The idea for this fic was inspired by a reposted image I saw on Facebook, where someone on Reddit (I believe) pointed out that the way The Doctor reacted during the Bad Wolf Bay scene in Doomsay when Rose had mentioned a baby was definitely the reaction of a man who could possibly be the father. It's basically AU from the start, with the fact that I'm writing as though they've had a physical relationship since The Satan Pit episode. This is more of a prologue than a first chapter, just to rewrite the beach scene to fit my narrative. Yes, the conversation is shorter than in the episode, this is just to move my story along better. I hope you enjoy, please leave a review if you do!
Prologue - The Stuff of Legend
It had all started after their miraculous escape from a small impossible planet known as Krop Tor. So sure that each of them had - or at least was going to - die to the ineffable deity that resided within its core, The Doctor and Rose had relished their reunion back on the TARDIS with such a fierce passion that neither of them really cared when their walls finally came tumbling down. The Stuff of Legend, he'd called them, before proudly pulling at the lever to send the time machine through the Vortex and onto their next adventure. Rose had been caught up in his infectious and handsome grin, unaware until he pointed it out that she had been staring at him. Her eyes were different now, almost hungry looking. He'd swallowed hard, unable to pull away from their grip. Then, when the TARDIS had landed, neither of them moved an inch from where they stood, caught in the intensity of the gaze. Only mere seconds passed, though it felt like hours, until suddenly they were embracing, lips crashing into each other, his hands around her waist and her hands exploring his hair. They didn't really speak, only whispered hurried excuses for this unusual and frankly embarrassing behaviour – 'I thought you were dead' – 'I thought I'd killed you' – until finally they had pulled away.
It could have all ended there, really. It should have, perhaps. They could have simply laughed it off and maybe discussed this in more detail at a later date. They could have just continued to bury their true feelings for one another and pretend like the kiss had never happened.
How brave it was then, when the Doctor himself took his precious Rose Tyler's hand and guided her to another more comfortable room on his ship. How stupid it was, when they decided to get lost in each other's arms once again, only this time it got more heated. How beautiful it was, when they finally gave in to the tension that had followed them since their first meeting, and made love right there and then. Powerful, dangerous and bold. Reckless, delicious and satisfying.
But the haze would eventually ascend, and the Doctor would be angry at his lapse in judgment. She was, after all, a fragile human. He would outlive her a thousand times over. This is why he'd held her at arms-length all this time and kept himself distant – as much as it was obvious that they were falling in love, it just wouldn't work, and he couldn't put her through the heartache of being romantically involved with a Time Lord. He couldn't put himself through the pain of loving someone who's life was so fleeting. It was wrong, and he should never have let it get this far.
They agreed not to do it again.
They did it again.
And again.
Then, one day Rose made a devastating discovery. It was always hard to keep track of the days while flying around space and time, but she was pretty sure she'd missed a couple periods. Then, when the sickness came around, she realised she had to make sure one way or another. Jackie had a 'care basket' in her flat back on the Powell Estate that she'd made for her daughter when she was seeing Mickey – it was filled with all sorts, such as sanitary towels, tampons and, of course, pregnancy tests. Not wanting the Doctor to find out until she knew for sure, Rose decided the best way about it was to feign wanting to visit her dear old mum, quickly do a test in the bathroom and then deal with whatever needed dealing with after. Unfortunately, as was their curse, danger followed their every move, and upon returning home they found out that the world was seeing ghosts. Undoubtedly exciting by this, the Doctor had wanted to capture one of investigative purposes right away, so Rose ducked into the bathroom with the promise of heading back to out to help him as soon as possible.
Two minutes later, she dropped the positive pregnancy test in the bin and wiped away her silent tears. How was she going to tell him? What the hell were they going to do?
After the ghosts, she'd said to herself. After we've sorted the ghosts out, I'll tell him. We'll figure out, I'm sure.
Later, she stood on a windy coastline on a parallel version of Norway, doing her best to hold back even more tears as a projected image of her wonderful Doctor stood before her. Things had escalated so much that she hadn't been able to tell him anything. When he'd originally tried to make her go to Pete's World with her family, she'd tried to drive it home without saying the words – 'I made my choice a long time ago, and I'm never going to leave you'. The look on his face had been enough for her to realise this was going to be even harder than she'd initially thought. He wasn't angry, he wasn't happy either. He was sad. Why did he look so sad?
He was sad now, swallowing hard and trying not to break down as they tried to say their goodbyes.
"You've still got Mr Mickey, then." He'd said, glad to know she wouldn't be alone.
"There's five of us now," Rose replied, carefully. It was now or never. She had to decide whether or not to break his hearts or send him off unknowing yet free. Would he tear the universes apart if he knew? Would it be a mistake to tell him? "Mum, dad, Mickey… and the baby."
The Doctor's eyes widened and his voice dropped, softly. "You're not…?"
It was now or never. Quite literally. Rose felt the tears start pouring down her face as she began to nod frantically, and she covered her mouth with her hand for fear she'd begin to sob in ugly gasps. Still just an image and unable to hold her, the Doctor stood dumbly, allowing his own tears to run down his cheeks. His mouth was open, bottom jaw jittering as he attempted to speak but failed. They were running out of time. She had to clarify. It was only fair.
"About 3 months, yeah," Her words were muffled by her hand and she was looking at the sky, unable to meet his eyes. "It's yours. I'm so, so sorry."
"Don't be," He was almost whispering.
"I love you." Rose dropped her hand now, practically yelling her declaration as if the universes might feel bad for her and let her go back to him.
"I…" The Doctor swallowed again and his eyes darted from her to her stomach. Then, his eyebrows furrowed and his mouth curled into a slight snarl. He spat out his next words. "I'm going to save you, Rose Tyler. I'm going to bring you back. I lo-"
His words cut off as his projection faded into the air.
Rose broke down, almost falling to her knees as Jackie rushed over to comfort her.
The Doctor was furious. With himself, with the universe. But mostly about the fact that the little half-human, half-Time Lord entity growing inside Rose Tyler was most likely going to kill her without his help in labour. After finally coming to terms with the fact that she was at least safe, he now had the knowledge that she would die in a matter of months. And so would his child, most likely. He was furious that if circumstances were different, he might've been overjoyed that he was having a family with the woman he loved. He was furious that if they did somehow manage to survive, he would never get to see his child grow.
He was furious, and the universe was going to pay.
