The Bet - Part Three

Part Three - Salads and Chocolate

After another hour or two, the Doctor and Rose left Jackie and headed back towards the TARDIS. Rose was in a foul mood and continuously snapped one-worded answers to any of the Doctor's remarks.

When inside the console room, the Doctor asked Rose where she wanted to go and she just shrugged fiercely, turning her back to him.

"Oh, come on, Rose," he sighed. "I only got those chips because you made Jackie give me some tea!"

She didn't even bother replying, just gave him a glare.

"You started it," the Doctor murmured quietly, flicking at some buttons. Rose rolled her eyes and turned towards him. She opened her mouth to make a comment but stopped herself, closing her lips and sitting down on the chair.

"You look like a goldfish," the Doctor said, adding a grin to try and make her smile. Instead, she folded her arms.

"Well, anyway, I've set the controls to just fly through the Vortex," he continued when the TARDIS suddenly came to life. "Just thought you might be interested."

"I'm getting something to eat," Rose sighed, standing up and heading towards the kitchen. "I don't suppose you'll want anything seeing as you stuffed your face a few minutes ago."

"What are you gonna have?" he asked, trying not to chuckle.

"A salad," she hissed, slamming the door behind her.

Rose joined the Doctor a few minutes later with a plate full of what looked like a miniature garden. She picked at it lazily with her fork, completely reluctant to eat any of the lettuce; it looked like someone had just picked it straight from a bush and she grimaced to herself, moving on to the tomatoes. She pierced one's skin and retched, watching the liquid slowly oozing from the middle.

The Doctor watched this in quiet amusement, resisting the urge to laugh. "Taste nice?"

Rose met his gaze, forcing a smile. "Grand."

He smirked. "At least it's healthy."

"Yup," Rose replied bluntly. "I just love getting my five a day."

She began picking at a boiled egg and sighed to herself, longing for some chips. She could just imagine the taste... the greasy, salty-

"Rose?"

She blinked, realising that the Doctor was looking at her expectantly. He must have said something. "Sorry, what?"

"I was just gonna say that I need to go somewhere, I've just remembered," he smiled. "Preoccupied in your thoughts?"

"No," she frowned. "I was just overwhelmed by the taste sensations of this glorious dish."

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, y'know."

"Good job I never use it, then."

She quickly placed her unfinished meal to one side and stood up, joining him by his side. He looked a little hurt for some reason and Rose sighed, realising how cruelly she had been behaving; she was acting like a moody teenager.

"Doctor, I'm sorry that I've been rude," she said in a rush, kicking at the floor with her shoe. "I'm just..."

"Suffering from withdrawal symptoms?" he offered, grinning.

Rose nudged him. "Shut up."

"Apology accepted," he smiled. "Now," the TARDIS landed, "I just need to get something. I won't be long... you don't have to come if you don't want to. It'd probably be very boring."

"Why do I get the impression that you're hiding something?"

He raised his eyebrows. "I'll be about half an hour. Have fun with your salad while I'm gone!"

He rushed towards the doors and Rose resisted making a rude gesture to his back. "Where are you going, Doctor?"

"Well," he began, speaking in a low voice, "outside those doors lies a whole new world..." A smile crept onto Rose's face.

"We could be on some distant planet in the future, or some brilliant civilisation in the past," he continued, putting on his coat.

"Ooh, mysterious," Rose whispered, waving her hands around.

"Ah, don't spoil the suspense, Rose," the Doctor groaned. "I was quite pleased with myself then! Created quite an atmosphere." He paused, thinking to himself. "Maybe I should become an author. I've always had a way with words."

"Smug, much?" Rose grimaced.

"Anyway, allons-y!" he said, reaching forward and starting to pull open the doors.

"Doctor!" Rose yelled, causing him to start a little. "Just tell me where you're going!"

He sighed. "Alright. We're in London, modern day. I need to go to a shop. I love shops," he grinned. "Especially in hospitals!"

Rose shook her head in disbelief. "Wow, that really sounds like a 'whole new world.'"

"I had you fooled for a few moments," the Doctor countered. "So are you actually gonna let me go now?"

Rose sighed. "Feel free."

He disappeared out the doors and she blew out a long breath, prickling with curiosity but wanting to keep herself occupied while he was gone. After a few moments' thought, she headed towards the kitchen. More salad it was, then.

