Glimpses of Time

Chapter One: Pick Up

By Lumendea

AN: This takes place after The Return of Fenric in Child of Earth. This scene is the reason I know have yet another story. This story will contain glimpses of the future based around the characters we've already met and seen. Twelve was complaining that he didn't get enough 'screen time' with Rose compared with Ten and even Eleven. I decided he was right, so brace yourselves for a lot of Rose/Doctor fluff.

…..

The Doctor smiled to himself as the TARDIS materialized. He grabbed the screen and turned it so his sharp blue eyes could double check the date. Right place and right time. Nodding, he patted the console with a slight smile.

"Thanks, Old Girl," he said, his Scottish accent thickening a bit. Then the screen flickered and showed the outside which just made his smile widen further.

His wife was lounging on a chaise in the shade of a tree. He could just see little Ally on the beach building a sand castle with her brother Archer. Indulging in a moment of ginger envy, he wondered how long Alistair's line was going to keep the A name thing going. Sure he never argued with Rose about their names, but first Alistair and then Adam kept it going. They were going to run out of decent A name eventually. The TARDIS beeped at him and on the screen, Rose turned to look towards the TARDIS.

That was his cue. Heading for the door, he stepped outside into the warm sunlight and slipped on a pair of dark shades. Rose wasn't looking his direction anymore, but he could almost hear her smile as he approached.

"Everything sorted?" Rose asked. The Doctor smiled, she didn't even have to look up at him. Rose shifted over to make room for him on the chaise. "Fenric dealt with?"

"Yes," the Doctor replied. He sat down on the chaise next to Rose, reaching over to rest his hand over hers. Which happened to be resting on her own thigh. "All sorted." He looked out over the shimmering ocean and his eyes easily found their great-grandchildren again, giving into the urge to confirm they were still safe. They were and Alison looked up and waved cheerfully. He smiled and waved back at the little one. "Why today? Was it the equations?"

"You were muttering about temporal fluxes and debating the nature of beings preceding the universe," Rose reminded him. "It jogged my memory and I hate leaving time loops unresolved."

"I recall, you were quick to order me to your past in my last body," he remarked, relaxing back beside her.

"You never objected," Rose said. "I used to wonder about how happy you were to see me in the past."

"Well… you were adorable," the Doctor said. He couldn't help but smile at the memories.

"Were adorable?" Rose asked. She turned to look at him, pulling off her sunglasses. While she tried to give him an irritated look, all he could feel was amusement buzzing between them.

"I don't find the mother of my children adorable," the Doctor admitted. He brought her hand up and kissed it, letting his lips linger against her skin. "There are so many… better words for what you inspire in me."

"Insatiable you," Rose teased.

"Well I did just have a rather marvelous snog with your younger self," the Doctor reminded her.

"Poor thing is really frustrated," Rose said. She couldn't help but smile at him. "And it's only going to get worse for her."

"Yes…" The Doctor shuddered. "Don't miss those days myself."

"Not at all?"

"No," he answered shortly. "You were a terribly frustrating tempting distraction." The Doctor smirked as he ran a finger up Rose's arm and she shivered despite the heat. "Thought I couldn't have you. Kept telling myself to keep my distance because you couldn't really want an old broken man." He chuckled warmly into Rose's ear. "Little did I know."

Rose swallowed and turned her head as the Doctor dropped a kiss to her neck. "Adam's back," she said. "That means I'm done watching the little ones."

"TARDIS?" the Doctor asked despite knowing the answer. He couldn't help but smile.

"TARDIS."

Jumping up, the Doctor held out a hand to Rose and grinned when she took it. Their fingers slotted together perfectly, just like they always did and he led her back to the TARDIS.