The Bits In Between

Rose watched the monitor in the control room excitedly as the elemental shade disappeared. “Another job well done!” She smiled widely as she heard the door open.

The Doctor walked in slowly and threw his coat over the railing. He made his way up the ramp, head hanging.

“We got ‘em! Didn’t we get him? I thought we got him. I saw we got him.”

“Yeah, we got him,” he sighed and sat heavily on the chair.

She frowned and touched his arm. “Then what’s wrong?”

“We stopped it, but not before it killed a woman.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it.” He stood and started to pace. “I mean it’s not fair. No matter what I do, it’s never enough. People still get hurt or worse. Because of me, there’s a little boy out there who won’t have his mother.”

“That wasn’t your fault.”

“I could’ve got there sooner.”

“No, you couldn’t. You did something. That’s more than what most people would have done.”

“I suppose. It’s just…I don’t know. It’s not fair.”

“Whoever said it would be?” She watched him pace, at a loss of what she should do. She hated seeing him helpless. He was the one that always knew what to do. She watched him for a few minutes more, when an idea struck. It wasn’t much, but it couldn’t hurt. She grabbed his arm to stop him. “Come with me.” She took his hand.

He followed her numbly. He thought of all the unintentional victims he left in his wake. Why couldn’t there always be a happy ending? He desperately wanted to give that to her and maybe keep a little of that feeling for himself.

He was led to the bedroom. She helped him out of his jacket and turned to face him. “Take off your clothes.” She headed for the loo.

“Rose, I appreciate it but I’m just not in the mood.”

“Doctor, that’s not what I had in mind. Now, do as I asked and lie on your stomach.” She grabbed her kimono from the wardrobe and disappeared behind the door.

He did as asked and faced the bathroom door, his chin resting on his fists. He wasn’t sure what she was up to but knew better than to doubt her. She emerged with her hair in a ponytail, wrapped in her robe and carrying a bottle of lotion. She knelt at the end of the bed and brushed his cheek.

“You take care of the entire universe. Let me take care of you. At least for tonight.” She gave him a look showing how much she wanted to do this. There was no way he could refuse her. He nodded and she smiled. Her lips briefly met his. She climbed onto the bed and his back. She started to kneed the muscles he didn’t realise were tight until they started to loosen. “Talk to me.”

“About what?”

“Anything. Tell me a story. Tell me some scientific thing I’ll never understand. Tell me how beautiful you think I am. Rant. Rave. Doesn’t matter. Just know I’ll listen without judgement or comment. Let it out.”

He started with the injustices he head seen and moved to more subdued topics. He rambled while she massaged every bit of him. It was as if a great weight was being released from within. As he relaxed, he got drowsy, the words slowing down. He was almost asleep when she finished. He managed to murmur, “And you’re very, very pretty.”

“Thanks.” She lovingly ruffled the back of his hair. She helped him up to the correct end of the bed and pulled the covers over him. He was alert enough to notice she curled up behind him instead of the other way around.

“What’s going on here?”

“It does me a world of good when I’m in your arms. Maybe it works the other way.” It was the nicest thing he thought anyone had ever done just for him. He took her hand and kissed it.

“Thank you.”

“No probs.”

He held on and pressed the hand to his chest. “Not just for this, but tonight, everything since I first took your hand in that shop basement. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

She squeezed him. “As I said, no probs.”
________________________________________________________________________

They walked through the abandoned car park back to the TARDIS. So involved in their conversation, they failed to notice the figure behind the fence holding a video camera.

“I just don’t see why you can’t dress more sensibly. It’s cold. You know it’s cold. You complain about it being cold. And yet, you wear that skirt. Now, I’m not telling you how to dress, I just am washing my hands of your inevitable frostbite.”

“But I look cute.”

“You always look cute. You can’t help that. You’re naturally that way. That’s not the point.”

She bounced on the balls of her feet. “You’re jealous!”

He unlocked the door and headed inside. “I am no such thing!”

“You are too!”

