[01] We've been forever yet we've only just begun

[iwasherefirst]

They've already got the technology. They just haven't figured out how to track him yet. It takes Rose months and more jumps than she cares to count. Sometimes she thinks she's going to be pulled apart at the seams with all the jumping back and forth through time. They warn her that the odds are against her. They tell her she's only got this one planet to work with and he's got an entire Universe plus timelines they can't ever access. She tells them she'll take her chances.

When she ends up in San Francisco 1999, the equipment malfunctions. The jacket won't work and she's so frustrated, so tired so bereft that she almost cries right there in the middle of the wharf. Instead she pulls it together like he would and finds a place to sleep for a little while. Once she's had some rest it's time for fish and chips. They're almost as good as home and they go a long way toward making her feel better.

Right then. Might as well do some research while she's here. See if she can find out if he's been here recently. If he's scheduled to show up anytime soon. Library then a call into UNIT. Despite having a plan, she doesn't act on it. She'll wander a bit more, navigate her way through the people on the wharf and enjoy the day. She's never been to San Francisco in any time.

Comments

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

He waits until she's caught up and then starts back, towards his hotel. Towards the little room that's been his and his only. Towards the solitude he's come to expect.

But this time, Rose is coming with him.

"Where've you been staying?"

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

"Nowhere," Rose answers. "Just sorta wanderin' 'round looking for you. I mean I just showed up 'bout..." she glances at her watch. "Guess six hours or so ago. Haven't found a place." She pulls her bottom lip through her teeth.

"S'not working anymore. The device that brought me here. M'okay with that."

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

"We're both stranded, then," he says, looking at her sadly. In a way, that's almost a comfort. It's like he's not alone in his suffering, and he's felt unbelievably alone for the last six months.

He reaches down and takes her hand. It's not a firm hold, it's not anything like he used to give her, but it's something.

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

"Worst things then being stranded with you," Rose tells him. The hold on her hand, however light gives her hope and makes the pit of her stomach tingle a little. She's already said her goodbyes to everyone back home. It was the first thing she did when she signed up for the project. The human Doctor has promised to keep in touch with Jackie. Everything is as wrapped up as it can be. Being stranded with him was always the goal. She just assumed they'd be stranded in the TARDIS.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he agrees.

He'd rather not be stranded. He'd rather have the whole universe to travel through. He'd rather---

But he doesn't have the whole universe, he just has now. A rolling stone having to stand still. At least, for once, he's not alone.

"Suit," he says, though he keeps her hand.

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

"Right. Suit. And maybe a couple of shirts so you don't have to wash one every day." This feels right. Even if they're stuck in one place he's not alone anymore and Rose is by his side. She knows he needs more than that and she knows he's going to have to make do but she's never needed more than just him.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

He leads the way towards the suit shop. It's a discount place with a few suits in the window and a variety of sales plastered on the door. He's not sure what a sale would mean, but he assumes it means that it's less expensive.

"Never had to shop in a place like this before," he admits, a little embarrassed.

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

Rose squeezes his hand and offers him a smile. "Mum used to shop in places like this all the time. You'd be surprised what you can find. They've got good stuff," she assures him as she pushes open the door to take him inside.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

"Oh, great, I'm shopping in a shop Jackie Tyler would've shopped in," he replies, sourly. It's all teasing, though, and it's almost relieving to act that way.

He picks up a tie with yellow polka dots and puts it back down.

"Just something less threadworn."

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

"Oi! I see how you are," Rose teases him back. She picks up a bright red shirt, makes a face and puts it back.

"We'll find you something." She pulls out a tan suit jacket, cocks her head considering it for a moment before she puts it back. Too pale for him.

why did I only just get this tag in my inbox?

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, just something to hold me out for a few more years," he says. He looks over to Rose. "Clothes usually last a few years, don't they?"

He's used to just finding things in the wardrobe room if he needs them. The concept of owning a few more items of clothing and switching them out confuses him.

Because LJ sucks

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Rose agrees with a nod. "Probably not if you wear them everyday. Ought to get you a couple a suits and things while we're here." She squeezes his hand in hers and offers him a smile. "We'll get you all sorted out."

But you're awesome!

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

More than one suit. The idea is so foreign to him, but he nods. Her smile and confidence gives him some of the same.

"Sounds good."

<3 So are you bb

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

That she can still give him confidence and get him to smile makes everything seem alright. They're trapped here. Both of them but right now at least it seems like it'll be okay. They'll figure out a way because that's what they do, isn't it?

"You could have a green one and a blue one. Maybe even another brown one," she tells him with a smile as she goes through the racks with one hand. She holds up a hunter green one with dark blue pen stripes.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

It looks good, so he gives her a nod.

"Sounds good," he says. "Just something to get me by for a bit."

He leaves the suit-picking to Rose, and nabs a few pairs of socks as well as a new pair of converse. His are in fair condition from the sheer amount of walking he's done since landing here.

"It's good to see you," he says to Rose at last.

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

By the time he finally say he's glad to see her, she's picked out three suits and half a dozen white button downs. His words make her pause and a smile bursts over her face. She doesn't try to hug him, not like she would have before.

"Yeah. You too."

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

He gives her a small smile, and fishes in his pocket for some more money, and leads Rose over to the counter. A few bags later, and they're ready to go, the Doctor with a few less dollars and a few more items of clothing for the Doctor's meager wardrobe.

"The hotel hasn't got a lot of room," he warns. "But it'll work for the moment."

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

"We'll make do," Rose tells him as she takes one of the bags from him and slides her hand into his. "S'not like I mind bein' close to you."

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

"Why would you?" he asks, quiet and honest. "I told you, Rose, I haven't got anything. No TARDIS, nothing."

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

"Because you're still my Doctor. The other stuff is just...stuff," Rose tells him. Her words are quiet and completely sincere.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

"It's who I am," he says. "Now what am I?"

Being simply a man doesn't seem like enough to him.

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

Rose shakes her head at him. "No. It's not who you are. You promised me you'd save me once. No weapons, no plan and a fleet full of Daleks. You're still the Doctor. You're just missing some of your tools. That doesn't change who you are inside. The things I love about you have nothing to do with the TARDIS and everything to do with the man you are."

Silly Time Lord.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

The Doctor looks away from her, away from the things she says. They don't make sense to him.

"But who am I?"

[iam-thebadwolf.livejournal.com]

She reaches over and very carefully, very gently puts her hand on his cheek, turning his face toward her again. "My Doctor."

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

He remembers when she said that to him once, so long ago. Her Doctor. But who was that? He was a man with a box and a mission and the stars. Now, he was just a man with two hearts and forever on his own. Until----

But she couldn't know about that yet.

"Nearly there," he says.