Never Leave Me

Chapter 5

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.

Rose's eyes flickered open. "Doctor?"

He blinked back at her. "Rose? Rose! You're awake!" He let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. She lay back on the couch and nodded. "Yep".

Doubts began to flick through the Doctors mind. Was this a good sign? Roger had gone out, so he'd need to wait. Rose looked about the room. "Where are we?" She asked.

"23rd Century Austria," he replied. "For you its Germany I suppose. It's in the same place now, and it's the same language". He grinned widely, but it was more from habit than anything else. "I love the Germans. They have this word-Schlecht. It means bad".

Rose laughed, but it turned into a racking cough. Concerned, the Doctor sat next to her again, steadying her. She squinted up at him when she was done. "What's wrong with me?" she asked. Her voice was brave, with only a slight quiver. He sighed.

"I'm not sure". He replied. "The Doctor-that's a mediciny type, not a Time Lord type, the man that lives here-says you've been poisoned".

She swallowed. "Attack?"

He shook his head. "Insect bite. I'm sorry".

"S'not your fault. You couldn't stop it". She dismissed his apology.

"No, you don't get it!" he said. "I couldn't stop it. I couldn't protect you, I-"he stopped himself there and decided to change the subject. "What were you dreaming about?"

She bit her lip and stared at the carpet. He realised how insensitive that was. "I'm sorry. If you don't want to say-"

"No! No, it's alright. I…" She paused, and swallowed. "I dreamt you left me. Back on earth. The old you". She glanced up at him, nervously, and he nodded, willing her to go on. "You said you didn't want me. Didn't need me. That I ruined everything". She sniffed and bit her lip, trying not to cry and barely managing. "And then when I went home…when I went home they didn't want me there either. My mum had forgotten me. My own mum! They kicked me out. And there were things after me. Daleks and Sycorax and all of that stuff, and I was alone". She was crying now. "You weren't there to help me and I was all alone!" He pulled her in close again and hugged her to his chest. She clung to his chest desperately, not wanting to ever let go. They stayed like that for a few minutes in silence, before he said. "Rose. You know I always wanted you. How could anyone not want you? And you've never let me down. Not once. Hey, I sent you back home and you still saved my-"

"But that's what he said!" She interrupted. "He said he sent me back to be rid of me. He said I totally ruined everything!" It was so ridiculous; the Doctor would have laughed, if it hadn't been so unfunny. "Rose, I sent you back because I wanted you to live. You're are and were more important to me than anything. And on all that stuff about your mum not wanting you-that would never happen. You'll always fit there Rose. And no-one could ever forget you. Ever. You're too wonderful"

"But you will send me back eventually though, won't you?" She asked, keeping well on topic.

He didn't answer. He didn't have to; she knew of course it was yes. She nodded. "Yeah, that's what I thought". She said. He pushed her fringe back from her forehead. "I'm sorry," he said. She shook her head fiercely. "Don't be. I get it. I wish I didn't have to leave, but I get it".

The Doctor could tell, though. Yes she got it, yes she understood. But that didn't stop it from tearing her up inside. She didn't want to be left by him. Ever. And he didn't want to leave her behind.

It was then he noticed how incredibly close his face was to hers. She was there in his arms, not inches away. She was so close. And looking up at him, she was thinking the same thing.

They leaned closer, shortening that distance, their eyes half closed. Like being in a trance. There was nothing but them and the short space between their mouths. They were just a couple of centimetres away from each other—

"I'm back!"

The Doctor sat up, physically shaking as he heard Muir enter through the front door. What the hell had just happened there? Rose seemed to feel the same way as she blushed and lay back on the couch, looking like she was trying to pretend nothing had happened. The Doctor remembered why they were there; something was the matter with Rose. After a couple of deep breaths he stood and called out. "She's awake!" He only hoped that was a good sign. She couldn't leave him like this. She couldn't die now.