“Look, when you look like that, you’re gonna get stares. Leers actually. I really don’t fancy fighting off the male population. I just don’t have the time or energy.” He sent them into the Vortex while he ranted. He threw his coat over a railing and she did the same.

She came up and hugged him. He distractedly squeezed back. “That’s sweet but you have nothing to worry about. I only have eyes for one man.”

“Is he bigger than me?”

“Massive.” She went on tip toe to give him a quick peck.

“Another thing that’s been on my mind,” he let go and fiddled with the console. “How many pairs of those tights do you own?”

She started down the hall and called over her shoulder. “Who said they were tights?” She ran her hands up her thighs. The movement hiked her skirt up enough to show him the tops of her stockings. She giggled when she heard him groan and continued on her way.

He was very proud of the fact he waited a full thirty seconds until he chased after her. She was still laughing when he caught up to her. She was still smiling when he pressed her against the wall. Her expression didn’t change until he ran a hand up her thigh and ripped off her pants.

“That’s not playing fair Tyler.”

“How’s that?” She was finding it hard to concentrate. His hand was teasing every bit above her stockings and below her waist while never actually touching her where she most wanted.

“Keeping these a secret, then using them to win the argument.”

“Didn’t realise we were having an argument.” She bit back a moan as he slid his fingers into her.

“Oh yes, but then your stockings made an excellent point and I had no choice but to concede defeat.”

She rested her arms on his shoulders for balance. “Well, it’s good to know my clothes can be persuasive.”

“You have no idea.” He captured her lips as he thrust harder.

She was getting close but refused to give into him that easily. She let him continue his assault on her mouth while she unbuttoned his jacket and removed his tie. She untucked his shirt and traced along his stomach. She let a hand drift to the front of his trousers, cupping him. He responded immediately, both above and below the waist. He moaned into her mouth while the bulge below threatened to rip the fabric.

Pleased with his reaction, she rested her hands on his waist. He pulled back to look at her. His eyes were dark; there was no question what he wanted to do. She was more than happy to oblige him, but not until she had a little fun.

He took his free hand and attempted to release himself from his trousers. Between his other hand being occupied and Rose nibbling down his neck, he was slightly distracted. He reluctantly pulled away from her to make use of both his hands.

She now had her wits about her. She took her chance. She slid down and over, smacked his bum and took off in a run.

He stood there slack-jawed. How dare she leave him literally with his pants down! In his own TARDIS! Completely turned on! Well, he was most certainly going to wipe off the grin she almost definitely had on her face. He pulled himself together and set off to find her.

He smiled to himself when he predictably found the bedroom door ajar. It disappeared as did any coherent thought when he went inside. The lights were dimmed, casting a soft glow across everything in the room. That included the gorgeous creature on top of the bed.

She had stripped down to just the stockings. She was propped up on a pile of pillows with her hair splayed about like a golden halo. Her hands drifted lazily over her body, stopping to tease her breasts.

“I wondered where you’d gotten to. I was about ready to start without you.”

“Far be it from me to stop you.” He watched attentively as one hand trailed below her waist and slid into her.

“Mmm. Guess that means I don’t need you then.” He wasn’t sure what was worse: her playing dirty or him letting her. Her eyes drifted shut as she sighed contentedly and lolled her head back. She was clearly enjoying herself.

The time had come for him to get the upper hand. He quickly stripped and climbed on to the bed. He moved between her legs which were already a great distance apart. In quick succession he brushed her hand away, captured her lips and slid home.

She didn’t have anymore witty retorts for him. The only sounds she made were the same as his: moans, sighs and each other’s names. All in all, a good way to pass the time.
________________________________________________________________________

They quickly returned to the TARDIS and left. Rose wasn’t entirely sure that the blue bucket wasn’t the correct one as the red one resulted with them covered in goo.

The Doctor shrugged out of his coat, muttering the whole time, “I know that man. Why do I know him? And why did he run away? Oh well.” He grabbed her by the hips and gave her a kiss she felt in her toes and before she could reciprocate, he left the room saying, “Right then, time to clean off Hoix.”

