Born of Fire (Doctor Who AU)

Chapter 5 Stuck on the Slow Path

"Wow," Daniel said when he followed Pete into his office. "I was expecting ultra modern like Yvonne's office. This is all...."

"What?" Pete said moving to his desk.

"Posh? Gentleman's club?" Daniel offered, walking around.

A holographic screen took up wall space behind a burled mahogany desk. Stacks of files, family pictures and a plasma screen monitor occupied the desk space. One piece of alien tech sat in the middle giving witness to Pete's dual role in this world.

Daniel let out a soft whistle. The laid back man that padded barefoot, in jeans, at home transformed into a well-organised businessman at work. Daniel glanced at the door to see if Jackie had followed. How about that, he thought, when she hadn't, there is actually a boundary Jackie doesn't cross.

"I suppose, I never thought of it as either." Pete waved him to a chair then joined him. The change in the man's demeanour made Daniel a little nervous. He crossed then re-crossed his legs whilst drumming his fingers on the chair arm. Silence hung between them for a long moment. He half expected a black-clad guard to show up. Instead, a young woman walked in carrying a tray with two cups of tea and biscuits. He ate a biscuit whilst Pete read a note tucked under a cloth.

Pete finally met his pensive gaze "Sorry. Unfortunately, you weren't the only excitement last night. Just needed to see what our extraction team brought out with the remains of an alien that was found in Merna."

"Merna?"

"It's a village on the coast of France."

Daniel sat up a little straighter. "What kind of alien?"

"We don't know. "Rose didn't think you'd want to help us. I told her, I didn't think it would be a problem. It seems you may actually get to earn your paycheque if you feel ready?" Pete smiled.

"I'd love to help. I did it before -- he did it before -- for U.N.I.T., not Torchwood."

"U.N.I.T.?"

"It was a branch of the United Nations military. Went by the rules a bit more than Torchwood did. They handled investigations and such. Torchwood wanted to own things, destroy things, commit murder. Rose said this one is different. It is different-- right? "

Pete sat back and folded his hands behind his head. "I'd like to think so. We try to solve things without the sledge-hammer approach. "

"Good, that's good." Daniel flashed the Doctor's self-assured grin at Pete.

"Right. Well, when we're done here, you can go down to the autopsy room. They did manage to retrieve a few things from the crash site. You can look at that too."

"Right, sure. Happy to. I love a good challenge," Daniel replied.

Pete chuckled. "I'm glad, Now -- to business." Pete handed the stack of papers to Daniel. "The first few papers are your employment records with Torchwood. I had my secretary go through and replace every reference to the Doctor with your name. When you are in the field, your code name is Tripper One. Rose is Timberwolf. Look through them and memorise them, since someone might refer to a situation we gave you credit for. Daniel, I understand that you don't want to work full-time for us, but have you thought about what you want to do when you're not working for us?"

Daniel traced a finger over his name. It was silly, and he knew it, but the sight filled him with pride. "Yeah, actually, I have. I'd like to teach. History or science -- physics maybe? It might take a day to get caught up on the differences between this world and back home, but I think, I'd enjoy teaching. If it's alright, I'd like to see the countryside, maybe take pictures of what's different. This world is Earth's parallel, but it isn't an exact duplicate. Just like there are differences between the Doctor and me, there are differences between this world and that one. For instance, Britain's monarchy has given way to the presidency, and you lot never had World War Two. Issues with the Middle East don't seem as extreme here."

"Sounds like you spent some time on-line last night."

"This morning actually. I wanted the computer last night because it popped in my head, but now -- I want to catch up. But, I guess, the first thing I need to do is find a house."

"No -- the first thing you need is a lesson on your accounts, and how they work. Rose said that you were a bit rubbish when it came to money."

Daniel's left brow arched. "She would say that, wouldn't she. The TARDIS always provides me with what I needed." He tugged his ear when the mistake sunk in. "His TARDIS always gave him what he needed. Now Donna keeps track of every dollar. She keeps a list of what things cost. Maybe a bit of her talent got zapped into my head."

"Let's find out." A buzz interrupted them. "Okay, thanks," Pete said to the mike of his earwig. "Harold is on the way up. We need to get you a birth certificate and a passport. Have you thought about your parentage?"

"Um, Yeah, I figured that out in your garden. John Smith was my father. and Donna Noble Barrow was my mother. They never married. It started as a one-off, but then it got tricky. I did find a reference to a Donna Noble here. She actually had an affair while married, and they both died in a road accident. There wasn't a lot on him, but Donna had a child, and she listed John Smith as the father so, I thought we'd slip in a few added facts. I added Ulysses for John's father and Verity for his mum. Other than losing both parents, Donna's family is the same. Her grandfather Wilfred Mott is still alive."

"Why change Donna's name?" Pete asked.

"I can't risk anyone questioning my lineage. I didn't have access to a database to make sure there's no one running around with the name Noble. The list of Barrows is practically non-existent. The only reference for the name ended with Lumic's attacks."

