“I’m in another parallel universe, with two of you, and people are getting hurt and killed in their dreams...I’m great.” Rose replied.
---
“Well, it’s a paradox, not a parallel universe, which is actually worse…” He cut himself off and put his arm across her shoulders. “I know, I’ve been trying to find out what’s happening and how, but right now I’m here to make sure you’re alright.”
---
Rose looked up at John, her eyes lost. The Doctor didn’t understand. How could he? “I can’t do this again.”
---
John sighed softly and moved to sit the other side of her.
“What can’t you do again?” The Doctor asked, frowning in confusion.
---
“The loss, I can’t cope with it again.” Rose murmured
---
The Doctor lowered his arm from her shoulders, his gaze dropping for a moment as he held in a soft, sad sigh. “Rose, I… I don’t know what you want me to say… I’m here for you but if you don’t really want me to be here…”
John barely stopped himself rolling his eyes but remained silent, his hand finding Rose’s.
---
“Sorry...I was a dick...I missed you...silly little things like that.” Rose murmured, unconsciously leaning into John as he took her hand
---
“Of course I missed you… I did say that.” Guilt and hurt went through the Doctor at her words and the way she leaned into the other man that looked like him. He also felt the flash of jealousy that flared at that.
---
“I just want to be able to sleep...that’s all.” Rose said softly, her tone defeated.
---
“So sleep,” the Doctor said softly. “I’ll keep an eye on you and wake you if the nightmares start.”
---
“I..OK...” Rose looked at John. “Please don’t leave me?”
----
John nodded, squeezing her hand. “Of course I won’t. My mattress is on your floor remember,” he replied with a small smile. He caught the expression on the Doctor’s face at Rose’s words after she turned away from him.
---
Rose nodded, trying to keep her chin from crumpling. It was too hard for her with them both here.
---
John squeezed her hand again before the Doctor coughed softly. “Erm… we’ll leave you to get changed then,” the timelord said as he moved to stand up.
---
“Thanks.” Rose murmured.
---
The Doctor nodded and waited for John to get up before they both left her room.
---
Rose got changed, wondering at the oddness of what was going on, two of him, stood just feet away from her as she got changed.