Disclaimer: Doctor Who does not belong to me.

AN. This is my first time ever writing a fanfic so please review and let me know what you think thanks.

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1: Say It!

"Go on say it!" Rose implored.

"I said Rose Tyler…" the Doctor came to a halt and stared into Rose's eyes.

"Yeah, an' how was that sentence gonna end?" Rose nervously tilted her head to look the Time Lord in his eyes.

"Does it need saying?" the Doctor replied.

"An' you Doctor?" Rose hesitantly asked, "What was the end of that sentence?" directing her question this time to the Meta-Crisis.

The Meta-Crisis leaned over and whispered the unsaid words in Rose's ear. "I love you."

In a flurry of repressed emotions Rose spun toward the Meta-Crisis and pulled him down for a snog. Her mind bursting with the overload of emotions that came from hearing those three words aloud for the first time.

But as her emotions began to calm and mind started to clear and register her exact emotions and thoughts; the sound of the TARDIS dematerialising behind her was heard.

Rose fell to her knees with an anguished cry. Her Doctor had left her before she could regain control of her feelings and assess the situation with a clear head. For while the Meta-Crisis had gifted her with the verbalisation of the words she most wanted to hear, she knew in her heart of hearts that her beloved Doctor would never voice them and that what he meant by 'Does it need saying?' was that his feelings during the time they travelled together were always present through his actions, although she knew at times he couldn't quite grasp and accept the reality of them so he tried to push her away and keep her at arm's length. The Doctor had a funny way of self loathing that prevented him from holding onto what made him happy. Rose had seen it time and time again; that a part of the Doctor didn't believe that he deserved any happiness. Though whether or not the Doctor actually loved her back the way she loved him Rose was unsure but was certain that in his own way he cared for her dearly maybe even a bit more than his previous companions.

The Meta-Crisis came up behind her and pulled her to his chest trying to provide comfort but Rose looked at him intently and brushed him off. She looked up into his eyes and studied them for a while before finally speaking "You're not him. As much as you say you are, you're not. I'm sorry if this hurts you an' I know that you're a good man but I can't be with you."

The Meta-Crisis opened his mouth to speak but Rose held up a hand begging him to be silent while she finished what she was trying to say.

"You may 'ave come from 'im, an' you may 'ave all 'is memories an' for that alone I love you but I'm not in love with you an' never will be. It's not because you're now human an' it isn't because you can no longer give me the whole of time an' space. I'd still love 'im even if 'e didn't 'ave the TARDIS an' even if 'e were t' grow another head an' were blue skinned" at this she laughs a little and grins her tongue in teeth smile. "The reason I say you're not 'im s'because you said it. While I know I kissed you once it was said, it was due t' the impossibility of them an' the fact that I have been waitin' t' hear those words for years an' finally hearin' them released all the emotions I've been hidin' deep down an' all my love for 'im – for you just burst forth. I had a human moment an' emotion took control of my actions. But you're not 'im not completely as I know that 'e'd never utter those words an' as much as I wanna hear them I don't need them t' know that I love 'im regardless of whether he can say them or not, whether he can accept me or not, I just want t' stay by his side. Forever. B-b-but 'e left before I could explain. And I'm not tellin' you this because I want t' hurt you but I know that we can never be more than good friends an' that even if you wanted t' try t' be more I can't because it's unfair t' you an' it would only end up causin' the both of us pain."

A hardened frown crossed the Meta-Crisis' face but a moment later it broke and he slowly nodded his head. "I don't like this and I don't agree with what you say but for now I will accept your choice." He took a deep breath. "I will always be here for you and will never leave you again. I hope you know that Rose." He held out his hand and Rose looked at him questioningly. "I'm offering a hand to a close friend who is grieving. Don't over think it Rose, just accept what I'm offering" this time as he spoke his voice contained sadness but also a sincerity of offered comfort.