"We can run a complete background check on both names, construct your life story, and then give you a heritage that goes back as far as possible. Since you've decided to sound Scottish,--"

"I didn't have a choice, I just woke up that way."

"I'm sorry. Anyway, we can plant the records in one of the villages tore apart by Lumic's monsters. One, Allt nan Clach, outside Edinburgh is our best bet. With all the village records gone, survivors never returned, so about a year and a half ago, we bulldozed what remained and put up a marker."

The whole idea made him uncomfortable. It felt like a betrayal of Gallifrey, Daniel rubbed an invisible spot on his knee and flicked away an invisible piece of lint "Well, seems we have a place to bury the story, doesn't it. I can help implant a few memories along the way, I suppose. No, I can't do that, can I? I'm ramblin' again. Um, what about the house?" He tucked his tongue in his cheek and shifted his gaze to a drawing on the wall. "Tony's quite the artist isn't he?"

Parental pride filled Pete's eyes. "Yeah, he's gonna be famous, someday, As for the house, I know an estate agent. I'll make you an appointment for this afternoon. Let's get Harold in here. You should know, I'm docking your pay cheque two thousand quid. I didn't expect you to buy out Ribaldi's."

"Yeah, sorry. I suppose we did let Howie get a bit carried away. It was hard to say no. Most of it, though, was the camera and computer. Pete, when we're done, I'd like to see Rose. Maybe, take her for a walk."

"Sure, her meeting should wind down about eleven. We'll be done by then. I'll have my secretary tell her to come up."

"Good. That's good," Daniel said with a nervous smile.
A disembodied voice interrupted. "Mr Lincoln is here."

~~

Outfitted with his first documents of this world, Daniel walked out of Pete's office two hours later.  Without psychic paper, he had to learn to carry proof of his existence. To that end, his brand new wallet contained a driver's license, a credit card with a limit set at a thousand pounds, plus records for his current and deposit accounts. A passport, already stamped with trips abroad for scientific investigations, graced the inside pocket of his jacket. A lanyard identifying him as a Torchwood employee hung from his neck.

He stopped and leaned against the wall with the realisation of how absurd it all was. I'm stuck ... as a ... human --forever. Well isn't that wizard, he thought. He sucked in several deep breaths against the rising tide of panic down. He might never see his stars again, travel off - world or visit whoever, whenever he wanted again. The idea made him physically ill.

This was made all the more daunting by going to work for an organisation that would want to dissect him in the other universe. Don't be such a prawn, Donna's voice shouted inside his head.

Before he could fall further into a bout of fatalism, the lift doors opened and Rose stepped out. An overwhelming desire to grab her, and plunder her mouth chased the demons away. Her face gave him hope she felt the same. He felt a certain amount of pride when he managed to calmly stride toward the woman who'd held his thoughts most of the morning.

His grin broadened when she quickened her own steps. Seconds later, he tucked her safely in his arms, nuzzling his chin across the top of her head. She mumbled in pleasure when he kissed the top of her head. Then she stiffened and pulled back as if the sound of one heart reminded her that he wasn't her Doctor.

"How do you like my clothes?" he asked, making sure to turn around to hide the hurt.

"You look great -- and you smell good too," she said, her tongue pointing out a little to make the point that she approved. She reached up to tousle his carefully combed hair. "There -- perfect," she finished.

"Yeah, thanks," he answered as he ran his fingers back through. "So how was your meeting?" He didn't miss the look of disappointment flickering in her eyes.

"It was fine, I know Pete told you about the extraction team. And-- since you have that brand new Torchwood ID, I can tell you without having to shoot you," she said with a cheeky grin.

"Good, tell me while we go for a walk. I need to get out of here for a while -- breathe real air," he said slipping an arm around her waist. The last few hours away from her were harder than expected. The weight of her body against his side filled a missing hole in his soul. Her scent made his heart beat faster. The promise that he'd made to himself was getting harder to keep by the minute. Other than an occasional question about the ship's condition, he let her chat as they made their way outside.

Fresh air greeted the two as they walked out the double doors leading to the employee's garden. Daniel found the area surprisingly pleasant. Cobblestone patios under large shade trees broke up the expanse of green. Large urns with flowers provided the picnic table with a sense of privacy. "Nice," he murmured as he pulled Rose close. "Pete must try hard to keep his employees happy."

"Yeah, he does. It's important to him both sets of workers have a place to chill out. It's not so bad -- once you get used to it -- being here, I mean."

From her tone, Daniel didn't believe her. She led him to an area far enough away from a group of people eating their lunches so that they wouldn't be bothered. Daniel looked around before he pulled her behind the tree. She leaned back, feeling the roughness of the bark. When she smiled her tongue tipped smile, his own broadened.

"I missed you," he whispered. "You were the last thing I thought about before I went to sleep. Even dreamt about you."

