"Who are you?"
Not the way he wants this to begin.
He rather wishes for a warm embrace, a whispered "I love you". And yet, she's here. And that is more than he ever thought would happen again.
"I- I'm John Smith. I'm here for-"
Her eyes widen. "Doctor?"
So much for being careful.
"Rose."
These lips aren't used to the name. It is a name whispered at night, amid dreams of a shattered past, another body he'd once had and the touch of her skin. In this body, she is always just a dream.
And yet, she's so close. How is she so close?
He reaches out to touch her. Real skin. Pink face, yellow hair, soft lips. All real.
"How do I know it's really you?"
"Ask me anything."
She thinks for a moment. "First thing you ever said to me?"
He smiles, his lips forming the familiar word. "Run."
Her reaction is immediate. He feels her warm lips on his. Her body finally in his arms. Eyes closed, he smiles through the kiss. She's finally back with him. His Rose.
The Doctor opens his eyes.
He is alone, calling her name out in the dark.
No one.
Of course.
Cursing Time Lord dreams for being so vivid and believable and trying to ignore the heaviness in his chest, he goes back to sleep.