Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor who or any of its characters except for the any original character created by me. The rights belong to Russell T Davies and the BBC. I make no profit from the writing of this story; it is for entertainment only, please do not sue.
AN: For those who have not seen season three and four, then don't read this story until you do, or else you will be bombarded with major spoilers for both recent series. The last three episodes of season four do not happen, meaning the human Doctor is not created, and Rose comes back much later on into the Doctor's future.
To Love And To Love Again
The Doctor leaned over the console and sobbed. Sobbed over the fact he had to leave his wife of twelve years behind. Knowing that she was going to die on her next adventure without him.
He had not wanted to leave her behind, but knew it was what was meant to happen. He had promised they would meet again. They would, but it would be in the future for her, and the past for him.
River Song, she was going to visit the library, the ultimate library of all libraries. And he knew she would die in his place. He knew this because he would be there to watch it happen, watch as she handcuffed him, preventing him from preventing her from dying in his place.
This was why he had given her his sonic screwdriver, knowing his past self would need it to make sure her remaining essence would not be lost forever, but forever contained inside of the world of the computer memory banks of the Library.
The Doctor was so overcome with grief, that he did not notice a flash of blue, until he was practically blinded by it. He startled and got to his feet, and stood in a defensive position.
Once the blue light had cleared, he received the shock of his lives. He staggered backwards slightly, landing against the side of the console. For there standing in front of him, barely looking a day older then when he had last seen her in the alternative reality, was Rose Tyler, now Dr Rose Carlisle.
He quickly took note of the fact she looked almost exactly as he had left her twelve years ago. Almost being the key and operative word. For he noticed more then a few subtle changes.
For one, Rose had let her natural hair colour take place of the bleach blond. It was dark brown, almost black, and was wavy and flowed down to her spine. He noted she looked thinner and less curvy then she had been when he last seen her. But still she looked just as beautiful as always.
Her sense of style he remembered was no more. Where there had once been a bleach blond teenage chav, now stood a conservative looking business woman, with a sight less and more subtle makeup. No large hoop earrings, but small diamond studs.
And a tight designer cut trouser suit in black, with Lilac pinstripes. And a deep lilac form fitting low cut blouse. That was paired with a pair of black heeled boots, and a black body hugging leather knee cap length coat.
And finally he noticed she had large black leather rucksack draped over her left shoulder, and a black case he presumed must have contained a laptop or something similar.
But those changes were not what made the Doctor inwardly shiver. No that was the look in her eyes. They looked so tiered, old and weary. Her youthful face belied all of the grief, loss, experience and wisdom, which was hidden deep behind her dark eyes.
The Doctor caught something sparkle as he looked down at Rose's hands. It was on her left hand, it being a pure golden wedding band, with a delicate golden band with a medium sized heart shaped diamond mounted in the centre.
Rose was married was the first thought that the Doctor was able to digest. This reminded him of the golden band on his own left ring finger. He unknowingly fingered the band, a look of deep agony flashed across his face.
Rose instantly noticed this, and could not help but feel pity for the man standing in front of her. she presumed his wife must have died. She knew what it felt like, to have your spouse die after being with them for so many wonderful and loving years.
Rose smiled sadly at him and said "Hello Doctor. Long time no see." She added "It would seem I'm not the only one to have experienced new and different adventures, painful but ever so wonderful adventures since we last parted."
She carefully lowered her rucksack and her laptop case onto the metal grating of the TARDIS floor. She then slowly walked up to him, before quickly taking him into her arms. This caused his already fragile emotions to finally spill over, and he sobbed painfully into her arms.
Rose kissed him on top of the head, just holding him and whispering soothingly into his ear. She quietly asked him "What happened to her, did you somehow lose her?" The Doctor couldn't answer, being far too overcome by grief.
The TARDIS sensed this, and entered Rose's mind. She asked 'Do you mind me allowing him to see everything you've endured in exchange for the knowledge of the last fifteen years of his life?'
Fifteen years. It had only been fifteen years for him, but ever so much longer for her. A hundred and eighteen years longer to be exact. She replied 'Yes, you have my permission, Old Girl, go right a head'
Seconds later both Rose and The Doctor went ridged in each others arms, as the TARDIS created a telepathic link between the three of them.