"Yeah? Was it good -- the dream I mean?" The dreamy expression in her eyes encouraged him to lean closer.

"I thought so. I don't think most of it was entirely proper." His eyes darkened with lust. He felt that odd warmth again.

"Where were we? In the dream I mean," She asked huskily.

"On New Earth, on our first -- your first adventure. I could smell the apple grass -- the smell of your hair with that shampoo you like. The light scent of perfume. It was all there ... in my dream."

"Yeah." She breathed a little heavier.

He noticed that her pupils had dilated a little, the tips of her ears turned pink. For a second, he could swear birds were singing around them. When he leaned in to kiss, she didn't duck. He kissed her forehead.

"I meant it on the beach --" he whispered, "when I said that I love you. I do. I want you to have everything." He kissed one eye closed, noting he'd made her breath hitch.

It didn't scare him when warmth in his groin intensified. Her eyelashes fluttered, tickling his mouth when he kissed her other eye. She tipped her head encouraging him to go further.

"I love you," she said softly.

He hoped that he did it right when he kissed her mouth. He could taste the cherry flavour of her lipstick, revelled at the way her soft lips felt against his. His heart pounded in his chest. This was so much better than the dream that had faded into panic. His fingers weaved through her hair as he pulled her face close. His lips brushed against hers, and then he kissed, just lightly at first. When her mouth opened to him, the kiss deepened, their tongues danced against each other as his arms wrapped around her, pulling him as close as possible.

"I want everything to be so perfect for you," he whispered when they broke.

"Me too. I want to spend eternity with you, Doctor." She breathed the words almost like a prayer.

That name stabbed his chest as effectively as any knife. The effect on his ardour was as good as any bucket of ice dumped on his head. When he pulled away, confusion and disappointment filled his mind, the hurt reflected in his eyes.

"My name is Daniel Ulysses Barrow, and I love you. I can say it while he never can and never will. I am not his shadow or his copy. I am me, and I have my own thoughts with my own dreams, and my only dream is to spend my life with you. I need to know, Rose. Am I ever going to be good enough?"

"I'm sorry, I am." Tears welled up, her voice shook.

"Yeah, me too. We should go in. Pete is bringing in an estate agent to help me find a proper house, and -- I... promised to view that alien."

"Daniel? You have to understand," Rose sobbed. "I've tried for years to get back to him. I am so --"

Daniel stepped back and shoved his hands deep in his pockets. "You have to understand, Rose -- I have lost everything. But you. The only family I know is inside the TARDIS. The closest thing that I have to a mother is either dead or has had her memories completely wiped. Either way, she's gone. For all intents and purposes, so is he. You, at least, still have a family. Blimey, you still have someone to yell at. I have -- a mirror. That's who I get to yell at when I bollocks things up -- a mirror. Maybe," he said, drawing a deep breath through his nose, "maybe, we both do really need a little time to adjust to all of this, hey?" His eyes stayed glued to a spot slightly above her head, the effort to control the gut-wrenching hurt and keep the disappointment from his voice, failed completely.

Rose stared in disbelief then, slipping past him, turned on her heels and fled for the building.

The words, I love you too, Doctor physically hurt. Daniel walked in a tight circle pulling his fingers through his hair unsure of what had just happened. He stopped, contemplated smashing his fist into the tree, but just rubbed the back of his neck feeling impotent. Donna, with her Chiswick accent, yelled words like dumbo, prawn and space-boy inside his head. He glanced up in time to see his Rose disappear inside the building. His heart clenched.

Now he knew now why he was so angry at the Doctor. Not only did he abandon them, he'd managed to reach across the void and tear his fragile existence apart. Two things were plain. First, he hated the man and two, there was nowhere to run.

Daniel blew a harsh breath. If he was going to be stuck on this rock, with stupid apes then he'd make them all sit up and notice. He cast a quick glance around the courtyard. "Time to move on. I will make you proud, Donna," he said too soft for others to hear.

By the time, he walked back into the building, he felt re-energised with a sense of purpose. The guard cast a suspicious glance in his direction, prompting him to wave his ID. The simple act improved his mood. Once he submitted to the retinal scan, the lift doors slid open. Logic dictated the autopsy room would be either above or below the medical floor. A grin crossed his face when he punched the button for one floor below. Punching buttons, without knowing where they lead, remained as much fun as ever.


Pete and Jackie stood in the office window watching the scene play out in the courtyard. At first, with joy that things were, apparently headed in the right direction, and then with disappointment when Rose stomped away in a huff.

"Wonder which one screwed up?" Pete muttered watching Rose disappear inside.

"You have to ask. He might be a plum, but sometimes, I think, my daughter is a proper idiot."

"Which one do you want?" Pete asked.

She watched Daniel pull at his mop of hair before following her daughter with grim determination."I'll take her; you soothe him, but hav'ta say, I think we are in for a bumpy ride."