She stood there bewildered and a bit disappointed. She was getting used to the way they had been celebrating a job well done. She supposed it was fine that is was just a kiss this time. She sat gingerly on the captain’s chair, trying not to drip Hoix everywhere. She slipped out of her jacket. She figured she should clean up as well.

She was woken from her musings by the sound of footfalls on the floor. She looked up to see him, shirt untucked, jacket gone, tie hanging totally loose around his neck. “Aren’t you joining me?”

She grinned and ran to him. “Wasn’t sure you wanted me to.”

“Didn’t think I had to ask. I was talking to you the entire time. Just figured you were being congenial, letting be ramble on. Had the tub half full when you didn’t answer me. Thought I did something wrong. Came to find out.”

She smiled fondly at the back of his head. How she loved him. He took her to the Marble Room, as she called it. As advertised, the tub was filled with steaming bubbly water. He had stripped out his shirt and with a melting smile, turned to her. “Hello.”

“Hello.” She went to undress when he batted her had away.

“No, no, let me. Snaps, brilliant.”

“Well, you said the t-shirts and vests interrupted the snogging and that buttons took to long. So, I figured I’d help you along.”

“Good figuring.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and ripped the shirt open. As he sunk to his knees, his mouth made a trail from her neck to her waist. While his tongue alternated doing lovely things to her breasts and navel, his hands helped her out of what was on her feet and opened her jeans. She raised him back up to kiss him and return the favour. She shimmied out of her jeans and watched him as he flipped off his trainers and socks. She held back a laugh when he almost fell over attempting to remove his trousers and pants.

He looked up victoriously and frowned. “You still have clothes on.”

“Just bra and knickers. Thought you might want to do the honours.”

The grin threatened to break his face. “You really are quite clever.”

“Well, you only take the best.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“That’s right. I do. That makes me even cleverer.” As their mouths met, his clever hands opened the clasp of her bar and traced circles along her back. He stepped back, taking the bra with him. She moved him back down. He went to her hips and gently removed her pants. She led him to the tub and both sank into the water.

They took turns slowly washing one another. They almost inevitably ended up making love, even more slowly. Afterward, she laid slumped back against him, still in the water. She raised a hand and examined it. “I’m getting all pruny.”

He took the hand and kissed it. “You’re the prettiest prune I’ve ever seen.”

“You’re pruny too. A handsome one though.” She leaned back and kissed his neck.

“Of course.”

“Of course. How about we get out and take turns slathering each other with that magical cream you got me, and then relax somewhere.”

“So clever, I’m very proud.”

“You should be.”

They rubbed each other down with towels and lotion. The ‘somewhere’ ended up being the study. He laid reclined on one of the giant cushions as she reclined on him. He lazily traced lines up and down her arms. She, in turn, drew circles on his legs.

”We should put the telly on or go some place.”

“Yeah, we should.”

“We’re not going to, are we?”

“Probably not.”

“Alright. So that means we don’t need clothes. Of course there’s something we can do that clothes are a hindrance.

“I think we should do that.” She turned and straddled his hips. As soon as she had the rhythm set, he rolled them over. He shifted her so that her waist and below were pushed up by the cushion and the rest fell back slightly. They found this added a whole new angle neither one found the least bit unpleasant. They came, one after the other, with a yell and collapsed in a sweaty happy heap.

“Doctor?”

“Yes Rose?”

“There’s something that’s been bothering me.”

“Hmm?”

“Why is there a hat rack in the control room?”

“What are all hat racks for? Coats and things, of course.”

“But we never use it.”

“Well, it’s for just in case.”

“But we’ve never used it.”

“It’s always been there.”

“So, the way I understand it, you’ve regularly redecorated but you’ve left the rack.”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

“Are you judging my decorating skills?”

“No.”

“You are!”

“I am not!”

“Now, let me ask you something. Does your mind usually wander like this after what we just did?”

“Can’t help it. Didn’t use to. Started with this guy. Very talkative, freckles, sexy as can be.”

“I’m a bad influence.”

“And don’t you forget it.”

