After bidding farewell to most of his past companions, the Doctor only thought of one more to say goodbye to. Rose Tyler.

He had left her in the parallel universe with his clone. He wished them a life of happiness. Rose deserved it.

But he also wished he could have taken her in his blue box through time and space once again. The Doctor and Rose Tyler in the TARDIS. Like it should be.

But that was not the way things worked out in the Doctor's life.

Since he could not visit Rose in her future, he settled on her past. He set the controls on the TARDIS to before she ever met him. He wouldn't say anything, just watch her.

The TARDIS changed the Doctor's coordinates just a bit, to where he could watch her enter her home without being seen.

He heard the upcoming voices of Rose and Jackie Tyler, and while he could not hear what they were saying, he noticed the tones of a friendly argument. They were both too stubborn for their own good, in the Doctor's opinion.

He watched Rose walk to her building, unaware that he was watching her.

But his plans of secrecy were foiled, as he groaned in pain, clutching his side. He gripped onto the wall for support, his face twisting in pain.

Rose whirled around, squinting at the man she did not know to be the Doctor.

He was glad for the darkness; he couldn't have her recognizing him when he regenerated with him… for the first time, anyways.

"You alright, mate?" Rose called out to him, most likely believing he was a drunken stranger. He supposed, to her, he was a stranger. The idea pained him further.

"Yeah." The Doctor replied nonchalantly.

"Too much to drink?" Rose asked. The Doctor supposed it was a reasonable question. He also assumed his playing a drunk would be the safest bet, so he agreed in a sensible way.

"Something like that." He gave a weak smile, but he doubted Rose could see it.

"Maybe it's time you went home."

"Yeah." He should return to the TARDIS, to stop talking to Rose before it hurt too much. Physically (he was regenerating) and, obviously, emotionally.

Rose smiled in the dim light and said: "Anyway. Happy New Year."

"And you. What year is this?" He already knew, he just wanted to confirm.

"Blimey, how much have you had? 2005. January the first."

The Doctor nodded, "2005," he paused as if thinking; "Tell you what. I bet you're going to have a really great year." He knew it to be true, this year she met him, saved his life, and joined him on the TARDIS. His younger self, his ninth, would have a great year as well.

"Yeah?" She nods and smiles brighter. "See ya."

Before the Doctor could stop himself, he shouted out one more thing.

"You're going to find someone who really loves you." If possible, her face showed more joy than he thought it ever could. He was a bit embarrassed at his outburst, but I was true.

She nodded, still smiling, and finally walked into the building he had delayed her from entering.

"And that person is me." The Doctor added softly.

THE END