Human Nature (Doctor Who)

[Beach Crew]

Well, here we go. As requested by FBF, lol, here is part three. Sorry It's been a little while, but I hope you enjoy. I mean, as some of you wanted, there are "meetings" and some hysteria, and well...more Martha, lol. I hope I did her justice, I'm trying to be fair to the girl. Also, it's a tad longer...sorry, lol.

Part Three

Farringham School for Boys, 1913


Martha scowled as she scrubbed the tiled floor of the building. It had been ok up until the point that Jenny had disappeared, but now she was alone, and very bored. If she was at home, she wouldn’t have minded too much – cleaning the floor wasn’t an awful job. But at home she got to use a mop and disinfectant, but here, she had a small scrubbing brush and a bucket of water.

She was going to kill the Doctor when he snapped out of this. Speaking of which, Martha thought, as she looked up to the sound of footsteps. Mr. John Smith was making his way towards her, “Mornin’ again, Sir.”

Mr. Smith slowed down, looking a little embarrassed, “Yes, good morning. Hi.” He then disappeared past her and up the stairs.

Martha laughed to herself, turning as she heard more footsteps. This time it was Jenny, she smiled at her friend, “About time – what kept you?”

“Mr. Owen, the farmer,” Jenny frowned, “He had some poor girl with him, she’s lost apparently. You should’ve seen what she was wearing – men’s trousers! And she’s from London.”

Martha nodded distractedly, “And I’ve been scrubbin’ alone for that?”

“Well, I did take me time gettin’ back.”

“Hey, no fair,” Martha frowned playfully, splashing her friend with water.

“Now then you two!” Martha and Jenny looked up to see two school boys peering down at them. One, as far as Martha knew, had the surname of Baines, but she wasn’t sure about the other boy. “You’re not paid to have fun are you? Put a little backbone into it.”

Martha scowled, but Jenny answered politely, “Yes Sir, sorry Sir.”

The second boy rudely pointed at Martha, “What’s your name again?”

She sighed, “Martha Jones, Sir.”

He smirked, “Tell me then Jones, with hands like those – how can you tell when something’s clean?” He then grabbed his friend and the two of them fell about laughing before turning to leave.

Martha growled, scrubbing the floor angrily, “That's very funny, Sir.”

Jenny elbowed her, “Careful, don't answer back! You’ll get in trouble!”

Martha just rolled her eyes, “Give me chance and I’ll pour my bucket over his head. Then we’ll see trouble.”

Jenny laughed quietly, “Oh, I wish we could. That’d be fun,” she paused suddenly, shaking her head, “Just think, in a couple of years time, boys like that could be running our country, can you imagine?”


Martha shuddered dramatically, but then whispered quietly to herself, “Nineteen thirteen. They might not.”

“Martha, Jenny,” they both looked up to see Nurse Redfern smiling at them, a young woman with blonde hair was stood at her side. Martha frowned, there was something familiar about her. “This is Rose Tyler,” Martha blanched, “She’s had a few bereavements and will be staying with us for a while. She’ll be helping as part of the staff once she gets settled. Please, treat her like you would any other guest and make sure you take care of her.”

“Really, it’s no trouble,” the Rose girl said, looking rather embarrassed.

“Nonsense, Miss. Rose,” Joan smiled, “You’re a guest now. If you just follow me, I’ll take you to your room, and then I must get back to looking after the children.”

Martha and Jenny watched them go, Jenny whispering, “That’s the lost girl, the one that was wearing men’s clothes, she looks different now – beautiful even, I wonder where she got that blue dress?” But Martha was barely even listening. Rose Tyler. It couldn’t be could it? It was impossible. The Doctor had said so.

Only one way to find out, Martha thought. And so with a brief smile to Jenny she stood and followed.

***

“Really, Nurse Redfern,” Rose began as they walked the corridor, “I don’t need a maid, I can take care of myself. In fact, I could be a maid – let me help, please.”

“Miss. Rose, please,” Joan began, “You’ve got a lot on your mind – you don’t need anymore stress. Just, take a few days rest and then we’ll discuss your work.”

“Ok.”

Martha quietly followed the two women along the corridor. Miss Tyler had a rather modern handbag at her side, and a pair of jeans could be clearly seen poking out the top. Martha frowned, it couldn’t be, surely this wasn’t the Rose Tyler? A sudden thought came to her – perhaps the Doctor and Rose had visited this time before? Perhaps this was ‘Past Rose’ and the Doctor would come and save her, and then, perhaps, Martha could persuade him to save himself? Or maybe, (hopefully) it wasn’t Rose at all but just a huge coincidence?

“Ah, Mr. Smith,” she heard Nurse Redfern say, “I’d like to introduce you to our new staff member, Miss Rose Tyler.” Martha swore under her breath and bolted to catch up with the two women. She needed to see this Rose’s reaction. Although, she needn’t have worried, she could hear it clearly.

