Chapter Text
The Doctor's leaning against the tardis, breathing heavily. He can feel the regeneration coming. He can feel it healing him, making him a new man but he holds it back as much as possible not wanting to let go, just yet. He needs to call Clara- future Clara. He needs her to stay with him, when he changes. When he becomes a new man. Needs her help, but he knows her. He knows she'll be scared, knows she won't easily except his new-self, not like... like Rose.
Rose Tyler his pink and yellow, jeopardy friendly human. Always so brave, always so willing to help a stranger even at her expense. Always taking things with stride. Always just as excited as him to see, to learn what was out there. Her face would shine so bright with excitement when we landed somewhere new. When he regenerated he knew she was scared but he’d been to out of it to try and reassure her- he knew though, trusted that despite how scared or confused she was that she’d make sure to stay by his side. Better with two. Try as we did to stay together it didn’t work. Sacrifices had been made. Hearts broken. It’s been hundreds of years, since he's seen her but he has never forgotten her. Oh, he's tried as he has tried to forget many things but it's never worked.
It didn't work when he had Martha and Donna, it didn't even work with Amy and Rory his best friends and it especially didn't work with River. As much as he cared about River- loved her even it was never the same way he felt about Rose. Sometimes being with River made him think of Rose more; every time he saw River's face or felt her touch he couldn't help but think how it was suppose to be Rose instead- the one and only person human or alien that has had both of his hearts.
And with that last thought the Doctor reaches for his sonic screwdriver, amid it at the tardis phone and dials a number. A number he knows by hard, a number he hasn't used in years. It rings and before he can change his mind and hang up the call is answered. “ “Hello?” a beautiful voice says and he’s in shock. He really didn’t think it would go through, didn’t think she’d pick up- he should’ve know better. “ Doctor? Are you there? What’s that noise?” He takes a deep shaky breath and he doesn’t know if it’s because he’s dying or because of the girl on the phone but it feels like he’s drowning and taking his first breath all at the same time.