This is probably just going to be a one-shot, because I just finished Season 2 of Doctor Who and I am heartbroken. But if anyone wants me to continue it, I might turn it into a story? I haven't watched the other seasons yet, so this story has nothing to do with wherever the storyline brings them together again later on.

Edit: I guess I'll go ahead and turn this into a story then… It'll probably be a pretty long one, and it'll be updated on a regular basis. I think I'm going to do it more along the lines of what they're doing in their off-time – the times when they're not running around on random planets and/or in trouble. There'll still be adventures and such, but I also want to address the aspect of what might've happened while they were resting or hanging out as well.
Also, again, this is based off of events happening after the end of Season 2 but not derived from any of the show thereafter.
Disclaimer: I do not own this show or the characters (duh).

She groaned and shifted in her bed. Half awake, she groggily fought to get back to sleep – back to her dreams. She'd thought… She'd dreamt that she could hear the TARDIS again. The warping sound of the engine - the sound of the universe and every time and space within it - clear as the first time she'd met him. Her struggles only hastened the cold fingers of reality as they closed around her, chasing away the warmth and darkness of sleep.

Still, she refused to get up. Why should she – she had nothing to move for. Nothing worth doing. She'd seen hundreds of worlds along hundreds of various times in space, fought against destruction, saved lives and seen them lost, been so far beyond the stars… And still, losing all of that was nothing compared to having lost him. If only she'd held on… If only he'd even been allowed to say his last words to her. He never had admitted that-

"Rose?" a soft voice interrupted her thoughts, sounding from some part of her room. That voice – it couldn't be. She froze, her mind racing through possibilities and immediately disregarding most of them as impossible. Whatever it was must be dangerous – an impersonation, a trick. Because there was no way that it could actually be him.

"Rose." the voice came again, warily, now accompanied by soft footfalls towards her. That was it. She leapt out of bed, in the direction opposite the voice, and crouched in defense. Her eyes scanned the table beside her for something to use as a weapon, but her eyes were almost immediately pulled to the shadowy figure. She had to see. She had to know. Reluctantly, part of her scared that it was all an illusion that would shatter at the weight of a glance, she looked at him.

And it was him. There was no doubt about it. It wasn't just the clothes, or the way he looked… It was everything about him – a certain persona that only he could give off, something she'd recognized even once he'd regenerated before. Everything she knew, everything he'd said, told her that it was impossible, but…

She met his eyes and the anxious look he wore melted away, replaced with a smile that transformed his entire face.

"Rose." he whispered her name again, this time with relief, as if he couldn't believe it either. He moved towards her, rushing around the end of the bed, and before she knew it she was in his arms. He hugged her to him like he had so many times before - his arms wrapped around her protectively, as if he would keep the entire universe at bay to make sure she was safe. And he would.

She buried her face in his shoulder, tears falling from her eyes unbidden. She'd never thought that she would see him again - feel his arms around her, hear his voice. Afraid to break the moment she kept her racing thoughts quiet and just wept, glad for the contact and the feeling of safety it provided.

Finally he loosened his grip, pulling her away far enough to look at but keeping his hands gripped on her shoulders, as if he couldn't let go for fear of her disappearing. She saw now that he was crying too, the falling tears a direct contradiction to the joy on his face.

"Doctor. My doctor." she finally spoke, her voice barely audible. He nodded, another tear falling, and hugged her to him again. When she spoke next, her voice cracked. "But how did you… You said the universes would collapse in on each other if you came. That it was impossible.".

"You'd be worth it." he whispered, voice wavering, before pulling her away again and brushing some stray strands of hair away from her face. "But of course we can't have that now can we? I found another way – you should've known I would Rose! Come on now, have I ever let you down?".

"Well, there was that one time…" she joked, responding to the laughter in his voice. Then, seriously, "No. Never. But you… You kept looking. It's been over a year. I'd thought… I thought I'd never seen you again. I thought you would've moved on and found another hand to hold-". He cut her off before she could go on, his voice firm but gentle.

"Of course I kept looking. Of course I did. If I could have come any sooner I would have, but the universes simply wouldn't allow it. Rose, you're not just another girl in a line of companions - I had to find you again, I couldn't…" his voice broke off and he paused, looking away. "Well… I never finished my goodbye.".

When he looked back he was smiling, but his eyes betrayed him. She could see the pain he'd been through, the scars of having lost yet another person so important to him. Of traveling the universe, searching for answers, with no one left to stand beside him. He'd never found someone new, just kept searching… The news made her tears spring anew.

Gently, he lifted his hand and wiped the tears away from her face, his eyes meeting hers and holding them.

"Rose Tyler… I love you." he finally admitted. Not giving her a chance to reply – the smile that lit her face was enough – he kissed her forehead and stepped away, holding out his hand. "I found a way to cross universes and dimensions for you Rose, and I'd do it again. If you're still willing… I'd like to take you on a new adventure.". His tone was serious, and she could see fear of her answer in his eyes. "You haven't seen Paris yet – not the country, the planet. You'd love it there. See, they've got this one place where, when both moons are right, it-" his rambling was cut off as she stepped forwards and took his hand in hers, kissing him on the lips for barely a moment. He broke off, surprise and then happiness flashing across his face.

"Of course I'll go. I'd go anywhere with you Doctor. And it looks like I've even found a way to quiet that infamous mouth of yours.". Months of despair melted away, replaced with a warmth that felt like it would never leave. The tears were drying, and he looked at her and smiled, squeezing her hand in his.

"Off we go then. Never a shortage of adventure to find – or trouble for that matter.". She let him lead her into the TARDIS, which was parked in the far corner of the room, happiness and relief radiating off of both of them in waves. For so long she'd thought him gone, had wasted so much time living in sadness… Now she was ready for a new adventure.