Somwhere, Up There

Life after the Doctor was different then it had been before. Rose had seen so much in her short journey with him and although it had only been a year they had been together, it had felt like a lifetime to her.

She had gone through a bit of a depression at first but had one day caught her own reflection in the mirror – wrinkled jogging pants and t-shirt, hair a mess and her skin absolutely dull – the glowed she had always been able to retain completely gone. That moment she had felt an utter disgust with herself. She owed herself so much more, sitting around and letting the world pass you buy had not been what the Doctor had taught her.

Even though he had in the end broken her heart into a million pieces the rational side of herself would always intervene and remind her that he had done it for her own good – as selfish as it had been of him to make the choice for her, he had done it out of love. That alone was her strength, what allowed her to pull herself right back up and keepon going forward.

She would live for herself, her family and ultimately for him. Even though it was a slim chance she had, in the beginning, still foster the hope that he would return for her.

Now the years had passed and that hope was gone, slowly drained from her with each passing year with no blue police box materializing in her courtyard. She lived in a small flat a couple of blocks from her mum's place. Having gone back to study she had received a degree in cosmetology and worked in one of London's most exclusive spas.

It really wasn't a bad life if one looked from the outside in. But it wasn't the right life for her. She dreamed of so much more, the realms of earth as everyone else knew them did not exist to her. There was life out there in every nook and cranny of that vast universe.

Rose lived her life with her head on earth and her heart out there, wherever he was, that's where it lay.

Jackie watched from the open window of her flat as Rose crossed the courtyard on her way up.

Mixed feeling would always run wild inside her head when it came to her daughter. In one hand she was in London, by her side and safe but on the other she was only half a woman.

It was as if that sodding Doctor had taken her spunk that wild spirit that everyone had loved about Rose which no longer dwelled within her.

If she ever lay eyesupon that man she would give him a piece of her mind and then beg him to take her Rose along. There was no fooling her. No matter how much Rose tried to appear happy and even though there was a smile on her face and she lived her life, went out, shopped, occasionally dated and did everything a woman should do – in the end, there was nothing behind those brown eyes. At least not the girl she used to know.

Now what stood in her placed was an older, more mature and half alive Rose. She wanted all of her back, that piece the Doctor had unknowingly taken along that night. If he could just come back she would swallow her dislike of him and would do the only thing she could do for her daughter well being – bless their union and send her off into the arms of danger, or as she called him….the Doctor.

"Mum, where are you?" Rose called out as she looked about for her mother. Pocking her head into her bedroom she found Jackie folding up some clean laundry.

"Hello sweetheart, how was work?" Jackie went through the normal pleasantries. Every Friday night Rose would come over and they would just hang out – have dinner and watch the telly. It really wasn't a big deal, but both Tyler women, at the moment had very busy schedules during the week and Friday night was their quality time.

The rest of the night was passed calmly and Rose began her journey back home. It was spring and the nights were pleasantly warm. Grabbing her purse and light spring jacket she headed out.

Walking the streets of London was no big deal for Rose; it was like second nature to her. The one thing she definitely missed on lonely nights like this was his touch, having his warm hand holdings hers.

Sighing she could see her building as she rounded the corner but just as she was about to head in her usual direction she remembered that she was completely out of milk and juice. Rolling her eyes she debated whether or not to simply forget it and go home.

Finally she decided to go after all and get what she needed. In the morning she would be far too lazy to get up and get it for her breakfast. Saturdays were her one and only day off since Sunday was reserved for her friends. Usually the girls from the spa and her would go off and hang out in the local markets – from vintage clothing to flowers and fruits they could find anything and just be able to gossip and enjoy the spring season. The beauty about this city was the fact that anything could be found, that every corner held a new treasure to be discovered. In a way she loved it, reminded her off the old life she still had in her blood – running through her like a drug she could never quite quit.

Stepping out of the small market that was opened at that late hour she could almost feel her soft bed a few blocks away. Good thing she was a fast walker, she would be home in no time. But just as she passed an alley she heard a very familiar noise, one that made her stop cold in her tracks.

Shaking her head Rose thought she was hallucinating – it was impossible. It couldn't be what she was imagining! Stopping just outside the alley she could see a spark of blue light began to form and then a large box like object beginning to be outlined by the blue light. Dropping her purchases on the sidewalk she began to move towards the object that was materializing.

"It can't be" she whispered to herself, her heart beating loudly, feeling as it were about to just break through her chest. Finally was stood in front of her was the blue police box and Rose felt like fainting. Waiting for the doors to open she was afraid of what would come out. Would it still be him?

So many questions ran through her head at the same time. She could feel a headache starting to form. When the doors to the police box opened up what stepped out made her almost loose her breath. Expecting her tall handsome doctor who grinned like a maniac, instead she found a man crawling on the floor, blood socked his clothes and what followed him was smoke.

Slowly inching towards him she let out a small "Doctor?" Immediately he looked up and his gaze struck her deep down in her very core. It was still him, her doctor but everything was wrong, he wasn't supposed to be like this – so weak and completely defenseless.

"Rose" he called out weakly and collapsed completely. Rushing to his side she cradled his head in her lap. Looking about she could feel an overwhelming feeling of doom beginning to rise from within her. She had gotten her wish, he was back, but what had become of him?

To Be Continued

Ok guys, thanks for the reviews I truly appreciated them. This is going to be a bit longer than I had originally intended since I tend to be long whinded (lol). So enjoy and any feedback, as always, is welcomed. Oh and this is the 9th doctor, my favorite, and it's going to be him through out the entire story.