“Right then. The Doctor: Corruptor of Young Beautiful Blondes.”

“You like it.”

“Watch it…and yes, I do.”

“It better just be this young blonde only. If it makes a difference, it doesn’t wander during.”

“I suppose. Mine doesn’t either. Often. Much.”

“I know. And I don’t mind. It’s who you are and I wouldn’t change you for the world.”

“Me too.” He pulled her face to his and poured his feelings into his kiss and she did the same. “Let’s go to bed. Not necessarily to sleep.”

“I figured as much. Come on, let’s go let you corrupt me some more.”

“You make it sound like such a chore. I assure you it’s not. Quite the opposite really. Jump on.” He once again piggy-backed her to the bedroom thoroughly enjoying every time her nude body rubbed against his.

Later that night, he let her corrupt him.
________________________________________________________________________

Rose took out her mobile and dialled a familiar number. “Hey Mum! You seem distracted. Is there a man over there?” She laughed at Jackie’s attempt to keep her voice down. “Well, I just called to say we might be swinging by soon. No promises. It’s just that you always complain that we never give you notice. Talk to you soon, okay? Love you! Bye!” She waited for her mum’s good-byes and hung up.

She looked up to see the Doctor leaning against a pillar, arms folded. “What you grinning at?”

“I think it’s time for a history lesson.” He held out a hand. “Come on.”

She was slightly confused as he led her to wardrobe room. Usually history trips required settings on the console and going outside. He excitedly set her down.

“Right then, Rose Tyler, this is my life!” She cocked her head, knitted her brows and smiled. He, in turn gave an exasperated sigh. “You may have noticed, when my face changed, so did my clothes.”

“You don’t say.”

“Oi! My moment. Anyways, hidden in this room is every outfit I’ve worn in every incarnation. I thought you might like to see them. I’ll model and all.”

Her smile was sweet this time. “You know, I think I’d like that.” She was moved he wanted to share this much of himself with her. He beamed. As he started to disappear, he chucked his coat and tie at her.

He emerged in a black suit meant for a man much older looking in appearance than he was. His hands automatically found their way to his lapels. “Now this has to be imagined with thin white hair down to here.” He pointed to just the tops of his shoulders. “Sported some specs occasionally then too. This is what I was when we,” he affectionately patted a wall, “first met., I was a crotchety old man then. Grew out of that.” They shared an easy laugh.

“Now, how many of these has there been again?”

“I’m number ten. Dressed as number one.”

“Got it. I take it you looked older then.”

“Yeah. Problem with that?”

“Not at all. It all helped shape the man I met and am with now.”

“That it did. Next!” He threw his jacket and waistcoat at her and went back in. He returned in tweedy trousers and a jacket that was too wide for his frame. What caught her eye the most though was that his hair was combed into a bowl shape.

“So you were in a bad Beatles cover band or a Three Stooges tribute then?”

“Hardly. I was much shorter tough, so these sleeves were longer. I was a bit of clown then.”

“As opposed to now?”

“Kept people on their feet. Made the sonic screwdriver then. I didn’t actually look to change out of this body. I was forced to by my own people. They erased the memories of my companions and banished me to Earth.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. I wouldn’t have met Sarah Jane then.” He got quiet for a moment then came back to his old self. “Be back.” This time he came back with all the clothes he’d changed out of and tossed them at her.

She laughed as she cleared them away and laughed even harder when she saw him. He looked at her quizzically. She said the only thing that was running through her mind. “Do I make you horny baby?” She promptly fell over in a fit of giggles.

“Rose Tyler! That’s hardly an appropriate question to ask. Even if the answer is yes.”

“You!” She pointed at him.

“What? I think I look quite dashing.”

“You look like Austin Powers.”

“I do not!”

“Put on your glasses and look I the mirror.”

“Dear me, you’re right. Better teeth though. Hair was different. It was sort of salt and pepper, mostly salt. Kind of puffy. Wore a cape and all.”

“That makes it so much better.”

“Watch it. Remember UNIT?” She nodded. “While I was stuck, I worked for them. I was very gadget obsessed then had a thing for cars as well.”

