Miles to Go: Fifteen

[wishiknewwho]

Title: Miles to Go
Author: wishiknewwho
Rating: PG
Warning: AF for Angst that Will be Fixed (Seriously, parts of this are gonna make Both look like fluff) Characters: Ten / Rose, OC
Dislcaimer: I don't own Doctor Who and it's probably just as well that I don't because it'd be nothing but hugs and hair ruffling for the foreseeable future.
Spoilers: None really. This is set before Doomsday even.
Summary: And it's all here for you, as long as you choose to stay. It's all here for you, as long as you don't fly away.
Author Notes: This story is the result of many things, but primarily too many rotations of the Death Cab for Cutie album Narrow Stairs, an album about the claustrophobia of growing up and the comfort of giving in, at least to me anyway. All song lyrics are from there.

Big, super-huge thanks to electrictoes and salimali on this one. They beta'ed this at the 11th hour and even kept me company while I wrote. I couldn't ask for two better betas or friends.
The lovely banner and icon were created by corusca.

It’s like my heart can’t be tamed

I fall in love every day

“You Can Do Better Than Me”

 

Rose awoke on Sunday morning ready for adventure. It had been two weeks since she and the Doctor had decided to try to be friends, yet they hadn’t made much of a move toward friendship. They had been pleasant enough with each other when he had come around last Sunday to pick Kira up, but she had declined going with them, still not feeling that she was ready.

 

But today, today felt like a good day for a trip in the TARDIS. She wanted to see a new planet, to be out there in the universe again, instead of stuck on earth like she had been for so many years.

 

She got out of bed and stretched, then made her way to the window. It was a beautiful Autumn day, crisp and cool. She didn’t want to be cooped up in the house while Kira and the Doctor went out. She made her decision. She would go with them.

 

She went to check on Kira; she was fast asleep, the covers tangled around her, her pillow half covering her face. Rose smiled fondly for a moment, then checked the time. It was almost nine. Kira was usually up by then, especially on Sundays, but they had stayed up late the night before watching a film and she was probably still getting her rest out. She decided to let her sleep for a little while longer while she had a cup of tea.

 

She went to the kitchen and filled the kettle with water. While she waited for it to boil, she got out her mug and a teabag. She was just pouring the water when her mobile trilled. She picked it up and glanced at the screen. Jackie.

 

“Hello,” she said, flipping it open.

 

“Hi, sweetheart,” Jackie said, sounding much more awake than she usually did at this time on a Sunday morning. “Are you awake?”

 

Rose rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mum. Just got up a little while ago.”

 

“Oh good,” Jackie said, her voice trailing off.

 

Rose waited for her to go on. Obviously she had called for a reason. She never called this early on a Sunday morning just to talk. When it became apparent that Jackie was not going to talk, Rose sighed. “How was your date with Robert last night?”

 

“It was lovely,” Jackie said. “We went to this sweet little restaurant. They had the best bread.”

 

Rose absently listened to her ramble on, adding sugar and milk to her tea and then taking her mug to the living room. “Mum?” she asked, once Jackie was finished. “Did you call for any particular reason? I’m about to have to get Kira up and ready. She goes with the Doctor today.” She hoped she didn’t sound rude.

 

“Oh of course,” Jackie said. “I just wondered...well I wondered if you were going with them today.”

 

“What?” Rose asked. She hadn’t said much to her mother about the Doctor in the past week or so. She’d told her they were trying to be friends and left it at that. Jackie had backed off, giving her time to think about what she wanted. It seemed that time was over.

 

“You told me that you planned to start going with them sometimes,” Jackie said plainly. “I thought that since you didn’t go last week, you might go today.”

 

“Why do you want to know?” Rose asked. She’d already planned on going with them, but she didn’t want to tell her mother that just yet. She wanted to figure out what Jackie was up to.

 

“I worry about you,” Jackie said. “I don’t like you sitting around the flat moping while the two of them are out.”

 

“I don’t mope,” Rose said, shifting to pull her legs underneath her. She knew that she was lying. “I use the time to get things done.”

 

Jackie called her on it. “You mope and you know it, sweetheart.”

 

Rose sighed. “Mum, I’ve got to go. Kira needs to get ready.” 

