It had been weeks. Heck, for all the Doctor knew, it could have been years. It felt like years. It felt like years since he had seen Rose last. After the crash, the Doctor had taken her to the hospital, carrying her limp, unconscious body in his arms. Every few seconds he would put his ear on her chest, while he was running, hoping he would still find a consistent rhythm of small tha-thump, tha-thumps. The heartbeat of a human. He ran as fast as he could, with Rose's head on his shoulder, watching the hospital in the distance come closer and closer. He rammed the front doors open with the heel of his red converse, and demanded to see a doctor. A real one, with a medical degree native to the planet they were on. At least he knew which planet they were on. If he didn't... Well, he didn't even want to think about that. He sat in the waiting room outside Rose's room, not sleeping, not eating, just sitting. For three weeks straight. He would get regular notices about how Rose was, her heart rate, her breaths per minute even, but it wasn't enough. He needed to see her. He needed to feel her soft skin rub against his. He needed to hear her loud, yet gentle laugh. He needed to know she was okay. But there were very strict rules in this hospital, and visitors were only allowed in once the doctor gives the go-ahead. And the Doctor was certainly not going to put Rose's health at risk, because of his own selfish cravings. So he waited. For three weeks. He wanted to stay as close to Rose as possible. Just in case he was allowed in.

"Doctor?"

The Doctor slowly cocked his head to the side, just enough to see who was standing in front of him. These slow, lethargic movements had taken over his body, and until he had Rose okay and with him again, that probably wouldn't change for a while. After tipping his head just enough, he realized that Tethefta, one of Rose's nurses, was trying to capture his attention. She had spoken to him often enough, being one of the only kind nurses in Rose's room, as she was of the few that would actually talk and interact with him, outside of just handing him status reports on his companion. Tethefta, along with one of her friends, Holonwey, would talk to him about sports, other planets, even their political opinions, anything that may cheer up or interest the Doctor. Unfortunately, he would respond only with one worded answers, or a small nod or shake of his head, even with topics that would have fascinated him completely. He had his mind on other topics, though...

"Yes, I'm listening," replied the Doctor, tears welling up in his eyes. It seemed every word he uttered since the TARDIS' crash had brought a tear to his eyes.

"Rose is feeling better. She is awake now. But-"

The Doctor shot up out of his seat before she could even finish her sentence. Tethefta didn't even know he could move that fast, considering all she had seen was the sluggish, inert version of the Time- Lord.

"Let me see her. I want to see her. I need to see her!"

"Doctor, please, calm down, I beg of you."

The Doctor slowed down. He tried to steady his breathing, but his strange desire for Rose was getting the best of him, having him panting like a dog.

"There were some... unfortunate complications."

He slowly shrank back into his seat, knowing only bad could come after that. As the tears built up again, he willed himself not to cry, although he was thinking about all the horrible things that may have happened to her. Whatever it was, he knew he had to be right by her side.

"Anything that happens I have to be there. No question about it. I'm sure if you'd ask her she'd say the same thing. She's probably worrying now. Probably missing me. Do what could happen if she starts worrying? I mean, she's had the whole Time Vortex running through her head once upon a time, but that's a different story. What was I talking about? Oh, yes, let me see her, she needs to see me! She... she does want to see me, right?"

Tethefta looked to the floor, feeling as though she couldn't break the news to this man. He had sat, concentrated, for three weeks straight on this girl. He hadn't left the building, he hadn't even left the waiting room! Three weeks without seeing this girl, who seemed to be his best friend in the world. She couldn't do it. She couldn't tell him.

"I'm sorry, I have to talk to the doctor," Tethefta muttered, turning away. Perhaps one of the other nurses could tell him.

"Tethefta," the Doctor started, his voice very low, very soft, very calm. "I have waited three weeks to see Rose Tyler. She is my responsibility. Not only that, but she is my life. My whole life. And three weeks without her is unbearable. And it makes me angry. And you do not want to see me when I'm angry. So please, while I'm still calm, give me one reason why I cannot see my Rose Tyler!"

"I'm sorry, I really am, it wasn't me. The doctor said it would be best-"

"Tell me right now!"

Tethefta went still. The Doctor went rigid. And a single tear rolled down his face. Four small words that made the Time- Lord cry.

"She doesn't remember you."