This story will make more sense to you if you have read Starting Over by TheDoctorMulder first. This story begins at the end of chapter 28 of that story. I enjoyed reading her take on it so much, that I couldn't get it out of my head. I contacted her to ensure it was alright, and I'm truly grateful that she's allowed me to take her amazing story and continue with this branch of it. I hope you enjoy. It's my first Fan Fiction. Thanks for reading.

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Chapter 1, The Morning After

The Doctor woke up in a puddle of his own drool to find that he had slid down the couch until his face was mashed into the arm.

"That's what I get for falling asleep sitting upright." he thought to himself.

He rubbed his sleepy face with both hands as he remembered why he had feel asleep in such an awkward position. And then it all came back to him. Rose's kidnapping. Her laying on the floor covered in blood after being shot. Him, having to hold her heart's main artery together to keep her blood circulating in her body. He had almost lost her to those villainous people. And even though she was home and seemed to be on the mend, he knew she had a long way to go before she would be "okay."

Then he remembered himself, the Doctor, taking that gun and shooting the kidnapper in the leg. It wasn't to kill him, of course. But, still. That wasn't him. How can he could he hurt someone intentionally? Well, that guy had hurt Rose! At the time, he believed Rose was dead! But, that didn't matter. It was cruel. Cowardly. Not 'The Doctor.'

But, was he really The Doctor anymore? He was human. Maybe it was a human emotion? Maybe after 900 years, he should finally drop the title. He was ashamed. What would his Rose think if she found out?

Speaking of which, where was his Rose? His heart leaped into his throat as he jumped to his feet.

"Rose?" He called quietly.

Then, he became worried. Had the kidnappers got her while he slept? He ran down the hallway, looking into the rooms.

He felt a little silly when he found her. She was safely in their bedroom asleep. Instant relief flooded over him. He was a little embarrassed at himself over his rash action. Of course, she had returned to the bed last night. He remembered her saying something about it being more comfortable than the couch now that he was more awake.

He walked into the bedroom to see her better. She was so beautiful as she lay sleeping peacefully. The light from the window splashed across her golden hair. He sat down on the side of the bed and leaned over to look at her closer. Her color was so much brighter than it had been since last night. His beautiful pink and yellow girl. He laid his hand on her head and sent comfort and love to her telepathically. She smiled and continued sleeping. He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

He shut the bedroom door quietly behind him and walked into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. There was no telling how long Rose would sleep. The doctors, with little "d's" had her on some powerful medication.

He finished his tea, and decided to go take a shower. He had washed all of Rose's blood off of him at the hospital last night, but there was just something about being able to get clean with your own soap and shower that made you feel more normal.

"Wow." he thought, His own soap and shower. That was domestic, wasn't it?" Of course the TARDIS had showers and soap, but he guessed he was beginning to see this world as home.

He came of out the bathroom to find that Rose's bedroom door was still shut. Not wanting to disturb her, he went to the laundry room where they had left some clothes that had not gotten put away yet. Both of them hated to do laundry.

He found a dark red cotton oxford and a pair of jeans. He had worn them once last week, and was surprised how comfortable he found them. Even if the tiny pockets were rubbish. He could always change into a suit after Rose woke up. At least he wasn't in scrubs anymore from the hellish night at the hospital. He had tossed those in the trash, along with his suit that was still covered in Rose's blood. He imagined that he could get along in life without seeing either one of those again.

He went to check on his growing TARDIS and took readings. Everything looked to be growing perfectly. He laid his hand on the branch that was noticeably bigger and telepathically told it, "You look lovely. Keep on growing. We have adventures that await us." He sprayed the solution he had made on the branch, and smiled at the lovely glow it created.

With Rose still not awake, he decided to return to the kitchen for another cuppa and a bit of toast. While he waited for the tea kettle, he looked around in the cabinets. He was excited to find an unopened jar of strawberry jam. By the time the tea was ready, he had ate half of the jar using his fingers. Rose had often accused him of having a sweet tooth. He had no idea what that meant.

"Wasn't food supposed to taste good? So what if he liked the sweeter things in life?" he thought as he put what Rose called, "too much sugar into his cup of tea."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. The Doctor opened the door to find Jake, Pete and some guys in black suits standing there.

"Good morning, Doctor!" said Pete. "Mind if we come in?"

The Doctor wasn't surprised to see Jake and Rose's step-dad there, but the tough guys in suits threw him off a bit. "Is this an invasion? What's with the suits?" he asked as he glanced over to the other unknown men that stood outside.

"Not at all," Pete laughed, "or rather, not really. We need to have a chat, though."

With that, the Doctor stood aside as Jake and Pete entered the house along with one another guy wearing a suit.

Pete turned to the unnamed man as the Doctor closed the door behind them, "Doctor. I'd like to introduce you to Shakes. He works in security and comes highly recommended by Jake, here." Pete pointed to Jake as he spoke, then pointed to the Doctor as he said, "And your Mickey, as well. He can be trusted."

Jake smiled, "The best of the best. I've known him a long time."

The Doctor took Shakes' hand to shake it. Shakes was a tall, dark muscled up man with a clean shaven face and head. He seemed as big as a door, and as wide as a wall. In the moment that he touched him, he could feel that he was a good man. A warrior, disciplined, and serious. But, he could also tell the man had a sense of humor. The Doctor smiled this man and asked, "Shakes?"

Shakes replied, "Yes, sir. William Shakes." The Doctor nearly lost it at that. He smiled and managed to keep from laughing in this new man's face. He couldn't help that he liked him instantly.

"Like Shakespeare?" inquired the Doctor.

All three men looked at the Doctor puzzled.

"Who?" Pete asked.

"Oh never mind." The Doctor didn't want to get into it at the moment. Apparently, this dimension was also devoid of William Shakespeare. "Good name. Actually brilliant name! One of my favorites! You should keep that one!" The Doctor couldn't help the smile all over his face.

The other three men continued to look puzzled, and Jake asked, "Is it a good time, Doctor?"

"Yes, sorry." The Doctor recovered himself as much as he could. " I had just made a cup of tea. Fancy one?" the Doctor asked the men.

Jake smiled, looked at Pete and said, "This is probably a talk that needs some tea." The Doctor noted how Jake could sense that whatever they needed to discuss, is not something the Doctor wanted to hear.

Jake then turned to Shakes and asked him to wait outside while they talked.

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