Disclaimer: Don't own Doctor Who.
Kazran, trust me. It's this or go to your room and design a new kind of screwdriver. Don't make my mistakes…
Would you do this? One last day with your beloved-which day would you choose?
Better a broken heart than no heart at all…
The Doctor sighed, the words buzzing around his Time Lord mind, pulling him towards memories he had long locked away.
"Doctor? You alright?" asked Amy as she moved away from Rory who was looking at the Doctor with concern.
"I'm always alright," he said with forced cheer, before wincing at his choice of words.
"You're…sure?"
Amy stood in front of him, glancing between the Doctor's eyes.
He considered, for one tiny millisecond, telling her that he wasn't, that he would never be while he was here and she was there, that he wanted to go home because the TARDIS wasn't home now, not without her, that he wasn't whole anymore, that it was too much, far too much to ask of one man-
But he wasn't a man. He wasn't even human. So he faked a smile for her, one that she saw right through, and nodded.
"Right, where next, Ponds?"
Amy watched him, wondering what it was that had been said to remind him. She didn't know what it was he remembered but she always knew when he did. It was a rare occurrence that he would let whatever it was trouble him; his eyes would show every minute of his age, and he would clutch onto the TARDIS as though it was a lifeline.
Which, knowing him, it probably was.
Rory watched him too, wishing he could help the Time Lord in some way.
"Amy," he said quietly, taking her hand. "Let's give him some space."
She nodded, casting one last worried glance over her shoulder before sighing and letting Rory lead her away.
The Doctor closed his eyes, relief that they were leaving washing over him, gratitude for Rory welling up.
He had tried so hard to make his Eleventh body forget about her, forget his love for her. But that was clearly impossible.
The Doctor would always love Rose Tyler.