Fake or not, this was ripping his hearts to shreds. He got a napkin and started awkwardly wiping her tears. He should say spoilers, he'd already said too much. And for all he knew, this conversation happened and was why she chose, because he told her she chose. Could he change things? Here? Now? If he had the right lie, could he change her choice? could he risk it?
For Rose Tyler, if this really was her, yes. He'd still find his Amelia, the Tardis would see to that. Probably Rory would join them to keep Rose and Amelia from ripping into each other, another buffer. Which meant everything would still happen for River well enough. And somehow he suspected River Song would understand about Rose. But could Rose understand about River? Sure. Sure she could. Micky traveled with them a bit. She'd loved them both, she'd understand him loving both her and River. So if he got her to make the other choice, there wouldn't actually be a paradox. He could get to keep Rose without hurting anyone else.
But what lie could he tell? What story could he spin? How could he make her make the other choice? Go back into the timeline and fix things the way they should have been fixed.
And then he realized that the best lie... was to say he lied. A lie so mixed with truth even River would have trouble sorting it. He fought the grin, kept his face serious. This could fix things, could fix everything.
"Because I lied to you," he said softly, taking her hands. "I told you that the other me needed you, was born for you. I didn't know then how to fix the situation, and I thought you would. You're like me, Rose," he was sure that bit would hit the ego and help. "You can find solutions best when it is darkest. I couldn't see any other way to help him, so I thought you would. But I know the way now. Neither of us figured it out then, but I've had two hundred year since to think." More, hush. "There were others there that could help him. Micky, your mom, Unit. Remember this, Rose. Send him to Unit, your father would help, then you could come back with me. We could fix all of this. Rose Tyler and the Doctor, in the Tardis, yeah?"
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For Rose Tyler, if this really was her, yes. He'd still find his Amelia, the Tardis would see to that. Probably Rory would join them to keep Rose and Amelia from ripping into each other, another buffer. Which meant everything would still happen for River well enough. And somehow he suspected River Song would understand about Rose. But could Rose understand about River? Sure. Sure she could. Micky traveled with them a bit. She'd loved them both, she'd understand him loving both her and River. So if he got her to make the other choice, there wouldn't actually be a paradox. He could get to keep Rose without hurting anyone else.
But what lie could he tell? What story could he spin? How could he make her make the other choice? Go back into the timeline and fix things the way they should have been fixed.
And then he realized that the best lie... was to say he lied. A lie so mixed with truth even River would have trouble sorting it. He fought the grin, kept his face serious. This could fix things, could fix everything.
"Because I lied to you," he said softly, taking her hands. "I told you that the other me needed you, was born for you. I didn't know then how to fix the situation, and I thought you would. You're like me, Rose," he was sure that bit would hit the ego and help. "You can find solutions best when it is darkest. I couldn't see any other way to help him, so I thought you would. But I know the way now. Neither of us figured it out then, but I've had two hundred year since to think." More, hush. "There were others there that could help him. Micky, your mom, Unit. Remember this, Rose. Send him to Unit, your father would help, then you could come back with me. We could fix all of this. Rose Tyler and the Doctor, in the Tardis, yeah?"