DISCLAIMER: As before, still don't own the characters, only the thoughts behind the story.

He had scarcely gotten to the small stand when he saw her, blonde hair tucked into her coat collar, something he always thought of as uniquely Rose. His breath caught in his throat and his hearts began beating in wildly different rhythms. Here, within viewing distance, was the woman he had left on a parallel world, unable to tell his feelings to. He was getting a second chance, and now, even with all the places he had been, all the times he had lain awake at night trying to take everything back and make a deal with time and space to get her back, he had no idea what to say to her. He found himself wondering if he should just get back in the TARDIS and go on his way. After all, she seemed to be back to a normal life without him.

And then, she turned. It was almost too much for him. She didn't look any different to him than she had three years ago. Her hair was the same, her eyes as beautiful. She looked through him as she turned back to her destination. He thought he had lost her and was about to go back to the TARDIS when he saw her whip back around. She stared at him, mouth agape. He smiled at her and began walking toward her as she was him.

"Doctor?" She asked, quickening her pace, a little bolder now. "Doctor? Is that really you?"

He stopped advancing to nod. Nod and smile. Smile in that way that he knew she could not resist. Suddenly, she was in his arms, holding on as he swung her from side to side – just like the old times. Only this time, he had come back for her after being gone for so very long.

She breathed in the familiar smell of him and was all at once lightheaded. It had been so very long since she had taken him in, but he smelled just as she remembered. A smell she always connected with the lack or fear and feeling of triumph. He was just as she had remembered – though the suit was a different color, he still wore the long brown trench she loved to see draped over some part of the TARDIS as he fixed the console for the umpteenth time.

She pushed away from him to see his face. It was wet with tears he was not afraid to let go after all these years. Suddenly, and without warning, she hauled back and slapped him hard enough to make him grab his face.

"Hey! What was that for?" He rubbed his face, thinking that she had a slap very much like her mother's.

"You took so long!" Rose spat back before covering her mouth with her hands in horror at what she had done.

"But I got here!" He sent back before he grabbed her once again. He could feel her smiling even as he crushed her to him.

"Ummm…I hate to say this, Doctor," Rose pushed herself away again. "But I have to go back to work." She waited for his reaction.

"Right." He seemed to be thinking about it. "No way you can get out of it, I suppose." He ran his hands through his hair in just that way that drove her mad.

"Nope, sorry." She looked as though she really meant it. "I have to get back."

He searched her eyes for the punchline. But none was there, only a nod of assurance that she really needed to be getting back.

"But, I just got here…" he whined in her general direction. "Can't you just…"

Rose playfully hit at him and shook her head. "You could go and sit with my mum."

"Not ready to brave Jackie Tyler." He shook his head. "If it's not long, I'll just wait for you. Only been three years after all…"

Rose looked into his eyes and smiled a soft smile. "You're right. Hang on." She pulled her cell from her pocket and dialed a number she knew well. "Yeah, Mary? Listen – I've got a little…uh…thing…that I need to do. Can you cover for me? Let Alice know that I'll be back tomorrow. Thanks, luv, I owe you!" She snapped the phone shut and smiled back at him. "All taken care of now."

"Rose Tyler, sheer genius!" He tried to draw her into another hug, but she resisted, instead opting to pull at his hand.

"We need to go back to my flat for a while, then we can go and sightsee – if you want." Rose was tugging him toward the Powell Estates.

"Or, we could just go back there and have a tea," The Doctor suggested, arching an eyebrow.

"We could. But I want to show you around – just like old times, yeah?" She ignored the innuendo in his gesture.

"All right then," he let himself be led anywhere Rose would take him.