***

Rose was just beginning to develop a lifelong hatred of tomatoes when there was a sudden noise from the console room. Her name soon followed, yelled by the Doctor.

"Alright, I'm coming down now!" she replied, hauling herself off the kitchen counter that she'd been sitting on. She couldn't help sprinting a bit towards the main room; the suspense was killing her.

When she eventually stormed in to meet the Doctor, she stood completely still, momentarily stunned by the scene in front of her.

The area around the console was completely covered with cardboard boxes, some of which were open and Rose could see some jars inside. In another box she could see the wrappings of some chocolate bars and she frowned heavily.

"Doctor! What the fu-"

"Fudge!" the Doctor cried, stretching out his arm. "Do you want some of this chocolate bar?"

She stared at him wordlessly. "What the hell is all this?"

"Several jars of coffee and boxes of chocolate bars," he replied, as though it was common sense. He took an obvious bite out of the fudge and grinned happily, taking a seat on the chair. He rested his converse shoes on top of the controls, looking in Rose's direction. "Something wrong?"

"Wh-" Rose began, shaking her head. "Why?"

"Well I need to intake some caffeine somehow," the Doctor explained. "And this seemed like a fair enough solution."

"Yeah, 'cause everybody buys a shop's entire stock of products when they're craving something!" she exclaimed. "Isn't that cheating, though?"

"Nope. The contract strictly states-"

"Alright, alright," she interrupted. "But who on earth let you buy all this stuff?"

"Oh, he was a nice man. Bob, I think his name was. He even helped me carry the stuff to the TARDIS!" he told her, smiling all the way.

"But..."

"The psychic paper came in handy, mind you," he continued.

She rolled her eyes. "I hope you paid him."

He didn't answer that.

"Well there's another person in this world who now thinks you're insane," Rose sighed, taking a seat beside him. "Well done."

"Thanks," he grinned, reaching into a box. "Kit Kat?"

She sighed, taking the chocolate bar from him. "You're unbelievable."

"But," he interrupted, holding up a finger, "in a brilliant way."

"Whatever."

***

"Ugh. Rose, I feel ill."

She glanced over at the Doctor; he was currently slouched over on the seat, surrounding by dozens of empty chocolate bar wrappers. A low moan escaped his lips and she smiled a little.

"How many bars did you eat exactly?"

He let out a very long sigh. "Too many."

Rose laughed. "Some of those buttons on your suit will be popping soon under the strain."

"I've actually got a very fast metabolism," he frowned. "I don't usually put on any weight."

"That's obvious."

He smirked. "Ugh, I could seriously fall asleep right now... maybe I should get some coffee-"

Rose gripped his arm. "Doctor, that's not wise, you'll just make yourself vomit. If that's possible..." She paused. "Do Time Lords vomit?"

"Oh yes."

His words were slurring and Rose looked at him warily. "Do you want to take a nap?"

"I haven't slept in months. It's," he paused, yawning wildly, "it's a waste of time. I don't like it."

Rose sighed. "I really don't know what to do with you sometimes. One minute you're sprinting around the TARDIS like an over-active five year old, the next you're gorging on chocolate bars and complaing about sleeping! I-"

She trailed off, realising how oddly quiet he was being. Turning towards him, she snorted; his eyes were closed and his body was slowly drooping towards hers. His head eventually rested on her shoulder and she twiddled her thumbs, wondering how long she'd be stuck here; she couldn't disturb him, after all.

Staying as still as she could, she whipped out her mobile phone and began randomly checking through some old messages to keep herself occupied. It was only when a muffled sound came from him that the Doctor received her attention.

"Mmm... te-"

She froze, looking down at him. He was silent for a few moments before another set of meaningless words escaped from his mouth.

"No, te- I want the... no!"

Rose had to clamp her hand over her mouth to stop her laughter. She now knew the reason why the Doctor hated sleeping; someone must have told him that he had the habit of talking during the process.

"Rose... no, I just- just one!"

Her eyes widened at the mention of her name.

"Just... ugh, give me the tea! Nooo!"
He practically shouted this last part and Rose snorted, her shoulders shaking violently. She couldn't believe what was happening and was overwhelmed by the sharp pain this laughter had caused in her chest.

Looking down at her phone, a sudden idea sprung into her mind and she giggled, setting up the video camera.

"And... record..."

Part Four will be up soon!