 

“Wait just a moment,” Jackie said. Rose could hear some kind of noise in the background, then the sound of a spoon on china. Jackie was making tea, too. “You know that he’s trying, don’t you?”

 

“What?” She knew that her mother was talking about the Doctor, but she had no idea what she was on about.

 

“The man is in pieces,” Jackie said softly. “He wants you back, but he doesn’t even know where to start.”

 

“How do you know this?” Rose asked, feeling her heart speed up and her face get warm; she felt nervous.

 

Jackie hesitated for a moment, and Rose swore she could hear her debating with herself in her head. “He came to see me a few days ago,” Jackie finally said.

 

“He what?” Rose was shocked. She figured that the last person the Doctor would visit would be her mother. Especially after what he’d done.

 

“He did. Gave him a good slap, too,” Jackie said proudly. 

 

“Oh Mum, you didn’t,” Rose said, but she was secretly a little pleased. She hadn’t been able to completely vent her anger at him, but at least Jackie had.

 

“I did,” Jackie affirmed. “No less than he deserved either. Got past that and then we had a nice chat.”

 

Rose felt her breath catch. She wanted to know what they’d said, every last word. Luckily for her, Jackie couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it. “What did he say?”

 

“What do you think he said?” Jackie asked, exasperated. “He wants you back. He’s at his wit’s end, so he came to me for advice. I told him that he was going to have to give it time and that he needed to apologise.”

 

Rose nodded even though her mother couldn’t see her over the phone. “And what did he say?”

 

Jackie sighed. “He said he’d do his best. But he’s impatient as usual. You know how he is, can’t sit still for a minute. He wants you back now.”

 

Rose frowned. “Yeah, he didn’t see us for seven years, now all of a sudden, he can’t wait. Why now?” she asked in frustration.

 

“He made a mistake, sweetheart,” Jackie said patiently. “He’s seen what he’s missing, and now he knows how stupid he was to leave.”

 

“Is that what he said to you?” Rose asked.

 

“Yes,” Jackie said. “He just doesn’t know what to do.”

 

“I don’t either,” Rose sighed. “I want to forgive him, Mum, I really do, but I’m just afraid. What if he leaves again?”

 

“Would you really be any worse off than you are now?” Jackie asked softly. “I mean, if he left today, wouldn’t you still be devastated, whether you were together or not?”

 

Rose thought about that. She’d tried so hard not to let him get too close, but she’d already grown used to his presence again. She looked forward to the few minutes she saw him on Sundays, even when they weren’t getting along. “You’re right,” she whispered.

 

“Then why not try again?” Jackie asked tentatively. “You have to try to trust him again, if you’re going to be happy. And I’m telling you, sweetheart, you’re not happy without him.”

 

Rose blinked away the tears. Jackie was right, but she wasn’t ready to admit that just yet. “Okay,” she said, swallowing. “I think I hear Kira getting up. I’ve got to go.”

 

“You think about what I said,” Jackie told her. “And tell my granddaughter I love her.”

 

“We love you too,” Rose said, then hung up. She leaned her head back against the chair and closed her eyes for a moment. She needed to make a decision about him soon. She couldn’t keep leading him on, and they needed to get things settled between them. They needed to figure out their situation and make it permanent. It wasn’t fair to Kira; she needed stability, something she could count on from both of them.

 

She looked at her forgotten cup of tea, already cold, and decided to go and wake up Kira. She opened her door. Kira had flipped over on her stomach and one of her feet dangled over the side of the bed.

 

Rose leaned down and brushed a kiss over her daughter’s hair. “Wake up, love,” she said, sitting down on the bed with her. “It’s Sunday and I have a surprise for you.”

 

Kira tiredly raised her head and opened her eyes. “Is Daddy here?”

 

“Not yet,” Rose said, combing her fingers through Kira’s hair. She scooted back as Kira sat up.

 

“What is the surprise?” she asked, her eyes brightening.

 

“I’m coming with you today,” Rose said, waiting for Kira’s response.

 

“You are?” Kira asked, her voice disbelieving. Her eyes widened. “You really are?”

 

Rose nodded. “Yep. As long as your dad says it’s okay.”

