Doctor Who

The Intro

 

Visiting Rose was a chore and a half once I got into London. Three years without a word from her and her mom explains to me she is gallivanting with an alien Doctor somewhere in the galaxy. I’m open minded, it would be awesome if this was true, but alien it did seem a bit strange.

 

“Just a tick.” I watch Roses mother go to answer the door, I have yet to get used to British slang and the like.

 

Being American made things difficult, during a transfer I had met Rose and our friendship grew from there. I nearly spit out my tea when Mickey walked in talking avidly about this Doctor and Rose.

 

“Great I’ve fallen in the nuthouse.” Mickey stops in mid-rant smiling when he realizes it is me. “Hi Mickey.” He flops beside me and starts to ask about home and American living.

 

Before I’m finished Rose comes walking in ranting to a quirky looking individual. He’s wearing a tan jacket, sneakers, brown slacks and a shirt with tie. “No!” I hear her call before the man pauses eyeing us. “Mum…” Rose stops recognizing me. “Saroja!”

 

I am tackled into a hug; thankfully I set my tea aside before she could further kill me. I hear the man muttering something and finally have access to air again. Rose further explains to this man, who I find out is the Doctor that we were best friends during my transfer to England for almost a year. Suddenly she gets this huge grin on her face and I duck into the couch further.

 

“Those smiles equal trouble…” I pause glancing at Mickey. “…for me.” He nods agreeing with me; both of us knew Rose far too well.

 

“No.” The Doctor immediately heads off with Rose following after him. I can hear a muffled screaming match somewhere off.

 

“He knows her far too well also.” I note a bitter tone in Mickey’s voice and wonder if there is more to the Doctor and Rose.

 

“No! Absolutely not…

 

“She’s a history major, loves astrology and you let Mickey come before.” The Doctor lifts a finger to argue and sighs.

 

“So, so and true, but not by choice. No.” He says sounding final leaving me to glance between the pair.

 

I wonder if Mickey has it right and note the Doctor watch me closely, something odd about him and I finally understand the meaning of the word pain. “Rose…what are you doing causing him grief, I don’t plan on gallivanting off with you on…

 

“Why?” there is that whiney tone I can never refuse, Rose has already won over me.

 

“Because he said so.” Rose’s mother intervenes before another argument starts.

 

“Exactly.” The Doctor and Rose stare off before she frowns.

 

With effort I see the Doctor continue his determined look before faltering. “Rose…it isn’t a good idea. It’s dangerous and you know…

 

“She has martial arts training. Besides I want to see Jacks face when we return, it should be interesting. She doesn’t like his type much, give him a hard time and all.” I raise a brow at the suddenly amused look on the Doctors face, clearly aggravating this Jack would amuse him.

 

“Do I win?” With a gruff muttering sigh the Doctor nods. “Yay!” she reminds me of a daffy blonde now.

 

“Win?” I glance between Mickey and Rose’s mom, both look like I just got a death sentence.

 

“I’ll keep your mum up to date.” I glance at her like she’s lost her mind.

 

“No.” The Doctor seems amused now, like he has any difference of opinion. “Rose, no way am I going to go jumping around the space time continuum just because you want me to run off with some…Doctor?” He nods waiting for me to continue. “I have responsibilities and my mom would KILL me.” She shakes her head another of her clever looks crossing her face.

 

“Liar. You’re mum would be ecstatic…besides I’m sure seeing different time periods, alien worlds and flying through the time space thing would be a dream for you.” She got me hook, line and sinker and knew it.

 

“Damn it.” I snip before crossing my arms and pouting.

 

“I win.” She smirks following after her mom leaving me to glower and watch Mickey mutter incoherently about the Doctor.

 

“Mikey…

 

“Mickey.” I correct watching the Doctor raise a brow.

 

“We don’t like each other.” Mickey clarifies before I glance between the pair and wonder if I’m safe.

 

“Not true…we never liked each other.” I giggle, can’t help it with the Doctor’s smug actions and wonder how Rose deals with him so easily, this was not the type for her to like usually.

 

“Hey whose side are you on?” I glance between the pair and then at Mickey directly.

 

“The one that amuses me the most.” I stand wandering off to find Rose and pause hearing the pair start bickering again.

 

I see Rose’s mom is busy on the phone and turn to a familiar magenta room with neon purples, cringing I step in finding Rose settled on her bed and glancing through letters. She waves me over and reluctantly I sit on the edge wishing I had sunglasses. She was always a fan of the bright colors and I was more of a fan of dark and night colors. The colors fit her sunny disposition that somehow wormed its way past my barriers of avoiding her type. Been friends every since the day she took it upon herself to make me feel at home and her mom took me in during the foreign exchange program, I spent way too much time in this room now that I think about it.

 

“You still don’t like the colors, wanker.” I smirk at her amusement before watching her wince turning to her mother and the Doctor arguing.

 

“Does anyone you know like him?” she shakes her head and then points to me as if questioning me. “Don’t know yet, right now I do though.” I grin following her from the room and both of us nearly collide with the man.

 

“Sorry.” I apologize watching Rose raise a brow at me, that annoying energy and childishness of his drives me a bit nutty though I will admit.

 

Rose has me saying goodbye to the others before I even have my wits about me and soon I follow them to a secluded area and to an old fashioned style box, moments later someone emerges from it and smiles before taking notice to my presence. Rose explains that this is Jack Harkness, Captain and in charge of Torchwood. She tells me of how they first met and how really annoying he and the Doctor get when together.

 

“Why do I get the impression you felt outnumbered and are dragging me along for entertainment?” Rose grins before ducking into the phone box.

 

“Who...

 

“Apparently Rose’s best American friend. Not entirely sure myself.” The Doctor soon follows Rose and leaves me there studying Jack curious about each other.

 

It seems we’re having a bit of a stare off, something in me finally gives into his amused smugness. “I’m not dangerous.” I remark stepping past him and following the others, now I know what Rose meant. “Arrogant much.” His hand reaches out opening the booth for me.

 

“I try to be, big ears has me beat.” I raise a brow at his reference and glance into a whirlwind of massive pipes, and something resembling a giant hour glass attached to mechanics of sorts and glowing.

 

“Welcome to the Tardis.” I step into the machine and watch Rose nearly hopping on her feet; she has far too much energy and always had. “Come on, Jack be careful she has a sharp tongue.” She adds watching him about to comment.

 

“Do and I remove yours.” I warn seeing his dark eyes glimmer with laughter before following Rose up to the heart of the machine.

 

I watch the Doctor moving around flipping gears, twisting handles and such while observing the way him and Jack seem to bounce off one another. Rose walks up to my side watching my careful observations, my head tilt to the side. I’m working out something about the way Jack is teasing the Doctor and raise a brow when a slow grin crosses her face.

 

“What do you think?”