“And you picked up Sarah Jane.”

“Yep. She was with me when I regenerated. Speaking of…” He was nervous this time. She’d mocked something about the past two outfits. He made a pre-emptive strike. “Now don’t have a go at the scarf.”

“Why would I? I love it!” He found her beaming.

“Really?”

“Oh yeah. The hat’s a bit big though.”

“Yeah, big curly hair then. Couldn’t be because my head was bigger back then.”

“Definitely not.” He smiled and shook his head. He unwound the scarf from his own neck and put it around hers. He kissed her nose. “Tell me more.”

“Oh I did so much in that body. Travelled with a savage woman, wouldn’t mind seeing you in some of her old things. Spent sometime with one of my own people, a Time Lady. Got K-9.”

“Were you all Time Lords and Ladies?”

“No, you had to go to university for that. I had so many adventures around that time. Had a stowaway too. Continuing on.” He came bounding back, complete with bat.

“Cricket?” He nodded. “Were you any good?”

“Yep. Don’t think I am anymore. I looked the youngest in this one. Beat the current by a few years. Hung around some moody folk this time. Also had a thing for large amounts of greenery in the lapel area. Not sure why. Anyways…”

“Next?”

“Next.”

She was fiddling with the ends of the scarf when she looked up. “That could possibly be the worst jacket ever.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“You don’t have to look at it.”

“If it helps, the regeneration went a bit wrong then, too. Tried to kill the companion I’d just saved.”

“So, good for me then.”

“You could say that. The hair was still blonde, now curly.”

“To complete the clown look.”

“Stop it! Had bit of a time with my people again this go round.”

“You always attract trouble don’t you.”

“And don’t you just love it.”

“You know I do. So what does that make me?”

“A very lucky lady. Now, I must go change before you can mock me some more.”

“But it’s so much fun!” she called after him.

“What d’ya think?” He struck a pose, brolly in hand.

“I like it. Are those question marks on your waistcoat?”

“Uh huh. Thought it suited,” he winked and tapped his hat.

“Suppose it does. So what were you like?”

“Quite cunning. Sometimes a bit callous. Met a bitter end.”

“Save the wrong planet?”

“Shot by gang members in San Francisco at the end of 1999.”

“That’s kind of sad.” He could tell she meant it. He smiled sadly and nodded before he left again.

“Ooo, velvety. Let me touch.” As she rose he offered her an arm, which she promptly stroked.

“Even if I do say so myself, I was quite handsome. And the shoes fit perfectly. The hair was long, brown and curly. Looked kind of romantic poety.”

“So how many does that make now?” She counted them off on her fingers. “That makes this eight, which means…Oh. This was when…”

“Yeah, it was.” He sat heavily and pulled her down too. He held her hand, needing to feel grounded and she was the solution.

“That means that I met you next.” It was the first time in a long time she missed the old him.

“Yeah. I don’t have to put that one on. Not if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s okay. I can handle it. Remember, I’ve seen you in that with this body once before.”

“Please tell me you changed me. Lie to me if you have to. The though of your mother doing that…” He shuddered.

“Yes, I did. She did volunteer to help.”

“Just stop there.” He got up.

They were both nervous this time. Neither was sure how she would react. He was very self-conscious when he came back out. She just looked at him for awhile. She got up and wrapped her arms around his waist, under the leather jacket. He returned the hug. She surprised herself by not crying.

They stood like that for a long time. She buried her nose into the jacket and just inhaled the forgotten scent. He rocked her and ran his hands across her back. He broke the silence. “I was so damaged and guilt ridden. I didn’t think I’d ever begin to heal. Then I discovered a signal in early 21st century London. I kept finding this pretty, clever, annoying blonde who just wouldn’t let me be. I had no choice; I had to take her with me. She became the most precious individual to me. Not only was I willing to sacrifice myself for her, I did. And I’d do it again. I’m pretty sure she’d do the same for me, though I’d never let her. She’s the most stubborn woman, who’d tell me it’s her choice and she can do what she likes.” He felt her look up at him.

