The Doctor watched Rose lying on her bed, unconscious. He pulled a stray hair away from her eyes, she looked so peaceful and content laying there, he'd have to leave soon. The sun was beginning to rise, the sunlight streaming through the windows as morning began in London, another new day, everyone getting on with their normal days, work and family, food and TV. As he looked down at Rose, his hearts felt the same tightness as they had before, he had to tell himself that he couldn't see her again, he had to promise himself. He couldn't put her at risk, one memory could kill her. He couldn't talk to her again, watch her face lit up as soon as she saw him, and share one of their hugs.
Every now and again he was going to check on her, make sure she was okay living her life as normal, he had to promise himself. He wanted her to be as happy as possible, carrying on her life as she did before, it wasn't going to be easy for her, four years of her life, travelling with him through space, were gone.
The Doctor glanced down at Rose one last time before exiting her room, gently closing the door behind him. As soon as he shut the door, he took a deep gentle breath he noticed Jackie standing opposite him, a sympathetic look on her face, with two cups of tea in his hands.
"M'sorry Jackie," The Doctor looked down at his feet; he didn't know what to say, he didn't know what her reaction was going to be. He had expected shouting and hitting, but none of it came, she didn't say anything until he looked up at her. Jackie's face wasn't harsh or angry, it was sympathetic and concerned, for him and for Rose.
"S'alright sweetheart," Jackie whispered, nodding towards the living room, the two of them sitting down in silence for a few moments, looking down at their mugs, not saying a word, Jackie could feel the emotion The Doctor was feeling, she could see he was angry, see he was upset. She didn't blame him though, she really didn't, even though she'd told him all these times she'd hated him for taking Rose away, she didn't. She loved him as a Son; Jackie could see the way Rose looked at him, happiness flickering from her eyes. How could she be mad at anyone that made her daughter that happy? "What happened, then?" She asked gently, giving him a moment to compose himself.
"Rose absorbed some energy..." He began to explain quietly, "She had a Timelord consciousness in her brain, all the knowledge of the Universe was crammed inside. Her mind wouldn't have been able to cope with it all, all the memories, all the planets within the Universe and the information burning inside her. I had to take everything away, all of it, everything we had ever done, the memories we shared together..." The Doctor explained, his voice was beginning to shake as he put his face in to his hands for a moment, for some reason the emotion and reality hit him once he'd said it out loud, told someone else she couldn't know about him.
"So...she'll forget everything about you and the TARDIS?" Jackie asked, if The Doctor was honest, she seemed rather upset. "But...she can't. She can't just forget, she moved on from this life. She was enjoying her life, with you. You made her see the world! You helped her." Jackie argued, shaking her head violently.
"I know," The Doctor nodded, "I know, we helped each other, she helped me. More than anyone ever has Jackie, believe me. She made me see the light, per se, when I met her I didn't want to travel with anyone, I wanted to be alone, wallow and mope alone. She made me the man I am today. She made me happy Jackie. And I just-I want her to be happy...as happy as she can now she's back here..." The Doctor looked across at Jackie, she didn't dare interrupt him, and allowed him to carry on, "And I want to make her happy, make her the life she always dreamed of. Jackie...I'm going to leave her something, money to start her life how she wants to, go back to education, get a good job, a house for a family."
"You can't sweetheart..." Jackie whispered, "You can't."
"I can," The Doctor nodded, "Think of all the shoes you could buy? A new start for the two of you...and Mickey. Make sure he looks after her."
"You're not saying goodbye Mister! Maybe you are to Rose," Jackie hissed quietly, "But you're coming back, you know you are! Aren't ya?"
"Yeah..."
"Good, we're not saying goodbye then," Jackie whispered, "rose may not be able to come with you, or remember you but...you can remember her, right? Do that then, remember her, remember everything you ever did together, you understand? Don't go in to a dark hole and never come back?"
"Okay," The Doctor nodded, "And you start a life again, for you and Rose? Get her dig up a few qualifications, she's more than capable."
"I know she is love." Jackie smiled as The Doctor stood up, she didn't want him to leave, not really. As she walked him to the door, she sighed gently, kissing his cheek softly.
"I'll come back Jackie, I'll check on her from a distance."
"Good," Jackie nodded, "Don't you make it too long now, will ya? I know what you're like!"
"I won't, promise." The Doctor gave Jackie a gentle salute before embarking back to the TARDIS, back to his home. His home that was full of memories, painful memories now. A couple of hours ago they would have been happy reminders of their travels, he'd often roll his eyes when Rose left her clothes lingering around the TARDIS, he never did quite understand how they ended up so scattered. He lazily set the co-ordinates for the vortex; he didn't want to go anywhere, no yet anyway. He just wanted to think, think about Rose and the adventures they had, he just wanted to see her. They'd been inseparable ever since they met, not going more than a day without seeing one another. This was torturing him already. "Onwards and upwards." He whispered to himself, he was going to travel soon, in Rose's memory. That's what she would want; he knew it was what Jackie would want. He'd travel for her, stopping now and then to check on Rose.
It was just going to a while to adjust to this new life.
A/N; Another chapter as promised. Let me know what you want to see next! Promise I'll update tomorrow if I get a review or two!
