The Bits In Between

It was New Year’s Eve and the Powell Estate was in full party mode. As usual, the Tyler flat was one of the places to be. One could barely move inside and people spilled out the open door.

Rose was happy to be among old friends and family but really only wanted to be with one person. He was currently charming a group of little girls who were excited to get to stay up late. She knew he was the same man. Christmas had confirmed that. But he was still so different. The past week had confirmed that.

She studied him when she thought he wasn’t looking. He was good looking in a different way, now. Okay, very good looking. He definitely talked a lot more. His mannerisms were different. Everything was different. The memories seemed to be the only thing that was the same.

She was pretty certain he was still the man she would die for. She tried to understand this regeneration thing. With everything else, had his feelings changed too? Did he still feel the way she was sure he felt before? That question scared her more than anything. He had told her he wanted her to come along but would they pick up where they left off? And why did she fell like she was cheating on him? The old him?

He knew she watched him. He knew she had to. Every companion that was with him when it happened had to adjust to regenerating on his part. This time, however, he didn’t know what he would do if she rejected him. He wasn’t sure how to convince her that, while everything was different, his feelings hadn’t changed. He wished more than anything they could just go back to last week. Back to Japan where they had made love for hours.

He didn’t know how to tell her, he had changed into this because of her. The accent was simply due to being around her so much. The physical result was to make her proud to hold his hand in public. He knew she wanted him before but he also didn’t miss the looks she gave him now. Her world would be more accepting of them since he now looked closer to her age. Oh how looks could be deceiving. He didn’t care what anyone else thought and he was pretty sure she didn’t either, but just in case.

One thing hadn’t changed. He still loved watching her. He mum had cut her hair a couple of days ago. He couldn’t wait until he could run his fingers through it. He knew it would take time. He also knew she was worth the wait and he would wait forever if necessary.

Midnight was getting closer and Rose was getting anxious. She knew as the New Year came in, she would be able to kiss the Doctor in front of people she knew and not only be accepted but expected. It was one thing she was certainly curious to find the differences in. It hadn’t escaped her that he had taken to licking things now. While the blood thing had been gross, watching him eat, well, anything was quite the experience. It was giving her ideas.

The countdown began and everyone rushed to pick up their drinks. People clinked their glasses and celebrated. Rose hugged her mum and had to politely push a very drunk Mickey off of her. She looked around for the Doctor. She spotted him all the way across the room. He saw her, smiled and raised his glass in a silent toast. She tried to hide her disappointment and did the same.

He could tell she was upset she wasn’t with him. There was nothing he could do at the time being but he had plans for them later.

After the big moment the party-goers slowly dwindled away. Around three, the Doctor got Rose’s attention. He smiled and nodded his head toward the door. She eagerly nodded back and made to join him.

“Oi! Where do you lot think you’re goin’?” Mickey yelled. He had watched them watch each other all night. The rational part of his brain that knew him and Rose were no more and that she was happy was currently losing to the drunken jealous side of him. If he could have stood properly, he might have even tried to punch the Doctor’s new pretty boy face. As it was, he could mostly just scowl.

“I was just going to move the TARDIS and Rose was going to help. She still doesn’t trust me to be steady on my feet just yet. We’re putting her a couple of streets over so don’t be surprised if you don’t hear us land. We’ll only be a few minutes.” He went out the door.

Rose was close on his heels. “Well, that was hardly the excitement I was expecting. This is your plan?”

“My plan is to ring in the New Year with you.” He kept walking.

“But it’s already past!”

He stopped and turned. “Time machine.”

“Right, but won’t that cause a paradox or something?”

“That’s why we are moving her. When we land, the parties will be in full swing and cover up the noise. The paradox will only happen if we run into ourselves. The first set of us will be in your mum’s place and we’ll be elsewhere. Alone. We’ll head back after we leave. All in all, genius plan. Good thing I thought of it!” He took her hand and started out again. Rose didn’t bother to hide her smile and skipped along with him.

As promised, they landed not far and the party noises were clear. They clasped hands and he led her back to the estate. “I thought we were going to be alone.”

“We are.” He led her to the roof where they had watched the Slitheen ship crash. She could see he had been busy. There was a blanket laid out with cushions, another stack of blankets to fight off the chill, a tray with various snacks and sweets, and a bucket of champagne with two glasses on the side. The whole area was lit with various sized candles. She was impressed.

“When did you do all this?”

“I had some help. The girls you saw me with earlier…”

“Your fan club, you mean?” Her eyes twinkled up at him.

