Ghost of a Rose
"It's not your fault." Rose whispered, lips red with blood, beautiful blond hair sticking to her face with sweat and blood. A single white rose was clasped in her hands. "We've had a good time though, right Doctor? Me and you, flying threw the stars."
Holding her tightly in his arms, the Doctor couldn't reply as he chocked back a sob. He couldn't break down now, he had to be strong for her, Rose still braved a smile. Silent tears ran down his dirty, pale cheeks.
"Promise me Doctor, promise me that you'll think of me whenever you see a white rose." With all the strength she had left, she lifted her hand, and handed the white rose to the Doctor, gently clasping his shaking hands around it. "I'll be your ghost of a rose."
She coughed violently, blood coming up from her mouth, her breath sharp and painful, a rattling sound in her chest. "I love you." Her once shining eyes slipped closed, and her body became still.
With a scream of despair the Doctor held her close, rocking backwards and forwards, alone on the moor as darkness began to fall.
The valley was a beautiful rich green, threw the meadow ran the bluest stream, the water gentle with small fish swiming against the current. High above the birds flew, their dark forms standing out against the cloudless powder blue sky, mixed in with the colours of purple, red and gold. In the distance the sun was setting, shining gold on the water, the fallen leaves on the bank amber in the light. On the hill, before the setting sun, the Doctor saw a small silhouette. Leaving the TARDIS, he walked towards it. Once at the top of the hill, he bent down, and ran a gentle finger over the delicate petals of the single white rose.
A small sad half-smile crept up on his face as he remembered his Rose, the young human girl who made him want to live again after he'd lost everything. His beautiful Rose, spirit so wild, the innocent heart of a child. Wonderful, brilliant Rose. And he loved her…
"Doctor?" Martha asked, coming up behind him. "Is everything okay?"
She placed a hand on his shoulder, and he nodded. Letting the white rose slip from his fingers he stood, giving Martha a smile. "I'm fine. Come on, there's nothing hear. How would you like to go see the Alahka festival? Its one of the best attractions in the universe! A magnificent show."
Taking her hand, the Doctor took off at a run back to his waiting TARDIS, causing Martha to laugh.
He let her enter first, and then, on impulse, he turned back for one more look. There on the hill was the rose, and a shadow of a women was dancing around it to the setting sun.
The Doctor's hearts clenched, and he sucked in a sharp breath. He couldn't move, all he could do was watch in wonder.
Then, the sun disappeared beneath the Earth. The shadow of the dancing women was gone. The white rose glowed as bright as the moon. A sudden wind picked up, blowing around him, and in the wind he heard the whispered voice. "I'll be your ghost of a rose." The first true smile the Doctor had smiled for three years lit up his face, his eyes wet with unshed tears. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, then entered into the TARDIS. He's carry on, he'd live his life, save lives, for her.
As the TARID disappeared, on the hill the ghost of a young women smiled, and the white rose shone brighter than ever for her Doctor.