SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Chapter Forty Eight The next morning, Alan awoke early taking care not to disturb Rose beside him. He got out of bed, yawned and stretched. “Good morning.” He looked at Awinita who was in the other bed smiling at him. “Did you sleep last night,” he said in a loud whisper. “Oh yeah, I’m an early riser,” she whispered back. She looked at Rose who was fast asleep. “How is she?” “I think she’s okay. I didn’t hear her having any bad dreams.” “That’s good. I’m glad you got this room for a couple of days. After all that, she needs to rest.” He nodded. “Yeah, she needs some time to recover. Actually, when she wakes, I thought we could go find a restaurant and get something to take back here so she doesn’t have to move.” “Good idea.” “I really wanna get another hunting knife as well, but that can wait until we head out again.” “Do you really wanna try walking through those woods again?” He sighed. “No, I want to see if Rose will agree to renting a car, at least for awhile until her back recovers.” He rubbed his ear. “I suppose if we wanted to, we could just go ahead and drive it to North Carolina and take you home.” “Actually, I know it sounds crazy, but I’d rather not drive all the way there. I like walking with you guys, at least up until last night, it’s been fun. And to honest, I’m really not in that big a hurry to get home. I’d rather have a little bit of fun before I have to take on the burden of my grandmother.” You don’t wanna do it?” She sighed. “I’m not that thrilled with it, but grandmother helped raise me since I was a baby and I need to return the favor and take care of her now. But, I’d rather not go in a car. It’s more fun to see the US on foot. Besides, gas costs an arm and a leg and poor Rose is spending enough as it is. I’m all for driving until her back heals, but not all the way.” Alan nodded. “Yeah, me too. Not too fond of cars, too cramped for my taste.” “I guessed that. Otherwise, why walk across the world?” She sighed. “I wish I could see the world with you.” “Well, why can’t you? I mean, don’t get me wrong, family ties are important, but if you’re unhappy taking care of your grandmother don’t you think she’ll be upset seeing you miserable like that?” She sighed and looked at her hands. “The truth is, no one really asked me to do this. I just felt it was my duty as the eldest grandchild to help my parents care for her. Nobody knows I’m doing this except you guys. I wanted to surprise everyone, especially grandmother. I thought that would cheer her up after all she’s been through. But…on the other hand, I feel trapped because sometimes I thin as the eldest everyone expects me to be the responsible one and fulfill my obligations to the family even when I don’t want to.” “I know exactly how you feel. I had a…twin brother that was very close to Rose. He was forced to fulfill what he thought were his obligations and carry a heavy burden because he felt like no one else could do it but him. In the end it made him tired and angry and depressed. I really would hate to see that happen to you, Awinita, because you’re a nice woman and I can tell you’re possessed with wanderlust like Rose and me. Otherwise, why would you turn down a free car ride all the way to your home?” “Yeah, but I don’t have the money to go around the world. How would I survive?” “You could live off the land most of the time. You said you know how to do that, plus we could all help each other.” “Yeah, but you two are in love. I would think at some point you’d wanna be alone again.” He smiled. “There are ways we can be alone and still have you with us.” “I don’t know, It’s tempting, but…” “Well, just hold off on deciding for the moment and let Rose be a part of this since she’s the one with the money. At least we have the pleasure of your company until North Carolina.” She smiled and nodded. “Now about last night, I asked you if you ever had experience with things like that creature, have you?” He sighed. “If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me in a million years.” “Um…I just witnessed a bit, ugly horse thing making off with Rose. I think my mind is pretty much open from here on out.” He nodded. “If I tell you, you have to swear not to tell anyone else, got that?” “Got it.” “Promise me.” “I swear I won’t tell.” He hesitated a moment. “I’m…part alien,” he said. Awinita raised her eyebrow. “Which part? You look all human to me.” “You can’t see it and I really have no way of proving it to you, but I am. Rose can vouch for that.” “What is the part alien then? Are you a Martian?” “No, I’m…well, I’m descended from a planet called Gallifrey and I’m known as a Time Lord.” “A Time Lord…” He nodded. “Look, I know I sound like a complete nutter, but it’s true.” “It is,” Rose murmured, “he’s