A/N The Doctor veers far outside his comfort zone and finally asks Rose that all-important question.

The next morning found the Doctor and Rose consumed in work on the emergent TARDIS. The Doctor told Rose that at the rate it was growing, it would only need his assistance for the next few days, and then it would have the ability to fully develop on its own from there.

"What will she look like when she's grown?" Rose asked.

"Since she's a clipping from our original TARDIS, she'll take the exact same form she had last – right down to the captain's chair," he told her.

"Really? So she'll be in the form of a Police Box on the outside, too?"

"Oh, yes," he assured her, then contemplated for a moment. "Of course, if we wanted her to try something different, she could have a completely new look."

They regarded each other seriously for a moment then burst into a fit of laughter. Nothing but a blue Police Box would do for their TARDIS. No other variation was even worth considering.

Rose sighed, though her eyes held mirth. "Let's face it Doctor. We're stuck in a rut."

"Nah, more like we don't want to mess with utter perfection," he replied. They both grinned.

"But still," he continued, "even though she'll have the same look, she'll be much smaller to begin with. It will take quite a while before she'll be the size of the original TARDIS. Just the console room and maybe a few other small rooms at first. A kitchen, infirmary…," he cleared his throat, "…bedroom."

Rose blushed slightly, both their thoughts inevitably headed in the same direction. They hadn't discussed issues of intimacy yet, considering the whirlwind these past few days had already been. But it was becoming clear what they both wanted, and the unspoken tension was mounting.

Just at that moment, the phone rang out in the living room, and Rose got up to answer it.

Right on time, the Doctor thought as he smiled enigmatically to himself.

Rose rejoined him a few minutes later after she rang off. "That was Mum," she told him. "She wants me to meet her for lunch. I told her we were busy with the TARDIS and I wouldn't have time, but she just insisted." Rose sighed in resignation. "For a while there, she thought I wouldn't be coming back, so I guess she's still a little clingy. Plus she knows we'll be gone traveling soon, so she said she wants to spend time with me while she can."

"Quite right, too," the Doctor replied. "I think you should definitely go have lunch with your mum. Capital idea."

"Why don't you come, too?" she asked.

"No!" he answered all too quickly, then grappled for a suitable cover story. "I mean…that is…for Rassilon's sake, Rose! I spent a day with Jackie on the TARDIS before we came back to this universe, then over a day with her in Norway, the entire flight back, and then dinner last night. There's a limit to how much a Time Lord should have to endure!" He thought that was a rather brilliant recovery and convincing excuse, and mentally congratulated himself.

Rose laughed as she leaned down to kiss his mop of unruly hair. "Oh, you poor, abused Time Lord," she teased. "Fine, I'll go by myself. I'll have to leave now, though, 'cause she said she's starving and doesn't want to wait all day." Rose headed toward the door but turned back. She questioned him with a smile in her voice. "But won't you miss me?"

The Doctor's face suddenly took on a, dark sultry expression as he quickly stood and walked purposely toward her, not stopping until she was practically pinned against the door frame. He leaned down slightly, his face inches from her own as he husked in a low tone, "Every second of every minute that you're away from me. So…," he said slowly, as he ran one hand through her hair while the other came up to trace a finger across her lips, "I think I need something to remember you by until you come back to me."

Before she had a chance to reply, his lips descended on hers in a passionate kiss.

He slowly pulled back several lingering moments later. She looked up at him through half-lidded eyes with a dazed expression.

"I think…," she swallowed and attempted speech again, "…I think I'll c-call Mum and tell her I'll make it some other time."

She started to reach for him again, but his eyes went wide and he took a step back.

"Now Rose," he said quickly, while holding up both hands, "think of your mum."

"If you don't mind," she said, while creeping towards him and taking hold of his tie, "I'd rather not think about my mum just now."

"But she's waiting for you!" he squeaked. Just when did he lose control of this situation? "And you promised. Rose Tyler never breaks a promise," he insisted.

