Disclaimers, etc., see chapter one
The Living Rose
By Eugena
Chapter Three:
In which The Doctor Has a Drink with Himself and Offers a Proposition
"So which one are you?" the man in the leather jacket asked as the bartender poured him a drink.
"The next one," The Tenth Doctor said after the bartender left.
"Come back to see Rose?" Nine asked.
"Always."
An awkward moment passed between them. Nine began to wonder if Rose had died.
"She's my girlfriend now," Ten said and grinned as Nine's eyes widened.
"She left Rickey the Idiot?" Nine asked.
"She already did," Ten reminded him, "you just tried not to notice. For a Time Lord, you waste a lot of time."
"You didn't?"
"I did. It was Rose's idea—the domestics, not the waiting."
Nine nodded, suppressing his conflicted jealousy and happiness. Ten had all but said his relationship with Rose.
"She wanted you, too," Ten said. "Loved you so much. Even asked me to change back."
"You do fit into her pretty boys obsession."
"Your idea really. You wanted to get ahead of the competition."
"And how do you fare against the competition?"
"No one can challenge me, except you."
Nine's grin disappeared. "I can't get involved," he said quickly. "Not room for me in her life now. Besides, I'm you now."
Ten's hand grasped Nine's arm. Nine felt Ten's masked jealousy and anger.
Don't ever say that. There will always be room for you. You're the loudest voice in my head. The voice I tried to beat out when I regenerated, because I was afraid that I still loved her. She changed us—you'll find out soon enough.
Ten sent Nine a mental map of where to find his TARDIS. He told him Rose would be back soon.
"Opportunities rarely knock twice," Ten said.
"I asked her twice," Nine said.
"She'll always be worth it."
Nine nodded to Ten, a gesture of thanks for his permission.
Ten knew not to wait up for them.
To be continued in Your Past is Better than Your Future #2: Fortune's Child