After New Earth

One shot

ROSE P.O.V.

I was greeted by the warm glow of the TARDIS. The Doctor walked over to the console and began sending the TARDIS into the time vortex. I was exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. I could remember some of what happened when Cassandra was in my head, but there were still some blank patches, luckily they were starting to come back to me. I needed some time to rest and think before we went anywhere else. 

"Doctor," I said softly, "could we maybe spend a few hours in the vortex. I need some sleep." He paused at the console and turned to face me, his expression was one of wary and concern. 

"Of course, are you okay?" He took a few steps towards me and opened his arms for a hug. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his torso. He held me against his chest. "It makes me so angry to think about what she was doing to you." He let go of me but grabbed my hand and puled me deeper into the TARDIS and took me to the room I usually used when we spent time in the vortex. "Spend as long as you want to rest and get yourself back together. The TARDIS will find me if you need anything." He gave me another quick hug before I walked into my room and went straight to sleep.

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I dreamt in flashes, images and thoughts and feelings playing in my head, I saw the Doctor showing me the other patients, I saw the diagram of a building and a doorway into a dark industrial area. I watched through my own eyes as I/Cassandra grabbed the Doctor and pulled him into a heated kiss. I saw Casandra as she went between the Doctor and I, on the ladder and I realised my dreams were my missing memories. I jolted awake and tried to make sense of everything. 

He would hate me for what I did in the hallway. 

He would understand that it was Cassandra. 

He would take me home. 

He didn't know I was Cassandra at the time. 

A flurry of dizzying thughts ran through my head and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. It was then that I realisedhow hungry I was, i would have to make  trip to the galley soon. I looked down at what I was wearing an was instantly repulsed. I tore of the clothes and for some reason I began to cry. I walked into the shower and stood under the scalding hot water. I washed my hir vigorously trying to remove all traces of Cassandra from my head. I got dressed in a denim overall dress, stockings and tee, anything but what SHE had worn. My stomach growled impatiently and I made my way to the galley. The Doctor was already there and, rather unsurprisingly, was surrounded in smoke.

"Doctor, should I be worried?" I waved my hand to dispell the smoke that I was currently choking on. The Doctor turned to look at me a grin plastered on his face. 

"I made you eggs and bacon, I'm afraid th toast is a bit crispy though." He handed me a plate and I pulled up a chair. I sat across from him and I studied his face for a second. If I was going to get through this I needed some answers.

"When did you know it wasn't me?" He paused his eating and looked up at me, he swallowed hard.

"There were possibly thousands dying a day and you didn't care and I knew something was wrong." He looked down at the table and seemed to refuse to meet my gaze.

"Can you remember everything?" He seemed nervous. maybe he was thinking about sending me back, I had to know when or if he would.

"Are you going to make me go home? Do I have to leave?" I said softly, my voice about to break. I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze. 

"Why would you have to leave?" His voice sounded incredulous so I risked lifting my gaze. He seemed really confused.

"I kissed you, I'm sorry." Tears were streaming sown my face at this point. "Im so sorry." He sttod up and walked over to me.

"It  was Cassandra. I know that, its okay. You're staying with me." He wrapped me in a comforting hug before letting go and looking into my eyes.

"Unless you want to go." His face was so full of sadness at the thought and I loved travelling with him. 

"No." I said simply. We ate in comfortable silence for a while. 

"I know you said sorry for kissing me but I hope I wasn't that bad." The Doctor was joking again and everything was back to normal. That was until I realised something about the kiss.

"Doctor, why didn't you realise it wasn't me when Cassandra kissed you?" I tried to keep my gaze neutral and to squash any hope that was beginning to take form. I was sure he had a perfectly good explanation. His face was impossible for me to read.

"Rose, I'm sorry, I suppose I have to tell you now. If you want to leave after I understand, I'll take you home." He was speaking softly and I thought I could detect a hint of nerves.

"What's wrong Doctor?" He was starting to worry me.

"I'm sorry, It's not supposed to happen. Rose, I'm sorry but I fell in love with you." He looked at the floor and he seemed to be waiting for me to yell at him. 

"Doctor, my Doctor, I can't believe you could be so blind. I love you too." I stood up and walked over to him. He stood up too, he seemed shocked to say the least. He pulled me into a hug, I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him, but this time it was me and not Cassandra.

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Hi, so i always just figured that if this had happened then they would have continued their adventures mostly as normal. I also always felt that tooth and claw seemed like they were a just married couple. 

Anyway, enjoy! Love you xx