Rose shook her head and smoothed back his tie. "Honestly, Doctor, your mood swings can give a girl whiplash! Fine, I'll go. But you had better make it up to me when I get back, mister," she ordered, pointing a finger to his chest.

She turned to leave just as he caught her wrist and turned her back toward him. "I will. And that's a promise," he said with certainty, then added cheerfully, "Now go on then, meet your mum! Oooh, I like that…'meet your mum'," he repeated, happily pondering his newest alliteration.

Rose chuckled. "You're a nutter."

"But you love it," he replied, his smile beaming back at her.

Her expression intensified. "Yeah, I do."

With a coy smile, she slipped out of the room.

The Doctor let out a long breath as he heard her close the front door of the flat behind her. "Right then," he said to himself, "time to get to work."

-:-

Jackie was true to her word and kept Rose occupied all afternoon. It was early evening by the time she arrived back at the flat.

As Rose opened the door and stepped inside, her mouth fell open in astonishment as she took in the scene that lay before her. The entire apartment was scattered with candles, all perfectly placed on nearly every surface. The double glass doors leading to the balcony were opened, allowing a warm, gentle breeze to slowly caress the room, causing the flames of the candles to flicker and dance. Soft music was playing in the background, and the room was filled with a heavenly aroma coming from the dining area. Her eyes trailed over to the source of the scent. The table was dressed in white linen, and the table settings and centerpiece looked like something directly out of a five-star restaurant, as a fully prepared three-course meal lay spread out like a feast before her.

But the sight that took her breath away more than all of this was the man responsible for it all. He stood just outside the dining area, leaning casually against the wall with his arms folded loosely across his chest and one ankle crossed over the other. He was wearing his brown pinstriped suit, a dark blue shirt, and the swirly tie she loved so much. His hair was perfectly mussed in the way that made her want to run both her hands through those soft, brown locks. He was watching her intently with a smoldering gaze. He was gorgeous. And he was hers.

And…he had cooked?!

That astonishing thought vanished as the man in question moved toward her. The Doctor pushed off from the wall and walked slowly towards her, never breaking eye contact. He reached out and ran both hands down her arms then to her hands where he twined their fingers together.

"Welcome home," he said, his voice low and smooth.

"You did all this?" Her voice came out in a whisper. Despite the utter and decidedly romantic domesticity of his actions, he had never seemed more alien to her than in that moment. This was an aspect she'd never seen.

"For you," he confirmed.

He reached up to cup her face with his palm while gently stroking her cheek with his thumb. His other hand pressed to the small of her back, pulling her firmly against him as he slowly leaned in and captured her lips with his own.

She reached up and tangled her hands in his hair and gently sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, causing him to moan and deepen the kiss. Their tongues explored and circled and teased. After a few minutes, the Doctor slowly pulled back and looked into her eyes.

"Hungry?" he asked in a husky tone, his hand on her low back slowly caressing…lower.

Oh, she was hungry. But not necessarily for food. She was having a difficult time forming words at the moment, so she just nodded.

The Doctor chuckled softly at her dazed expression as he took her by the hand and led her to the table.

Maybe she was hungry for food after all. The sight of the feast before her made her mouth water as the Doctor held out her chair and seated her.

"You made all this?" Rose asked again in disbelief.

"Don't sound so surprised," he said smugly as he began serving her.

"It's just that I never knew you could cook. The most I'd ever seen your cooking skills amount to was pealing a banana," she teased.

He gave her an affronted look. "I'll have you know, Rose Tyler, that I've observed some of the greatest chefs of every time period – I even taught Julia Child a thing or two." Then he added quietly, "I suppose I just needed a special reason to put it into practice."

"And what about tonight makes it a special reason?" she asked, looking into his eyes.

He swallowed. "I wanted tonight to be perfect for you, Rose, because you deserve this. I thought about taking you out to a nice restaurant, but I wanted it to just be you and me tonight – no one else. I wanted you all to myself."