part Time Lord.” Alan turned and noticed she was staring up at him through half-closed lids. “How long have you been awake?” he asked. “Just woke up in time to hear you telling her your secret, “she murmured. “She’s not on the phone to the funny farm. I guess that’s a good sign.” Awinita got up and walked over to her. “This is all true, what he’s saying?” “Yes.” “Are you an alien too?” “No, I’m completely human.” “And you’re in love with a half alien guy?” She chuckled softly. “Yes I am, completely.” Awinita’s eyes bulged from their sockets. “Wow and I thought this stuff only happened in the National Enquirer,” she said. “How long have you known?” She smiled. “All his life.” “You’ve been with him for that long?” Rose gently nudged Alan’s back. “Hon, explain regeneration to her, would ya? I’m too tired this morning.” “Regeneration?” Alan blew a long stream of air from his lips. “Blimey, this will take awhile. Rose, listen, Awinita and I thought about going to get dinners like we did the other day. That way you can rest and I can explain things to our befuddled friend.” “Get my bank card from the purse. You remember how to use it?” “Yes.” “Just…find a cash machine and…get out sixty dollars. Use forty for the meals. That should cover everything for the three of us and take twenty to replace the money you spent on cab fare last night.” “Rose, you don’t have to do that.” “I want to. You saved my life, it’s the least I can do. Now, you remember the number?” “The code number?” “Yes.” “Yeah, I remember it.” “Good,” she murmured, rubbing his leg, “and, just get me a burger or fish and chips. Anything is fine. Don’t make an extra trip to another restaurant just for me. Get whatever you guys want.” “Anything else?” Rose frowned as she tried to get her sleep addled brain to think of anything else she needed. “I need that pain killer prescription filled, but I think I have to go with you to the chemists. I don’t think they’ll let you fill it for me. But that can wait. I’m not in any pain right now, just go ahead and get the food and be careful.” “We will and we’ll hurry back.” “No, take your time. You went through a lot last night, both of you. I’ll be alright. Just lock the door on your way out and I’ll sleep while the management secretly films me.” She winked when Alan snickered at that. “I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor,” he said. “Believe me, if I did, I would never hear the end of it from you, Mister Singing In The Rain.” He laughed and bent over to give her a kiss. “I love you, starlight.” “Mmmm, I love you too, be good now and stay out of trouble, my little Stitch.” “Yes, Lilo,” he said as she giggled. He gave her one last kiss before standing up. He went to her rucksack, found her purse and got the bank card. “I’ll see you later, Rose,” he said. “Have fun.” “Bye, Rose.” “Bye, Awinita, look after him.” “I will.” She watched while they opened the door and stepped outside. She waved when Alan waved goodbye and closed her eyes when he shut the door and locked it. Awinita listened quietly to Alan’s story while they sat together in McDonalds. Both of them had ordered several items to go and had gotten a couple of Cokes to drink while Alan explained himself. Awinita could hardly believe what she was hearing. “So, you’re a clone of this Doctor guy?” “Yes.” “And he’s in a completely different universe?” “Yes.” “And he travels through time and space.” “Yes.” Awinita sat back while she took it all in. “Wow, I mean, no wonder Rose was impressed I didn’t call the loony bin.” “You don’t believe me?” “Uh…well, normally, I’d say no, but after last night…” She shook her head. “This is incredible,” she said. “So…if Rose is in love with you and you’re a clone, does that mean that she loved this Doctor first?” “Yes, in a way she still loves him, but over the past couple of months she’s grown to love me.” “Well, yeah, you’re his clone.” He shook his head. “I look like him and I think like him…to a degree. After all this happened to me and Rose, after we were stranded here, I decided to consciously distance myself from him and be my own individual person. But, I do have all his memories, including the time he spent with Rose.” “That must be rough having memories that aren’t yours.” “Nah, it gave us a starting point, some common ground and then as our relationship progressed I was able to use those memories to help her come to terms with what the Doctor had done and why he did it. In the meantime, I learned from his mistakes and improved on his personality. Add to that Donna’s contribution and I’m not an exact copy.” “If he loved Rose that deeply, doesn’t he want her back? I mean if he’s as smart as you say, couldn’t he find a way back here?” He sighed. “I don’t know. There is a way to cross the void safely, but he