 

Kira threw herself at her, wrapping her arms tightly around her neck.  “He’ll be so happy. We’ve wanted you to come for ages.”

 

Rose laughed and hugged her back.

 

“Oh, Mummy, today is going to be the best day,” Kira gushed. She pulled away from Rose and stood up on the bed. “I’ve got to get dressed. And you do too.” She pointed at Rose and bounced on the bed.

 

Rose caught her and pulled her back down with her. “Breakfast first, then we’ll get our clothes on. What do you think I should wear for my first TARDIS trip in seven years?” she asked, grinning at Kira.

 

“Something pretty, to make Daddy happy. But something you can run in, because we get in trouble a lot,” Kira said knowledgeably.

 

Rose laughed all the way to the kitchen.

 

~o~

 

Rose frowned at herself in the mirror. The Doctor was going to be there any minute and she needed to be ready. She’d not chosen those jeans because they made her arse look good, definitely not. And it wasn’t her fault that the pink top she’d just bought complemented her complexion perfectly. She was only wearing it because it was new. She wasn’t dressing up for him. She just wanted to look nice for the sake of looking nice.

 

“Mum!” Kira shouted from the hallway. “Are you ready?”

 

“I’m coming,” she said back, putting the finishing touches on her makeup. She didn’t wear as much as she used to, but she still fussed over it like she always had.

 

Kira came into the room and tugged on her hand, dragging her out. “Come on. Daddy’s here. I saw him outside.” She looked back at Rose. “You look pretty.”

 

“Thank you,” Rose said, trying to hide her pleased smile. She let Kira pull her out into the hallway. They’d just made it into the living room when the doorbell rang.

 

“See?” Kira said. “I told you he was here.” She gave Rose a look then went to open the door.

 

“Hello,” the Doctor said, sweeping Kira up into his arms and smiling at Rose. She smiled shyly back.

 

“Guess what, Daddy,” Kira said, wiggling in his arms excitedly.

 

“Oh, I’ll never guess. Why don’t you save my brain the trouble and tell me?” he drawled, tipping her over backwards and making her squeal.

 

“Mum’s coming with us,” she informed him triumphantly.

 

He stilled, pulling Kira upright in his arms. He looked at Rose, his eyes cautious. “Are you really?” he asked.

 

“Yes,” she said quietly, forcing herself to hold his gaze. “If that’s okay.”

 

His face broke out into a wide grin. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”

 

“Can we go now?” Kira asked impatiently, interrupting the moment between them.

 

The Doctor placed a loud kiss to her forehead. “Let’s go. Are you ready, Rose?” he asked, turning back to her.

 

She took a deep breath and thought about his question. “Yes. I am.” She followed them out of the flat and down to the TARDIS. The Doctor set Kira down and she busied herself with getting out her key and opening the TARDIS.

 

“I’m glad you decided to come,” the Doctor said to her quietly.

 

“Me too,” she replied, finding she really meant it. Whatever was going on between them, she was excited to get back on the TARDIS and head off on an adventure, just like they used to. Only now, Kira would be there with her. She couldn’t wait to see her daughter on some far off planet, thrilled to see something new.

 

Kira got the door open and they followed her inside. The Doctor went over to the console and began typing in coordinates and pressing buttons. Rose glided her hand over one of the coral struts, greeting the ship and Kira mimicked her action, trailing her hand right behind Rose’s.

 

“Did you know the TARDIS can get inside your mind?” she asked, turning to Rose. “She makes it so we can understand all the languages.”

 

Rose smiled at her. “I did know that.”

 

The Doctor flipped a final lever and then turned to them. “Rose, Kira. I’m about to put us in motion.”

 

Rose lifted Kira and they settled themselves on the jump seat. The Doctor pressed a button and then they were off. Rose closed her eyes for a moment. She’d been on the TARDIS a couple of weeks ago, but she’d been under too much stress to really enjoy the flight. When she opened her eyes, Kira was smiling up at her.

 

“I’m not scared anymore, Mum,” she said. “I think it’s fun now.”

 

“Good,” Rose said, kissing the top of her head, then turning to the Doctor. “Where are we going?”

 

“Perisus,” he said, sliding his hands into his pockets. “One of the best markets in the Calanius galaxy.”

