Dreaming of a Blue Box ✧ Doctor Who ¹ ✓

21 - Aliens of London (Part III)

Continuing from 'Aliens of London - Part II'

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WHEN ROSE TOLD LILY SHE'D HANDLE MUM, after leaving for the roof, she never expected the result of it to be a party. Saying that it was 'packed' when the Doctor and Lily returned was an understatement. They could hardly move about the cramped flat- filled to the roof with all of Jackie's friends and their families and their families' families. Foods and drinks were being passed around as they celebrated Lily's return. The moment she stepped in the door she was dragged away from the Doctor and brought into conversations she never asked to be in. She should never underestimate how quickly her mum can get a party underway.

Rose, who was eating some chocolate biscuits off a paper plate, noticed the Doctor alone in the armchair watching the telly intensely- the news on but the sound barely audible from the noisy guests. She decided on joining him and giggled when he shooed away one of Gertie's kids who was blocking the screen with his toy helicopter.

"I'm guessing you know nothing that's going on?" Were the greeting words she chose when she sat near him on the sofa.

"That's what I'm trying to find out." He pointed a finger at the telly and looked at Rose who was munching on another biscuit. "How've ya been?"

"Since you ran off with my sister?" She spoke, trying not to let crumbs spill out of her mouth. "Not so good."

"Sorry." He said in a way Rose knew he was being genuine.

"It's not your fault- you couldn't have known." Rose swallowed her biscuit and held the next one in her hand. "What was a year for us was only two seconds for you and Lils. Mum went ballistic." She twirled the treat in her hand as she recalled the past year. "Wouldn't listen to me at all. And when I tried to tell her the truth, that's when she went after Lily's journals and manuscripts. Made that ridiculous board. And having to sleep in that room." The depressed thoughts that started seeping through made her put the entire biscuit in her mouth. "It's my fault all her work was ruined."

"I'm sure Lily does not think that."

She noticed the way he said Lily's name. "You've gotten close, haven't you?"

"She is incredible." He said in a soft tone while looking over her shoulder. Rose turned to see him looking at Lily herself who was busy looking very tense as she chatted with three of their mum's friends at the same time. All Rose could think when she watched her sister was how much she missed her. The Doctor continued to speak. "We didn't just come back for a visit. We came for you."

Just hearing that was enough to bring her attention back to the Doctor. "Me?"

He snatched the last biscuit from her plate and popped it in his mouth. "Lily brought up the idea and I agreed."

She could hardly believe what she was hearing. "You want me to come with you two?"

He chewed and spoke- not caring for crumbs like Rose had. "I'd love it." He gestured to the telly screen after swallowing. "Right after I get this figured and sorted." With a start and only two seconds later the Doctor exclaimed and quickly stood up to his feet. "I can't think!" Was all he said before hurrying out of the room and through the front door.

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Lily had noticed the Doctor hurrying out and gave Mr. Jeffries an excuse to leave- thankful to end his ever-long conversation about his produce garden. Kind man but he could chat about just tomatoes for hours. She knew her sister was following behind- both exiting the flat onto the outside corridor. When she saw the Doctor walking off she called out. "Hey!" He stopped and turned to face her. She walked closer to him. "Where are you going?