The Doctor's Wife

The Doctor woke with a start, sitting up quickly in bed.  He had felt something that couldn't possibly be.  He had felt two Time Lords bonded together.  But that was impossible.  Wasn't it?  All the other Time Lords were dead.  Or sealed into a Time Lock.  In another universe no less.  How could he have felt that connection through the Void?

He quickly glanced over to make sure his wife was still sleeping soundly in their bed.  She was still there – his pink and yellow girl breathing gently.  He reached over to brush a lock of hair across her face, unable to stop from touching her.  Rose gave a soft smile and said, without opening her eyes, "I know you have trouble sleeping a full eight hours, but I really do need my beauty sleep Doctor."

He smiled, even though he knew she couldn't see him.  He leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead.  "You don't need beauty sleep.  You're already gorgeous to me."

Rose opened one eye to look at him.  "Alright, what've you done this time?  Did you sonic the telly again?  I don't think -".

"No," he interrupted her, "I sensed another Time Lord."

Both Rose's eyes opened in shock.  "What?  Are you sure?  Here in this universe??"

The Doctor shook his head.  "No.  It was very faint.  It was the connection of two minds becoming one.  It was a Gallifreyan Bonding Ceremony."

Rose, now sat in bed next to him, reached over to take his hand.  "What do you think it was?"

"Well – I'm not absolutely certain, but if I had to guess, I'd say that in the parallel universe the other Doctor just got married."

Rose gave this a moment's thought and then said, "Good.  I'm glad he's found someone.  Never wanted you to be alone.  Wouldn't want him to be alone either."

The Doctor looked at her, with a slight tear in his eye.  "Better with two," he said.  Rose smiled at him, remembering when she had said those words.  She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  

"Let's get a few more hours sleep, and then we can see about visiting the planet Barcelona," he said.  "I never did get to take you.  We can see if this parallel version still has the dogs with no noses."

Rose gave him a sleepy nod.  She knew she would be happy no matter where they went, as long as they were together.  The Doctor and Rose Tyler in the TARDIS – just as it should be.

The Doctor and Rose lay back down to go to sleep, his arms wrapped around her as she laid her head on his chest.  He felt content just to hold her in his arms, finally living the life he thought he could never have.  

And Rose knew she would always sleep soundly with the rhythm of his double heartbeat in her ears.