“DOCTOR?”

Martha rounded the corner to see a very stunned but ecstatic looking Rose standing a few metres away from the Doctor. (Well, she’s definitely ‘a’ Rose, Martha thought sadly). She didn’t run to him like Martha had expected, but she just stood smiling. In that moment Martha saw one of the reasons why the Doctor loved her – Rose’s smile lit up the whole room.

Rose, with glittering, tear filled eyes, finally found her voice again, ignoring everyone around her, “How…what, I mean, you said it was impossible,” her voice cracked, “God, I missed you,” and then tears began falling down her face.

Martha wanted to hate her, but she couldn’t, because she knew that Rose’s heart was about to break, “I’m sorry,” the Doctor, well, John Smith, said softly, “I don’t know who you are.”

Rose looked horrified, but then quickly hid a grin, “Oh, a Bad Wolf scenario righ’?” she winked at him.

John Smith frowned further, “I’m truly sorry Miss, but I’m not who you think I am. I really don’t know who you are.”

“No…”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, no,” Rose broke, her voice catching and sobs beginning to consume her, “It’s not fair, it’s not…how can y’look like him an’ not be him? Oh god, I just thought, for one stupid, idiotic second, I just thought…” she lost herself, hiding behind her hands, muttering unheard words through her tears.

“Miss Rose,” Nurse Redfern asked, finally getting over her shock, “Is everything ok?”

“Um, yes, yes, M’sorry,” Rose managed, regaining some of her composure, and quickly thinking up some lies, “I’m awfully sorry Sir, it’s just you look a lot like my, er, deceased husband.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he replied, at the exact same time as Nurse Redfern, who instead said, “Oh dear.”

“It’s ok, it’s not your fault,” Rose smiled, “But if you don’t mind, I’d quite like a lie down now.” Martha watched as Nurse Redfern asked the Doctor to stay where he was so she could explain, and then led the poor young woman away. Martha was still undecided – was this Past Rose, or Alternative Universe Rose? Was it even Rose at all, or was she just getting her hopes up?

Sneaking forward, she approached John, who still looked rather shocked, “What was that all about?” she asked innocently.

“I’m not sure,” John answered, seemingly in a daze, “That girl, she seemed to mistake me for someone else.”

“You don’t know her then?”

“No, I…”

“Mr. Smith?” Martha asked, her heart torn – she wanted it to be Rose, but yet at the same time, she didn’t.

“I, I don’t know,” he paused, “She seemed familiar, I’m not sure.”

Martha bit her lip and was about to say more, but Nurse Redfern returned, “Martha? What are you doing here?”

“Er…”

“She was helping me, Matron,” John smiled, “I asked her to get me some water, I kept her chatting. It’s my fault.”

Joan nodded, “Very well, off you go Martha,” Martha smiled, and made to walk away, but really, she just hid around the corner. She listened to Nurse Redfern telling John about Miss Tyler, and how she was so far from home, after losing everyone she cared about in some great war.

Curiouser and curiouser.

***

John Smith eventually left Nurse Redfern to tend to a sickly school boy, he, on the other hand, made his way back to his room. That girl, the pretty blonde girl, who’d looked so heartbroken and called him Doctor – she seemed so familiar. Opening his diary, he frantically skimmed through the pages until he found one of his sketches.

It was her. She even had the same name.

John frowned, how could he have dreamt about a woman he’d never met before? And a very beautiful woman at that. It didn’t make sense. He didn’t want it to make sense. It was too scary to think about because if it did make sense, that would mean – no, no. It didn’t mean anything.

Frowning, John slammed the diary shut and placed it back on his bedside table. He needed to talk to that girl, he had to find out who she was, and who she thought he was. Although, she’d seemed quite upset earlier – he didn’t want to make her worse.

But no, John frowned, standing – he had to get to the bottom of this.

***

Rose lay on the luxurious bed that Nurse Redfern had shown her to. This was her room now, this big, beautiful and spacious room. She was beginning to come to terms with the fact that she was trapped here, but that man, John Smith, he looked like the Doctor, but yet…it wasn’t him. And that hurt more than anything. She’d spent the first hour or so sobbing into the pillow. She’s gotten mascara everywhere and so had countered this by turning the pillowcase inside out. She hoped nobody would notice.

Rose was so terribly confused. Was this how the Doctor existed in this world? There were no Time Lords, but instead, the Doctor as a human? She sighed. At first, she’d thought it was some trick – he’d come to get her, somehow, but was working undercover, but then she’d seen the look in his eyes. He’d seemed so utterly confused, and so honest when he said he didn’t know her.