 

“Obviously he isn’t straight, bi?” She nods watching the Tardis start to shift in a familiar pattern meaning we were leaving. “I swear if you get me into a threatening situation and I don’t have fun…you’re getting it.” Her smile fades knowing my temper well and then she walks casually over near the Doctor watching him hit the machine.

 

Clearly my interest attracts Jacks interest, Rose is clearly highly amused at this aspect and waits for me to be my usual sarcastic self. I lean back on the chair behind me in the Tardis and wait patiently for the banter to start.

 

His amusement radiates much like the Doctor’s. “Didn’t know Rose had such an interesting friend.” I offer Rose a sidelong glance and notice the Doctor watching with a rather Cheshire like grin.

 

“Not your type, also not interested.” I lean back glancing up through the various structures of the Tardis and note his head tilt, clearly he didn’t expect my way of dealing with him so briefly.

 

I hear both Rose and the Doctor covering snickers at my bluntness and close my eyes; maybe this won’t be so bad. I’m tired thanks to jetlag and let them continue as they always have while I catch some sleep.

 

^^^^^

 

Rose is listening to Jack and the Doctor discuss where they might be headed and walks over watching Saroja curl into a small ball sound asleep, she never could get over how she could sleep in such a small position. Saroja had always been tall and all legs, not to mention using them as a common source of her clumsy nature and her martial arts skills.

 

Long fingers, legs, arms and a very kind compassionate disposition, that was why she had become best friends with her. Despite her distancing during times that bothered her and sarcasm she was great to be around.

 

“She doesn’t seem pleasant toward Jack…not pleasant at all really.” She glanced up at the Doctor at her side and sighed.

 

“Bad break up last time she was here.” Rose noticed his interest and glanced down at her carefully. “Another exchange student started hanging with us, both being American they hit it off well. After she went back to the states they stayed very close, he didn’t live far off and I think they lived together for a bit during her college days. Last I knew he went off on a job and didn’t come back.” She jumped hearing Jack speak behind her.

 

“She’s pleasant enough…who was this guy?”

 

Rose rolled her eyes giving him a look before the Doctor offered a big grin. “I don’t remember really, after he did whatever I made it a point to forget.” She glared down briefly at the floor before jumping at the blue gaze intent on her.

 

 

^^^^^

 

“Darien Fawks.” I offered watching Rose turn red at my sarcasm before she immediately went off to do something constructive. “He worked for the government when I met him; he technically was undercover and took college classes with Rose and me for a while.” I met the curious gazes watching me and waved my hand in a shooing motion. “Run along. Nothing new for me.” I stood wandering around the Tardis to entertain myself while they went about things as usual.

 

I turned harshly when the Tardis moved rather sharply, almost like a crashing sensation and landed bluntly in a heap tangling limbs with Jack Harness in the process.

 

“Bloody hell.” I glance up at Rose’s familiar curse and managed to untangle myself from Jack sitting there dumbstruck.

 

Jack was on his feet in minutes eyeing the Doctor, who casually dusts himself off glancing around with an amused sort of bounce about him. “Wonderful landing as usual Doctor.”

 

“Yes, just peachy.” I climb to my feet ignoring the curious expression aimed at me and then note the grin on both men’s faces. “Rose, changing my mind rapidly.”

 

She grimaces climbing to her feet and gives me a scolding look. I hear the Doctor muttering and turn seeing Jack walk over with Rose and me following behind. For a few minutes we wait and then he turns to us with a curious look.

 

“We didn’t leave London…I should say we’re back where we started, just a different part of town.” I glance skyward at this interesting development and oddly enough felt relief before walking over to the exit and leaving the Tardis, with its other occupants inside.

 

CRASH

 

I land hard on the hard walkway groaning painfully. “Ouch!” I glance up at the grayish sky and consider rain being a wonderful way to end my day so far.

 

“Crap.” That voice is familiar and I immediately snap my eyes open to the painful sound. “Sorry about that.” A hand was gripping my hesitant one and hauling me to my feet. “I’m very sorry about…oh crap.”

 

I glance up into a familiar face with dark eyes and spiked blondish brown hair. “Darien?” he winces at my soft voice, it was an angry tone and one I am very familiar with.

 

“Um, hi Saroja.” I stare at him for a minute, same brown leather jacket black t-shirt and jeans, he looks strangely calm considering the situation.

 

“Um, hi that’s all?” I nearly growl watching him back up a step or two.

 

“Oh crap!” he glances around sheepishly before sighing miserably. “You won’t like the explanation and…I’m in the middle of a mission.” I roll my eyes at his lame way of making up for leaving me without a warning.

 

I hear someone calling to him and then a grunt. “What are you doing partner?” I spot a familiar face around behind Darien and note Bobbi Hobbs’s face turn to shock. “Oh…hi again Saroja.” I stare at the familiar man with balding head and cheap tan suit.

 

“Hi.” It’s forced and clearly Bobbie senses this. “Too busy to discuss something?” I nearly grit out watching Bobbie immediately back up.

 

“Actually he is.” I glance at Bobbie with a death glare from hell. “Just give us twenty minutes; I swear I will bring him back.” I take a breath but against my better judgment nod and watch both make a beeline around me.

 

I hear a surprised sound behind me and glance at a startled looking Rose. She turns to the passing pair and then turns back to me. She raises a brow and makes a strange gesture with her hands before waiting for me to say something. I shrug glaring in the direction that both Darien and Bobbie left in.

 

“You’re just letting him go like that?”

 

“Who?” Jack exits staring at the distancing pair and then back at Rose and me.

 

“It appears so. Bobbie knows better then to try to escape my wrath.” Rose glances at me with worry before poking her head back inside the Tardis and then walking over with me.

 

“How long?”

 

“Twenty.” Jack glances between us and then offers a small smile. “What?”

 

“You’ve got good taste…” Rose covers a grin watching Jack glance behind us. “…Really cute and nice bum too.”

 

Despite my not liking Jack Harness much that gets me laughing, I can already see Darien’s strangely embarrassed face and him stepping behind me for safety. I can’t help but laugh at the images and Rose isn’t far behind.

 

“What exactly did happen?”

 

I stop laughing and turn to her; she can see that she should have let it be. I cringe at her blunt ‘don’t hide it’ look and glance around where we’re at. I point to the small café across the street and hear the Doctor exit muttering softly. It’s clearly going to be a few minutes and I watch him return before both Rose and Jack follow me to the café.

 

Its a few minutes after I get some green tea that I eye Rose with intensity. It had been a long time since I kept anything from her, this being something I had sworn I would never bring up to anyone ever again. After Darien had disappeared on his missions, I had shut off all dating and men in general. I had really cared for him and grown to trust him fully, now he has shown back up and I can’t discuss my anger with my best friend.

