A/N: This is my first go at a fanfic, so I hope you like :) Just a little One-Shot I came up with. What if Donna had not immedately appeared on the TARDIS after Doomsday? How will the Doctor cope with losing Rose on his own? Reviews would be nice please! :)
It was over. The gap was closed. There was nothing more to do.
The Doctor fought back his tears and closed his eyes. To his ancient mind it already felt as though years had passed since Rose had last been in the TARDIS, when in fact it had been mere minutes. His lips mouthed words he had failed to say in time, and he shook his head to rid himself of the hatred inside him.
"900 years I've lived, and now there's no time," he sighed. "I'm sorry."
The TARDIS made no sound, as though she too was sad to see Rose go. He patted the console gently. "Just you and me, old girl." The machine swayed gently as it drifted through the time vortex aimlessly, carrying her thief and his broken hearts.
Aimlessly.
The Doctor took off his jacket and sat on the couch beside the console. For half a moment he convinced himself it was not true. Any moment now, Rose would come bursting through those doors, grinning at the sight of him with naught but adoration and love in her eyes for the man who had the power to show her the universe.
Power. What power? The Doctor held his head in his hands. Power was nothing. Daleks and the Cybermen destroying Earth? Easy. Losing Rose Tyler? Not quite so simple. Since the moment, that one shining moment, where he had grabbed her hand and said that word that always followed him everywhere, "Run," she had been his one reason to stay put. To stop for a moment and take a look at the wonderful and glorious sights that this universe had to offer. She taught him that life isn't lonesome. She made him see that friends can be found anywhere.
Unbidden into his mind came the Dalek standing helpless in the sunlight, as she defended it from the monster that his Ninth incarnation had become.
"Oh, Rose. They're all dead."
"Stop it," The Doctor said, snapping back to reality. He stood up and wandered around the console a few times. Aimlessly.
"C'mon old girl," he smiled, his eyes, barely reflecting the line on his lips. "Show me somewhere…somewhere fantastic!" He gave the lever a quick pull and tapped the screen. The TARDIS responded with a swift playful jerk as she took her Timelord on a journey through the time vortex, trying to find somewhere that would act as a gentle reminder that he is never alone.
"Am I ever going to see you again?"
"You can't."
The Doctor shook his head, as if the motion alone would dislodge the memories from his brain.
"Stop it, stop it, STOP IT." He moaned, scratching his head, kicking the console and walking swiftly around the TARDIS time and time again.
"Och aye…av been…oot and aboot!"
"STOP IT!" he bellowed. The TARDIS slowed to a halt and remained silent. The monitor flickered slightly, and suddenly, projected onto the walls of the everlasting time machine, was the face of Rose Tyler. The Doctor opened his eyes and stared.
"What…" The TARDIS swayed gently, communicating with him. He looked at the main console. "Oh."
He took two steps forward and pressed his hands gently against the image of Rose's cheek. "Thank you."
Inside his head, The Doctor imagined what she was doing now. Still crying at Bad Wolf Bay? Already on her way home? Had she moved on already?
He sighed and lifted his head from the projection. His alien hand gave one more stroke to Rose's face, and he whispered. "I love you too." The projection flickered and faded.
"Don't forget me, Rose Tyler."