Fic: Changes
Title: Changes 1/1
Characters: Nine/Rose
Summary: It had been such a long time since he'd been in this sort of situation.
Rating: All ages
Disclaimer: I own them all, but only in Pete's World, sadly in this universe they belong to RTD and the BBC
A/N: POTW didn't happen. Doomsday didn't happen. It's still Nine and Rose, so therefore is totally non-canon and completely AU; so sue me. I always swore I would never write this type of fic, but the plot bunnies are evil personified and wouldn't let me go. I hope I have done this genre justice, if not let me know; constructively please.
It was almost completely quiet; the only sounds that could be heard in the room were the gentle hum of the engines and peaceful calm sound of breathing. His and hers; peaceful and restful at last; after the drama of the day it was a welcome respite for both, probably one that the occupants of the TARDIS wouldn’t get again for a good while.
The Doctor slipped off his jacket and pulled up a chair, leaning over to stare at the source of all the drama. She was sleeping at last, no traces of her previous distress were visible on her face. The Doctor realised just how much it cut him to see her crying, someone like her should never be upset; she should live her life in a state of joy and he was going to do his utmost to make sure that happened.
It still didn’t seem quite real, but it was. If someone would have told him he would have ended up in a situation as domestic as this, he never would have believed them. He didn’t do domestic, yet here he was perfectly happy with such a fundamental change of his life and there was no doubt that things were never going to be the same again, though in a good way, definitely a good way.
It had been such a long time since he'd been in this sort of situation. Memories came rushing back to him, ones that he had buried deep inside his mind for fear of the hurt that overwhelmed him at their recall. Yet somehow, right now, the memories didn’t hurt so much. He was able allow them to flow free and while they still left him with a sense of loss, they no longer made him feel as though he might die just from reliving them. Maybe he was healing at last.
He reflected on the last few years and realised just how far he had come; from a bitter and broken old man, so scarred from the war, running from everything and everyone who threatened to get under his skin, who got too close to him. Until he met Rose that is, and that silly little human had worked her magic. From the moment they had first met there had been something about her that had made him stop and wonder if he was doing the right thing running all the time. Despite all his protestations she had grounded him and for all his experience, vastly superior intelligence and long life, she had been the one who had shown him how to live.
And to love. She’d accepted him, who he was and what he had done without a hint of apprehension and loved him without reservation. In her human way she had opened her heart to him and for all his reluctance to allow her to get that close, she had chipped away at his armour until he had opened to her. She had taught him so many things; how to love again and live, trust, wonder and faith in her fellow man, she truly was the best of all humanity and he thanked Rassilion daily that she had fallen into his arms. Then Rose had given him the greatest gift of all.
He looked down again and wanted to touch her, tentatively reaching out an unsteady hand to her cheek. Her skin was soft under his rough fingers, and warm, warmer than he expected really. She stirred in her sleep and he quickly withdrew his hand. He didn’t want to disturb her, it had been one hell of day for her and she needed her sleep. But he realised he needed that contact, it was an overwhelming urge and carefully he reached out and began to stroke her hair, this time she didn’t stir. His hearts swelled with the love that he felt for her and he realised that his eyes were wet. Daft bugger he thought to himself, wiping the tears away.
He traced a finger along the line of her chin and this time she stirred and opened her eyes. “Sorry” he said softly, “Didn’t mean to wake you”.
She blinked and stared, but remained silent and studied his face. He marveled just how serene she looked, laying there just taking everything in. Then her hand found his and she wrapped her fingers around his thumb. He felt the first whispers of another mind so like his own; Comfort?
Unable to resist any longer he reached down and lifted her up carefully, holding her close to his chest. She was so light, nothing about her at all, just a little scrap of life. So fragile and delicate and the urge to protect her engulfed him. He felt another whisper in his mind; Bliss, safe, and she relaxed in his arms, all the while taking in her surroundings.
She was beautiful, perfect and he felt the love flow from the newly formed link to the bundle in his arms. He looked down at her, all arms and legs, fingers and toes which looked far too long for her tiny body. Her skin a little wrinkly as though it were a size too big and still covered with traces of vernix. He stroked his hand gently over her head, smoothing down her wispy brown hair, then lifted her up and placed the softest of kisses on her forehead.
“Welcome to the universe little ‘un.” He said to her as he stared into a pair of vivid blue eyes so much like his own.
“You’re a bit special you are. There used to be loads like you an’ me, but now it’s just us two, an’ your mam of course, though she’s human. S’not her fault so don’t hold it against her, I don’t.”
She nuzzled against his chest, her rooting instinct strong and he felt the sensation of her mind again; hungry.
Holding her closely against his chest, the Doctor stood up, “Well I was going to tell you all about your brothers an’ sisters. You’ve got quite a few of them, well you had, but they aren’t around anymore. It'll have to wait for another time if yer hungry”
There was a wave of sadness and guilt as he thought about them, each and every one of their lives cut short by his own hand. "Not going to let owt happen to you little 'un, yer dad's gonna keep you safe, that I can promise". He gazed down at the hypnotising blue eyes that were fixed on him. A tiny hand found his finger and gripped tightly causing him to smile.
"C'mon then lass, lets get you to yer mam. She'll be awake soon and wanting a cup o' tea no doubt, and wanting to make sure you're alright."
He chuckled to himself as a thought crossed his mind; "'n' if you think she fusses, wait 'til you meet yer nan."