 

“Happened.” Rose glances up at my soft voice; Jack at least has the decency to be concerned by my tone. (I may have misjudged him a bit.)

 

Rose tilts her head inquisitively at my tone and I offer a wry smile. I consider what did happen and wonder if Rose will kill Darien when he gets the nerve to show up or not.

 

I glance up at the ceiling at the white swirls and around the tan and white café. “We were living together in his apartment for a long while. I got sort of tired of him always having to work, we rarely got time together and his boss didn’t see my existence fit. Darien was always classified in the sense of his job. When he did get time off, it was never there.” Rose met my lowered eyes with intensity.

 

“He never got time with you.”

 

“We never had time period. We got so we were silent to one another, rarely saw one another. Hell we were just roommates living our own lives. I got pissed one day and walked out…” I stop there knowing what comes next is bad. “…he came to find me, explained we would discuss this together. He went on a mission and that was it. I haven’t seen him since, until today.” I glare hard at my tea; Jack takes the cup from my hands before I crush it.

 

“He just let you go.” Rose glances at Jack and sees his almost hard gaze.

 

“Correction, chose his job over me.”

 

“What happened to the close quirky people I knew?” Rose groans miserably and glances up at the clock, her eyes widen briefly before she glances from the café, and sure enough Darien is wandering back arguing avidly with Bobbie Hobbs. “I think you get your answers now.”

 

Jack stands and exits the café followed by Rose. “Good luck!” he offers before I notice him follow Rose’s lead to talk with Bobbie.

 

“Good luck? He’s got to be kidding.”

 

“Who knows, maybe I need it.”

 

“You do.”

 

I grumble staring at the table in defeat; sarcasm seems to be the way I live anymore. I hear hesitant steps come into the café and wonder if confronting him in here is the best idea. (I have a tendency to yell when mad.) I’m very angry not surprisingly and watch him sit across from me with a wary expression on his face.

 

“What happened to we will discuss this together?” I glower noting him order coffee before sitting up looking serious.

 

“You were getting hurt; I thought disappearing would be best.” I give him a look and notice him wince. “Alright, so I left things the way they were because…lame.”

 

I nod in agreement with where this is going. “Did you actually care?”

 

“Yes.” He lowers his gaze thoughtfully to the table. “You still kept it even when the official was so worried.” I glance at him with a rare small smile. “Why?”

 

“I care, cared.” I make it a point to keep this on the ‘why’ part.

 

“Cared?” He notices my look and recoils. “Alright I was stupid. I should have kept my word; I couldn’t just let you keep getting in the middle of it all and getting hurt.” I stare down at his tattoo and see that it’s still fully green.

 

“How’s that part going?” he glances down at the tattoo and smiles faintly.

 

“Cured. I stuck with the agency because it’s better than being a thief.” I stare at him funny and he realizes elaboration is necessary. “Claire.” I nod in understanding glad that the quick silver madness issue is over with. “I’m here looking for Arnaud.”

 

It had been a while since I heard that name.

 

“We had a lead, he’s gone now though.”

 

“Why?”

 

He had been good at steering this conversation south, but I wasn’t through yet.

 

“You are…were the one. People I care about tend to get hurt.” I eye him scrutinizing him for some sign of a lie, unfortunately or fortunately depending, I don’t find a lie.

 

“Shit.” I glance out seeing Rose is avidly talking with the Doctor and realize it’s probably about time to head out. “I think I’m going to have to go.” I start to stand and feel a hand catch my wrist. “Rose and her friends are waiting…

 

“Who’s the guy with the dark hair?”

 

“Bi-sexual and seems to have a thing for Rose’s friend.” I can see a hint of irritation in his gaze, at least he still cares. “Darien, I need my wrist.”

 

Reluctantly he releases his hold, he stands to follow me and I can feel his gaze in my back. He’s thinking I can almost hear the gears working in his mind. Outside Rose is bouncing on her feet in excitement before seeing I hadn’t resolved a damn thing with him. Her smile fades and she glances at me puzzled.

 

I smile softly at her worried expression and march into the Tardis, I ignore the curious look Darien offers and wave. It appears we aren’t meant to be at the moment, or ever. I sigh seeing the Doctor eyeing me with curiosity before he ducks out to find the others.

 

 

^^^^^

 

“You wanker!”

 

Darien glances at Rose with a risen brow annoyed he hadn’t settled things with Saroja. Bobbie is eyeing them with curiosity and watches Rose closely. He feels the same way, Darien could have handled things better and he has this urge to make his partner take some time off, lots of it.

 

Darien glances skyward at Roses evil look. “Rose, please don’t.” he glances up seeing the Doctor join the conversation; he finds the man odd and is intrigued briefly.

 

“You my friend…messed up.”

 

“Thanks for the obvious Bobbie.” Darien turns staring down where they are supposed to meet up with their team. “We need to…

 

“Don’t you finish that sentence. You’re going to help mend a broken heart!” Darien jumps when Rose is in front of him finger nearly on his nose.

 

“No.” the Doctor turns to go into the Tardis and is stopped by Jack who has a familiar grin on his face. “I still say no.”

 

Rose turns arguing with the Doctor again, Darien eyes Jack closely and recalls what Saroja said. Feeling slightly uncomfortable he glances at Bobbie and wonders exactly how outnumbered he really is. He watches Jack and the Doctor go back into the Tardis giving Rose an intense look, worried she’s going to clobber him.

 

“Bobbie, this bloody sod is taking some time off.”

 

At her tone of voice Bobbie doesn’t think arguing is wise. He’s given instructions to explain the reasoning and knows that Claire will help him in this matter. Once all is situated Darien eyes his partner leaving him with the wolf so to speak. Remarkably Rose is quite strong for a small girl and easily yanks him with her into the strange box.

 

Inside Darien is floored at what he sees and turns to the strange noise of the Tardis taking off. Rose heads of the Doctor who starts to argue over their recent addition and Darien is surprisingly led off by Jack. (He isn’t overly sure of him though.) Jack proceeds to explain away his confusion, not that Darien isn’t easily convinced of weird things, but this is a bit much by his standards as well.

 

“Rose Tyler. Come over here.” I nearly growl watching her argument with the Doctor stop, he appears highly amused at my irritation and shoos her off.

 

It isn’t like the Doctor can do anything now, but perhaps this could be entertaining.

 

Rose stops me before I get the chance. “You two were far too happy for me to just let this go. It wasn’t his fault if he wants to protect you or whatever.” Apparently Bobbie filled her in briefly on some things. “Work it out?”

 

“Cold day in hell.”

 

“Right then, twit.”

 

I raise a brow at her remark before watching her disappear to what I assume is a costumes section. Against my better judgment I glance up watching Darien avidly moving his hands in a fashion of confusion, I smirk seeing Jacks smug look and note Darien suddenly stop turning sharply to walk far away. “Jack did something.” Rose walks up to speak with Darien who easily dodges her and makes himself comfortable far away from all of us, he then stares up through the fixtures of the Tardis clearly surrendering to the issues at the moment.