 

“Are you going to buy me something?” Kira asked.

 

The Doctor tweaked her nose. “I might do. If you’re good.”

 

“I’m always good,” she said, playfully sticking her lip out.

 

“Oh all right then,” he said, sighing dramatically.

 

Rose watched their interaction. She’d always wondered what kind of father he’d be, and now she saw clearly: he loved Kira. And she couldn’t help it, she loved him.

 

They landed, startling her out of her thoughts. The Doctor helped Kira down from the jump seat and she raced for the door.

 

“Wait for us, Kira,” he said, moving towards her. Rose followed closely behind.

 

Kira threw the door open then turned back to them. “You’ve got to see this, Mum,” she said, grinning at Rose.

 

Rose grinned back at her and then took her hand, stepping outside the TARDIS. They were on a rocky beach, and the sand beneath her feet was a deep shade of purple. The waves crashing against the shore were a soft shade of pink, and the sky was a dark orangey red.

 

“It’s lovely,” she said, smiling widely at the Doctor. She took in a deep breath, loving the sweet clean smell of a place that was so different than earth.

 

“Where’s the market, Daddy?” Kira asked.

 

The Doctor looked around him for a moment, the wind tousling his hair. “I think it’s that way,” he said, pointing. He set off and Rose and Kira followed.

 

Rose looked around her as they walked. Kira and the Doctor chattered along, the Doctor telling them about all the landmarks, and Kira commenting on everything she saw. Rose listened to them contently, just happy to be there and thrilled to be on a new planet for the first time in so many years. She’d almost forgotten how much she loved travelling.

 

They climbed up a hill, and made their way to a dirt path that would lead them to the town. 

 

“Are you having fun?” the Doctor asked, turning towards her.

 

She nodded. “I am.”

 

He smiled at her, then turned back to Kira.

 

It didn’t take them long to reach the town, and the market was in full swing when they got there. It was a busy, bustling place with buildings made from an orange stone and the streets paved with a blue concrete-like material. Stalls were set up in every direction, selling all sorts of goods. The square smelled of food cooking, spicy and rich, and even though she wasn’t hungry, Rose found her mouth watering. There were people moving in every direction, and Rose gripped Kira’s hand tightly, afraid of losing her in the crowd. She looked down at her daughter and smiled.

 

Kira’s eyes were wide, and Rose was glad that even though she’d been on several trips to new and strange places, the magic of it hadn’t been lost on her yet.

 

“Daddy?” Kira asked.

 

“Yes?” The Doctor looked down at her with an indulgent smile.

 

“Can we go and look at those?” Kira pointed at a table piled high with colourful boxes.

 

“Oh of course,” he said, taking up her other hand and leading the way.

 

Rose wasn’t sure what to do. She didn’t want to let go of Kira’s hand, still afraid she might get lost, but she felt awkward holding it while the Doctor was holding the other. She reluctantly let go of Kira, but Kira gave her a frown and grabbed her hand again. Rose sighed, but didn’t let go.

 

She followed them to the stall that Kira had chosen. Kira looked over the little boxes, finally picking up a blue one. “What does it do?” she asked the shopkeeper.

 

“Put something inside it,” he told her, smiling mischievously.

 

Kira felt her pockets. “All I have is my sonic. Is that okay?” She held it up.

 

The shopkeeper nodded and Kira put it in the box. He closed the lid and swiped his hand across the bottom. He opened it again and the sonic was gone.

 

“Where did it go?” Kira demanded, trying to get a better look at the box.

 

The Doctor’s eyes met Rose’s and they chuckled.

 

The shopkeeper closed the box and passed his hand over the bottom again. When he opened it, the screwdriver was right were Kira had left it. “There’s a button on the bottom that makes it disappear. Perfect for hiding precious things or tricking your friends. Just five Cerrans.”

 

Kira turned to her father, smiling at him and tilting her head in a move Rose recognized all too well. “May I have one Daddy, please?” she asked sweetly.

 

“Oh of course,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “Do you want the blue one?”

 

Rose smiled to herself. It hadn’t taken Kira long to suss him out. She waited while the Doctor paid for the box, and then she followed them to the next stall. Kira was right: it was shaping up to be the best day.



Sixteen