Characters: Nine/Rose
Summary: It had been such a long time since he'd been in this sort of situation.
Rating: All ages
Disclaimer: I own them all, but only in Pete's World, sadly in this universe they belong to RTD and the BBC
A/N: POTW didn't happen. Doomsday didn't happen. It's still Nine and Rose, so therefore is totally non-canon and completely AU; so sue me. I always swore I would never write this type of fic, but the plot bunnies are evil personified and wouldn't let me go. I hope I have done this genre justice, if not let me know; constructively please.
It was almost completely quiet; the only sounds that could be heard in the room were the gentle hum of the engines and peaceful calm sound of breathing. His and hers; peaceful and restful at last; after the drama of the day it was a welcome respite for both, probably one that the occupants of the TARDIS wouldn’t get again for a good while.
The Doctor slipped off his jacket and pulled up a chair, leaning over to stare at the source of all the drama. She was sleeping at last, no traces of her previous distress were visible on her face. The Doctor realised just how much it cut him to see her crying, someone like her should never be upset; she should live her life in a state of joy and he was going to do his utmost to make sure that happened.
It still didn’t seem quite real, but it was. If someone would have told him he would have ended up in a situation as domestic as this, he never would have believed them. He didn’t do domestic, yet here he was perfectly happy with such a fundamental change of his life and there was no doubt that things were never going to be the same again, though in a good way, definitely a good way.
It had been such a long time since he'd been in this sort of situation. Memories came rushing back to him, ones that he had buried deep inside his mind for fear of the hurt that overwhelmed him at their recall. Yet somehow, right now, the memories didn’t hurt so much. He was able allow them to flow free and while they still left him with a sense of loss, they no longer made him feel as though he might die just from reliving them. Maybe he was healing at last.
He reflected on the last few years and realised just how far he had come; from a bitter and broken old man, so scarred from the war, running from everything and everyone who threatened to get under his skin, who got too close to him. Until he met Rose that is, and that silly little human had worked her magic. From the moment they had first met there had been something about her that had made him stop and wonder if he was doing the right thing running all the time. Despite all his protestations she had grounded him and for all his experience, vastly superior intelligence and long life, she had been the one who had shown him how to live.
And to love. She’d accepted him, who he was and what he had done without a hint of apprehension and loved him without reservation. In her human way she had opened her heart to him and for all his reluctance to allow her to get that close, she had chipped away at his armour until he had opened to her. She had taught him so many things; how to love again and live, trust, wonder and faith in her fellow man, she truly was the best of all humanity and he thanked Rassilion daily that she had fallen into his arms. Then Rose had given him the greatest gift of all.
He looked down again and wanted to touch her, tentatively reaching out an unsteady hand to her cheek. Her skin was soft under his rough fingers, and warm, warmer than he expected really. She stirred in her sleep and he quickly withdrew his hand. He didn’t want to disturb her, it had been one hell of day for her and she needed her sleep. But he realised he needed that contact, it was an overwhelming urge and carefully he reached out and began to stroke her hair, this time she didn’t stir. His hearts swelled with the love that he felt for her and he realised that his eyes were wet. Daft bugger he thought to himself, wiping the tears away.
He traced a finger along the line of her chin and this time she stirred and opened her eyes. “Sorry” he said softly, “Didn’t mean to wake you”.
She blinked and stared, but remained silent and studied his face. He marveled just how serene she looked, laying there just taking everything in. Then her hand found his and she wrapped her fingers around his thumb. He felt the first whispers of another mind so like his own; Comfort?
Unable to resist any longer he reached down and lifted her up carefully, holding her close to his chest. She was so light, nothing about her at all, just a little scrap of life. So fragile and delicate and the urge to protect her engulfed him. He felt another whisper in his mind; Bliss, safe, and she relaxed in his arms, all the while taking in her surroundings.
She was beautiful, perfect and he felt the love flow from the newly formed link to the bundle in his arms. He looked down at her, all arms and legs, fingers and toes which looked far too long for her tiny body. Her skin a little wrinkly as though it were a size too big and still covered with traces of vernix. He stroked his hand gently over her head, smoothing down her wispy brown hair, then lifted her up and placed the softest of kisses on her forehead.
“Welcome to the universe little ‘un.” He said to her as he stared into a pair of vivid blue eyes so much like his own.
“You’re a bit special you are. There used to be loads like you an’ me, but now it’s just us two, an’ your mam of course, though she’s human. S’not her fault so don’t hold it against her, I don’t.”
She nuzzled against his chest, her rooting instinct strong and he felt the sensation of her mind again; hungry.
Holding her closely against his chest, the Doctor stood up, “Well I was going to tell you all about your brothers an’ sisters. You’ve got quite a few of them, well you had, but they aren’t around anymore. It'll have to wait for another time if yer hungry”
There was a wave of sadness and guilt as he thought about them, each and every one of their lives cut short by his own hand. "Not going to let owt happen to you little 'un, yer dad's gonna keep you safe, that I can promise". He gazed down at the hypnotising blue eyes that were fixed on him. A tiny hand found his finger and gripped tightly causing him to smile.
"C'mon then lass, lets get you to yer mam. She'll be awake soon and wanting a cup o' tea no doubt, and wanting to make sure you're alright."
He chuckled to himself as a thought crossed his mind; "'n' if you think she fusses, wait 'til you meet yer nan."