – yet at the same time, it was not.

"No!" she cried, shrinking away, trying to escape from herself. "Please, Doctor, no!"