| Deeper | A Doctor Who Fanfiction | COMPLETE |

Chapter 5

 „I'm gonna need you in my office." prompted Pete.

When they returned to the mansion, Jackie was just about to finish cooking. They left the shopping bags in a corner, and the Doctor went to the lounge to Tony.

„How was it?" Jackie, now placing plates on the table, asked Rose.

„It was fine. He threw a fit worse than Tony though." she smiled.

Seeing Rose smile was a rarity these days. Her daughter had been through so much, the only person to ever make her smile like that was Tony. She was glad the two had bonded so much, as Rose would often tuck her brother in and tell him stories of the Doctor. Jackie knew how painful it must be right now. After all, the Doctor had left her behind again. Even if he was actually in the living room. But at the same time he wasn't. Bollocks, this alien life was gonna drive her mad.

„The end of days, that Doctor of yours, I tell ya'." Jackie said. „Does he eat pork?"

„He does." 

„Good, cause otherwise he'd have to starve. Can you?" she pointed at the forks.

„Oh," Rose grabbed them, placing each of them down.

„I love Pete." Jackie then continued. At that, Rose's brows furrowed.

„Where's that coming from?"

„Dunno...Just. I guess. Rose." she finally took a stand, crossing her arms in front of her chest. „He is not the same man as your father, and God knows how much me and this Pete fought. And I don't deem him to be the same man, 'cause he's not. But I learned to love him and his differences. He is never going to replace you father, you know? But it definitely helps."

„Mum-"

„No, Rose. Listen. Some things are worth getting a heart broken for. And Pete helped with it. I just needed you to know that. And whatever happens, I will always be here for you."

Rose stared at her mother in awe. „I know. Thank you."

„I'm gonna need you in my office." prompted Pete, entering the kitchen. „And I love you too, Jacks."

Rose followed him. When they entered, she spotted the Doctor sitting down, his legs crossed and on top of the desk.

„What is this about?" she asked.

„Right," Pete sat on his chair. „Doctor, I will always be in debt to you and the fact that you helped my world. Thank you for that. And I will always be here if you ever need any help, which is why I am doing this." he ruffled through some documents before placing a folder on the table.

The Doctor looked at Rose first, and she shrugged.

„This is a list of some things I need from you before you go out in the world. With Jacks it was easy, but for Rose we had to make a whole new identity. I can't have you going around telling people your name's the Doctor."

„My name is the Doctor."

„And people are nosy. Especially the Paparazzi. They'll go digging for dirt in the most viscious places. The last thing we need is for them to find out you practically don't exist." Pete leaned over to grab the folder back. „So let's get started. Name?"

The Doctor looked over at Rose. „Who would you like me to be?"

„I mean..." she shrugged. „You'll always be the Doctor for me."

Good. Very good. Extraordinarily good. He was happy, more than happy to hear that. Rose didn't want to call him otherwise, and he was glad. It felt as if a stone fell off his chest.

He turned back to Pete.

„John Smith. It's always been my allias."

„Noted. Place of birth."

„Manchester." Rose intervened, laughing. "Lots of planets have a North."

He smiled in return.

Pete scribbled down. „Okay. How old are you?"

„Nine hundred and three." the Doctor replied and Pete stared him down. „Ah. Sorry. Yeah. Let's say...35?"

„Noted. Family. Mother and father?"

„Oh she would hate this." the Doctor chuckled. „Donna Smith and Wilfred Smith."

Rose pursed her lips in amusement.

„Blood type?"

„A positive."

„Great. I'll take care of insurance numbers myself. That's it, thank you." Pete stood up his chair. „I'm famished. Oh wait, before we go. Doctor, I know you had bad history, and I have to tell you, ours is different than yours but.. I'd like you to work for Torchwood."

„Is that a command?" the Doctor tilted his head slightly.

„More like...an offer. Just...think about it. You could keep Rose some company."

-

After dinner and listening to Jackie ramble about her day to day life, Rose and the Doctor were sat on the couch in the living room, enjoying a nice cup of tea. Jackie had put Tony to sleep and Pete had already said his good nights.

There was an awkward silence between the two, with Rose picking at some fiber off her jumper and the Doctor deep in thought.

„You could if you wanted to." Rose finally broke the silence. „Torchwood I mean. You could be of help."

„I don't like carrying a gun." he said. „You know that."

„You wouldn't need to. There are lots of other departaments to choose from. I think we could find you one that doesn't require a gun."

„Is that a promise?" he said, and she looked at him. He had taken the spoon out of his tea and was now licking the extra droplets. Rose watched his tongue, the way it was moving around the metal, mermerized by the choice of play he did with it.

And as if he knew what she was thinking, he gave her a wink, making her look away embarrassed. Get yoursef together, Rose! He's not him.

„I guess dad would put you in research. We kinda need a genius in there."

„So I'm a genius, then?" he leaned back in the couch.

„Not with that attitude, no." she laughed in her cup before taking a sip.

„What departament are you, Rose?"

„Well, you know.. Here and there. Wherever I can help."

„Which means?" he cocked one eyebrow.

„Well...I first started in research. I knew a thing or two about alien tech. Guessed I could be of use." she shrugged, at which the Doctor smiled proudly. „Then, once I used all of my resources, you know.. I moved to field."

His smile disappeared. „You're a field agent?!"