Summary: The Eleventh's attempt to contact himself lead to something unexpected...he made the contact, oh my, yes...ten times over. His current position in the Tenth's clone was beginning to make sense. Ten had felt the pull to John's body...and had resisted it. But he was here, in this universe with the rest of the 'retirees'. Eleven forbade him to contact Rose, who was still hurting so much. Someone else overheard the conversation and showed up minutes later. Eleven wasn't sure how Rose was going to take this, but he was glad to see Nine. This chapter opens part way through the initial conversation between 11th in 10 and Nine. It also picks up where With a Feather (Knock me Flat) left off.

WARNING: SOME foul language and adult themes may be present from this chapter forward. FOR THIS REASON, THE RATING IN THIS CHAPTER AND UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE IS UPGRADED TO 'T'.


One More Time, Rose Tyler

Chap. Three:

Housecall


"So, what you're telling, is that she went to Third, rescued him, who got in touch with me so we could give her back to Ten and he pulls this shit...and drops her off in the Retirement Universe without ever contacting any of me about it? And just leaves her stranded with a clone of himself who can't stand her? Is this what you're telling me?" Nine's voice was raspy with anger at Ten, pain for Rose and his eyes were shining with unshed tears.

"That's what I'm telling you. I have forbidden him contact with Rose. In fact, I told him to go look after the Delta quadrant and stay away from this part of the universe altogether. This personality is Eleven, but I'm in Ten's clone and Rose is having a really hard time, understandably, remembering that I'm not Ten. The only thing I kept from my body is my love of bow ties, fezes and my eye color." He looked at his younger self, his green eyes clouded in sorrow. "She needs you. She needs us both and possibly some of the others. I'm not as strong Eight is, in my empathy, but picking up her emotions isn't a problem. I've had her back for a week and she's getting better...most of the time she's okay, but once in a while I make an observation...and it's Ten's voice and maybe he said something similar or the clone did and it just throws her. For a while, and feeling what he's done to her hurts, Nine. She didn't deserve that. Tenth is...not a healthy Doctor. There's something wrong with him that even the war can't explain. I mean, come on...this is Rose. I connected the bond four days ago, it's as strong as anyone could want...but he made her question herself enough that's she's terrified I'll change my mind."

"Like Human John did."

"Yeah."

"Fuck. And as much as I'd love to go beat the crap out of him, she needs me here."

"Yeah. She does."

"Where is she?"

"Kitchen. The lay out in here should be familiar."

"It is...at least as far as placements go. The decorations..."

"Mostly Rose and a little me. Since my TARDIS which is a version of your's is with 12...probably because of the way I got here, she asked Beauty to bond to me...directly. So, the little girl is getting to know me. I guess we won't see another version of Sexy until 12 gets here."

"Makes sense." Ninth sighed, "She did it to make sure you couldn't leave."

"Yeah, I think so." Eleven smiled painfully. "At least in part, though she told me outright that me without a bond to a TARDIS felt gross to her...in a really not good, sickeningly gross sort of way."

"Yeah, it would. Dunno how she got to loving us like that, knowing us so well. But she did."

"Yeah, she did. I don't understand Ten at all...planet, family...even species...gave it all up just so she could be with us and he...I don't understand him. He's me, he's you...but I get you just fine. No problem, I just don't understand him."

"Well, you're in good company cuz I turned into him and I don't get him at all. Let's go find Rose...I've got some snuggles that need a home."

"Yeah, I bet you do."

"Why, you want some to?"

"Whaaaa?"

"Oh, the look on your face..."

"Yeah...that's the problem, isn't it? I'm going to your TARDIS' medbay and see if she can update this body. I don't want to look like Ten. All that does is give Rose nightmares. Sexy should know what my Eleventh body looked like."

"Yes, good idea. You do that...I'll see if I can't settle Rose down." Nine nodded, then headed toward the kitchen.

Eleven wasn't even out Beauty's doors when he heard Rose's voice, rising in disbelieving hope, he only hoped Nine would be enough. Eleven knew Rose still adored his Ninth.

"DOCTOR? OH MY GOD...DOCTOR!"


**TBC**