Rose smiled as she reached for his hand across the table. "You have me," she told him with certainty. "This is certainly a side to you I've never seen before," she commented while gesturing at their surroundings.

A slow smile spread across his face. "Oh, I think you're going to see more than one side to me you've never seen before," he said, causing Rose to briefly choke on the bite of food she'd just taken, as the Doctor continued grinning cheekily at her.

"Besides," he continued casually, "we'll only be living on Earth for less than a month, so I thought I might as well embrace the experience. The human life has always fascinated me and this is my chance to explore some of its customs."

"So this is you taking the domestic approach?" she said, grinning. Although, despite his efforts to 'go native,' she knew his idea of an ordinary domestic life might differ slightly from most people considering they had a rapidly-growing time ship in the next room.

-:-

Over the course of dinner, the two talked about everything and nothing, and Rose seemed to be thoroughly entranced by the evening. It had been perfect thus far. The Doctor just hoped that could continue. Despite his suave front and seeming ease with human gestures, the truth was he felt so far out of his depth that he was close to drowning. Mixed-species relationships could have their challenges, and he wanted to show her he could put forth the effort to embrace some of her customs. Namely, an ambiance of romance prior to a proposal.

But every time he felt himself becoming a little overwhelmed by it all and feeling that urge to retreat to more familiar territory (tinkering with the TARDIS), all he had to do was focus back on Rose, and everything else became secondary. No matter the setting, no matter if he mucked up human traditions, he knew none of that really even mattered to Rose in the scheme of things.

They had finished the main course and were ready to start on dessert, consisting of chocolate-dipped strawberries. He had researched the issue, and according to human experts, this particular delicacy lent itself favorably to romantic occasions. In picturing the decadent berries passing Rose's lips, he had to concur.

"I hope you still have room for dessert," said the Doctor, as he picked up a succulent strawberry and brought it to Rose's lips.

Eyes on his, she bit into it slowly, savoring the exquisite flavor and the exquisite look on the Doctor's face as she did so.

"Mmmm," she sighed in pleasure, "Those are gorgeous."

The Doctor's eyes were still trained on Rose's lips as he licked his own and replied, "They certainly are."

"My turn," she said in a sultry tone as she brought a strawberry up to the Doctor's mouth. He took the strawberry, along with Rose's fingers into his warm mouth and sucked gently before releasing, causing Rose to suppress a moan as he did so.

He brought another one up to Rose and slowly traced it across her bottom lip before placing it in her mouth.

"I wonder," the Doctor mused as they continued their slow, sensual teasing, "what these would taste like…on your lips."

Rose leaned in closer to him. "Why don't you come here and find out?"

She didn't have to ask twice. As their lips came together, the Doctor realized that the only thing better than the taste of chocolate and strawberries was the taste of chocolate and strawberries on Rose.

They languidly finished enjoying their dessert, and each other; then the Doctor stood, offered his hand to Rose, and asked, "Dance with me?"

"Always," came Rose's reply.

As they stepped into the living area, the Doctor pulled the sonic screwdriver out of his jacket and aimed it at the stereo, turning the volume that had been at a background level up a suitable notch. He replaced the sonic in his pocket and drew Rose closely to him in one fluid motion.

They began swaying gently together to a romantic tune, both still processing the fact that this was real. Days before, they had still been separated by two universes. To be where they were now – to be together at all – was astounding.

After a few moments, the Doctor gradually stilled their movements. Rose nearly questioned why he'd stopped, but the atmosphere was thick with emotion, and she was finding it hard to even speak.

"Rose…" He whispered her name, his voice washing through her entire being just as it had when he called to her from across the void in her dreams.

She looked up into his face. The Doctor gazed deeply into her eyes as he began to speak words that once seemed inconceivable for someone such as him – damaged and guarded and restrained as he was. "I love you so much, Rose. I wish there was a way to tell you just what you mean to me. I know every language in existence, but there are no words adequate to describe how I feel." He paused in thought. "Plus, if I tried to say it in certain languages, like…oh, say…the Judoon, somehow I think it would kill the mood."

