It Could Be Worse
By Sonic Jules
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... Set directly after the events of "Father's Day", Rose and the Ninth Doctor must deal with their actions and the consequences of them all.
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Disclaimer: Doctor Who and the characters of said show do not belong to me, no matter how hard I've wished for it. No infringement meant on the owners and associates, nor BBC.
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A/N 1: As always, my humble thanks to Catharticone for her generosity and help. Her suggestions and steady encouragement are always my strength.
A/N 2: For Laura and Aromene.
A/N 3: Happy holidays to all!
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Chapter One:
Stuck
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The Doctor stomped up the ramp, practically dragging Rose behind him as his hand held hers firmly. He led her to the jump seat and quickly released his grip, turning away from his companion to set coordinates and take them into the Vortex.
He'd given in to her wishes and allowed her to see her father once - twice - no, three times, actually - and in the process had nearly undone the entire universe by damaging time itself. The Time Lord had known better than to do it, which made the entire event truly his fault and his alone. And it was his actions that angered him more than hers. Still, he couldn't help the misdirection of those feelings. So he busied himself and tried to ignore his traveling companion, not wanting to vent his inner turmoil on her.
The Doctor walked around the console, doing his best to look too engrossed in his actions to be disturbed. He knew he was sulking about - his own thoughts told him as much - and knew it was utterly ridiculous to be doing so. But he simply couldn't stop himself. Perhaps he needed to be alone. Not permanently, but for just a breather. No, not alone for any length of time actually; he couldn't imagine not having Rose for a companion ...
He was growing too attached to her. A human no less, with a frail little life span and a built in danger magnet to boot. But she was curious, and adoring, and fascinated with the many people and places and things he could show her. Still, she'd hurt him today, but it was only because he had allowed it to happen.
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Rose watched him out of the corner of her eyes, his brooding presence unwelcoming and cold.
The Doctor pressed several buttons, readying his ship to enter the Vortex while keeping his back toward Rose. She simply sat there, looking all around - anywhere but directly at him - yet knowing each and every move he made. She wanted to tell him she was sorry, but it wasn't enough. It couldn't be enough. She'd said it before, after all.
The Doctor had accepted her apology in the church and they'd hugged, because that's what they did. But now that the danger was over and they were safely tucked into the TARDIS once more, it felt a bit meaningless to her. She wondered if the Time Lord would ever be able to truly forgive her actions.
Her head was throbbing and her heart full with sadness, feeling ready to burst at any moment. But Rose held it all in, fear of upsetting him further keeping her quiet.
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One last flip of a switch and they'd be in the Vortex. Off to a new adventure and new memories, enough to hopefully put this whole event behind them. The Time Lord held his hand above the console, hovering there for just a moment, then dropped it to his side.
He spun himself around, facing Rose so quickly she sat back suddenly, her reflexes automatic. She watched the Doctor as he casually crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back.
"You're lookin' a bit tired."
"Yeah, well, it's been a long day," she replied quietly.
"That it has." He sighed.
Rose watched him, trying to decipher the blank expression she saw on his face. She thought perhaps she should say something else, but what could she say?
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"I know." The Time Lord shifted himself a bit, lowering his hands until he'd hooked his thumbs into the pockets of his pants. "Why don't you get some sleep," he suggested a little gruffly.
Her eyes immediately looked downward. "All right," she agreed as she stood. Rose walked toward the hallway, her steps slow and steady. "G'night, Doctor."
He watched as she disappeared from his view, then sighed deeply. He hadn't handled that very well, but words of apology and forgiveness did not flow from him easily.
Turning back toward the console, the Time Lord slammed his hand on the switch to take them into the Vortex. A sudden flash of light sparked from the corridor where Rose had just entered. Instead of the ship dematerializing, a sound like that of lightning striking the ground crackled and the ship's interior lights dimmed momentarily.
"Rose!"
The Doctor ran down the hallway, finding his companion leaning back against the wall, her hands shielding her eyes. He grabbed her shoulders to steady her, thinking she might fall at any moment.
"Are you all right?" the Time Lord asked excitedly.
Rose lowered her hands and looked around for a brief moment before looking at him. "Yeah. What was that?"
"I don't know. Did you see anythin'? Feel anythin'?"
"It was like an electrical spark or somethin' - really bright an' really loud," she sighed with relief that it seemed to be over. "I'm not really sure."
The Doctor stared at Rose for a moment, seeing for himself that she was unharmed, then lowered his hands and looked above them. "Whatever it was happened when I was tryin' to take us into the Vortex. Must've been a short of some kind, but I'll have it sorted in no time."
"So we're stuck here? On Earth? In 1987?" Rose asked, her tone slightly alarmed.
"Momentarily. But I can fix whatever's happened." He looked her over carefully. "You sure you're all right?"
Suddenly the excitement seemed to be over and Rose felt uncomfortable again. She nodded, looking away from him.
"Good. Why don't you go have that lie down and I'll repair whatever's gone wrong with the TARDIS." The Doctor turned and walked back toward the console room, leaving Rose feeling dismissed. She walked toward her room, refusing the emotions that tried to surface.
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To be continued...
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