The Journey Home
Luckily, both Rose and Jackie had remembered to bring their cell phones. Of course, Pete wouldn't be able to get the zeppelin to them for several hours. The three of them started the long trek to Bergen. It would take a bit for a taxi to get there, but Pete assured them he'd stressed to the driver how important it was that they hurry to get these passengers. Pete also took the liberty of securing shelter for the night. He insisted that Jackie call if she thought of anything else.
The ride to the hotel itself was quiet. The occasional text message to both Rose and Jackie but otherwise, no one seemed to want to talk. Rose sat in between the Doctor and Jackie and even when she had to answer the phone, she never took her hand out of his.
~DW~~DW~~DW~
They shuffled tiredly into the hotel. Pete had only gotten them two rooms, which meant someone would have to stay together. Jackie didn't give them the chance to argue. She took a key, then shoved the other at Rose.
"You two go ahead and take the room together. Get cleaned up, then catch up. Or get sleep. I don't really care. But Lord knows I'm exhausted so don't try bothering me until in the morning."
Rose smiled gratefully at her Mum. For someone who used to be so against the Doctor and the "dangers" he put her daughter through, marrying this world's Pete had opened her eyes a bit. Aliens, and even invasions, were an every day part of her life now. She knew to take advantage of a good situation when it was handed to her.
Rose jangled the keys in front of the Doctor's face, getting his attention.
"C'mon you, she's right. You look about dead on your feet. Let's get cleaned up, then sleep, yeah?"
He nodded mutely as he let her lead him up the stairs. Entering their shared room, he wasn't sure what surprised him more. The fact that Jackie and willingly given them a room with only one bed, or the clothes that were laid out on the bed for them both.
"Mum filled Pete in briefly. She requested clothes for all of us, as well as some sort of take out for dinner."
"How in the world did he get my dimensions?" Rose snorted and rolled her eyes.
"You know, there was a time where I worked in a shop. I do still know how to guess a person's size. Besides, who do you think dressed you when you were useless after your last Regeneration?" She smiled, tongue in teeth and disappeared into the en suite before he had a change to respond.
~DW~~DW~~DW~
She let the water cascade over her body. The pounding of the water drown the sounds of her tears as she cried. She'd worked so hard to get back to him and once again, he'd made the choice for her. Yes, she had kissed this one, but he didn't have to leave without saying goodbye! Either of them! She'd gotten to know and care about Donna during this whole ordeal and why would she turn her back like that as well?
And what about this one? Would staying here on Earth be enough for him, or would he get the itch to run away as well? Would he try to stand beside her as her partner or would he do like he always did and make the decisions for her? And the biggest question she had: Would she be enough for him now that he was stuck on Earth?
~DW~~DW~~DW~
The Doctor paced the room while Rose showered. No matter how loud the water was, he could still hear her crying through the walls. He wanted nothing more than to go in there to comfort her, but did he really have the right? Yes, she'd kissed him on that beach, but she'd spent all that time trying to get back to the other him, the Time Lord. His mind was just as sharp as the others'. More so with the added ingenuity of being human (thank you Donna!). But would that be enough?
He had nothing to give her but himself. No Time or Space. No adventures. Just himself, as a man. And that's what scared him the most. That he wouldn't be man, or Time Lord, enough for her.
Before he would delve further into any more self-destructive thoughts, he heard the water turn off in the en suite. One way or another, those questions would be answered within the next few hours.
~DW~~DW~~DW~
When she emerged from the en suite, she felt much better. Somehow, between the tears and the worrying, she came to several conclusions.
That the Doctor left her here, not from rejection, but to give her a chance at a normal life.
She had found him, and, even though the Time Lord never said it, she did know how he felt.
Even though the Time Lord hadn't stayed, he'd still left her with himself.
This might not have happened like she imagined it would. She imagined she would spend the rest of her life on the TARDIS. But she would try to spend the rest of her life with the man she was given. Her Doctor.
~DW~~DW~~DW~
When he emerged from the en suite, food was waiting. She smiled widely at him, and the insecurities that had been building since they'd landed, started to dissipate.
They ate, joking and laughing, like no time had passed at all. After they had cleaned their mess, they lay on the bed, facing one another. They traded stories of their time apart. He carefully avoided the Year that Never Was. He wasn't quite ready to relive that yet. She avoided stories that recounted her worst injuries. Injuries that she barely had scars for, and no real explanation as to why she didn't scar. An unspoken agreement, they kept the topics light-hearted. Eventually, sleep claimed them both.
~DW~~DW~~DW~
When they woke, it was to the sound of Jackie pounding on their door, telling them that the zeppelin was here. They'd moved in the night. He was laying on his back. She was tucked into his side, her head on his shoulder. Despite how abruptly they were woken, neither really wanted to move. It wasn't until Rose became uncomfortable and had to go to the bathroom that they untangled themselves and got ready for the day. He longed to put his suit back on, but opted instead for the jeans and shirt that Pete had gotten for him. He took a breath, and let it out slowly. Yes, he was the Doctor, but he was also someone different. Maybe, he should try to build an identity that was uniquely his own.
Pete met them at the zeppelin. He was only mildly surprised to see the Doctor, but he greeted him warmly. Jackie soon took all of Pete's attention. See that the coast was clear, so to speak, Rose led the Doctor to one of the observation windows. They stood there, admiring the scenery for a bit, before she decided to talk.
"I know this has got to be difficult for you. It is for me, if I'm honest. But I made my choice. I just wanted you to know that." She chanced a glance at him, and his eyes were wide in wonder.
"Why in the world would you choose me over him? I have nothing, Rose."
"I didn't need the TARDIS or all of Time and Space. All I ever needed was you. And like it or not, you're the same man. You just have different futures now." His eyes looked vulnerable, and his brow creased as if he were thinking.
"And how do you see my future, Rose Tyler?"
"It's going to be fantastic."
He couldn't help agreeing with that.