She's a Star
"Martha Jones, you saved the world." And him, oh so many times. Too many times to count.
"Yes I did. I spent a lot of time with you thinking I was second-best, but you know what?" she asked him, poking him with her slim finger. "I am good."
The Doctor smiled, but inside, his hearts broke a little inside. It hurt him to think that he'd made this strong, confident woman ever doubt herself, especially for a whole year (technically two, now, he corrected himself), all because it was too soon after Rose and he wasn't willing to open himself to that kind of pain again. And yet, it felt like Bad Wolf Bay all over again…
"Are you going to be alright?" And there was that compassion again. Even after all she'd seen and been through because of him, she still worried over him, even with her family broken with the memories of a time that didn't exist.
"Of course." Another lie to join the innumerable others.
"Right then." Pause. "Bye."
Martha quickly stood up on her toes and pecked him on the cheek before moving towards the TARDIS door. Where her lips had touched him, a slow-building fire was growing, and every step she took away from him, his heart clenched just the tiniest bit more.
As the door closed behind her, it finally hit him: somewhere along the line, he'd fallen for Martha Jones…and she left him. His doctor, the Doctor's doctor, had finally had enough of him and left.
Before he could change his mind, the Doctor set the controls and the TARDIS dematerialized, doing what he did best: running away.
As quiet once again settled inside the room, the Doctor felt tears prick behind his eyes and stuck his hands in his pockets in an attempt to help ward them off. It was then that he felt something and, curiosity getting the best of him as it always did, pulled the mystery object out of his pocket.
It was a phone. More specifically, it was Martha's phone.
A small smile tugged at his lips. Maybe there was some hope after all.