Title: We're all Weak

Summary: After a dangerous encounter the Doctor decides it's too dangerous for Rose to stay with him…she disagrees.

Rating: PG

"I'm not weak!" She shouts at the top of her lungs even though he's standing right in front of her. Her jeans are ripped at the knee from falling as they ran for their lives. Her hoodie is soaked in blood, both her own and the Doctor's, and yet she doesn't cry. Maybe it's shock or the adrenaline pumping through her veins from once again running for her life.

The Doctor already regrets saying what he did, but he knows it's for the best. He knows one of these days it won't just be torn clothing and grazed knees. The spear that had pierced her shoulder had narrowly missed her heart. She could have died. The knowledge of that is all that stops him from taking back his order and letting her stay.

"I know you're not." His tired eyes hold the wisdom of 900 years of life, of love and death, but mostly death. "You're the bravest human I know…but you're not invincible. If you die you won't regenerate-"

"I know the risks!" She screams, the tears finally beginning to fall as the adrenaline wears off. "It's my choice and I'm staying."

"No." his tone isn't light-hearted and holds none of his usual giddiness. It's stern and authoritive, like a teacher scorning a child. He sounds more like his last regeneration than his current one; cold, distant and resolute. "It's my choice Rose. And I'm taking you home." He doesn't look at her as he begins setting the controls to return them to earth. Back to the estate, a dead-end 9-5 job and a mundane existence. She won't let him.

He looks at her in shock as he hand connects with his face. A stinging slap to match her expression. "I am not weak." She says calmly, but her voice now holds the superior tone. "I've faced Slitheen, Daleks, Cybermen and dozens of other stuff. I've seen the end of time and the birth of the sun. If you think you can just take me home and leave me there then you can think again mate! It's my choice and I'm not leaving you!"

The Doctor brushed away her tears with his thumb, staring at her intently. He knew she was strong, stubborn and independent, just like Jackie, but he also knew the dangers that constantly seemed to find him. "Alright." He finally relented. "But the next time you almost die, that's it. You go home. And if I have to stay there with you for the rest of your life to make sure that's where you stay then I will. Understood?" Her arms wrapped around him in a crushing him while she repeatedly thanked him.

Sighing he returned the hug, careful not to press against her wounded shoulder. Rose is his weakness, he can't deny her anything. "So where to now then? How about a week in Hawaii? Or this nice little beach I know on a planet near the edge of the Milkway? I'd say we've earned a holiday."

"Actually I wouldn't mind going to see mum. She was talking about ghosts or something when I last rang her…think she's going a bit mad on her own."

"Going?" She rolled her eyes at him in frustration, but her smile was genuine and warm. He never wanted to see her so angry or vulnerable again. He'd protect her from anything the universe through at them and never give her up.

Staring at the blank white wall the Doctor couldn't take it all in. He'd lost her. His Rose. Less than a day ago he'd tried to make her leave him, to go back to Jackie and be safe, but she'd stayed. And now she was gone. Forever. "I'm sorry." He whispers to the wall, but knows it useless. Even if she could hear him, which would be impossible, it wouldn't change the fact that he'd broken his vow. He'd never again be there to save her life, comfort her, or simply hold her hand. He was alone, all because he'd been too soft with her. It was his fault she was gone and nothing could make that right.

Fin.