The Bet - Part Two

Part Two - Evil Schemes

"Hang on, though," Rose suddenly said a while later, frowning at the Doctor. "I was thinking about this earlier... you're a Time Lord and I'm just a human. Doesn't that give you some kind of... unfair alien advantage?"

The Doctor popped his head above the book he was reading and looked at her through his wide rimmed glasses. "Nah. Not really... and besides, you get to sleep for half of the time. I've got to survive the night on my own."

She wasn't expecting that. "Oh." After a pause, she asked, "Well what do you usually do, then?"

He shrugged. "It depends really. I mostly find a good book, sometimes go outside and wander about a bit."

She was a little disappointed. "Hmm."

The Doctor turned his attention back to the print in front of him but was really struggling to find any meaning behind the words, despite his intelligence. His mind was being dominated with a craving of caffeine and it had only been, what? - he quickly glanced at the TARDIS console - fifteen minutes since the bet...

He was in trouble.

Rose, on the other hand, was feeling quite positive. She didn't think she had any cravings of any kind at the moment, but kept a close eye on the Doctor and his actions. He seemed perfectly composed, as usual, and she silently glared at him.

She had actually expected this bet to be a lot more interesting and quietly dawdled around the console, wondering what to do next. She certainly didn't have the Doctor's attention and wanted something to keep herself distracted.

A sudden idea popped into her head and she grinned mischievously.

"Doctor?" she said slowly, walking over to him. He glanced up at her and waited expectantly. "I was wondering..."

Before she could finish, the Doctor interrupted. "Now why do I have the feeling this is going to be bad?"

Rose smiled sweetly. "I just wanted to ask a little favour."

He took off his glasses and placed the book on the seat beside him. "And what might that be?"

"Well, it's been a while since I saw my Mum..."

He quickly shook his head. "Oh no. No, no, no."

"But, Doctor!" Rose moaned. "It's been a while since I've seen her!"

"You saw her last week," he pointed out, somewhat bluntly.

"Yeah, well," Rose shrugged. "I lose track of time in here."

He quickly stood up and occupied himself with the TARDIS screen and Rose followed promptly behind him, determined to get her way.

"But Doctor, she's my Mum..." she whinged. "We won't be there long, I promise, an hour at the most!"

He remained silent, pressing a few random buttons.

"Please?" Rose pleaded, hoping to stare at him long enough and pull his gaze towards her. She eventually succeeded and his eyes met hers a little reluctantly. He blew out a long breath and pulled a lever that was within his reach.

"Alright, then," he sighed. "But just the one hour! I don't know how much of your mother's company I can endure."

Rose smiled to herself. He hadn't seemed to have twigged her real intentions for going back home... Not yet, anyway.

***

"Well, here we are then," the Doctor announced a few minutes later. "The Powell Estate."

Rose smiled. "Home sweet home."

The TARDIS settled and the pair headed towards the doors. The Doctor didn't pick up his coat on the way there; he was feeling very warm and queasy, so no longer required it. He didn't want to think about that too much, though.

They both stepped outside and headed towards the flat, Rose skipping eagerly ahead and the Doctor trailing behind a little slowly. Rose noticed this and backtracked, grabbing his hand in an aid to help him up the stairs. At the moment, he was beginning to feel very much like an old man. Well, he was already over 900 years of age, but that didn't matter...

"You alright, Doctor?" Rose asked. "You seem a little down."

He looked up to her and smiled slowly. "I'm fine. Just scared about Jackie."

"Hey!" she grumbled, nudging him. "She's not that bad."

"Nah," he muttered under his breath, "neither was Hitler."

"You did not seriously just compare my mother to Hitler?!" Rose retorted, unable to stop grinning a little.

They reached the top of the steps and Rose happily knocked on the door, while the Doctor kept his distance; it was best to be cautious, in his opinion. He'd learnt that from years of experience.

After a few moments, Jackie appeared at the door and her eyes widened at the unexpected visitors. She soon smiled and pulled her daughter into a crushing hug, loudly showing how glad she was to see her. The Doctor had to suppress an agitated eye roll; sure, it was nice that Rose had a great relationship with her mother, but Jackie could sometimes be a little overpowering and annoying.

"Rose! I never knew you were coming back! Oh! This is such a nice surprise, but I've got nothing in... I wish you'd have given me some notice!"

Rose pulled away, laughing lightly. "No need to worry, Mum, it's just a quick visit."

"Well come in, then!" she said, stepping inside while Rose followed. The Doctor took in a deep breath and tried to steady himself as he trailed in after her, a little reluctantly.

He took a seat next to Rose on the sofa and Jackie frowned at him. "Eh, Doctor, you're looking a little pale. You alright?"

He gulped at the sudden attention and loosened his tie a little. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, forcing a smile.

She studied him for a moment and the Doctor began to feel very uncomfortable. "You don't look fine," she observed. "Are you sure?"

He wanted to sigh but nodded slowly. "Absolutely positive."

"Well, whatever you say," she shrugged. "But I know what'll cheer you up anyway; a nice cuppa tea."

The Doctor stiffened in his seat and Rose had to stifle a laugh. Jackie walked through into the kitchen, completely oblivious, and began boiling a kettle. The Doctor turned to Rose and raised an eyebrow.

"I never thought you were a schemer," he said, grumbling under his breath.

She grinned. "Sorry, it was just irresistible. I'm taking this bet very seriously."

