Archive of Our Own ^beta

The bright red and white tent with its happy music and gorgeously sweet and salty scent of caramel popcorn drew in the crowds. Not even the chill and mist settling over the village diminished the crowds streaming toward the tent, lanterns guiding their way under the starlight sky.

Except, one Time Lord Meta Crisis with a less than pleasant history with circuses, Earthbound or otherwise, who loudly stood his ground grumbling about evil clowns. Half of the agents sent to investigate the circus fidgeted and seemed to agree.

"Look, I'm not keen on clowns either but we have to go in there." Rose didn't want to admit to the creepy crawling sensation prickling at her skin every time she looked at the tent.

"We should split up. Half the team take positions at each exit." Jake didn't look thrilled at going in either. His eyes widened, watching as a clown on stilts with glowing orange bulbous outfit making honking noises walked amongst the crowd.

Several of the team volunteered as back up.

"They're not wrong." The Doctor's warm breath ghosted against her ear as he clamped an arm around her waist.

Usually she'd burrow into his side for warmth. But she was in charge and expected to lead.

They'd only been back from saving the multi-verse for two weeks, and she was still figuring out their rhythm. He'd suffered a few crisis like maintaining a more human body, frustration with things he knew being wrong in this universe and rowing over how claustrophobic her flat was.

She agreed with him on the flat.

The rest was a matter of relearning each other, time and patience, something neither of them did well. All she wanted was him, their connection and that seamless teamwork they always enjoyed. She hoped this mission would help. Maybe followed by a hurrah we saved the Earth snog.

She cleared her throat but still managed to lace her fingers with his even as he pulled out his new sonic. The whirring was familiar and comforting.

"The scientific advisor's advice is duly noted. No confrontations without authorization. There's at least a hundred people in there at risk."

"The scientific advisor was nearly eaten by cannibalistic clowns. There's a reason they dress up and look happy. It's not 'cos they wanna have a laugh. That crowd is a mobile smorgasboard," the Doctor quipped, eyeing his sonic in the dim light.

"Did you have to say that?" Jake complained.

"You wouldn't ask if you saw the sharp teeth and piles of bones they--"

"Doctor, we get it. Clowns equal danger. That's why we go in quiet like, and assess. You suss them out. I make sure they don't bite anything and we get the crowds out and stop 'em. Jake, you, Burke, Jones and Cooper are with the Doctor and me. Everyone else take position."

"We only have this one life, Rose Tyler."

"That's why we go in together and with a team. I'm not losing you to a load of evil clowns with attitude. Now let's sort them so we can get chips and plan our holiday."

"Holiday?" Even in the moonlight as they approached the tent, she saw him arch his brow at her. Warmth flushed through her as finally they started to find themselves, hands swinging between them.

"Only one life doesn't mean boring, working all the time, or stuck in a flat. There's this banana festival in Guatemala, ancient ruins UNIT has on their watch list, and I'm sure we might, you know, find things to discover...together."

"I love you." The way he said it so softly but emphatically washed away any anxiety she had over them being together.

"I love you too." Before she could do more than bump shoulders with him, the screaming started. People ran from the tent which glowed brightly. The ground vibrated and clowns appeared with super soaker type guns that shot out bubbles that immobilized the fleeing people.

"I really hate to say I told you so," the Doctor drawled, sonic aimed forward.

"I hate this job." Jake pulled out his weapon much to the Doctor's muttering.

Rose sighed and watched the Doctor sonic bubbles yelling Ha!

"Control, we have a code Bozo."

"Code Bozo?" he laughed until that light appeared in his eyes that had been missing for at least a week.

"Dad's got issues with clowns and well, after Cybers, no one was taking chances."

"That's just brilliant." Then he caught sight of the tiny clown car which as it turned out was filled with hungry clowns and very much bigger on the inside. "Rose, look!" He was bouncing on the balls of his feet and dragging her forward, her team close behind them.

Yeah, evil circus was just the relationship fix they needed.