The TARDIS painfully materialised on the deserted beach known as, bad wolf bay.
Seconds after being fully materialised, the door was flung open by the impatiens of Jackie Tyler. She strode out of the time machine, like she owned the place. Flinging her hands up in the air in aspiration and frowning at the realisation of her location: Norway.
Her departure was quickly followed by Donna and the human doctor, walking away from the TARDIS and into the beach, in casual conversation. The click of the closing of a door was heard as The Doctor and Rose slowly exited and made their way towards the now formed group of friends. Hand in hand.
'Here we are then! Safe and sound, back home' the doctor announced as he approached Jackie, Donna and his clone. Hand still firmly griped to rose's.
'Doctor, its bloody Norway!' Jackie practically shouted.
'… Nearly home then'
As if in sudden realisation of her whereabouts, rose dropped the doctor's hand and stared at him, studying his face, her heart beginning to pound.
'But, we're just dropping mum off right? Then we leave. Me and you together again, defending the universe. The old team. Shiver and shake, yeah?'
A faint 'oh charming' was heard from Jackie in the background as the doctor looked intently at rose, a sad expression spreading over his features. He shook his head ever so slightly and exhaled deeply.
'No… you need to stay here, look after your family' the doctor answered simply. The icy atmosphere was becoming more uncomfortable, so he attempted to lighten the mood. 'God knows your mum needs help an-
'Oi, watch it!' Jackie shouted, coupled with a death glare.
It didn't work. The doctor's attempt failed. Miserably.
'He needs you as well' the doctor began, indicating his human self. 'You can give him what he needs and he can do the same for you'
Rose shook her head vigorously, scrunching up her eyes, not letting the doctors words he heard by her.
'But I want you' she said finally, poking him in the chest making her point 'I want to be in the TARDIS, I want to hold your hand, I want to run!' her words were declared with such emotion, the doctor visibly swallowed and donna and the human doctor shifted uncomfortably.
The doctor took a step forward towards rose, standing directly in front of her. He reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders, letting them run slowly down her arms, until they reached her hands. He entwined their fingers, stroking her hand with his thumb. 'I know' he said softly, staring at their joint hands in-between them.
'When you travelled with me, rose, you did it to make a difference, yes? To help and to heal, to make things better. That's what you need to do now - with him. Help him, heal him, make him better'
Rose looked at him unimpressed. She opened her mouth to protest, but the doctor beat her to it.
'Do it for me, if not for anyone else, do it for me' he gave her a slight smile 'be the amazing women I know you are. Be the loving and devoting rose…' he released one of his hands and used it to cup her cheek; he smiled when she leaned into his touch. '…I know you to be. You're the only one I can trust, Rose Tyler. The only one'
The doctor attempted to remove his hand and walk away but she refused. She places her hand on top of the doctors, holding it in place on her cheek. A lone tear escapes from her eye and rolls down her face. The doctor wipes it away without hesitation.
'Don't go' rose whispered, desperately holding the doctor in his place and pleading with her eyes.
'I need to'
'No' rose softly spoke, throwing her arms around the doctors waist, hugging him close to her. 'please' she begged with a sniffle. More tears began to flow as she buried her face into the doctor's chest, trying to hide them – a final attempt to be strong.
The doctor, without protests wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes to block the threatening tears. The beautiful form enveloped in his arms began to shake and shudder and the doctor knew, only too well that rose was crying. He swallowed hard.
Absently he stoked her golden hair in an attempt to sooth her, ironing out the creases of guilt, knowing he was the cause of her salty tears.
'Doctor?'
The doctor opened his eyes, now a faint shade of red, and looked for the owner of the voice. Donna.
'It's dimensional retreclosure. We need to go'
As if backing up her point the TARDIS groaned. He nodded. He leant back slightly, sliding his hand to grasp rose's shoulders and ease her off him. She followed his lead and they stood staring into each others eyes, blankly. Still holding the others arms. Minuets passed. No one moved…
Suddenly the doctor took a step back. And another. The doctor's arms sliding through rose's hands, and vice versa. Another step. And again. As the doctor's hands passed through hers, rose gripped them in one swift reflex. They locked eyes.
'Say goodbye' she asked calmly.
'I don't do good-byes' he said simply.
'I'm never going to see you again. Doesn't that disserve anything?'
He sighed. 'If only you knew, rose'
She looked at him with a questioning expression. He one again, stepped forward, so close their bodies were touching.
'you'll always have me, you wont ever be alone' he whispered into her ear 'ask him'
'what?' rose whispered back in confusion.
The doctor lifted his head to look at her face. He smiled.
'You're going to be fantastic!' rose reflected his smile. 'so are you' she replied.
'Well, that goes without saying' the doctor said smugly. Rose rolled her eyes and for one second if felt like the good old days. The fun times.
He chuckled softly at her expression. And to everyone's surprise, leaned forwards and tilted his head so his lips touched hers in a kiss. Rose responded instantly, both pouring their hearts out in this single moment of passion. Their first real kiss and their last.
They broke apart and smiled. Donna walked over to the TARDIS, without a word the doctor followed. Rose stood, paralysed by his kiss and the reality of what's about to happen. Donna entered the ship, the doctor walked through the threshold and stopped, he turned around and the sound of his name. tears clearly visible in his eyes.
'Thank you' he said, voice braking under the emotion.
'Please' rose begged. He just looked at her. She started to cry. Jackie was on the phone. The human him was watching from a distance. He raised his head, licked his lips and smile and small smile. Rose reached out a hand, willing him to take it, to take her. He shook his head.
'Trust me.' With those two words he stepped back and let the TARDIS doors swing shut. The unmistakable sound of the engines echoed through the air as the ship faded out of sight. Gone. Caput.
The young tearful blonde couldn't help but watch the time lord and his time ships last moments on this universe silently pass. A familiar and comforting hand slipped into hers. Him. - Ask him.
'I have something to show you' the words startled rose from her silence. The human doctor took rose's hand and placed it over his heart. She felt it. He moved it to the other side of his chest. Nothing. She frowned. He smiled.
'I'm human' he stated.
'I thought you are him'
'I am. Same memories and feelings, but a human body. I'm going to die. I'm going to wither and decay. I only have one life Rose Tyler; I could spend it with you, if you want'
'your going to grow old with me' rose clarified.
'together'
Rose hugged him. A proper bone crushing hug as they both laughed.
'I still feel the same' rose said once they had released each other. 'That day on this beach, I told you I lo- … I still feel that same'
'Oh, well, that's good' she looked at him, not expecting that reply. 'Because, I love you too'
Her heart stopped. Did he just say that?
'what?'
'I love you, rose. Always have, always will'
She beamed and hugged him again. This time kissing him quickly as they parted. 'I thought so' she said through giggles of disbelief. He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers. She laced her fingered with his.
'allons-y!'
With a laugh and a smile, the doctor and rose walked towards a new and totally exhilarating adventure: life.