Tempered by Love

Chapter 9 It's Been Too Long

Motoring the idyllic routes along the Thames, it was easy to forget that a driver could turn the wrong corner and find him or herself in a part of London no one wanted to visit. In this part of East London, outsiders were few and none were welcome. Crumbling fences hid crumbling buildings, where both the human and alien communities lived in hope no one would come looking for them. After putting Nelson Wilson in his place, Pete drew the most beat-up car in Torchwood's possession for the drive to East London. Newer vehicles drew too much attention from twockers and gangs looking for an easy mark. This eight-year-old Skoda, with its dented front fender and missing passenger wing mirror, fit nicely in places like Mills Ends Park. Despite its looks, it was sound, safe, and well equipped. He pulled out of the car park with Rose in the back and Katie Hettinger in the passenger seat, all trying to figure out why the slender alien would choose the worst part of town to live and practise.

Pete navigated his way across the city finally turning onto Joseph Street. A crumbling, graffiti marked overpass acted as a signpost for the last stage of the drive. Weedy bushes contained by wrought iron fences, separated vacant lots from the street. During the summer, a person could disappear behind those bushes, their bodies hidden until the leaves were gone. They drove past six-foot brick fences topped with razor wire, shielding the gas works complex from possible terrorists.

Pete turned down an alley between run-down council buildings and found a place to park. He stepped out of the car keeping a wary eye for trouble as Rose and Katie joined him. Making sure the car's security system engaged, he tucked a stun gun in its holster. He'd never shot an individual, but he had no problem stunning attackers on their arses and immobilizing them until the coppers showed up. Anyone trying to hijack the car would be in for a similar fate. The three headed for the littered entrance of the building and made their way to the second floor. Katie gagged at the stench of old booze and urine.

"Guess we should have warned you. Why she left Hackney for this hell-hole is beyond me," Pete said, finally voicing what they'd all been thinking.

"The last time I talked to her, the locals were harassing a group of settlers," Katie answered, "I told her to call you, but she said that they couldn't rely on you to solve their problems. They just wanted somewhere they were less noticed. I didn't think it would be here. Still?"

"Still what?" Pete snorted.

"From what I've heard, she's developed a good reputation helping the local addicts that no one else wants to be bothered with. A social worker has even started a jobs training programme."

"Well, let's hope she would rather see her people than stay in this dump," Rose said, rapping her knuckles on the door.

The willowy woman who answered looked nothing like Rose remembered. For a moment she wasn't sure they were in the right place. "Rose Tyler," she said and then looked to see who was behind her.

Almost at once Rose felt a gentle brush against her mind and knew that this was the right place. "Doctor Mirren, you look different that what I remember," Rose said with a smile. "Um, hi. You remember Katie Hettinger and this is --"

Mirren hugged Katie. "It's been too long, Katie. Mr. Peter Tyler, I owe you much, but why are you here? Please -- come in."

"On this one, I'm just the transportation, but Rose has a couple of questions," Pete answered, stepping into a flat that did not fit the building.

Neat to the point of perfection, Mirren had painted the walls shades of blue and green reflecting a sense of peace. A landscape painting hung over the comfortable couch. Instead of the usual mixture of reds and golds, leaves in various shades of purple covered the hillsides. The painting showed twin suns hanging in the sky. A waterscape sitting on the end table filled the silence with the sounds of a gentle brook. Furniture with simple lines added to the overall sense of peace.