SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Chapter Thirty Nine After about an hour of practice, they cooled down and got ready to move out. Alan used the restroom and they were off again. The day wasn’t too hot, so the rucksacks didn’t feel uncomfortable on their backs. They left the woods and to their relief, noticed an overpass about a half mile away. Reaching it, they climbed up a steep hill and stood by a road looking around at the restaurants and hotels. “Where do you want to eat?” Rose asked. “Not sure, what do you feel like eating?” “I really don’t feel like eating a burger right now.” “No, me neither. Truth be told, I feel like fish. How about that Long John Silvers over there?” “Sounds good to me.” They looked both ways and quickly ran across the highway towards the restaurant. “Ah! This hits the spot,” Alan said as he dug into his fish and chicken dinner. Rose had gotten a two-piece fish dinner with fries, hush puppies and Cole slaw. Alan’s dinner had two fish, three chicken planks, fries, hush puppies and Cole slaw, plus a large Coke. “Got enough to eat?” Rose said, winking. He shot her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry about this, it’s another Gallifreyan quirk.” “What d’ya mean?” “I know you don’t realize this because the Doctor eats quite frequently, but normally a Gallifreyan eats only about once a fortnight and well…because of that, the Doctor eats more than you do at one sitting because his stomach is bigger. Basically, a Gallifreyan eats a bunch of food, stuffing himself and then it slowly digests over two weeks. But, normal Gallifreyans don’t run all over the universe like he does, so his metabolic rate is higher and he digests food faster, which means he eats more often. Add to that his love of food and the fact that he doesn’t want to be rude and just sit there and stare at you while you eat and he ends up eating a lot more than the average Time Lord. I inherited that, so unfortunately for you and your bank account, my stomach is like a bottomless pit. Add to that my humanity, which means I can’t go a fortnight without food even if I wanted to and…well, I’m sorry, Rose.” “It’s alright. I don’t mind you eating a big meal. I’d rather you did that than starve. You’re thin enough as it is anyway. Just eat what you want.” “Well, just letting you know that since I’m sure you’ve noticed by now I’ve eaten quite a bit.” “I have, but that’s fine. If you have to eat more, than I’ll be happy to get you food.” He smiled. “You are so understanding. I love you for that.” He picked up a chip and fed it to her. As they ate and talked, Alan heard a rumble of thunder in the distance. He looked out the window beside their booth and noticed a storm was rolling in. “I guess it’s a good job we came in here when we did,” he said. “Yeah. You wanna rent a room for tonight if it doesn’t let up?” “Sounds good. At least wait awhile somewhere since the ground will be wet and muddy now.” “Yeah, you’re right. We need to go to the market and get some supplies anyway.” She gasped when a thunderclap rattled the window. “Um…we may have a long wait,” she said as the rain started pouring down. “Well, at least we’re warm and cozy in the meantime.” They ate their dinner, glancing at the window as the rain streamed down the glass. Alan chatted with her, continuing on with the Doctor’s adventures and what he did while she was gone. He was telling her about them being stranded on the ship that was headed towards the living sun, a tale that chilled her to the bone especially when he told her about him being possessed. “I’m so glad the sun left him in the end,” she said. “Yes, so was he.” He then went on to tell her about the Weeping Angels. Rose was dumbfounded. “Wait, let me get this straight. I walk through a sunbeam, I get eaten. I walk through a cemetery and pass a weeping angel; I could get zapped back to the past? Is there anything else mundane that could hurt me?” He laughed. “No, I told you there’s nothing to fear from the Vashta Nerada when it’s tiny particles and now all weeping angels are alive, they just happen to look like that.” “Then how do you tell the difference?” His eyes widened. “You can’t, you just have to trust that the statue you’re passing isn’t alive.” “Gee, that makes me feel so much better,” she said as he laughed. They refilled their Cokes and Alan, having finished describing Martha’s adventures began to tell her about meeting his fifth incarnation and then he went on to tell her about meeting Astrid on the Titanic. Rose listened, spellbound. Tears formed in her eyes when he mentioned Astrid sacrificing himself to save his life and the frustration he had at not being able to restore her. “Poor Astrid,” she said when he finished. “Poor Morvin and Foon and Bannakaffalatta. He managed to save London, but not them.” He squeezed her hand. “Astrid is still alive technically, she’s just stardust. She can travel the universe at