Hearing John behind him Jake spun around and immediately distracted him. "Hey, John how are you?" John glanced at him funny. "Um I'm fine, why?" "What a friend can't ask another friend how they're doing?" Jake asked. John smiled. "I'm sorry I'm just worried about Rose." "Why?" He asked. John sighed. "She won't talk to me, look at me or even barely touch me. I don't know what I've done wrong."
Jake wanted to tell him so badly but instead he scoffed and said. "I'm sure it's nothing. You know Rose, she's always preoccupied with work." John shrugged. "I guess." Jake grinned and patted him on the back. "That a boy, now come on we got to go finish that computer vortex design."
Rose had managed to finish work before John so she was able to get home early; she sat on the couch staring at her phone almost concentrating on that TARDIS phone number as if it were going to start talking to her. The burning question of whether she should call it or not kept nagging her brain. Rose was still looking at it when she heard the door unlocking, panicking she tossed the phone back into her purse.
John slowly walked in. "Hi, surprised to see you here first." Rose shrugged. "Yeah well I finished early so I took the bus home." "What you've been up to?" He asked. "Nothing." She lied. He smiled and sat beside her, putting his arm around her he asked. "Anything you want to do tonight?" He kissed her neck; it sent shivers down her spine. She was tempted to linger in his arms a bit longer but she shook her head. "I can't I'm busy. It's been a long day; I'm going to take a quick shower."
Rose headed for the bathroom, she paused and glanced behind her. John sat there deflated, looking so hurt. "Maybe tomorrow night we can do something?" She suggested, kissing his cheek. He perked up a little. "Yeah, that would be great." She gave him a reassuring smile before going to her shower. Sitting back into the couch John smiled. "Maybe Jake's right maybe it is all in my head."
The next morning John was in the research lab with Jake they were going over files for a top-secret device but they hit a snag when they couldn't remember the password. "What do we do now?" Jake asked. John thought a minuet. "I know I'll call Pete, he should have it." But then he realized he didn't have his phone. "Dang, I must have left my cell phone at home."
"You can use mine." Jake offered. John shook his head when he spotted Rose's phone was nearby. "That's okay I'll just use Rose's phone." Realizing what he was about to do Jake tried to snatch the phone from him but it was too late. John's relaxed expression quickly turned upset. "I'm sorry man, I wanted to tell you."
John glared at him. "Oh so you knew and you wanted to tell me? Hell a lot good that does me! I thought you were my friend!" He said storming out. "I am and I'm sorry, man!" Jake insisted. "You know what just save it. I'm done, thanks for nothing, pal." John replied shoving the doors open. Jake mentally kicked himself for not being honest then slammed his fist against the file cabinet in frustration.
That night Rose came home and found John standing in the middle of the living room looking serious. "Something wrong?" she asked, placing her purse on the coffee table. "Do you have your phone?" He asked her.
Rose shook her head. "No and I can't find it. Why, have you seen it?" Instead of answering John reached into his pocket and pulled out her cell phone. Her eyes widen as he calmly held it up to her. "I'm sorr-" She was about to say but he stopped her. "Don't just don't." He replied. "Well, what do you want me to say to you?" Rose asked.
"I want you tell me why am I not good enough for you?" He replied feeling exasperated. "It's not that you're not good enough it's that you're not him. You're just not him." Rose answered so cold. "I am the Doctor." John protested.
She shook her head. "No, John you're not. You're an echo, a copy, a clone! I can't love a copy!" She exclaimed thru her tears. Rose's words stung John so badly. Choking back his own tears, he said. "I'm also a man; a man who promised his one life and one beating heart to you but I guess that's not enough."
She avoided his eyes. "Is that all you were going to say, John?" He sighed. "No, I'm also a man who can't take this anymore and if I walk out that door I'm not coming back." Rose wanted to beg him to stay but pride wouldn't let her speak. John grabbed his jacket and threw together a quick overnight bag. "I'll come by later for the rest of my things."
He said going for the door. Rose kept her back turned as he left but then John paused and said. "I love you, Rose Tyler." Hearing the door finally shut Rose lashed out in despair and hurled a picture frame at the door, shattering the photo of the smiling couple.