Rose was sure her heart had broken all over again. But she had to deal with it. She’d had to deal with it in Pete’s World and so she could do it again. She wasn’t the same Rose Tyler anymore. She was tougher, stronger, but oh so alone. During her years in this alternative world, she never let anyone in. She couldn’t deal with anymore heartache.

And she was now working in a school apparently.

Nurse Redfern had offered her a job helping with the library, even though Rose would’ve been happy to be a maid – anything to take her mind off being trapped here. She decided, reluctantly, that it wasn’t too bad. The school was beautiful, as was the area she was living in, it was just…she was still all alone.

And what if the Doctor went looking for her? What if he finally got back though the void and found her mother, and asked where she was. Her mother would think Rose was with the Doctor, and then, upon them talking, they would both know that she was lost. It would break their hearts.

Fighting tears, Rose stood and looked at herself in the mirror. The dress she’d been given was beautiful. It was ankle length, a deep sapphire blue and made of soft velvet. She looked, she conceded, rather pretty. Her hair had curled slightly due to the rain, and her make-up had thinned, and smudged dramatically (more due to her tears than anything else) but she’d fixed that. Rose was extremely glad she always kept eyeliner and mascara in her handbag.

She gasped suddenly, what would happen when she ran out? Rose frowned, that was something she was going to have to get used to. No makeup, no hair straighteners, no curling-irons…she’d just have to rely on, god, what did they use in this day and age for beauty? She’d have to ask Nurse Redfern, or maybe one of the maids, they would know.

And she was going to have to be careful too. She needed to watch her tongue, watch what she said and who she talked about, otherwise she would likely be locked up. And she didn’t imagine that the hospitals in this time were quite as nice as the ones in her time.

Sighing, Rose decided she wanted to explore a little. And so, making sure her belongings were carefully hidden, she opened her door and stepped out into the corridor. Trying to decide which direction to head in. She turned left and bumped straight into a young woman, “Oh, I’m sorry.”

“My fault, Miss,” the young woman replied.

“Not at all, I wasn’t looking where I was going. I’m Rose by the way.”

“Jenny, Miss.”

“Nice to meet you Jenny,” Rose said, managing a smile, “Now, could you possibly point me in the direction of the library?” Jenny nodded, and led Rose down the corridor and then pointed out the correct doorway, leaving with a slight curtsey.

Rose blushed, embarrassed, and pushed open the door, and ran into yet another person. Books went flying, and Rose tripped only to be caught by a strong pair of arms. “Thanks,” she murmured, “Don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”

“That’s quite alright.”

They both paused. Rose looked up and noticed that she was trapped tightly in the Doctor’s, sorry, John Smith’s arms. He seemed just as startled when he realised who she was. Rose jumped up, freeing herself from his grasp, “I’ll just leave you to your books, Sir.”

She turned to leave but stopped when she felt very familiar fingers lace through hers, “Stay, please. I want to talk to you.”

Rose nodded, “Ok.”

God, this was going to break her heart.

...to be continued.

[firebreathingfishies]

Awww poor Rose Bless her little Doctor-loving cotton socks Lol I loved the bit where there was the brief 'running out of mascara' panic. I have that often (not that I get stuck in 1913 very often but, you know )

You have to update quicker this time, I'm getting really into this story!

[Beach Crew]

I know, the poor love. She thinks she's got her Doctor back (also, she thinks she's still in Pete's World, in case you're curious, lol) and then, he doesn't remember a thing. Bless her. Ha, typical girls - like yourself, one of my main concerns is (and would be) my makeup

And alright, how does wednesday sound And I'm glad you're enjoying it

[firebreathingfishies]

Ooh that makes it more interesting if she thinks she's in Pete's World I missed that lol! It's fantabulous, seriously

And Wednesday sounds fandabbydosy I'll hold you to it though

[esn]

Beachy, I'll read this tommorrow - Ive been too busy with Doctor Who fall out and everything.

[Beach Crew]

I know I promised you an update today, and you will get one (much, much, much) later today, but to aid the speed of this update, I kinda need some questions answering, lol.

Ok, so...at the point of Human Nature, had Martha and Jack met? Or is that not until the end of season three? And is the amount of info that Martha knows about what happened to Rose at Canary Wharf open to interpretation, lol? Coz well, I'm going for that she knows something but not everything...that ok?

[firebreathingfishies]

Uuum no, Martha and Jack hadn't met. Not until Utopia I think - the end of season 3. Yeah i don't think the Doctor really told her all about Rose on screen so I guess you can just say what you want about that lol. Aye that sounds find by me

And I'm watching for the update

[esn]

Wow.

Brilliant stuff Beachy, you nearly brought a tear to my eye LOL. You really captured the essence of Rose, John Smith and Martha brilliantly there.

