It's been a month since he lost Rose. The whole month felt the same, every day of it. He didn't do much, to be honest; he didn't do anything at all. He didn't talk to anyone, and he spent almost all the time in his room. River, Amy, and Rory tried to drag him out of it by going to different places and times with the TARDIS. The Doctor didn't even fly with it anymore; River did. But it seemed like the TARDIS somehow connected with the Doctor in his pain. Like it could feel it as well. The lights were always dimmed, and it sounded quieter than usual. In another case maybe it would be a good thing, but not hearing the loud engines every time they took off didn't feel right.
The Doctor's behavior changed drastically. Since the moment his hologram disappeared from the Bad Wolf Bay, he didn't say anything. His unusual silence was concerning, like everything about him. He seemed much more emotional as well. One time, when River tried talking to him, he snapped at her and told her to get out.
They didn't know what to do. They couldn't help him, and seeing the doctor so miserable was breaking them.
Another month later.
- Doctor, listen, I understand how bad you feel. I understand that losing a loved one is extremely painful and creates an unfillable emptiness, but you eventually have to learn to live with it. - River was standing in front of his bed he was lying on again. He looked like a wreck of what he used to be. - It's been two months; the world needs you. We can't keep dealing with everything alone; we need you, and we're worried about you. - She grabbed him by his shoulders. - Please, love, this has gone too far. - She had never seen him like this before; sure, he had breakdowns, but never this major or long-lasting.
Over the past month, they tried their best to somehow help him. But nothing changed. Finally, they came to the point that maybe giving him the last chance to see Rose would be the thing that would help him move on. For him to say goodbye properly.
The idea was good; it was the executing it that was the problem.
They knew there was no way to bring her back completely. But maybe using the same way the Doctor did to meet her as the hologram could work. But they had to contact her first.
After a whole month of setting up the meeting, they were finally done. Now she only had to get him out of the bed.
- We're not going to let you keep rotting in this bed anymore. Whether you want to or not, you're going with me. - She pulled his body out of the bed; he let out an annoyed sigh.
- Okay, you can let go of me now - He took his arm away from River's grasp. - What do you even want from me?
Even if she felt hurt by his words, she didn't show it.
- Come, just come for God's sake.
He followed her to the main room indifferently, like he couldn't care less. Amy and Rory were already there, standing by a strange machine. The doctor scrunched his eyebrows.
- Ready? - They nodded. She led the Doctor closer, and then Amy turned on the machine.
In one moment, a transparent image of Rose appeared in the middle of the TARDIS. The Doctor froze in shock.
Rose didn't look fine either. Her eyes were red from crying, and her voice was shaky when she spoke.
- My Doctor. I thought I'd never see you again.
He stepped closer and reached out his hand.
- It's a hologram - River informed him. He looked like he knew, but he still wanted to try, just hoping she was lying. - We're only able to keep her up for a few minutes.
The Doctor didn't react. He was staring at Rose like you stare at a miracle, not believing this was happening to you.
- It's been two months… But I never forgot. I never forgot what I was meant to tell you there and what I couldn't. But I wanted to tell you that I'm so sorry...
She shook her head and stopped him from continuing. - Don't apologize, Doctor. I never regretted meeting you. I told you I'd spend forever with you, and I really wanted to. But I can't. Those two universes can't collide; we can't.
River checked her watch: they had one minute left.
Doctor, noticing that, looked back at her with a pained expression.
- I know. And I really wish I could just go back in time and avoid all this. But I can't. Not all time can be rewritten. - He stopped for a moment and took a breath. - I've been thinking about those words all this time. The words I couldn't tell you, I just wished I could come back and shout them out to you.
Rose Tyler, I love you.
Rose smiled through tears - I love you too, Doctor.