Two Universes

Would they really collapse? Or is the Doctor just lying to cover up the truth?

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who

xxx

"So?"

The Doctor half-laughed. Rose did the same, though she hardly found it funny. So what if two universes would collapse? It wasn't a goodbye without a hug. Not that she wanted it to be goodbye.

"Which ones?" she sniffed.

"Which ones? I dunno - erm, not these ones, I don't think ... or maybe these ones ... I don't really know ..."

There was something about his voice ... he was lying. Rose just wasn't sure why.

"They wouldn't, would they?" Rose asked quietly.

"They wouldn't what?"

"Collapse. I can hug you. You just don't want me to."

"No! No no no! Of course I want to hug you, Rose, but trust me, two universes will collapse!"

"They won't! I can see right through you!" Rose shuddered, hoping what she'd just said wouldn't come true in a hurry, "What's the real reason then, Doctor? Why can't I hug you?"

"I've told you! Two universes would collapse! Don't you get angry with me, Mrs, I'm burning a sun up for you!" The Doctor snapped.

Rose flinched, alarmed by his outburst, but he was smiling again.

"I'm sorry. I'm just - upset, that's all."

"That makes two of us."

Rose was starting to wonder if she'd been wrong. Maybe he was telling the truth. If what he'd yelled was true ... was he really burning up a sun just to say goodbye?

"Rose?"

"Mm?"

"You're right. I'm lying."

"You are?"

Typical. She'd just been doubting herself and she'd been right all along.

"If we hug, nothing'll happen. The gap's big enough. Just. It's complicated."

"Can we hug, then? I've got to hug you one last time, please?" Rose looked up into the Doctor's eyes. They were brimming.

"Rose, there's just one problem. Or three."

"What are you talking about?"

"If I hug you, one of three things can happen. Either I'll get so upset I'll cry all over you and drown you in tears -"

Rose gave a small sob, but she smiled at the same time.

"And what are the other things?"

"I'm coming to them now. Either I'll drown you, or I'll hug you and I won't ever ever ever be able to let go of you and my arms will stay wrapped round you until I'm cruelly ripped away from you forever." He smiled weakly at Rose, "Or I'll do both. That's the most likely."

Rose laughed tearfully.

"I don't care!" she choked, and she flung her arms around him.

xxx

Just short, sweet fluff. What did you think?