least.” She nodded. “And he met Wilf then too.” He nodded. “I didn’t know him long, but he seemed like a nice guy,” she said. Alan smiled. “He is. Donna’s lucky to have him.” “Got a question then about the Doctor meeting the other Doctor, that does happen then?” “Yes, it’s happened several times.” “So, if he wanted to, he could go and visit himself?” He shook his head. “Not voluntarily. It’s either been accidentally or someone pulled the Doctor’s out of their time streams and brought them together.” “So, my other Doctor couldn’t visit the current Doctor unless he accidentally did something to make it happen or someone forced the together.” He nodded. “In fact, the Valeyard did it once; he captured all thirteen Doctors, put them to sleep except for the seventh one and reduced them all to their evil natures so he could power golem slaves to do this dirty work. The seventh Doctor was spared because he locked his conscious mind away in the TARDIS’s telepathic circuits for awhile and when he finally regained it, he was able to defeat the Valeyard and restore history to normal.” Rose’s eyes bugged out. “All of them? Even our Doctor?” “Yes, all Doctors except the seventh one.” “Does he remember being captured and enslaved?” “Which one are you talking about? All the Doctors were involved.” “Our Doctor.” “You mean what were the circumstances surrounding his capture?” “Yeah.” “I don’t know.” “You don’t?” “No, hasn’t happened to him yet and he doesn’t remember how he was taken or what his eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth incarnations look like because it’s forbidden for him to know his own personal future. I can’t tell you what he was doing or any of the Doctors after him. Now, your first Doctor, it happened a few years before he met you. He was minding his own business making repairs when he was suddenly pulled out of the TARDIS by a transmit beam just like you were. He was grabbed by a couple of the golems because other Doctors had already been captured before him. He was dragged to this long, thin glass tube and was shoved inside it. He did see our Doctor beside him, but at the time, that memory was expunged from his mind when he went back. Um, as for eleven and on, they hadn’t been captured yet because there was nothing in the tubes beyond our Doctor. Anyway, he was forced into the tube, gas came into the tube and he was knocked out and that’s all he remembers. Next thing he knew, he was back in his TARDIS in his own time. “God,” she said, “and that’s it? He wasn’t hurt? Our Doctor and the other Doctors weren’t hurt?” “No, no one was hurt in a physical way. Mind you, they got reduced to their evil natures so they could power the golems, but none of them remembers that part except the seventh Doctor who never got put in the tubes. He’s the reason I know what happened next after they were put to sleep.” Rose shook her head, taking all that in to her mind while she munched on a chip. “Poor Doctor, now that’s in his future as well. I’m just glad he wasn’t hurt physically and doesn’t remember anything while he was out.” “Yeah, that’s all that happened to them that time was the capture and gassing and using them as batteries for the golems while they stood in the tubes. And as for me, I can’t see what’s in the last three tubes. I can see bodies, but it’s all hazy and I can’t make out what they looked like.” “So, even if the Doctor doesn’t become the Valeyard, he’s still gonna appear in his future somewhere.” He sighed. “Rose, one thing you have to understand is the Valeyard is not tied down to one time stream. He’s a living thought who can move about at will. Add to that the Doctor’s intelligence within him and the TARDIS that he possesses and he’s really just a loose cannon, going where he wants and doing what he wants without regard for the consequences. He basically just barges in and messes up history and it doesn’t matter to him if the even he’s messing with is fixed or not, all he cares about is his own selfish schemes and in that case, capturing the Doctors and pulling them out of their time streams were just a means to an end. I’m just glad in that instance he was only after the Doctors and not their companions. That’s very rare for him to do that because usually his evil schemes involve the suffering of the companions, which is why I’m concerned about you. I don’t give a crap if he does something to me, but I don’t want you hurt or killed.” He glanced out the window. “Blimey, this is one hell of a storm. I’m glad we thought of coming in here when we did.” “Yeah, me too.” They got up, got another refill and sat back down while Alan continued on with Donna and the Adipose. Rose giggled when he recreated the first time they saw one another again, mimicking the Doctor and Donna’s facial expressions while they mouthed the words to one another. He got to the part where Donna told the Doctor he was going to put the keys in the bin when Rose