A disclaimer: I don't own any characters from the show.

Note: The duplicate Doctor will be called Ten. Unless, of course, he is directly mentioned, or referred to, in which case he will be, called, The Doctor. By, other characters, he will be called, John, John Smith. The name's John, John Smith. Sorry, I had too. Hopefully, that clear cleared up, any confusion that could arise, for the later chapters.

Doctor Who

Life After You

Chapter 1

Ten leaned against one of the pristine white wall of the Tyler's estate. The closed door that he stood next to along that same wall was the bedroom. The same bedroom he shared with Rose. The closed door kept Rose hidden away inside. They had been staying with Jackie, Pete, and the baby until they could find a flat. He wasn't sure if they were going to be living together or separate. When they were together, she seemed so happy, and always smiling. It warmed his heart every time one would touch her lips. But, now at this moment a part of him felt like he was dying.

He would never tell her, he loved Rose far too much—to tell her that he could hear her. He could hear her when she was alone, when she was missing him. It broke his heart, but he could never admit to it, that he knows. Ten had seen it happen when she sleeps. Even when he's next to her. Sometimes he can hear it, and others it's silent. Both are deadly. He would snuggle up to her, stroke her hair, and try to kiss it all away. He would whisper loving words in her ear. He would do this while she slept. He willed her pain into himself. He did not want her to suffer this prolonged agony. What more could he do?

The human doctor took in a deep breath and swallowed the knot in his chest. He carefully knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Ten opened the door with a wide grin, "Hello, Rose."

The room was clean and the carpet soft. Not a thing seemed out of place. Rose even looked like she had not moved. She still sat at on the far corner of the king-sized bed.

A smile touched the corners of Rose's mouth when she saw Ten, "Hello, Doctor."

"Fancy going for a walk?" He had already dressed and was ready to depart on their little outing.

"Yes, of course."

Her smile widened as he watched her. He scanned her face lovingly, the faint damp streaks just below her green eyes almost made his smile falter. Ten couldn't help but wonder if staying with her was really helping or causing even more damage. Jackie and Pete both have said that she seemed better when he was there. Honestly, he's not so sure. No matter what Ten does, he can always see it. That faint hint of anguish in Rose's eyes when she looks at him. No matter how hard she tries to hide it the pain remains. No one else noticed it. To them she looked like the same old Rose. Ten just knew better. He can tell even when he really makes her laugh. Her eyes didn't light up quite the same way and the sound she makes isn't quite as bubbly.

The blonde slipped a pink puffy coat up over her shoulders with her gloved hands. He could tell by her body language that she was not alright. Regardless of what came out of her mouth and how she acted. The icy air hit them like a wall the moment they opened the front door to the warm house. The newly fallen snow that blanketed the ground glistened a little under the rays of the sun. It crunched under Ten's feet as he stepped over the threshold and held a hand out for her.

"Alons-y," she whispered with a smile. Rose's hand grasped tight around his.

"Alons-y," he smiled and held her hand like his very existence depended upon it. He didn't want her to slip on the patch of ice in front of the door. That would be his excuse if she asked why he held her hand so securely.

Ten truly feared that Rose's spirit had been shattered into ruins. Rose released his hand long enough to adjust herself. That way her body rested against his arm and body for warmth. One and gripped his arm while the fingers of her other hand laced into his. He squeezed her hand a little tighter. He kissed her hair as they walked.

Something inside her had died that day. The day the true and original doctor left. It had been and still is an extended death.

He nuzzled her ear and whispered, "Rose Tyler, I love you."

"You too."

He watched her gaze longingly up at the sky as the snow floated softly down at their feet.

"Want some hot chocolate?" Rose smiled and squeezed his hand.

"Sure." He reluctantly released her hand and watched as she jogged into one of the buildings.

When she returned, she held a paper cup with a little white plastic lid out to him, "Just the way you like it, Doctor."

In that split second she looked like Rose. She was his Rose. But, in reality she was never Ten's Rose, she was always his Rose. Ten might be a clone, but in truth they weren't identical, physically they looked the same, but Donna was also a part of him. So Ten was more like an identical twin rather than a full on clone. The longer Rose remained in the parallel world the more she saw the differences between them, Ten and him. She never compared, was always grateful and caring. But every time Ten would do something more Donna he could see something cross her face for half a second. She would see the look on Ten's face and immediately compose herself.

Rose wished desperately that she couldn't notice or wouldn't notice the things he did that were not the same as the man he was born from. Ten swallowed the knot in his chest when Rose once again laced her fingers into his. He looked at her smiling face and a tear trickled silently down her cheek. As he reached for it Rose placed her mouth to his. He couldn't resist the urge to enfold his arms around her and hold her soft frame close to his.

Soft, liquid made gentle contact with his flesh—she pulled him closer—kissed him harder and deeper

When they broke apart, he could see the translucent trails beneath her eyes as she smiled so kindly and lovingly at him.

"I'm sorry, Doctor. I am so so sorry."

He brushed a stray tear from her jawline, "Oh, Rose. You have nothing to be sorry for."

"But, I do," she whispered.

Ten embraced her protectively and breathed in her scent. She smelt of vanilla. Her fist clung urgently to the material of his shirt.

"Does my being here hurt you, so badly?" the words tore a hole into his heart. Fear of her answer swelled. To comfort himself Ten pulled Rose closer. It even felt as though Rose was holding him even tighter.

"Please," she sounded disconnected and muffled in his chest, "Don't. Please—don't leave me. Is it unfair for me to ask you to stay? I want you to stay."

There was so much agony, so many unsaid words and fear in that one small plea. Her tears shredded him to the point his embrace faltered.

"Rose Tyler," Ten whispered softly. Ten kissed the top of her head and rested his cheek against her hair. "I would never leave you. I will stay with you, forever, if that's what you want."

There you go guys. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know it's a bit late (about three hours) but I wanted to give you guys something for the holidays. I have three new chapters written but I am currently in search of a beta. I am excited about this story and I hope you guys will be too. Until next time guys I hope you had a safe and wonderful holiday.