(a/n Hellooooo everyone, I'm happy to say this update was much quicker than last. Your reviews gave me extra motivation to edit this chapter and get it up. Plus, I've been in bed with pneumonia, and instead of doing homework, I've been using my downtime as fanfic time. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thanks to everyone who reviewed!)
"Bad Wolf."
The Doctor's eyes widen at the words, and his hand automatically flew up and ripped the veil off her head. His eyes met a pair of chocolate brown irises sprinkled with flecks of gold and he staggered back a few steps. "That's… you're… this is impossible."
"Oh Doctor, I thought you learned long ago that nothing's impossible."
"You can't be her. No, what are you? Zygon? Dop-"
"No, it's me. Rose Tyler, in the flesh." Nobody else had the courage to intervene, though their curiosity was running wild.
"How are you here?"
"Oh, I've had plenty of years."
"B- but you look the same as the day I dropped you off in Pete's world!"
"Well, Doctor, a lot has changed," she said sharply.
"Yes, yes it has. You're different. I'd never forget your persona, Rose."
"Well, I supposed I have developed a flair for dramatics. But really, that's rich, coming from you. At least I can admit I've changed, as reasonable as it is."
"What are you talking about?"
"You, Doctor! You're a different man than when I knew you. Do you realize you're not a god? Or is your reality that distorted?!"
"Says the woman whose alias means goddess of the stars!"
"That's because I am the wolf, Doctor." Rose looked around the room. Everyone had either taken a place on the floor or against the wall. "The Bad Wolf is still in me. The vortex is still swirling through my head. That's why I'm here. That's why I haven't aged a day. That's why tragedy has followed me since the day you dropped me off on Bad Wolf Bay!"
"What happened, Rose?"
"Well, if you must know, here's the full story. The first time we saw each other in Norway? I lied through my teeth in a split second decision. Mum wasn't pregnant. Could you imagine? We'd have been in for a hell of a time. It was me. I was pregnant, with your child. With your son." The Doctor's face was starch white. Normally he'd interrupt, insist it was impossible, but he was totally silent. Jack stood with his arms crossed and pain in his eyes. Everyone else held a combination of shock and confusion, but had no intention of intervening.
"I was terrified, but it went as good as things could go. I named him Gabriel; God's bravest man. Figured he'd have to be. We were happy. My world shifted to revolve around him. He was my light, my stars, my universe. However, I convinced myself he needed his father. Which he did, but I focused too much on getting to you, and not enough on him. When the stars started going out and the cannon started shaping up, I spent more and more time at Torchwood. As you know, I eventually got through.
"After you dropped me and the metacrisis off, we made it work. It was hard, being as he wasn't you. We ended up okay, though. We made a life for ourselves. Eventually, he started aging bit by bit without me. We were shocked, but it was just another obstacle. The real disaster was when the Silence came and all hell broke loose. Did you know that we're stuff of legends in that universe, too? Who would've guessed? They had the same intentions as the Silence in this world—to kill you. So, they came and took me away, along with Gabe. They saw no use for John- that's what we called him, your clone- so they killed him.
"Gabe was three at the time, and we were there for two years. Eventually, they realized you weren't coming, and they had no way of getting through the void once they were in it. So they did the most unbearable thing they could've." Rose couldn't force the words out, instead closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. It hurt like hell, but she didn't build up her bravado to have it crash and burn this easily.
"They killed my son and sent me into the void. Little did they know the time vortex has no place in there. It just wouldn't work, so it spit me out in Cardiff. I've been with staying with Jack for the couple years since then. Six months ago we came here to save your mission. So I hope you could forgive me for being colder to you than I was when I was nineteen. Sorry if I hurt your ego."
"Rose, I- I'm so sorry."
"Yeah, I figured. But let me ask you one thing. How many?"
"How many what?"
"How many people were on Gallifrey?" His eyes turned dark.
"I don't know."
"Exactly. You've forgotten. How about those fleets of cybermen ships? Or all the lives you've destroyed to get here? Hell, what about the paradoxes!" her eyes softened a bit, "You don't know yourself anymore. You're stuck in a permanent state of timelord victorious, Doctor. Remember the Mars? That's who you've become."
"Look Rose," he ground out, "I am so, so sorry for what you've gone through. I'm not denying any of the blame placed on me. But you are not being fair right now."
"I'm just telling the truth."
"Do you think I wanted to destroy Gallifrey? I had no choice! May I remind you my family was there? My children died, too!" There was an audible gasp coming from Amy, and everyone else was in complete silence. "I've done what I've had to, and I'm sure you have, too."
"You weren't always like this, though! You've changed from when you were running around in pinstripes."
"You said it yourself, you've changed since you were nineteen. You know why? Because you've suffered more and more loss. But guess what, so have I! Why are you placed on a pedestal?" Rose was silent for what seemed like an eternity, calculating her next move. Eventually, she tilted her head as the corners of her mouth turned down.
"I suppose… we've both been at fault. We've both changed for the worse. Of course, I already knew I've changed. I just wanted you to see that you have, too."
"Who's to say I didn't?"
"Being aware and not caring is much worse than the alternative."
"And isn't that what you are? We're one in the same, Rose Tyler."
(a/n Well, that took quite a bit out of me. When I first envisioned this scene, before I had any intention of actually writing this story, there was much less in the Doctor's defense. That being said, I surprised myself. This was my last written chapter, so the next update may be a bit of a longer wait. However, I do have what I want in mind, and I can say it's much less intense and a little more, I dunno, heartwarming? We'll see. Also, by the way it's looking now, there won't be a ton more chapters, but there's a good possibility of a companion and maybe even a sequel. Enough of me rambling, see you next update & feedback is greatly appreciated.)