Back Again
He's back again, back to visit her. This time, he doesn't drop off a companion anywhere. He takes her along. She stands next to him, her hand on his shoulder as a comforting gesture.
"Hi, Rose," he says softly. "This is Donna. Remember, I told you about her. Met shortly after losing you. She just appeared on the TARDIS, in her wedding dress! Her wedding dress of all things!" He laughs at the memory. "I ran into her again, and she decided to take me up on my offer." He glances over at Donna. "Do you wanna say hi to her?"
"Yeah, I do," Donna says, placing roses on the memorial with a sad smile. "Hi, Rose. I've heard so much about you. The way he goes on about you. I've never met anyone more in love." The Doctor flushes at her words, though he knows they are one hundred percent true.
"Don't you worry about a thing. I'm keeping old skinnyboy in his place."
"You slap me," the Doctor says, affronted. "Well, at least she doesn't slap half as bad as your mother."
And he can swear he can hear her laughter, her sweet, sweet laughter, and he stiffens. His body relaxes as he feels Donna squeeze his shoulder.
"Thanks," he whispers. "Oh, god, I told myself I wasn't going to cry." He wipes his eyes free of tears and sighs.
"Spaceman, it's alright," Donna tells him. "You can cry. You miss her. You have every damn right to cry."
At her words, the tears start flowing more steadily. He throws his arms around Donna and sobs into her shoulder. She holds him comfortingly, telling him it will be okay, though she knows it won't. It has been a long time since Rose had passed on, but there was no way he could get over it.
"Donna," he cries. "I miss her so much."
"I know, sweetheart. I know."
He pulls away from her, a sad smile adorning his face. He runs his fingers through his already messy hair.
"Come on," he says. "Let's go."
"Now?"
"Yeah. I can't stay here for too long."
"Doctor?" He turns at the sound of his name, and he sees a pair of people he hasn't seen in so long.
"Jackie, Mickey…"
Jackie closes her eyes and then runs into the Doctor's arms.
"You came back to see her," she cries. "Oh, thank you so much."
"You don't need to thank me," he tells her. "It isn't the first time. I came back last year. I can't keep away for too long." He smiles. "Oh, Jackie, Mickey, I'd like to meet you my companion, Donna Noble."
Jackie looks over at the Doctor. "Oh, you've got a new one." She knows she shouldn't feel bitter. After all, he can't travel alone forever. But, she can't help herself. "You two an item?"
"Oh, no, no," Donna says at once. "We're not a couple. Best mates, we are. That's all! Besides, you really think he'd get over her that fast?"
The Doctor balances him on the balls of his feet as he feels Jackie's and Mickey's eyes on him again. "Nope. Still deeply, hopelessly in love with Rose Tyler. Ah, Jackie, Mickey, we're actually leaving."
"Now?" Mickey asks.
"Gotta keep on going. Or else I'll be a total wreck," the Doctor says softly. "I'll be back. Can't stay away for too long, you know?"
The Doctor smiles at Jackie and Mickey, takes Donna's hand, and leads her straight back to the TARDIS, hoping for some adventure to take her off his mind, even for a little while.
Author's note: OMG, so short.