 

I feel someone sit beside me and turn to glance at Jack. I smile slightly despite his smugness that seems to annoy me and glance over at Darien. He apparently gets my drift and grins.

 

“He’s easily embarrassed.” I wait for the punch line to come. “I implied you have good taste and remarked he was adorable when mad.” I giggle seeing Darien turn at my laughter and make a face before scowling. “I think you two will work it out.”

 

“Don’t hold your breath, blue isn’t a good color on you.”

 

“Red isn’t yours either.”

 

“I know I’m red with irritation, I can’t help but be angry. Go away.”

 

With a smart aleck bow he does just that, joining the Doctor in discovering our next big adventure. I briefly wonder what kind of worlds and times we will discover.

 

Two hours into our big adventure there is a lot of silence, I get the feeling its due to Darien and I avoiding each other and trying to fix things. Rose has prodded both of us several times, Jack a couple of times. (At least he has me.) I note with amusement Darien is very uncomfortable around Jack Harkness at the moment.

 

I glance up surprised to see the Doctor standing there eyeing me closely. “Being childish isn’t always useful.”

 

“You aren’t?”

 

His grin is so strangely amusing and irritating at the same time. “Sometimes. It’s effective on occasion. I don’t like the fact Rose has made it her mission to bring you both along; it amused me for someone to annoy Jack other than myself. Rose Tyler is very sneaky when she finds it necessary. I can’t guarantee both your safety.” His serious tone makes me consider Darien’s hidden talents and I meet the Doctor’s eyes carefully.

 

“Darien isn’t what he seems either Doctor.” He regards me with a slow smile briefly crossing his face.

 

“I gathered that, I noticed something odd about your friend…” I sit up straighter wondering if there is something to his observation. “…when Jack implied he was ‘adorable when mad’ it seemed that his hand became rather transparent…unless I was seeing things?” I suck at lying and can see it won’t work with the Doctor.

 

“I’m not at liberty to confirm or deny that.”

 

“I gathered as much.” Glancing up I see Darien wave Rose off before standing and proceeding to march out direction. “It seems Rose is very persuasive?”

 

“Do you wish for me to answer that?”

 

I see that my sharp tongue only amused him further; I was beginning to doubt I liked him at all. He leaves me to stare at Darien who halts a few feet from my side; doubtfully he walks around and sits on my opposite side. I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, he appears so frustrated at the moment and I can’t help but smirk.

 

“She’s laughing at me.” His dark eyes narrow in my direction, I allow my smirk to broaden and wait for him to say something smart. Instead of gracing me with a comment his eyes are fixated forward, jaw clenched in a familiar annoyed way.

 

Finally the silence breaks with another less than amusing movement from the Tardis. I land rather conveniently on Darien and glance down at the slow grin crossing his face; apparently his mind is elsewhere at the moment. I roll my eyes purposely placing my hand in his chest forcing him to grunt when I stand.

 

“Crash again? Do you know how to drive this bloody thing?” I am surprised when I revert back to British slang and turn to glower at Roses amused giggle.

 

“Yes.” The Doctor watches Rose move quickly to the exit and then back again with a big grin. “It’s Christmas back in the Victorian era.” I glance at her and make a face; I hated cold weather after catching the flu with her for three weeks during a snowball fight.

 

“Ick.”

 

“I’ll keep you warm.” I elbow Jack watching him chuckle seeing Darien sidestep his path quickly.

 

“More like keep Darien warm.” Rose mutters watching Jacks grin broaden at her comment and snickering when Darien turned red glaring at her.

 

“Oh brother.” I glance at the three individuals playing match maker and giving us both a hard time. “I wonder if I should have stayed with your mom. It would have meant avoiding him and this.” Darien glances at me with an offended look before I follow Rose off to make myself appear like I was in that time.

 

“Thanks a lot.” Darien is shooed off by the Doctor making sure Jack keeps his distance.

 

A short while later I’m in a dark blue outfit, Rose in green and Darien appears looking strangely nice in a brown number. Jack and the Doctor are already situated, not like they fit the period but I don’t argue.

 

Once outside the Tardis the cold air hits me and I shiver glaring at Rose who giggles tossing snow in the air. I give into the fact it is pretty and just like a Dickens novel, Darien glances up at the flowing snow and brushes it off his suit eyeing me with an evil expression.

 

Splat

 

I hear a muffled curse and turn watching Darien wiping snow from his face. “Ha.” I eye Rose and watch the Doctor sift the snow in his fingers. “I hope you catch a cold.”

 

“You’ll more than likely do so.”

 

“Good, I’ll give it to you free of charge.”

 

“Thanks a bunch, lovely to argue with you to.”

 

“Children!” Both Darien and I turn to the interruption watching Jack grin at the interruption. “I think the good Doctor found something…

 

“The snow is tainted with some sort of residue.” The Doctor sifts through the snow some more watching Rose and Jack take in a closer examination of the powder in his hand.

 

“Oh crap.” I eye Darien seeing that he’s quickly wiping it from his face and glaring at my smug smirk. “Not funny at all.” With that he splats snow in my face.

 

“Prick.”

 

“Wankers, now pay attention.” Rose turns’ watching the Doctor conveniently start off in a direction into town and quickly follows with Jack at her heels.

 

I watch them for a minute glaring at Darien before running after them. I hear him muttering along behind me and wonder why he had to come along. I find a patch of ice and pull a quick recovery sliding into Jack, who I turn catches me before we both crash.

 

He smiles down at me before I let out a breath.

 

“Thanks Jack.”

 

“No problem.” I note Darien’s dark look aimed at Jack, even being Bi gets Jack into trouble with him. “Mind the ice patches.”

 

I watch Darien mimic him with sarcasm before dusting at my cloak; I smack away his hand giving him a look before following the others. We all pause outside an inn where I sigh making a face at some off key carolers.

 

The Doctor and Rose move up the stairs past them and wait for someone to answer the door. I notice lights resembling the aurora borealis and tug on Jack coat. Glancing in the direction I point he makes a curious face before calling to the Doctor. Rose and I are left with a frustrated Darien while the two wander off to find the source.

 

“The Aurora isn’t unfamiliar.”

 

“The way it…well, the Doctor finds it odd.” Rose watches me eye the phenomenon with interest. “He still cares.”

 

“Not the time Rose.” I watch Darien sifting snow in his fingers trying to figure out why it interests the Doctor so much. “Yes?” his dark gaze steadies on mine; clearly he’s intent with what is going on.

 

“It feels filmy, more like ash.” I watch Rose talk with the innkeeper of the place we’re left outside of and reluctantly stare at his findings. “Clear?” I nod watching him closely.