stopped him. “Did Donna tell the Doctor what happened when she went to put the keys in the bin?” “No, she didn’t. Why? What happened?” “She ran into me.” His eyes bugged out. “You? You were there that night?” “Yes, it was the fist time the dimension cannon took me to the right universe. I got there in time to see the Adipose and I figured the Doctor was nearby so I stood being a police barrier looking for him and that’s when Donna came up to me telling me that Sylvia was gonna come along and get the keys and when she did, I needed to point out the bin to her. But, after she left, I had to leave too because I was only supposed to stay long enough to confirm it was the right universe. I left without giving Sylvia the message. I hope she found the keys.” “I think she did. But, I can’t believe it. You were there?” Rose let out a ruthful laugh. “Yeah, just think, if I had only followed Donna…” She sighed. “I would have been reunited with the Doctor then and there and there and he wouldn’t have been distracted by that damn Dalek later on.” Alan took her hand. “But, if it wasn’t for the damn Dalek, I wouldn’t have been born and the Time Lord/human metacrisis wouldn’t have happened and Donna wouldn’t have been able to rescue us. So as painful as it was to see the Doctor shot, there was some good that came out of it.” She smiled. “Yes, there was,” she said, leaning across the table to give him a kiss. “That’s interesting that you were there that night because Donna never mentioned meeting you. Blast that Donna for not telling the Doctor about the sexy blonde she ran into. What’s wrong with her? Doesn’t she know a goddess when she sees one?” He grinned when Rose blushed. “Can I ask you something?” “Sure.” “Well, after that happened, I told Torchwood I had found the right universe and they saved the coordinates. Then I used those coordinates and tried to get a message to the Doctor. I tried several times and one time I did it, I got the TARDIS monitor.” Alan stared at her, shocked. “When?” “I don’t know. I didn’t see the Doctor, just Donna but her back was turned. I tried to scream out your name hoping she would hear, but I guess the sound was malfunctioning because she didn’t hear me. Then something interrupted the transmission and I lost the signal. After that, I doubled my efforts and kept on trying and the second time I found him, I actually saw him, but he had his back to me and I guess the sound still didn’t get through because he didn’t turn around when I yelled at him and then I lost the signal again. But, here’s my question, second time I found him he wasn’t in the TARDIS. He looked like he was in some kind of train car because I could see seats all around him and a bunch of people, but I couldn’t see any windows, so I don’t know what was outside.” Alan’s mouth dropped open. “You reached him when he was on Midnight?” “I s’pose. What or where’s Midnight? What was he doing?” Alan told her everything that had happened. Rose was in shock. “He got possessed by that…thing…and those nutters nearly threw him out the door?” He nodded. “They couldn’t see that Sky woman was tricking them into throwing him out?” “I think by that point they were so freaked out, they didn’t care as long as it stopped.” He frowned. “But, when did you see him? What was he doing?” “Standing there talking to the other people.” “So, it wasn’t when those video screens were first lowered, since I assume that’s where the signal came through. He scratched his chin while he thought. “He was talking to the other people,” he mused. “Well, blimey, he spent most of his time standing there and talking to them since he was trying to calm them down. So when…wait…near the beginning of it all, those screens did lower and…” His eyes widened. “Oh my God, all he had to do was turn around?” “Yup.” “Oh man, I hope he never finds out about this because he’ll be kicking himself for the rest of his lives. Now when did you appear on the TARDIS monitor?” Rose shrugged. “Donna was just standing there?” he said. “Yeah and she started to turn around before we lost the signal.” “Did she say anything?” “Nope.” “Did you hear anything in the background?” “No, I didn’t see or hear anyone or anything else, it was just her.” “When was that, then? Let me think…Donna alone in the console room standing by the monitor and she turned around just as you lost transmission. Lost transmission which means you had interference from something else. Interference that got Donna’s attention and made her turn…oh, wait…I think I may know when that was.” “When?” “When we were battling these aliens called Sontarans. Donna was alone in the TARDIS at one point and the Doctor contacted her via the monitor, that would explain the transmission loss and why Donna was standing there alone and once again, someone just missed seeing you.” ‘Yup.” “You having a tough time trying to find the Doctor and get his attention, weren’t ya?” Rose snorted. “Got that