Their eyes said everything they couldn’t say out loud. He leaned down and kissed her. It was incredibly reminiscent of the last time he kissed her in this outfit. Only this time neither one was dying and the universe wasn’t at stake.

“So, what did you wear next?” They laughed. The mood had changed for the better.

“You should know. You’ve taken it off of me enough.”

“That was you? Huh. Are you sure? He’s quite good looking. Though he has the obnoxious habit of talking all the time.”

“You’re cute Rose Tyler. I’m going to change. Wait here.”

“Where would I go?”

He came back in untucked shirt and rolled up sleeves. He lowered himself beside her in the pile of discarded clothes. “So, that’s who I was, you know who I am. What do you think?”

She leaned up and kissed him. He started to press her down when she pulled away. “I think it’s my turn.” She got up and ran off into the depths of the wardrobe.

After twenty minutes he called for her. “Rose…what’s taking so long?”

“I’ll be there. You know for a man with a time machine, you certainly can be impatient.” She yelled back.

“Only when I’m trying to get you naked,” he muttered to himself.

“What’s that?”

“Nothing. Just hurry up.” He got bored and started to pick through his old things. He tried his sixth incarnation’s coat back on and went to the mirror. “It’s not that bad,” he said turning to and fro. He slipped it back off as he heard footsteps.

“Are you ready?” she called.

“Are you?” he retorted.

“What do you think?” She stepped out.

It was an interesting question as he couldn’t think much of anything. He mostly stood there with his mouth open. He took her in from head to toe.

She had plaited her hair along both sides of her head. She once again was wearing one of his ties, which was in a loose knot and one of his shirts, which was tied at her waist and unbuttoned low enough to see the top swells of her breasts. She was wearing the shortest pleated skirt he’d ever seen, it barely reached the tops of her thighs. Her claves were encased in white socks that reached her knees. Her shoes were back and had chunky heels and buckled. Somehow she managed to look innocent and wicked. This was accented by her tongue sticking out between her teeth.

The first truly coherent thought was that he had to have her and it had to be right then. He moved to her and pulled her roughly to him. His mouth assaulted hers. She moaned against his lips as her arms wrapped around his neck. He turned and lowered her slowly to the clothing covered floor, never breaking contact with her mouth.

She pulled away and breathlessly asked, “So, you like it then?” He gave a primal growl from the back of his throat and ground his hips into hers. “Is the school girl thing another universal male thing or is that just the ones who’ve been to Earth?”

He sat up on his knees and lifted one of her legs. “Well, I can’t speak for the rest of the universe, but I, personally, have a Rose thing.” She giggled as he placed a kiss behind her knee. “Now then, Rose Tyler, let’s see what’s beneath this sorry excuse for a skirt.” He almost came undone when he flipped it up. Why the sight of her in tiny, white, cotton panties turned him on so much, he’d never know. He traced his hand over them, pressing where he found them growing increasingly damp.

He carefully untied the knot at her waist. She pulled him back down and he moved an open mouth over the exposed part of her chest. He clumsily tried to open the shirt. He gave up and ripped it apart, sending buttons flying.

“Right then, you are here by banned from wearing my clothes.”

“But you seem to enjoy it.”

“Exactly, I’d like to have some shirts with the buttons still intact!”

“I can’t help it you can’t keep your hands off of me. After all, you are the older of the two of us. That means you should be more mature and restrained.”

“Did anyone ever tell you, you talk too much?”

“I learned from the best.”

He responded by kissing her soundly. She responded in kind. They stayed that way for a few minutes as he idly stroked the inside of her thigh. He moved down her body, taking the time to lavish attention on the spots he knew were sensitive. He carefully removed her knickers, resisting the juvenile urge to put them to face and inhale deeply. He decided that the source would be a much more satisfactory place to explore.

He quickly rummaged through the pile of discarded clothes to find his jacket. She gave him a confused look until he placed his glasses on his nose. “Thought the situation deserved a closer look.” He put her legs over his shoulders as she slipped his tie over her head. He grinned cheekily while she started to cup her breasts.