She wiped the tears from her face and offered him a small wobbly grin before taking his offered hand and he pulled her off her knees. His arm wrapped around her shoulders bringing her close to his side in a comforting strong embrace that let her know that she wasn't alone and that he was there for her if she needed him. After a gentle squeeze he released her only to grab her hand and lead her back to Jackie to the embrace only an understanding mother could provide.

oOoOoOo

"Oh, Sweetheart" Jackie cried when Rose walked into her arms tears now falling from her eyes as her mother's knowing gaze locked with her own. Jackie held Rose tightly smoothing her back as sobs began to wrack her daughter's frame. Still holding Rose and whispering soothing noises Jackie looked up at the Doctor's copy and gave him a sympathetic and comforting smile. The Doctor responded with a small smile of his own that shortly disappeared as both looked to Rose when another wracking sob escaped her.

A few minutes passed with Jackie just holding and soothing Rose while the human Doctor watched over them. Rose slowly shifted out of her mother's hold took a couple of deep breaths and pulled herself together brushing the tears from her face and standing tall with a small measure of composure.

Looking over at her daughter and deciding that Rose was looking more controlled and less breakable decided to lighten the mood and lesson the tension that was hanging in the air. "Fat lot a good he was," Jackie cried, "Of all the bloody places he could have left us it had to be the back and beyond of bloody Norway again. For once I wish that plum had dropped us off at least close to someplace that resembled a town. Now I'll have t' phone Pete and hope he can clear a zeppelin to come pick us up in a few hours. Oh and I'll have t' check on Tony. Rose, don't forget to say hi t' Tony when I call; he misses his big sister when you go on all your trips and will definitely want to hear your voice."

oOoOoOo

They ended up waiting five and a half hours for the zeppelin to arrive as Pete had a little trouble clearing such a hasty flight plan though it helped being the owner of a multi-billion dollar corporation, especially one that now officially ran Torchwood across the world. Most of that time was spent making small talk avoiding the topic that led them to be stranded where they were. While Jackie and the Human Doctor made an effort to keep up a constant chatter Rose remained silent for the better part of the time spent waiting.

When the zeppelin finally made an appearance at Dårlig Ulv-Stranden it found the three weary travelers huddled together struggling to keep warm from the bitter gusts of wind that had picked up within the last hour on the Beach. As soon as the zeppelin had descended close enough to the ground all three were running towards the opening doors, seeking the warmth they knew would be found within.

Once aboard the Tyler zeppelin they were greeted with the sight of Pete and Tony both whom were ecstatic to see the Tyler women home safe. Pete had warm blankets and hot cups of tea prepared and waiting at the ready knowing only too well how brisk the weather could be at Bad Wolf Bay from the last time they ended up on that particular beach. Pete's face creased at that particular memory knowing full well how Rose had been after that goodbye.

Rose grabbed a couple of the warm blankets and wrapped herself in them trying to stave off the cold she felt had crept into her bones. She made her way to the laid out cups of tea and blissfully sighed at its fragrant taste and warmth as she swallowed. Her eyes soon made their way to her brother who was sitting in a corner surrounded by a mess of toys. Tony was just over three years old and a bundle of mischief that reminded her of her Doctor except he had a mop of soft blonde hair that fell in small curls around his head. Rose smiled as Tony's eyes met hers and his mouth turned up in an infectious grin. "Rose! Rose!" Tony called to her making her grin ever so slightly as she made her way to him. As soon as she was in front of him he threw his little self up into her arms giving her a loving cuddle, and settling in her arms relaxed against her and softly drifted off to sleep. Tears pricked at Rose's eyes which she quickly swiped away knowing that if she started to cry now she wouldn't be able to stop and would end up waking her peaceful, angelic brother who was offering more comfort than she thought possible at this stage.

Jackie sidled up to Pete and he put an arm around his darling wife, gently pressing a kiss to her temple before tightening his hold and squeezing her to his side. The two of them glanced over at the new human Doctor and watched as he picked up his cup of tea and made his way over to them. Pete gazed questioningly at the Doctor and briefly down at Jackie before looking up again as the Meta-Crisis began to explain what had happened.

After the human Doctor finished his explanation all three directed their attention to Rose and watched as she gently cradled with her baby brother while wrapped in her own warm blanket. It was apparent to them all that this brilliant young woman was broken and lost but still pretended to be fine. As they watched her laugh with Tony and lift him up and pull him close for a cuddle they saw just how strong and fragile this girl was and their hearts broke with the knowledge that they weren't sure if she would ever truly be healed.