 

The particles of snow vanish with a silver flash and moments later return dissolved and grainy. His theory of them being ash seems accurate; it’s not an ash that you find in this kind of mass. (Unless you’re in the middle of an active volcano.)

 

Despite our issues I allow my fingers to trace the odd particles in his hand, the familiar touch reminds me how much I still care and how hurt I truly am. The grain is almost rocky, gritty and from a careful tip of tongue test it’s salty.

 

“Are you nuts?” he jerks the grain from me and grabs my hand. “You don’t know if that’s safe.” I hear The Doctor return and see him eyeing us carefully. “Is this safe to taste test!?”

 

A smile indicates I’m safe from what the Doctor has gathered. “She’s fine; she won’t like what she’s sampling though.” I don’t even want to know and indicate silence when he starts to explain.

 

“All I need to know is its organic and salty.”

 

Rose laughs at the amused expression on his face before watching Darien stare at the particles. I’m sure something is going on now and recall the Doctors warning, maybe it is time to resolve the issues Darien and I have with each other.

 

“Rose this way.” The Doctor halts before turning to Jack, Darien and I. “Jack you know your own methods, love birds on your own. If you find anything we’ll meet here in a half hour.” Rose doesn’t like the idea of leaving her friend behind and makes this known while the Doctor tugs her along.

 

“I dislike him, that’s it.” I nod sure of myself before turning to the inn. Luckily the Doctor does well with all the possibilities of his travels and I walk in booking us a room to work in. Two rooms and single beds around, a great way to make it like when Rose and I hung together.

 

I watch Darien glance around the place suspiciously, his eyes follow ever possible danger and I remember just how dangerous his life is. I may have overreacted but it still hurt to be pushed aside, I was able to handle myself when needed. A couple laughing together annoys me and I turn to the common room staring at the massive tree.

 

Darien was giving me one of his agitated looks when I turn ignoring him. Glancing around the common room where Christmas candles and decorations are prominent I remember things from the past I would rather not. I wasn’t as forgiving as Rose and the others hoped, I hated being hurt and he did a good job at that.

 

I’m aware of him coming to my side, I move toward the large window watching the ash snow fall. “Please tell me this isn’t worse than what I’m used to?” I try to ignore his attempt at conversation, sadly that is a question I would like the answer to also. “Saroja?”

 

I keep my focus on the ash snow and wonder if I dare answer. Rose didn’t mention the dangers I could be faced with, Jack was also silent on those matters. The Doctor did mention that he couldn’t protect me and I told him that with Darien I would be safe, I still had faith in him despite the whole mess we seemed to be in the middle of. I turn seeing his expression is intense and those dark eyes are focused intently on me. I realize directly looking at him still stirs those feelings and I regret facing him so easily.

 

“I honestly could tell you…” I see his curious look and know that he is reading me rather well; I’m not going to let this go. “First I have no clue what your job or life was like when we were together, I respected that because of your wishes and that your boss clearly hated me as it was. Secondly…I just met the Doctor and have no clue what kind of messes he is capable of finding, Rose was vague because she knows me very well and I didn’t get a damn manual on this whole Tardis and travel with the Doctor.” My sarcasm is lost on his unreadable expression, I wonder if I pushed it too far with him.

 

I watch him turn to the ash snow landscape, his dark eyes lower intent on his hands before he glances directly at me.

 

“That isn’t fair.” I give him a look and attempt to argue that, but am stopped. “I didn’t have a choice when we were together. I had to do as they asked; I may have hurt you with the madness or worse. Arnoud and my other enemies may have used you against me and there was no way my boss would have let me do anything. I couldn’t…” he surrendered, he knew that no matter what explanation he gave me I would still be hurt and that he couldn’t change.

 

I could see him contemplating more of an explanation; he knew though that it was useless because I was hurt and not stupid. He tucks away his hand quickly; clearly his emotions are going out of whack and making him prematurely go invisible.

 

His focus is on other parts of his anatomy hoping that they don’t turn too. “You didn’t come back after things were sorted though. You didn’t fight and yet I was stubborn and unfortunately not brilliant enough to move on, I waited for two years and still was waiting.” The past tense probably stings him, but I’m more focused on pain at the moment and can’t help my words.

 

I hear familiar voices and glance up seeing Rose and the Doctor have returned from their expedition into the weirdness of ash snow. She is busily brushing away the snow making several faces when she all but rips it out of her hair. I again am glad I didn’t ask what it was made from after stupidly tasting the ashy snow. She looks livid or at least frustrated and nearly falls in her attempt to the common room on some stray water; she immediately tries to warm her hands by the fire and purposely eyes me with a forced smile.

 

Jack still hasn’t returned and the Doctor seems intent on thoughts before walking into the near empty common room and getting himself some of the guest tea. Rose appears interested in Darien and I, but I shake my head in warning and finally spot Jack return looking far less amused than the others had. The Doctor seats himself staring intently into the flames, sipping his tea and appearing completely in his own world.

 

“Anything of relevance?”

 

Jack shakes his head almost angrily watching the Doctor’s expression. I wondered if anyone had noticed how quiet things were considering the holidays. No children romping in the snow, most people remaining inside during the snow storms and the lack of conversation or happiness present in the inn.

 

Rose turns suddenly and has a curious look on her face. “I don’t get it.” She seems even more bothered than before.

 

The Doctor glances at how she’s staring at me intently, I know that look and wonder if this is going to work in my favor. I realize that the Doctor is waiting for her to continue or one of us to say something.

 

“You’re smart…” Rose watches my eyes widen and smiles softly. “…opinions?”

 

I internally cringe watching all eyes turn to me, I hate being on the spot and the sudden attention that I receive for it. I see Darien slowly smirk, he knows exactly how thrilled I am at this attention, he remembers and knows more about it than Rose did.

 

“Nowhere to run to baby, nowhere to…”

 

He stops with a grunt after my elbow promptly stops his bad rendition of a good song. It appears that this is noticed and is amusing to the Doctor and Jack both. Rose observes me make a face before turning to see the painful look on Darien’s face and grinning.

 

“It’s quiet.”

 

Rose raises a brow giving me a look. “That’s it?” I shrug ignoring her incredulous look. “You’re big theory is it’s quiet and how is that…

 

“Brilliant!”

 

She stops turning to the Doctor’s familiar exclamation, Jack seems interested in this and watches my curious look. Darien is near my shoulder almost breathing down my neck; I ignore this aspect and slide a hair closer to the amused looking Jack Harness.

 

“Brilliant? Doctor are you delusional by chance?” despite feeling rather good about doing something ‘brilliant’, I feel totally bewildered.

 

“No, but I am quite intrigued by Rose’s acquaintance with you…” now I am thoroughly baffled by his comments. “…you manage something wonderful and act like I’ve lost my mind.”

 

“I think you have.”