doesn’t have the technology or the knowledge to make the device he needs. So for the moment, he’s stuck. If he does find a way back, Rose said that she wouldn’t go with him unless I was allowed to go and I wouldn’t give her up to him now, not without a fight. I’m happy, Rose is happy and I’ll be damned if he comes back and tried to disrupt that. As far as I’m concerned, the man had his chance to be with her and he blew it. Rose is with me now and the only way I’ll let her go is if she wants out of this relationship. If she wants to leave me of her own volition, then I’ll be heartbroken, but I’ll respect her wishes. But if comes back demanding she go with him and she doesn’t want to go, then by God, he’ll have to get through me to get to her and I won’t make it easy, not by a long shot. I don’t care if he is my twin; I’ll send him packing without a second thought.” “You go, boy,” Awinita said. “I don’t blame you one bit. Rose is a nice woman and I’d hang on to her too.” “Rose is a jewel. She’s one of the kindest, caring, selfless people I’ve ever known. She has done so much for me and for the Doctor and I hate that this has happened to her. She doesn’t deserve any of this. It’s not just the Doctor, but her friends are also in the other universe and now that’s also been denied to her. She’s been through so much pain and suffering and horror and the fact that she hasn’t gone nuts from it just astounds me. She is a remarkable woman and I’m so glad that she decided to give me a chance. Because if she didn’t, I probably would have become a stalker and just followed her around like a puppy until she did accept me.” Awinita giggled. “Wow, there’s an image. I can just see you crawling around on your hands and knees whimpering while you tried to get her attention.” He chucked. “Hey, Rose is worth every second of debasement I would have to go through. But, luckily that didn’t happen. Come to think of it, her mother would have been very disturbed at the whole puppy thing. She thinks I’m odd enough without me whimpering like a puppy.” “The woman you guys were talking to in the library?” He rolled his eyes. “Yes, her. I hope you never meet her in person, Awinita, because she’s a scary individual.” “Even scarier than the Jersey Devil?” She giggled when he nodded his head rapidly. “Gee, Rose isn’t scary.” “Yeah, how Rose ever grew up in that household without turning into Mumzilla, I’ll never know. I think that also speaks of her character and strength. Course, she doesn’t like it when I say stuff like this, but I can’t help it. I’ll be civil to her mother for her sake, but that doesn’t mean I have to be buddy buddy with her. Nope, I’m so glad she’s on the other side of the Atlantic right now. Especially now. I have the feeling Rose didn’t call her because she knows the moment mummie dearest finds out she’s been attacked, she’ll jump all over me for it, even though I didn’t do anything. Both me and the Doctor had to swear to protect her with our lives and even though we gladly swore to it, still it speaks of just how much faith she has in me that I have to verbally promise not to let anything happen to her.” “What do you think’ll happen when she finds out Rose has been hurt?” “Oh, I’ll probably be strung across her kitchen table, flayed alive and watch as my skin is roasted, toasted and shoved back down my throat.” “Then, if I were you, I would stay on this journey for as long as possible.” “Trust me, I intend to.” He looked out the window. “Listen, it’s been a couple of hours since we started talking. You wanna head back?” “Sure.” He smiled. “Thanks for being so understanding, Awinita, I know it’s a lot to take in especially after last night.” She held up her hand. “You’re a nice guy, Alan, and I care about that more than you being half alien. Just as long as you don’t plan to take me up in your spaceship and do anal probes on me.” He rolled his eyes as she laughed. “You know, it might surprise you when I tell you that I don’t know a single species that does that to humans. How that ever got started…that and the cow mutilations, why would aliens waste all that time coming here just so they could turn cows inside out. I have to say, you lot have some imagination. But no, I promise you, I’m not going to kidnap you and take you up into my mother ship for weird experiments or to lay eggs in your stomach or to enslave you on some alien world. I don’t even have a spaceship at the moment.” “Well, good, just making sure.” She giggled as Alan eyed her. “You and Rose, I swear…” he said. “I can already tell the two of you are going to get along well. You think alike.” He smiled. “And speaking of our comrade, let’s go ahead and get back before she comes hobbling out of the hotel room to find us.”
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