A/N

This came to me when I was on the Tube, strangely enough… well, I have another epic Doccy Who on its way, so please read it! It was yet again inspired by a dream… anyways, about this one, it was just a nice idea I had and I know it's impractical, rubbish and probably been done before, but you read the summary so you know what you're in for!

Disclaimer: ahh… David… the things I would do to you…

Last Chance

He had to.

He just had to.

It… it wasn't something he'd be able to explain. He hadn't been able to say it to her… maybe, maybe…

Oh, he didn't know. It was so stupid, and surreal, and idiotic, and stupid, but…

Rose Tyler was standing in front of him.

He watched her talk to himself. They were moving – always moving, she used to joke, like some insane carousel – and he hated himself. The looks she gave him… how could he have not noticed?! And he was completely ignoring her, jabbering away as he tried to solve yet another problem, defeat yet another surreal alien from goodness-knows-where and save the blundering humans again.

But from here… from here he could see that everything he did she worshipped with her eyes. She watched everything, loved everything. It was incredible, wonderful, and it made him feel more alone that ever.

Terribly, horribly alone.

Now… if he remembered rightly, he would leave for a moment now. Just a moment, a precious, tiny moment. Sure enough, his old self scooped up the familiar sonic screwdriver and with a smile and a wink shot off in the opposite direction to where he was concealed.

He braced himself.

And stepped out.

She didn't notice him at first, tinkering with whatever he'd assigned her. He watched her for a while, enraptured with the gentle, caring and precise movements of her fingers, ghosting over the machinery which no average 21st century human off the estate should ever familiar themselves with.

Eventually she caught sight of his coat, and looked up with a beam on her face which made at least one of his hearts stop.

"Blimey, that was quick," she smiled, and glanced down at the bench again. He opened his mouth for a witty reply, but his throat had dried up… "Do you still want me to do this?" she asked, gesturing at whatever menial task she had been performing – a menial task which would inevitably save his life in his past – well, her near future – and he managed a dumb nod. She smiled again and went back to work.

"Ah…" he managed, looking at her with no idea what to say. This was just like before, only ten times worse, because he knew this was his last chance. But his throat was clogged and his mind was fraying, and he couldn't keep concentration and any moment either himself or one of those creatures would come through and he'd have a paradox on his hands and –

"Are you alright, Doctor?" Her voice cut through all his worries, and he looked up again at her. She was becoming wary now, her posture shifting and her eyes hardening. He stepped towards her, and she stood her ground. Slowly, unbearably slowly he closed the distance.

His hands went around her face, and he leant down and kissed her.

Stars erupted. Here, there, anywhere; there were stars and planets and suns behind his eyes, because he was here and he was kissing and it was Rose

She sighed into his mouth and he jerked away, looking at him with foggy eyes. She whispered his name and he placed a finger across her lips. "Don't forget me," he murmured, and he was gone, running back to his TARDIS, and he was alone again.

---

Rose Tyler slapped the Doctor when he returned. He didn't know why. She wouldn't tell him.

But she never did forget.

A/N

What…?

Don't ask.