Prologue
He leaned against the wall, overwhelmed by such a large feeling of loss, an empty hole forming inside. He put his hand up to rest on the wall, knowing Rose was just on the other side of it-though an entire world away, a parallel universe. He was hesitant to leave the spot, the last connection he had left of Rose Tyler. His throat was sore from yelling just minutes ago, as if he could have saved her by it. And he hadn't even been able to say good-bye...
An idea formed in his mind, and he clung onto the dear hope of it. There was a way to say farewell, and he was going to do it. He slowly started to walk away, putting his hands in his pockets and taking a last look around the room at Torchwood Industries. Maybe it was truly time to leave Earth and let history run its course on its own, without his usual helpful interference. He had lost his only reason to keep coming back here.
He finally left the room to make his way to the TARDIS. As he turned into the corridor outside of the room that had contained the Rift, he almost ran into a young woman, apparently the new boss at Torchwood.
"If you'll excuse me," he murmured, making as to go past her. She grabbed his arm.
"But, Doctor, we'll need you. London and so many other places have high damage and shock levels. We need your help to-"
"I said, if you'll excuse me," the Doctor said, slight irritation creeping into his voice as he pushed past her and began to quickly walk down the hall. She was right on his heels, trying unsuccessfully to keep up his fast pace.
"Doctor, you're the one that knew what was going on in all this!" she insisted as they reached the TARDIS and the Doctor was pulling out his key.
"And you're the one that started all this!" he finally snapped, turning back to her with an angry, yet hurt, look. "Maybe I was wrong in thinking humans are geniuses. A little too much curiosity mixed in your genes and not enough sense to level it back out." The woman just stared, speechless.
"Good, then," the Doctor said after a moment, opening the door to his ship. He stood just inside, ready to close the door.
"You're sure you won't stay?" she asked softly.
"Quite. Now really, I must take my leave. I have little time left."
"What of the girl? Rose Tyler?"
The Doctor paused, the anger fading from his face to be replaced with sadness. "She's dead. I'm going to say good-bye." And with that, he shut the door.
The woman just watched, unsure still of this man. Everyone she had spoken to of him had been correct. He was quite intense. She put her arm up to shield her eyes from the bright light at the top of the police box. As the TARDIS began to fade and the engines whirred, she wondered if the Doctor would ever come back to Earth. And maybe that was for the best.