Broken Skies

Chapter Three

Rose gasped, bolting up. She could've sworn-

"Hello, Rose Tyler."

"Doctor," She choked out the name, letting it slide off her lips. It was a name she hadn't heard in five lonely years.

She turned around to see the Doctor leaning against his TARDIS, staring lovingly at her like old times.

"My Rose Tyler." He strolled to her, leaving the TARDIS. She stood there, silent, waiting for him to reach her. She didn't dare move an inch, for fear this might be a dream.

He was right in front of her now, his brown eyes sparkling and his hair blowing in the soft wind. He had his hands in his trench coat pockets and his Converse were plastered to the ground as he examined Rose.

"You cut your hair..." he mumbled, reaching for her light blonde hair.

She grabbed his wrist suddenly and looked at his arm.

"You're real." she whispered, a rush of excitement and shock washing over her. The Doctor smiled and placed a hand behind her head.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

She through her arms around his neck and held him close, absorbing the TARDIS' warmth that clung to his clothes. He stumbled back a bit, but found his balance and embraced her back.

The moment was fond, but short. She soon let go and slapped him across his face.

"Why?!" she screamed, tears beginning to flood down her face again. The Doctor looked startled, and held the side of his face in pain.

"Why? I came to see you! And what do I get? A smack to the face!" the Doctor yelled. Rose looked at him longingly, but anger bubbled inside of her.

The Doctor vanished from her life and then came waltzing back in with no explanation and no idea how it would affect Rose. He couldn't just leave her "for good" then appear out of no where to come to her "rescue". Rose had given up on the stars.

"I chose John a long time ago!" yelled Rose, mascara trickling down her flushed cheeks. The Doctor's face softened and he slowly wrapped his arms around Rose's trembling body. As he held her, she pounded on his chest with a tight fist, knowing she was doing no damage but expressing her anger and sadness.

"Shh..." soothed the Doctor, holding her close and letting her tears soak his tie.

She pulled away, her face looking hellish. No matter, the Doctor saw her beauty shine through her red, puffy face. And he knew he was the one who caused the tears.

"I'm sorry, Doctor." murmured Rose, wiping her stuffy nose with the back of her hand. He smiled warmly, gesturing to the TARDIS.

"I'll explain it all in there."
*******************************************

"So...you came back after five years because the TARDIS developed a structure that could warp through universes?" asked Rose, trying to keep up with the Doctor's nonsense science rambling. He stroked his chin and stared at the console, which was illuminating a blue light on his tired face.

"It may have been five years for you but it was fifteen for me." the Doctor mumbled, now leaning against the console now, his exhaustion showing on his face.

There was a silence; a heartbreaking silence that tore Rose's heart. After fifteen years he still remembered her and after fifteen years he still...did he?

"Doctor..." Rose mumbled, trying to pick up the conversation, but the Doctor stopped her.

"Rose there is something I needed to tell you and I should've told you a long time ago." the Doctor said, standing up straighter. Rose, startled, stared at him.

"And?" she prompted. He moved closer.

"I love you." Rose was brought into a kiss.