A/N: Hello! This story begins with the scene from "Journey's End" at Bad Wolf Bay. This is pretty much an AU of what would have happened if Rose had stayed on the TARDIS. Sorry if this first chapter is kind of slow.

disclaimer: tragically, I don't own Doctor Who.

CHAPTER ONE

"Alright. Both of you, answer me this. When I last stood on this beach, on the worst day of my life, what was the last thing you said to me?" Rose looked at the Doctor expectantly. "Go on, say it."

"I said, 'Rose Tyler.' " answered the Doctor.

"And? How was that sentence gonna end?" pushed Rose.

A million thoughts raced through the Doctor's mind. This point in time was in flux. It was not a fixed point. Whatever his actions were right now would have a lasting impact on history.

The Doctor watched as a memories flashed through his mind.

Rose refused his offer to travel with him the first time he asked. The Doctor tried to deny how desperately he needed someone by his side. He closed the door to the TARDIS, ignoring the empty feeling in his chest. Without thinking he opened the door again and poked his head out. "Did I mention it travels in time?"

Rose looked absolutely stunning in that blue gown. It was ridiculous how a dress could open his eyes to a host of new possibilities. As soon as they bid their farewells to Charles Dickens (it was fantastic they got to meet him) he mind once again wandered to Rose and all that could be.

The Doctor felt himself getting too close to Rose. Once they defeated the Slitheen at Downing Street, Rose wanted to have tea with her mother. The Doctor forced Rose to choose between her mother and herself. He knew if she chose him he wouldn't be able to let her go again. She chose him.

The Doctor scowled as he walked away from Rose. He was so angry. She had wounded the universe. She would live with the consequences. But it was himself he was angry with. Rose had shouted angrily as he walked away that he would come back. He was furious because she was right. He had allowed himself to get too attached to her. It was only a matter of time before his resolve broke and he went running back to her.

Envy. Why does it overwhelm him as he watches the mysterious Captain Jack flirt with Rose?

"The world doesn't end when the Doctor dances." declared Rose. It took a LOT of convincing, but here he was, dancing with Rose Tyler in the middle of the London Blitz. He was aware of every breath Rose took, the way her hands felt in his, the way their faces were mere inches apart.

"I think you need and Doctor." the Doctor declared, crushing his lips against Rose's as he absorbed the power of the vortex. He didn't have to kiss her. any physical contact would do, but he knew if he kissed her now she would never remember it. This was his only chance to know what it would feel like to kiss her. He could never if she remembered, because then she would never be able to move on like he knew she would eventually have to.

"You were fantastic." declared the Doctor, glad that she would be the last thing these eyes saw. "And you know what? So was I." The world exploded in golden light and pain.

Relief. The Doctor had been afraid Rose wouldn't want to travel with him now that he wore a new face.

Shock, then pleasure. Rose pressed her lips hungrily against his. This was completely unlike Rose, but for a moment he relaxed and kissed her back, savoring a second kiss he never hoped would happen.

They sat together in the base on that impossible planet with a black hole for a sun. Rose timidly suggested they could live together if they got stranded without the TARDIS in that time zone. He and Rose joked, but the Doctor couldn't help but think even if he lost the TARDIS, he would look forward to his future.

The Doctor stood in to TARDIS, tears rolling down his cheeks as he burned up the rest of the star though Rose's image had already faded. She loved him. He never got the chance to tell her he felt the same way. Now it was too late.

The Doctor pulled himself back to the present.

He looked at Jackie and the metacrisis to give him the strength to do what needed to be done. He couldn't just take Jackie's daughter away from her forever, he was too familiar with the pain of losing one's children forever. Even more important, he knew just how painful it was to lose Rose, it had happened before. He couldn't do that to his metacrisis.

The Doctor noticed Donna out of the corner of his eye. She caught him looking at her and she tilted her head slightly toward Rose, encouraging him to take what he had dreamed of for so long.

The Doctor turned to look at Rose again. Her expression was heavily guarded, but he could see the spark of hope in her eyes.

"I love you." whispered the Doctor, his voice barely audible. The moment he said it, he felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"What?" asked Rose, hope and fear at war in her eyes.

"Rose Tyler, I love you." the Doctor repeated, feeling slightly giddy.

Rose threw her arms around the Doctor and crushed their lips together. It was their first real kiss (the Doctor doubted Rose even remembered their previous two kisses) and it was everything the Doctor had dreamed of. It was passionate and thrilling, sealing an unspoken promise of new beginnings.

Rose abruptly pulled away.

The Doctor's eyes followed Rose as she threw her arms around Jackie Tyler. From over her daughter's shoulder, Jackie threw the Doctor a murderous glare. The Doctor knew he should feel guilty about stealing Rose forever, but he felt no regrets. The metacrisis just looked at the Doctor in resignation, a strange mixture of betrayal and acceptance written across his face.

"Tell Dad and Tony I love them." Rose said to her mother.

Jackie stalked straight up to the Doctor. "Well, I can see you really love her. You take care of her, Doctor, or I'll tear another hole between worlds to avenge her. Treat her right."

The Doctor merely nodded. He completely believed that Jackie Tyler would tear apart entire universes for her daughter.

Jackie then leaned closer. "Since it seems I won't get another chance, I give the two of you my blessing. For her sake I hope you find happiness." she whispered in his ear.

The Doctor stared at Jackie as she walked away. That was certainly unexpected.

Rose embraced her mother one last time, them disappeared into the TARDIS.

The Doctor turned to the metacrisis.

"So, I believe you have a choice now." declared the Doctor. "Come with us back to our universe, or stay in this one."

The metacrisis kept his eyes on the Doctor as he carefully weighed his options, before coming to a decision.

"I'll be returning with you." decided the metacrisis.

Before the Doctor could respond the metacrisis wandered into the TARDIS after Rose.

"Well space man, looks like everything worked out just fine after all." declared Donna cheerily.

The Doctor smiled back at his best friend. She was right. Everything was going to be fine.

How wrong they were.

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