Question - is Martha going to help Rose out in some way? Because, that would be quite brilliant.

Or if they helped each other out, majorliy like, because that would make my day (in a sense) if that were to happen.

Top, top stuff

[Beach Crew]

Awwww, thanks esn. You've totally made my day! I really worked hard to get the characters, and it's so complicated, especially Martha, coz I don't care for her so much, but she's rather fun to write, lol.

Is Martha going to help Rose - well, I'm going to update rather soon, as in, 5 minutes, and you can see if Martha is going to help Rose...

As for in a major way, well, they both love the Doctor right? So surely, if they do talk, they'll work together to save the man they love, right?

Thanks again And watch out for the update

[Beach Crew]

As promised, another update. I can't promise that the next update will be as quick as this, but I'll do my best to get it with you before the week is out. I'm just...editing a few things, as FBF knows, lol. But they're still coming, so don't worry....

I gotta admit, I loved writing the first part of this update. And I know, it's all Martha, but I got to indulge in so much angst, which I love. And I really tried my best to then, at later points, put in some humour. Please let me know your thoughts!

*Sighs* The formatting went a bit crazy, lol. I had lines of all things. I hope it's fixed now, lol. Also, unsurprisingly, they're getting longer with every update, lol. Sorry.

Part Four

Farringham Town, 1913

Since the arrival of Miss. Tyler, the school had gone into chaos. Mr. Smith had a migraine and had retired from his classes for the afternoon (although Martha didn’t believe he was actually in his room), the maids were full of gossip and Nurse Redfern had been busy sorting everyone out. And all of this had given Martha the perfect chance to sneak away.

On a “borrowed” bicycle she’d headed to an abandoned barn where she and the Doctor, well, mostly the Doctor, had hidden the TARDIS. Taking out her key, she hopped inside and looked around frantically. What she really wanted to do was revisit the Doctor’s instructions, but she didn’t have time for that today.

She was looking for Rose.

Well, not literally, but she was looking for anything – a photo, a video, anything that could help confirm if this young woman was the Rose Tyler the Doctor was in…well, the Doctor cared for. It didn’t matter if she was Past Rose or Alternative Universe Rose because Martha figured that either way, she could and would help save the Doctor.

On a selfish level, Martha hoped it was Past Rose. If by some miracle, Rose had made it across the void and back to the Doctor, Martha knew she didn’t stand a chance. It was obvious how the Doctor felt about Rose, even if he wouldn’t admit it, and from the girl’s reaction earlier, Martha knew Rose felt exactly the same.

There was nothing in the console room and so Martha headed down into the corridors of the ship. There had to be traces of Rose left behind somewhere. She didn’t know the full circumstances of Rose leaving, but she knew that it hadn’t been pleasant. They’d been ripped apart unfairly, and so Martha hoped that meant something of Rose was left behind.

“You’ve gotta help me out here,” Martha whispered to the ship, and then felt pretty silly for doing so. She searched the library, the kitchen, what appeared to be a storage room, and still nothing. Martha was angry now, and close to giving up when she noticed a corridor that she was sure hadn’t been there before.

Walking slowly down the corridor, Martha came face to face with an unknown door. A piece of paper had been blue tacked onto it. In pink glittery writing it read “Rose’s Room!” and then underneath, in black capitals, “Knock next time you freak!” and then the Doctor’s neat handwriting, “Sorry!” underneath this. Martha smiled, typical Doctor.

Hesitantly, she stepped inside, almost afraid of what she would find, and feeling incredibly guilty for doing so. This was Rose’s room, and she was invading her privacy, the Doctor’s privacy, but dire times called for dire measures. Even if the dire measures were incredibly wrong.

Martha looked around, a slight smile forming on her lips. It was pink. Everything was pink.

Her first thought was to look for photos. She found them. There she was, the same girl whom she was now a maid for. She found several of Rose and an attractive man in a long old-fashioned pilot’s coat pinned up on the wall, they were pulling silly faces in each of them. In one photo, Rose was dragging a man with large ears and a leather jacket into the photo. They were laughing and looked so happy. Martha felt sick, she shouldn’t be doing this.

Then she saw it. Rose and the Doctor. It looked like they hadn’t realized the picture was being taken, and it looked very much like it had been taken on a mobile phone. They were sat side by side, Rose grinning at something off to the side, but the Doctor, oh god, the Doctor - he was staring adoringly at Rose.

Martha looked away sharply – her eyes burning and her throat tight. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t flipping fair! What was so perfect about Rose Tyler? She was pretty sure, but surely that couldn’t be all he loved her for. With bleached hair, and dark roots, and a prefect mega-watt smile, Rose had stolen the Doctor’s heart. And the worst thing, as much as she wanted to, Martha couldn’t even hate her for it.

Martha wanted to take the picture and shove