A/N: Set some time after Nine regenerates into Ten – it's still a Nine/Rose story, though. Written for the 5, 10, 20, 50, 70, 100 Fandoms Challenge on HPFC.
The Doctor knew that Rose Tyler would never really feel the same way about him. He wasn't the same person anymore. He was still the Doctor, but he'd regenerated, and he'd never be the same. Sometimes, he'd lie awake in the night and wonder how hard it was for Rose to pretend that she still had the same feelings for him. He'd remember the way she'd look at him before he changed.
The way she'd look at him when he called her fantastic, her face lighting up like a Christmas tree.
The way she'd look at him when he talked about the Time War, wanting to say something to comfort him but not knowing how to.
The way she'd look at him when he told her about a distant planet in a different galaxy, completely believing him and yet struggling to wrap her mind around it.
The way she'd look at him when the sadness or unfairness of something nearly broke her heart, knowing that he understood as no one else could.
The way she'd look at him when she managed to distract him from something, trying not to smile because she knew that he was trying to be serious.
The way she'd look at him when she knew that she made a mistake, not wanting to ask for help and yet knowing that she'd have to.
Most of all, he'd remember the way she'd look at him when she thought he wasn't looking back, the way she'd look at him when she thought nobody was watching, the way she'd look at him when she didn't want to look away and was afraid of what would happen if she did.
Now, most of what he could see was the way she'd look at him when she tried to find some remnant of who he used to be, trying to avoid thinking about how much he'd changed.
The way she'd look at him when she looked over her shoulder and almost expected to see a different face, attempting to hide her slight disappointment.
The way she'd look at him when she knew that the person he used to be was never coming back.