A/N: I haven't actually seen 'The Girl in the Fireplace' I've just listened to the commentary and podcasts. This seemed appropriate.
The Doctor's first thought was to go back and save her. Go back and save the woman who'd taught him how to love. No, wait, scratch that, the second woman who'd taught him to love. He knew the laws, but being the only one just made it harder. Plus, Rose would probably hate him for it. Their friendship; although stronger than ever; had been a little bit shaky recently. Rose had been jealous of Sarah-Jane and annoyed when Mickey joined them. She obviously saw Reinette as a threat. Guilt washed over him as the Doctor realised how insensitive he'd been. Rose obviously fancied him and here he was hooking up with another girl. She had every right to be angry and avoid him. The Doctor went into her room to find her sitting quietly and sobbing on the end of her bed.
"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" Even though he knew full well what it was.
"You should know."
"Look, I'm sorry about the whole Reinette thing. It's just that…"
"Just what Doctor? Just an old friend, just someone else who's been inside these walls. Or is she your girlfriend? Go on, I can see you're sulking. Go save her, why do you need my approval?" she spat.
The Doctor sat down beside her and held her close. Rose sobbed into his chest and he stroked her hair. All the while feeling worse and worse.
"I'm sorry, if I'd known, I – I wouldn't have," he whispered.
"Would you have Doctor? Your emotions are different to Mickey's or mine. For all I know you can go around snogging every girl that comes along and come back to me and say you wouldn't have done it if you'd know how I felt."
At that point, the guilt really set in, and that's when the Doctor lashed out, "I'm sorry Rose, but you're not the only girl who is or has been important to me. How about all the times you brought your boyfriends on board. Adam? Jack? Now Mickey!"
"I can't believe you. First of all, I ditched Adam the moment I saw his true colours. As for Jack, he was more that a petty boyfriend and you know it. He was just as much a part of you as he was to me. And lastly, I didn't invite Mickey on board, you did."
They just sat there for a few minutes, the silence, not awkward, just recovery. The Doctor was the first to break the silence.
"I am sorry. More than you could know. Although, I do love Reinette to a certain extent, I love you more. Rose, you came back for me, you could've died on that satellite. You proved your love then just as I did when Igave up one of my regenerations for you. I don't do that for just anyone. Before, when I went back to save Reinette, I didn't think about the consequences. It was spur of the moment thing. I never thought about you and Mickey then, and I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
Rose snuggled back into his chest again and said," I know, I'm sorry too. I just get this feeling that, you're gonna leave me and Mickey back on earth one day, just like you did to Sarah-Jane. I'm afraid, I might wake up one day and you'll be gone. Gallivanting around the universe and I'll go back to being a shop girl."
"Rose, I would never do that. Not again," He kissed her head softly and stroked her hair again.
His thought's returned to Reinette and the letter she left him. He hoped she was at peace.
The Doctor soon noticed that Rose had fallen asleep on his chest. He lay her down on her bed and kissed her cheek gently.
"Goodnight, Rose."
"Goodnight Doctor."
And he blushed.
Okay, it's a total oneshot. I have a bigger story I should be working on, but… I've hit a mental block. I hope you enjoyed this, I liked writing it, even if I haven't seen the episode yet. "Stupid ABC, you've bought the show, make us wait another TWO months…"
Reviews please:-p