Chapter Text
“What happened to the Doctor?” Rose asked, terrified of something, the Doctor didn’t know whatever for. She was right there! She cocked her head and walked over to Rose.
“I’m right here! What do you mean?” Everything was so new! Her center of gravity was lower, that would take some getting used to. Was she blonde? She wanted to be blonde. The Doctor’s hands to flew her head and she pulled on it. She found the ends of her and sighed in relief, yes she was blonde. At least she got that wish. “What do I look like? I can’t exactly see myself, you know.” Rose gaped at her and nearly stumbled back.
“Who are you?”
“Rose, it’s me, I promise.” The Doctor’s head moved in realization. “I’m still Northern! It changes you know, once I was Scottish!” The Doctor looked around the TARDIS, bouncing on her feet. “Probably around the height I was then too.”
“No, the Doctor exploded into a ball of light and you replaced him, who are you, lady?”
“I told you, Rose. Oh, I like how that sounds on my new lips, Rose, Rose, Rose.” Rose looked at her strangely. “Rose Tyler!” The Doctor smiled widely. “I told you, I’m a Time Lord, we don’t die. We regenerate.” The Doctor could practically see the gears turning in Rose’s head. Her trying-to-put-everything-together face was adorable.
“But you can’t be.” Rose’s voice sounded so small. The Doctor took Rose’s hands.
“I can prove it.”
“How?”
“Come on! You remember when we first met. The Autons!” The TARDIS started to wobble. ‘Wait,’ she told the TARDIS in her brain. ‘Rose staying is important to me.’ “I took your hand and I spoke to you.” Rose nodded lightly. “I told you one word. Run.” Her face finally had some recognition on it. She breathed out a sigh and a tear fell from her eye.
“Doctor?” Against her better judgment, she wrapped Rose up in a hug. She probably should’ve waited until Rose was more familiar with her, but she didn’t care.
“It’s me, Rose. I promise I’m still me.” Rose smelled like Time, probably from the fact that she was holding the Time Vortex in her body not five minutes ago. This body was smaller for a reason and that reason must’ve been to hug Rose Tyler. Then the Doctor felt the TARDIS start to wobble again. Her arm’s left Rose and she ran to the console.
“Oh, I’m so sorry Old Girl. I was too preoccupied with Rose!” She turned to Rose and wagged her finger at her. “You and I are going to have a serious conversation about TARDIS boundaries, Missy!”