He nudged his nose into her soft hair before spreading her with his fingers. He gently blew and enjoyed immensely her attempt not to squirm. He planned on taking an extremely long time and making her beg. He was going to exquisitely torture her. Seemed he was off to a good start.

He gave the area a quick kiss and she tangled her fingers in his hair. He licked and sucked, revelling in the noise he was pulling form her. When he felt she was close, he’d pull back.

He stole a glance at her face. He could tell she was torn between wanting to kill him and pushing him back down to finish the job. She chose the later. He offered no resistance. He was about to go back to work when her phone rang.

“Ignore it.”

“Only my mother calls. And only in emergencies.”

“Make it quick.” He didn’t think he could dislike Jackie Tyler any more than in that moment. If she had any idea what he was planning to do to her daughter… The daughter who was currently knicker-free, skirt hiked up, chest heaving, begging for him. Well, she’d hurt him badly. But still, how rude!

“Hey Mum.” Well, she didn’t have to ruin all his fun. He waggled his eyebrows at Rose and went back down. He was just getting back into a rhythm when she shoved him away. “Mum, calm down. Who was this? What did he do? No Mum, we’re fine.” He gave her a look that said otherwise. She shushed him. “Look, we’ll be right there. See you soon.” She hung up. “We need to go. Some bastard named Elton tried to get to us, specifically you, through my mum. We are taking care of this. I need to get dressed.” She got up and headed out.

Right then. Take care of the Elton bloke (possibly turning to violence), calm down Jackie (well, he’d let Rose to that), shag Rose senseless (that was self-explanatory). Good plan. He snatched the discarded tie and jacket off the floor and mumbled all the way to the control room.

They went straight to the flat. Jackie gave them a run down of what happened. “He said he wanted to meet you. There had to be an easier way.” The stayed a bit longer to get her somewhat calm and went back to the TARDIS.

“So, how do we get him?” Her face was determined. He knew that look. That look meant no fun for him until something was done.

“I can hack into his computer; see if that gets us any leads.” He worked while she paced. “Aha! He’s been corresponding with someone called Ursula Blake. They’ve met up a few times with some others. Call themselves L.I.N.D.A. We’ll start where they met.”

They got out and noticed the old library. They heard a yell form the alley nearby. “Come on, I can use the video to see what’s going on.” They ran back to the TARDIS.

“Oh. That’s a nasty piece of work. Wait a minute. I know him. That’s the little boy who lost him mum to the elemental shadow.”

“Yeah, well it doesn’t change what he did to my mum.”

“Alright, we’ll materialise at that dead end. I’ll get out first. Make sure it’s safe. I don’t quite trust that big green thing. Then you can have your say.”

She squared her shoulders and rolled her neck. “Works for me.”
________________________________________________________________________

“That was nice thing you did. Bringing that girl back. Well, kind of.”

“No one deserves to be alone. Not even people who mess with Jackie.” They both laughed. After everything was sorted, they took Elton to apologise to Jackie and let him explain what really happened. He went home, paving stone girlfriend in hand with a sore cheek form a Tyler slap, but happy nonetheless.

Jackie invited them to tea and they accepted. As they said their good-byes, she hugged them both. Rose was surprised when the Doctor hugged back.

After they took off, he gingerly picked at the console. “So, I don’t suppose you want to pick up where we left off.”

“Not tonight.”

“I didn’t think so. I just thought I’d check and see if you…”

”Tomorrow though.”

“Yeah?” He stole a glance at her. She wasn’t looking at him but he could see the gleam in her eyes.

“Oh yeah.” She turned to him. “Tonight, you need all the rest you can get because tomorrow…Well, let’s just say you’re going to get greatly rewarded for helping my mum.”

He didn’t think he could like Jackie Tyler anymore than in that moment. The next day, as promised, he was rewarded. A lot. And he never had to get dressed to have it happen. He decided later, as he was waiting for the feeling to return to his legs, she was getting her own reward with a trip to her near future.