 

“Not exactly Darien.” Rose slowly grins watching the Doctor rush to the large window. “It’s quiet…” he waves his hand around like a professor and I’m suddenly feeling nostalgic about my school days. “…no parties, celebration, children in the snow, no sign of holidays at all. It’s almost ghostly in a sense.” I feel the hair on my neck prickle; I don’t like this at all.

 

Naturally Darien has a witty comment to introduce in this conversation. “There’s a problem with the ghost theory…there are people.” I slap his arm seeing the Doctor give him a narrowed eyed look, almost sarcastic.

 

“Are there?”

 

“I’m so confused.”

 

“I sympathize; he does take some getting used to.” Rose wraps her arm with mine after sneaking around Jack and offers me an encouraging smile. “Just a tick! You mean that these aren’t people around us?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“They aren’t real people Darien.” I offer mockingly.

 

“I smacked into one.”

 

“Hurt much?”

 

“Thanks for being so concerned.”

 

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

 

“I’m not.”

 

“Oiy.” Rose easily covers his mouth and gives me a look while the Doctor and Jack appear to be investigating what few people actually are in the inn. “You two need a bloody room.” She marches off after our missing group.

 

I can’t help but stare after Rose, I realized right then that despite my issues with Darien I was acting so overly childish it was scary. “Damn.” Disliking my discovery I started to go after her and was halted by a hand on my wrist. I glance up seeing him giving me one of those ‘we’re talking’ looks, which I easily decide against and yank my wrist free.

 

I don’t want, need or feel the urge to talk. I decide at this point that there is too much between us for me to forgive or forget. We would deal with it this way until Rose allowed me to leave him back in London. (Maybe another planet.)

 

“ROSE!”

 

I feel a strange tingling and observe Darien making us both invisible on reaction to what he’s seeing. Apparently the people are solid, but not human in the sense we are used to. Jack is shot and left for dead, while Rose and the Doctor are promptly dragged off. I’m relieved he won’t endanger Rose, but seeing Jack dead and so bluntly kind of sucked.

 

I brush at the silver dust remaining from Darien’s quick silver and walk slowly over to Jacks body. “Crap.”

 

I ignore Darien’s comment, I feel strangely calm and angry. “I was just getting too used to him too. He was fun despite making you so amusing.” I eye Jack at my feet and sigh. “Rose…”

 

Darien glances at me from my crouch. “We better find her…and that Doctor so we can go home.” I lift my eyes and meet his gaze.

 

“How can you deal with this so…HOLY SHIT!” I yell falling back when Jack sits up suddenly examining where a burnt hole ‘used’ to be.

 

“Oh crap, he’s alive!”

 

“Ah, explanation later…” Jack moves his hands in a strange fashion, Darien looks lost and I feel my heart return to normal. “…where…

 

“That way.” I indicate the direction the Doctor and Rose were sent off to. “I’m going to kill Rose myself…if she isn’t already dead.” Melancholy thoughts aside I find myself lifted to my feet and glance at the arms still lingering around my waist.

 

Jack starts off halting in his steps and turning suddenly. “They didn’t get you two…how?” I consider the possibilities behind Darien’s answer and wait for him to explain his way out of this one.

 

“Didn’t see us.” Jack seems content with Darien’s answer and again turns.

 

Partway out through the back of the Inn again Jack stops he turns again gently guiding me aside and lifts a gun point blank at Darien’s nose. I feel my eyes widen and attempt to catch his arm; he easily pushes me aside and switches the gun to the other hand.

 

“Jack don’t he’s on our side!” I nearly shout watching his gaze tick back and forth between Darien and I.

 

“Those specific individuals had detectors that would not let heat signatures through; you both should have been found. He’s some sort of alien and I’m not sure…

 

“I’m a human experiment.” Jack stops eyeing Darien with his head tilt to the side.

 

“What?”

 

“An American group called the agency and my brother gave me a gland, I go invisible.” I feel my mouth move like a fish before watching Jack lower the gun. “I would say the whole story now, but it could get me in a whole lot of trouble and her to. Being alien I don’t think you plan on broadcasting it across the universe, universes, whatever.”

 

“Darien!” He ducks reflexively and I wince hearing a blast watching a woman go flying backward into the tree. “Shit…what the hell was that?”

 

“Trouble.”

 

I didn’t argue with Jack and watched Darien grab my hand before we both followed the good captain out into the ash snow. It was dark and the snow seemed to be thickening, feeling it hit my face I didn’t like how my skin crawled and remember the not wanting to know part. I stop in my tracks nearly colliding with Darien and Jack both, Jack indicates silence while scanning a dark grouping of alleyways

 

I knew I would regret this but naturally I had to know. “Jack…” he glances at me before we move out again. “…what is this anyway?” his amused look fades and he eyes the snow on our clothes.

 

“Organic.” I give him a look seeing Darien slowly meet his gaze and look green. “There are alien races above us in a ship using…

 

“Oh no way.” Darien didn’t want to hear anymore, Jacks look already answers my question when I notice how squeamish the man beside me is.

 

“Humans as a source of fuel, the snow is the ashes that remain and those things masquerading as ‘human’ are?” Jack locks his weapon at his side and eyes me surprise in his expression.

 

“Robot toys…how did you…

 

“She’s smart.” Darien offers gagging when he brushes a thick patch of snow off his arm. “I don’t think I like this anymore than what I do.” I smile slightly; regardless of how this is working out his discomfort somehow makes me feel better.

 

“This is sadistic sounding but I’m glad you don’t feel so hot.” I turn catching up with Jack and hear him rushing to keep up behind me, I smirk hearing him muttering unfriendly words behind me and know that this might have been a good idea after all.

 

Trampling through ashes of former residents of this world makes me feel guilty, I feel like I’m violating some grave or right for them to rest in peace. We suddenly stop again within a mass of shadows and a large block of buildings; they appear like they are all connected somehow.

 

Jack stops both of us and gives us some brief instructions, I don’t like to stand around when there’s danger but he did make sense. I lean against the building in the shadows and watch him disappear off somewhere. I feel tense and worried; in fact I proceed to argue with myself in my head over the situations at hand.

 

“Saroja?”

 

I don’t answer lost in my own world of arguing.

 

“Saroja!”

 

Jumping I give Darien a look before feeling myself pulled backwards into his grasp and watch the quicksilver again disguising us both. I breathe in relief thankful he had more sense than I had, I watch humanoids leading Rose and the Doctor past. I feel Darien’s grip tight on me and watch Jack appear from the shadows, even if he does get them free, there’s nowhere to run and Jack again will appear dead.

 

Before I can argue Darien reaches out grasping Roses hand and pulls her in the shadows with us. Shrieking she grips the Doctor tightly and soon they too are invisible. I plant a hand firmly over her mouth stopping questions and watch through the strange altering of my vision the Doctor use some sort of glowing object and help Jack with disarming the robot things.

