A/N: I heard the song "Where I Stood" by Missy Higgins on Pandora the other day and immediately knew that I had to write a story to go along with it. It sounds like it was written for the Doctor in Journey's End. This is meant to be sad and I'm not really this pessimistic about the Doctor and Rose's relationship, but when the plot bunny takes hold ...
Disclaimer: Who owns Doctor Who? Certainly not me.
Where I Stood
The Doctor looked into Rose's tear filled eyes as he tried to make her happy – as he gave her his double. He knew this would make her happy in the end, but right now, she was resisting; she wasn't leaving without a fight, dear girl. He knew that she felt as though she was being rejected and he wished, so much, that he had the time and the privacy to tell her what he was really thinking. He himself was torn inside but he knew that this was what he had to do.
Rose meant more to the Doctor than anyone else he had ever known – he loved her more than anyone else he had ever loved at all. He had been in such a dark place when he had met Rose – full of anger and hate and rage and self loathing. But she had changed him so much; she had taught him to fight the darkness, let go of the hate, and, perhaps more importantly of all, to trust himself. Now she needed to trust him because there were so many reasons he couldn't have her and he knew that this was what he had to do.
His double didn't need to be banished from his universe – this was all for Rose's sake. The Doctor physically needed her to be happy and as long as she was with him, she would never have the happiness and peace he needed her to have. Even though he did so much good for so many people, those who were closest to him always got hurt. It was a hard life he had begun and as hard as Rose tried, she would not always be able to run with him.
She was such a big part of him that the Doctor didn't know who he was without her, but he should because she couldn't belong to him. Rose deserved someone who could give her their whole self and the Doctor simply couldn't. While one heart was hers to keep, the other was irrevocably given to the universe.
He didn't know if he could stand seeing someone else hold her hand, but he should. It was time to give up that precious privilege. He couldn't be selfish anymore.
As he saw Rose kiss his double, the Doctor knew he had to leave or else his resolve would crumple. He projected one thought to Rose as he entered the TARDIS that caused her to turn around and stare after him.
I have to leave, Rose, because he will make you happy. He will love you more than I could, he who dares to stand where I stood.
A/N: Just to let you know, I changed the point of view in the song from feminine to masculine. You should really listen to this song. It is so sad and describes the Doctor so amazingly! Please review!