Jackie soon joined them, placing a tray with three cups of tea on the table. The Doctor very nearly groaned when Rose took hers, taking a very long and obvious sip.

"Evil," he murmured quietly.

Jackie had settled down with her own cup and quickly noticed the Doctor's actions, or lack of actions; he was sat there rigidly, staring ahead at the wall. "That one's for you, y'know," she said, pointing to the solitary cup on the tray.

He looked at it longingly but sat back, folding his arms. "I'm not thirsty at the moment."

Jackie's mouth dropped open wildly.

"Watch out, you'll be catching flies in a moment," the Doctor muttered.

"You must be ill, Doctor," Jackie said. "Usually you can't get enough of my cups of tea!"

He fidgeted around awkwardly. "Not today."

He knew he was being horribly rude but he couldn't stop himself; he wasn't in the mood to be polite. Besides, that was the type of man he was; rude and not ginger.

"Ah well," she shrugged. "Your loss."

"Yeah," Rose added. "You're missing out. This cuppa happens to be extra hot and tasty."

The Doctor wanted to glare at her.

He was feeling really unwell at the moment and, although he hated to admit it, he knew that he was suffering from withdrawal symptoms. It was pathetic of him, really, but he couldn't help himself, and now Rose's plan was very nearly working. The temptation to reach out and finish that tea in one gulp was overwhelming, but he concentrated on translating his favourite book into Latin in order to control himself.

Rose, on the other hand, was a little irritated that she hadn't succeeded, but still had plenty of tricks up her sleeve. She felt a little cruel in doing this, but was determined to show the Doctor that she wasn't a pushover. She meant business and was going to win.

"What's up with you two today?" Jackie suddenly asked, pulling the pair from their thoughts. Rose frowned at her.

"What do you mean, Mum?"

"I dunno... have you had an argument?"

The Doctor and Rose met each other's gaze. "No, I wouldn't exactly say an argument," Rose replied. "But anyway, what have you been up to? Hang on," she leant forward, squinting at a photo that had suddenly caught her attention. "Wait, is that Mark from the newsagents?"

The Doctor tuned out again as Rose and her mother began talking about Jackie's love life, something which actually made his stomach turn. He was desperately struggling now and really needed to get out of there when, suddenly, an idea came into his mind. If he was alone, he would have let out an evil laugh and made a hand gesture like Mr Burns from the Simpsons.

"Would you two ladies please excuse me for a few moments?" he asked, standing up. "I've just remembered something."

Rose raised an eyebrow suspiciously but said nothing. He quickly waved to the pair and rushed out, racing down the stairs. Almost as soon as his coat swished out the door, Jackie was commenting on his strange behaviour.

"He's a bit weird, y'know."

"Nah, he's not really. He's just an alien."

Jackie shook her head in despair, making a start on the Doctor's cup of tea. "Don't you think he's been acting strangely today?"

"Mum, you need to see him when he's trying to save the world from a bunch of aliens," she laughed. "He's a lot stranger when he's doing that. I think he's just moody today."

"Can aliens like him get moody?" she frowned.

Rose laughed. "Hell yes. You should meet the Daleks." She paused for a moment. "Then again, maybe you really shouldn't."

Jackie looked grave. "You're starting to sound like him."

Rose scoffed. "Don't be so ridiculous."

"I'm not. You speak like him. Before you know it, you'll start looking like him."

"Now you're just being stupid, Mum," Rose laughed. "I'm not thinking of growing sideburns anytime soon."

Jackie sighed. "I just don't wanna lose you, that's all. I don't want you to change so much that I won't even recognise you anymore."

"Mum," Rose said, leaning across to grab her mother's hand. "That's not gonna happen."

"I-"

Jackie was interrupted by a noise near the door and the Doctor soon hurried in, carrying a plastic bag in his hands. He seemed chirpier than before and gave the pair a big grin, taking his seat back down on the sofa next to Rose.

"Sorry about that," he said, taking some wrapped objects out of the bag. "I don't know why, but I just had the sudden craving for some chips!"

Rose stiffened this time, and the Doctor tried not to look too smug. The smell of the food soon hit her nose and she closed her eyes, willing herself not to drool.

He continued unwrapping the chips and Jackie rubbed her hands together. "Ooh, Doctor, you got some for all of us!"

"Yup," he smirked. "A nice treat for us all, eh?"

"I could kill you," Rose muttered quietly, and the Doctor smirked, replying, "You'll regret it if you do."

Jackie didn't hear the exchange and quickly settled back, eating her own portion of chips. The Doctor did the same and Rose's lay untouched on the table. The scent was overwhelming and seeing the greasy chips just a few inches to her left was almost unbearable.

"Rose," Jackie muttered around a mouthful of food. "Why aren't you having yours?"

"I'm not hungry," Rose grumbled through gritted teeth.

"But these are your favourite," she protested. "The one's from the local chippie!"

"I know," Rose sighed. "I'm on a diet, anyway."

"Rose, for God's sake, you're like a stick; you don't need to diet. Just eat the flipping chips!"

She let out a frustrated sigh, the temptation becoming too much. "I'm just going to the bathroom."

She stormed out and made a point of throwing a pillow at the Doctor on the way out. He couldn't help grinning in amusement. Revenge was certainly sweet and this bet was now definitely becoming interesting...

Part Three will be up soon!