Back in Time

Rose (Part One)

"Run!"

The Doctor was on fire. He was ecstatic about this new opportunity, one where he got to see the companion that he cared so deeply for, in this universe where she belonged. Rose Tyler was dragged behind him, eyes wide in fear and confusion, and the two ran into a lift. He slammed his hand into the button, and the doors began to close as the lead Auton stuck his arm through the crack. Rose shrieked, and the Doctor grabbed it, tugging at it until it popped off, the doors closing. The Doctor crossed his arms, staring back at a horrified Rose.

"You pulled his arm off!" she exclaimed, and he nodded. State the obvious.

"Yep. Plastic." He waved the arm, tossed the arm to her, then stared ahead. No showing that he knew her already, not unless he wished to scare her off. Time could be rewritten, and this was one point in time he'd rather not rewrite.

"Very clever," she finally managed. "Nice trick! Who were they then, students? Is this a student thing or what?"

"Why would they be students?"

"I dunno.""Well you said it! Why students?" the Doctor stared back at her intently, watching her struggle to put her thought process in words.

"'Cos...to get that many people dressed up and being silly, they got to be students."

He nodded. "That makes sense, well done."

Rose looked proud of herself. "Thanks."

"They're not students." The Doctor stopped smiling and frowned. It was like two minds were battling for superiority in his mind: the one that belonged in this body, and the one that was put into it from the future. One moment his current self was talking, the next his past self managed to get a word in.

"Whoever they are," Rose continued, not noticing his internal battle. "when Wilson finds them, he's going to call the police."

"Who's Wilson?"

"Chief electrician."

"Wilson's dead." Damn. No wonder Rose said no the first time. He was rude in every body it seemed. They stepped out of the lift and walked behind Hendrik's, Rose scowling at him and the news she had just received. "That's not funny! That's sick!"

"Hold on, mind your eyes." He sonicked the lift button, and sparks flew as it was disabled. He walked on, Rose following like a lost puppy.

"Who are you, then? Who's that lot down there? I said, who are you?"

"You ask a lota questions, don't you?" the Doctor said, looking back at her. He had never really noticed before. She frowned, and he sighed. "They're made of plastic. Living plastic creatures. They're being controlled by a relay device in the roof, which would be a great big problem if I didn't have this." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bomb. Rose's eyes widened at it. "So, I'm gonna go up there an' blow 'em up, and I might well die in the process, but don't worry about me. No, you go home, have your lovely beans on toast." He pushed her toward the streets, and a memory struck him. Better keep her interested, then. "Don't tell anyone about this, because if you do, you'll get them killed."