Doctor Who, "Possible Side Effects" Rose, Ten | rated G

[paynesgrey]

Fandom: Doctor Who
Title: Possible Side Effects
Author: paynesgrey 
Characters: Rose Tyler, Tenth Doctor
Rating: G
Genre: Humor/General
Notes: Written for the "food" challenge at who_contest. 
Spoilers/Warnings: None.

Links: AO3 | FFnet | Teaspoon

Summary: Rose Tyler is not sure about the food they are having.

Rose Tyler looked warily at the strange wobbly iridescent sludge that was placed before her. She poked it with her utensil, something resembling a spork and a crazy straw, and watched the light inside the sludge glitter like a bad craft project.

“And… you’re sure this is edible?” she asked the Doctor who had already taken a “spoonful” of the goo and swallowed it, causing Rose’s stomach to lurch from such a sight. The Doctor didn’t seem to mind the weird food at all and even seemed to enjoy it.

“Ah, oh yes…” the Doctor said, watching her reaction. Rose’s stomach made a noise, and the Doctor took it for hunger. “It’s delicious. Dig in.”

“But it’s so… alien,” she said, still not convinced.

“Well, yes, but as you can see…” He took another big bite. “All is good. Go ahead. It’s safe.”

“But… it’s safe for you, but what about for a human?” Rose asked. 

“Hrmm… I would think it’d be alright,” he answered, and she saw him space out for a moment, gazing over her shoulder as he considered her question. “I think your digestion system can handle it… shouldn’t be any big problems…”

“What about small problems, side effects or...reactions, possibly? Look Doctor, I just don’t know if I want to put this stuff in my mouth,” Rose said, still nervous by the amorphous food in front of her. Did it suddenly turn another color? Or maybe it has changed two colors in the last couple of minutes? The oddness of the food began to curb her appetite. Maybe she could wait until they got back to the TARDIS.

“Ah, what’s the worst that could happen? Live a little, Rose Tyler!” the Doctor encouraged her, and he took another bite. “Mmm…” he said rather loudly, which only grossed her out more.

“Well…” she said, poking the sludge with her utensil again. One bite couldn’t hurt, right? She scooped a tiny portion, slowly brought it up to her lips and opened her mouth tentatively.

Then the Doctor added, “You may have oddly colored waste for awhile, a slight possibility of random hallucinations...maybe a change in hair color in odd places...Oh! And the possibility of a phantom pregnancy. Nothing too drastic!” 

“Pregnancy!” Rose cried, dropping her utensil and food. 

“I could be wrong,” the Doctor said, and Rose’s eyes widened as he cleaned his plate. He grinned at her. “I guess we’ll see in a couple days, hrmm?”

Rose stared at him without saying a word. She decided that it may not be a bad thing if she went hungry for a few hours after all. 

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