 

“Come out wherever you are?”

 

Darien chuckles watching Rose dance around waving at the silver particles falling at her feet. The Doctor seems interested in them and fiddles with them through his fingers before a sort of comical grin comes on his face.

 

“Now that is brilliant…how exactly does this happen?” he turns watching Darien shrug starting to explain what he could about the gland and leaving me to a wide eyed accusatory glance from Rose.

 

“I’m your best friend and you didn’t tell me?”

 

“His secret to share, not mine.” She slapped me for the trouble and hugged Jack glad that we were all still in one piece.

 

“Still…twit.” I smile, its easy to see when she’s starting to forgive me. “What are we going to do?” she turns to the Doctor who is interested in the ashes problem again.

 

Suddenly the Doctor goes into a very confusing explanation and makes everyone eye him strangely. “Right then…we can’t help what is left of the town with those detecting rays, so we need some way of…

 

“You need someone to get inside.” I for once don’t like where this is going with Darien and feel sick inside.

 

Rose goes to my defense immediately noticing my sick look; Jack takes notice to the change in my skin color and catches my shoulder before I fall backwards. Darien is too interested in the pair fighting about his voluntary comment and where it would get him.

 

“It is the only way Rose.” The Doctor seems so sure, his tone indicates that this is so serious he can’t do anything, Darien would be on his own.

 

“No.”

 

I turn walking past Jack and slowly make my way back the alleyways toward the Inn. We are leaving; there is no way I will let Darien do this.

 

^^^

 

Rose watches her leave rather startled. Jack notices Darien stand there stupefied before finally getting the hint and running after her. While the two stare after the pair the Doctor can’t resist a weak smile, he knew that was all it would take and expected that precise reaction.

 

“Brilliant.” Rose turns to his soft whisper, her head tilts in confusion before she glances back at her two friends. “Rose…I may need you and your friends help.”

 

“Are you kidding? She’s liable to kill you, probably bloody take out both your hearts.” He notes her surprise and smiles.

 

“She will have to catch big ears first.” Jack remarks watching the Doctor turn readying himself for a clear path, he hopes that Darien will get this plan to work with success.

 

“For his sake he better be bloody fast, I hate to say this but no matter who I’m friends with…if he gets hurt…we’re both screwed.” The Doctor decides for her safety he will leave of the fact he can’t guarantee Saroja’s safety, even if Rose would be very cross with him.

 

^^^

 

I slip into the shadows and watch Darien run by, before finding some hidden ice and landing harshly on is back. I wonder briefly how the hell the ice can develop and then realize that it might just be some way of the ship disposing of the human liquids after using them for fuel.

 

“Oooh crap.”

 

I smile in any case at the familiar phrase. I realized when the Doctor had dropped his little suggestion that it meant his life, my life in a sense, I still loved Darien Fawkes very much.

 

Glancing up at the ash filled sky he makes a face at the snow. “I know you’re around here!” I ignore his comment keeping in my safe haven, at least I know he won’t go off and do something stupid if he can’t find me. “I will, will do it with or without your ok or whatever you wish to do.”

 

My smile fades; I hadn’t expected that out of him. I was accustomed to him complaining over jobs similar to this and now he was ok with it?

 

“Please come out.” Silently he hopes that it would work, he wants to try and resolve one thing before doing something so final, he has a feeling it isn’t a great idea to mix up with the Doctor in instances such as these.

 

“Please?”

 

It’s feeble, but it gets my reluctant attention. “Why?” I didn’t realize I managed that aloud and finally his gaze lands on my hiding place.

 

Realizing my error I with great unwillingness step out slowly into the pale light, he sits there for a long minute before managing to get to his feet. Carefully he avoids another splat on the ice and watches me closely.

 

“You can’t.”

 

I realize how hopeless that sounds and cringe.

 

“I have to and you know it. I do this type of thing for a living.” I tilt my head at his tone; I never did realize how hard his job was and how difficult I was being now until then. “Can we try to work this out?”

 

“So you can die?” I nearly choke ignoring the sentimental feelings I have suddenly.

 

He makes a face at my blunt phrasing; I was never subtle about things like this. Almost hesitantly he walks over moving a hand out in an offer of truce, I eye his hand like it’s some sort of plague and meet his dark gaze.

 

“I know I’ve been stupid…I won’t die, I just want to try and fix this, us.” I smile wryly at how sure he sounds; I get the feeling after the Doctor’s warning this isn’t the best of promises to make to me.

 

“Somehow I don’t think the Doctor can save us all.” I wince at the blunt thought, I hated when my mouth would work before my brain did.

 

Darien glances back where he left the others and then at me. Instead of giving me a choice he catches my hand and pulls me a few inches from his chest and cups my face in his hands, I can’t help but meet those dark eyes.

 

“He doesn’t have to save us all. I just have to save myself.” Before I can argue further his lips are lightly against mine and then he releases me to the world, turning to run off.

 

“DARIEN!” he stops turning back and smirks one of his cocky I win smiles. “Please be careful, I might consider giving you another chance!”

 

I watch him talk with the Doctor before disappearing in whatever direction the man thinks he should go. I catch up to the others and find Rose wrap me in a sisterly hug, her arms loosely around my shoulders before she stands next to the Doctor and Jack.

 

“I still think I’m right…” glance at Jack and see that telltale smile. “…he’s cute, sharp wit and crazy too.”

 

“You have no idea…I just hope that he’s as sharp as he thinks.” I give the Doctor a hopeful look but I can see an almost sad smile, Darien is truly on his own now.

 

I know he’s on his own, but I also remember just how good he is at what he does. (That doesn’t help, he was a horrible thief to begin with.) Rose can see my concern and regards me carefully before turning to the Doctor. I hear a brief conversation which I tune out, the familiar argument and finally a defeated sigh.

 

“I think I can manage with your help, we’ve done it before.” I eye the Doctor’s strange almost scolding expression and see Jack seems pleased after their brief argument. “Ten minutes to make sure he doesn’t kill himself and then we’re going to have to do this with or without.” I watch Jack run off in the direction that Darien had gone off to. “You don’t have much faith in him do you?”

 

I shake my head. “Its not the faith, it’s his grace which in some cases isn’t the best. How do you think he got caught and mixed up with the agency to begin with?”

 

I was starting to get used to the strange Doctor and he was starting to grow on me, not to mention amuse me in his own fashion. I was surprised when Rose grabs my arm and we’re off among the dark buildings again, I realize in that instance this is far from over and we have our own share of work to do to save the human race.

 

Ten buildings later and me being highly tired, we stop outside a very gloomy large and reeking building. I gather this is where the fuel exerts are dropped, I’m not so sure I want to see how this place works and reluctantly follow the pair in.