right. And I remember hearing about the Sontarans because that was also a part of Donna’s reality. I sat with her and we looked up and saw the sky on fire, but because the Doctor was dead, Torchwood ended up doing that and Jack ended up being captured and taken to the Sontaran home world.” Alan was in shock. “Blimey, things really did screw up, didn’t they? Sounds like everyone else had to pick up the slack after he died.” “Well, what really happened then?” Alan told her. “So, Martha also got cloned,” she said when he finished, “and the Sontarans are clones as well. Blimey, everyone has a clone except me.” He chuckled. “I wouldn’t want a clone of you. There’s no substitute for the real thing.” She smiled. “Now, getting back to trying to find the Doctor, I have a question for you now.” “Yeah?” “Where were you before you appeared on that street?” “I was with Wilf and Sylvia.” “The Doctor was trying to find you.” “I know. That whole conference thing on the computer…I watched and listened to all of that.” “Well why didn’t you get in there and say something then?” Rose sighed. “I couldn’t. I was using their laptop and it didn’t have a camera on it because according to Wilf, Sylvia thought they were naughty.” “Oh, for the love of God,” Alan muttered, rolling his eyes. “Both me and the other Doctor has had the worst luck dealing with companion’s mothers.” “I still tried to talk to all of you just in case by some miracle you could hear me. And…I saw Harriet Jones get murdered as well. Also when that Mister Smith computer used everyone’s mobile to dial Martha’s number, I did the same along with Wilf and Sylvia. As soon as I figured out where the TARDIS landed, I hopped over there and…the rest you know.” “And then the damn Dalek showed up.” “Yes, “Rose said, rolling her eyes. He tickled her under the chin. “You didn’t want him to change,” he said, fondly. “No, I didn’t because I love the way you both look. You’re both adorable.” ‘Really?” “Mm-hmm.” “Am I cute, cuddly and fun to know?” “Oh yeah.” “Do I have hair to die for?” “You better believe it.” He chuckled. “Well, I hate that you were frightened. But, like I said, if it weren’t for all that, you wouldn’t have little ol’ me.” “Nope, I wouldn’t.” He batted his eyelashes. “So tell me more about me and why you love me so much. Am I the handsomest thing on the face of the Earth?” She smiled and nodded. “Do you worship the ground I walk on?” “Um…not really, no.” She giggled when he feigned anger. “I believe I wrote in your diary that I am your whole universe.” “Oh yeah, that reminds me, I still gotta erase all that.” She ducked when Alan tried to swat her head. “Rose, Rose, Rose, I guess I’ll just have to work harder at turning you into my fawning slave.” Rose snorted. “Now there’s the Doctor side of ya talkin’.” “Yup, that too comes out of my mouth just like the Noble-itis. I call it Doctor Dropsy.” Rose picked up a cold chip and lobbed it at his head. In response, Alan grabbed a hush puppy and tried to cram it up her nose while Rose tried to stop him. “You want a food fight right here, right now, Tyler? Fine, I have nothing better to do this afternoon than to shove Cole slaw down your throat and squirt vinegar in your eye.” “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Quit before they throw us out in the rain.” She glanced over and noticed the rain had stopped. “Okay, correction, they’ll just throw us out, full stop.” “Maybe we better go now. The sky still looks dark and we should take advantage of the lapse in the rain to find some shelter somewhere.” “Well, do you wanna rent a hotel room for the night?” “I think we better. It’ll be too wet to walk anyway.” “Okay, how about this then? We get a couple more meals to go and take them over to the room. There’s a Holiday Inn down the road and the last one had a mini refrigerator and microwave, so I’m betting they all do.” “Sounds great.” “We can also go to that Wal-Mart that’s behind here and get the supplies and some more snacks and just spend the night in the room relaxing. You need more rest anyway for your ankle.” “Yes, damn bunny,” he muttered. Rose gave him a sympathetic look and patted his head. “Okay, well, let’s get going then,” she said. “Hold on, wait a tic.” “What?” Alan pointed over her shoulder. She turned and looked. “Gotta use the necessary room. See the sign there that says necessary room with the arrow pointing to the tiny corridor? It says necessary room.” “Well, get your ass up and go to the necessary room then, ya wanker, before you wet yourself.” He got up and leaned over to her. “I’ll be right back,” he said in a loud stage whisper. “I gotta go to the necessary room and powder my nose.” Rose put her head in her hands when she saw Alan prance back to the men’s restroom and open the door with a flourish before flouncing inside. “I don’t know about you sometimes, Alan,” she muttered to herself.
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