Eight nodded, listening intently to what Rose had to say. His ears perked up a bit when she mentioned the Nestene — now that was something he did remember! — but that was from back in his Third life, when he was trapped on Earth, so, that couldn’t have been right. Besides, the rest of her story didn’t sound very familiar, either.
Then she suggested that he look through her mind. “Oh! You’re… you’re alright with that?” he replied, stepping towards her a bit hesitantly. “Normally I take a girl out to dinner first.” he laughed a bit awkwardly. “Unless, of course, I already did…” The Doctor felt like he’d only just met the girl and it seemed a bit awkward to rifle through her memories so quickly, but it was by far the best bet he had at regaining his own memories. “At any rate, I suppose it’s worth a try.” he said, gently placing two fingers from each hand on the sides of her head. “You ready?” he asked, before closing his eyes and concentrating.
“Alright then… back a few years…” he mused, thinking aloud as he began his search. “Ah, right, Nestene — wait, who is…” he trailed off, confusion spreading across his face as Rose’s memories of him ran through his mind. His breathing seemed to quicken somewhat as he continued to race through his mind. “Oh, and this one, too, that’s…” he murmured, his expression seeming to grow even more fearful and even a bit fearful. His breathing growing ragged, he eventually stopped, and violently pulled away from Rose, letting out a pained scream as he stumbled back against the TARDIS console, gasping for breath as his hearts pounded in his chest.
“Listen,” he spoke up. “I’ve never seen those two faces before.” he told her, fear evident in his voice. “That’s two whole regenerations that are completely gone.” he continued, mind still racing. “Also, death by absorbing the TARDIS energy — that’s a new one. Rather flashy, too. Certainly more noble than falling off a building — but, that’s beside the point!” he turned towards Rose again, his composure shifting from mere shock and fear to desperation and terror. “I didn’t recognize either of those incarnations at all, I don’t remember any of those adventures, and, never mind the whole T-Time War nonsense…” he continued, slowly inching his way back towards Rose again, visibly shaking. “And, the only other explanation for all this would be that you’re actually from my future, but, that couldn’t possibly be the case, because, just by seeing my future incarnations and learning about everything they’ve done, I would’ve created a paradox so nasty it could tear a hole in the fabric of the universe.” he rambled, a nervous smile spreading across his face as he crept towards her. “So basically, what I’m trying to say is…” he took hold of her wrists fearfully, before his nervous smile vanished from his face all at once and was replaced by complete seriousness and fear. “Help me.”
Member