“Something like that. They did me a great service. They would have just finished before we arrived.” He motioned for her to sit. “You warm enough?” Before she could answer, he grabbed one of the spare blankets and threw it over them. He moved the tray to the head of the blanket so that they could both reach and poured them each a glass. He took a sip and started to pick at the food.

“It’s amazing.” He looked up at her while licking debris off his fingers. “You eat constantly now but you’re so slim.”

“Problem with that?”

“None at all. Just an observation.” They laid there in comfortable silence both feared would never return. They could hear things bustling down below them and heard the countdown begin.

He looked at her with such intensity, she wasn’t sure if it was the cold or that, that made her shiver. “I know I said no second chances, but I hope that doesn’t apply to us. Happy New Year, Rose.”

“Happy New Year, Doctor.” At the stroke of midnight, they kissed for the first time in over a week. He was pretty sure she didn’t remember the last one. One day he would have to tell her, but not now.

He kissed differently. She guessed that should be expected. Before he kissed her like she might break or reject him. Now, he was all confidence, but started with a little doubt, just to be safe.

The kiss deepened. One hand went to where her waist and hip met, the other supported him as he went over her and pressed her into the cushions. Her hands went around his neck and in his hair. She sighed into his mouth. He took that as a good sign.

The hand at her waist found its way underneath her coat and jumper. This time she knew what caused the shiver. He moved from her lips to her neck. This was the best way to spend a New Year, she decided.

He pulled back slightly and smiled down at her. He touched her cheek. She lifted her hand to meet his. Once contact was made she no longer saw brown eyes and rumpled hair. Instead she saw blue and short hair. She gasped and pulled away. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”

He dropped his head in defeat. “I understand. You’re gonna need time.” He sat back and rested is arms on his knees. “I promise you I’m the same man.” He smirked and glanced over at her. “I still got the moves.”

She did smile at this. “We’ll see.”

”We will?” He failed at keeping the hope out of his voice.

“I’ll let you know. This just so strange. Just give me some time, alright?”

“Yeah, so, we got awhile, what shall we do?”

“Oh, I still want to be with you alone. Gives me time to get used to you. And I suppose I need a chance to get used to these lips.” She traced them with her fingers.

He smiled against her. “Well, never let be said I don’t aid in research.” He gave the inside of her palm a peck.

“We’re just gonna have to go slow. I will be ready again. I don’t know when, but I will be. Please, wait?”

“If there’s one thing I have, it’s time. And you are definitely worth waiting for. I just thought of something, I didn’t get you a Christmas present.”

“You said the trip home was it.”

“That was ruined though. So what do you want?”

“You.”

“You already have that. It would be like regifting and that’s just tacky.” He lay back down and pulled her head to his shoulder. She played with the lapel of his coat.

“Don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.” She started to hum. He was offended by her choice of music.

“Seriously. ABBA?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong with that? Oh, I always fancied seeing them at Wembley. Can we go?” She looked up expectantly.

“You can go. I’ll take you, get you backstage even, but I refuse to be subjected to such drivel.”

“Coward. Well, that’s what I want. All settled then.” To seal the deal, she gave him a quick kiss. Then a yawn threatened to break her face.

“Sorry, I’ve kept you up late.” He then rattled on about the restorative properties of sleep.

“Doctor?”

“Yes, Rose?”

“Shut it.”

“Yes, Rose.”

She snuggled in closer to him. He started to play with her hair. “Warm enough?”

“Mmm hmm.” Her reply was drowsy. “How much longer ‘til we have to be back?”

“Couple of hours at least.”

“’Kay.” She moved her arm into his coat and snaked it around his wait. “This is still nice.”

“Yes, it is. We could go back to the TARDIS, stay warm.” He didn’t get a response. “Rose?”

He lifted his head. She was asleep. He dropped back down. There were worst ways to spend an evening. He would just rest his eyes for a moment.

The next thing either of them knew was the sounds of giggles. They found themselves wrapped in each other’s arms, legs entwined. It wasn’t odd for them to wake up like this. What was odd was the fact they were outside and fully clothed. The slowly separated and saw the girls from the previous night pointing and whispering.

“I suppose enough time has passed now.” Rose rolled her eyes at him.

Their steps slowed as they approached the flat door, both scared of her mum’s reaction. They steeled themselves and entered.

“TARDIS malfunction again?” Jackie called from the kitchen. They both let out a breath they didn’t know they were holding.

“Yeah, Mum. Sorry it wasn’t that long for us.” She reached back and squeezed his hand.

“I suppose you aren’t ready for breakfast then.”

“Oh, I’m starving!” The Doctor lit up at the idea of food.

“How can you eat? Where does it all go?”

“If you’re good, maybe I’ll show you!” They were going to be fine.