 

Rose nearly shrieks when a body falls at her feet, blackened and bloodied. “Rejected for some reason…odd.” I give the Doctor one of my disbelieving looks at how calmly he takes this very not so calm situation.

 

“You are far stranger than you appear.” He grins at my understatement before leaving Rose and I with the body.

 

Rose reluctantly steps back into the shadows away from the body and eyes me with a sad sort of smile. She knows exactly what I’m feeling judging by her expression and I really don’t care to discuss this at the moment. She gently touches my shoulder forcing me to give into my reluctance and meet her gaze.

 

“You get used to some of this after a while, it isn’t always bad. You wouldn’t believe the wonderful things I have seen.” I offer her a small smile, I can only imagine what she has seen and clearly not all of it was pleasant. “You still love that blighter don’t you?”

 

I sigh hoping the Doctor didn’t get hurt or worse. “Unfortunately and that menacing Doctor had to make me realize it the hard way…I’m not sure whether I should hug him or punch him out.” Her stifled giggle indicates she’s glad to have me along even though things are odder than usual.

 

“I have a thought.”

 

Both of us whirl stifling startled shrieks, there’s the good Doctor examining a strange silver box with black almost what I would call geek glasses. Rose appears thankful to see him and then annoyed with him. I smile at her reaction, I am starting to see why Mickey hates the Doctor so much and wonder if the man even knows that Rose is most likely in love with him.

 

“This controls the feed of fuel, if I can get this reprogrammed…

 

“We can save the rest of the town’s people.” Rose finishes with one of her mischief filled grins; I already know this is bad news for me.

 

BANG

 

All of us duck at that watching sparks flying from somewhere above us, something has gone wrong with the fuel generator while filling up the spaceship above us. I can only think of one reason and wish I hadn’t.

 

Rose sees my face fall and knows that, that could have been the end of Darien. Jack would survive but Darien sadly had only one life to give. She tried to reach out to me, but I ignored her and watched the Doctor snap shut the silver box, before she could argue with me I took the box and snuck easily around the crates and other things lining the walls of the building.

 

^^^

 

“Rose don’t”

 

“But Doctor she’s my best friend at least girlfriend….I can’t let her just do that, you promised…

 

“Your safety, I can’t promise hers and you know this. I’m lucky I’ve kept my promise to your mum and myself this long.” She seems shocked before glancing down at her wringing hands, that was something she hadn’t expected.

 

“Bugger it all.”

 

Reluctantly she stands and starts after Saroja. The Doctor stops her even if she would be upset with him and starts to pull her off somewhere safely.

 

^^^

 

“What the hell am I doing?”

 

“No clue.”

 

Ignoring my argument with myself I dodge past several of the robotic people and nearly smack into one, it appears deactivated until it suddenly turns toward me.

 

“Shit.” I turn sharply diving into the boxes and nearly smack into the control panel the doctor had indicated. “Dumb luck, but it works.” Slamming the box into place I skid under the robots legs and charge off.

 

Two more head me off and I briefly wonder if I’m getting out of this one alive. I use my leverage and spring into a flip boosting myself with the robot I had just kicked over, they felt just like actual human beings and made me shiver on my way past another grouping.

 

CRASH

 

I wince landing among a pile of limbs and realize I’ve landed within the clutches of one. I get the impression my dumb luck has run out. I hear another explosion overhead and duck the sparks and flying pieces of what I assume is either building or ship.

 

“SAROJA!” I glance up at the sound and see Rose halt halfway around a corner the Doctor pausing with her. “GET UP!”

 

I glance up above and see more of whatever about to squish me like some sort of insect. “Oh hell.” I manage to roll and start to my feet, unfortunately my friend below me grabs onto my ankle and refuses to let me loose. “Let me go!” I hiss jerking sharply and failing.

 

I start to go backwards and feel something solid catch me. “Hang on.” I see Rose kicking furiously at the robot latches on my ankle and find myself jerked sharply. “Rose, it isn’t working.” I realize the Doctor is trying to jerk me loose.

 

“Bloody hell let her go!” Rose stomps hard finding it useless again. “I won’t leave her Doctor.” I sigh glancing over my shoulder and motion him back.

 

“You will if this doesn’t work.” I warn watching her give me one of her warning looks. I turn sharply seeing the Doctor offer a curious look before I use his shoulders and yank, I manage to land sideways, but I’m finally loose. “Ouch.”

 

“Clever.” Rose grins hauling me to my feet and the three of us dodge sharply into a heap off to the side, I hear a squish sound and see what would have been me if I hadn’t been loose. “Doctor, I think we better go.”

 

“The house is crashing down.” I glance up at the offered hand and see Jack standing there covered in black whatever and looking worse for wear.

 

I don’t ask seeing his soft smile and take his hand, we all bolt for the door hearing more explosions above us. A rather blunt explosion sends us all flying into a huge pile of ash snow, we all disappear among the white substance and I listen to several more explosions overhead.

 

“Darien.” I close my eyes trying to fight the emotion I know will be coming and continue to focus on the thunderous noise above us and the ending of one really bad adventure, I wished that Darien had been left behind, I would have at least been able to hear that cocky remark of his when I returned.

 

I glance up out of the snow ruffling it from my hair and see the others slowly appearing from our cushioned sanctuary. I fling clumps of the stuff from my body and manage to fall with a little less grace than usual down the mound and land at Jacks feet. He offers me a hand to my feet and I continue to brush the stuff from my person.

 

I turn hearing Rose muttering while the Doctor is busily dusting himself off, his expression is a cross between dark and almost sad. Rose yelps hearing another of the remaining explosions and crashes harshly into the snow.

 

“Bloody hell…” she stops eyeing me curiously before realizing her landing wasn’t quite as soft as she would have expected. “…the wanker lives.”

 

I turn to her comment and watch the Doctor lift her from a soot covered worse for wear Darien Fawkes. Jack looks as stunned as the others, I just smile and watch him manage to climb to his feet.

 

“Quick silver…I don’t get fried.”

 

Regardless of the weird looks or his reaction I run causing both of us to disappear into a snowbank. I ignore the laughter above us and meet that soft smile, I am so happy to see him in one piece for just a minute I nearly forget what has happened in our past to anger and hurt me so. (just a minute though.)

 

“You scared the shit out of me!” I slap him and manage the scramble back out of the snow and hike to my feet. “I am not the type to forgive that easily, but if you ever do that again I swear…

 

“And I had expected it to work better than that.” I turn seeing the Doctor offer Rose a strange look and watch her shrug turning to follow Jack and him back to the Tardis.

 

“It’s Saroja…sometimes she’s worse than mum.”

 

The three walk ahead of us while I go into a full blown argument with Darien again. In a life and death situation it was necessary to give him a bit of hope, but now that I knew he was well and good I was far from done with him yet.

 

THE END