Rose laughed softly. Oh, how she loved this man – whether he was making her laugh or making her weep. And she knew just what he was trying to say because she felt the same way. She would never be able to put into words the love she held for him.

He continued. "But I want…no, I need you to know that I've never felt quite this way before. You make me do things…make me want things I never thought I would; never thought I could. And what I want is to spend the rest of my life with you." Then he paused, gazed down at the floor briefly while taking a deep breath, then looked back into her eyes. "Rose, you once promised me forever, and now I want to make that same promise to you."

He instantly dropped to one knee before her while clasping her hands in his own. Rose's eyes went wide in shock. She had to remind herself to breathe so she wouldn't pass out because something told her this really wouldn't be the best time to do so.

The Doctor's own hearts felt like they were beating out of his chest and his nerves were starting to overtake him – especially seeing the shocked look on Rose's face. Suddenly feeling unsure of himself, he quickly asked, "I am doing this right, aren't I? I mean…on Traxion 5 the male usually stands on his head, but the Earth custom is to get on one knee, right? I've never actually done this before. Never thought I would, to be honest."

"What?" Rose asked, still reeling from the moment. Did he just say something about standing on his head? She wasn't sure.

He swallowed hard and forced himself to calm down, though the all-important words came out a little breathless and rushed. "Rose, what I'm trying to say is: Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? My mate through life and all of Time?"

Rose fell to her knees in front of him – partly due to suddenly becoming too weak to stand but mostly because she couldn't reach his lips from where she'd been. Her lips came crashing down on his before he had a chance to register what was happening. But it didn't take him long to respond, and soon their kiss was rivaling any they'd shared yet, which was saying something.

They slowly broke apart, the Doctor looking adorably ruffled as he asked, "Was that a yes, then?"

"No," she answered. His face instantly fell, but he barely had time to register the feeling of rejection before her mouth was descending on his again. The force of her lips crashing into his caused him to lose his balance and tumble back onto the floor, and Rose followed right along with him, their lips never breaking contact.

Slowly, Rose pulled back a fraction and grinned widely. "That was a yes," she informed him.

The Doctor grinned so wide it looked as if his face might split in two. He quickly flipped Rose on her back and reversed their positions so she was now under him, then proceeded to snog her senseless. He gave her a moment to come up for air as he trailed kisses across her jaw then to her neck before coming back to claim her mouth once more.

Then he abruptly pulled back and sat up on his knees. He reached a hand to her and pulled a dazed-looking Rose up with him.

"There's something I forgot, and this has to be done right," he announced while delving a hand into his pocket. "I believe it's customary to offer a ring," he said as he held it up before her. Then he took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. "A perfect fit," he murmured.

"It's beautiful," Rose whispered in awe as she gazed at the magnificent diamond on her finger. The lights of the candles glistened on its surface, making it look as if it was set ablaze. Then she registered having briefly caught sight of something on the inside of the band just before he placed it on her finger. She slipped it off for a second to inspect it and ran a finger reverently over the intricate, swirled designed engraved on the inside. She recognized the symbols as Gallifreyan.

She looked up into the Doctor's eyes. "It's my name," he whispered. "And the day we're joined it will be yours as well, and I'll share it with you then."

Rose slipped the ring back on and kissed him soundly.

Once they broke for air, he told her about the diamond. "It's a White Point Star found only on Gallifrey. It's one of the few remnants I have from my home planet, and I want it to be yours. I took it with me the day we left the TARDIS in hopes that you would accept it…accept me."

She didn't think it was possible to love him any more than she did in that moment. She also felt an ache in her chest as she recognized an unspoken emotion in his eyes. He had doubted whether she would accept. He had doubted whether she would want him in such a way.

Rose covered his hand with her own, the ring glinting in the soft light. "Doctor, you didn't have to do all this, you know. This night has been beautiful, and I love you for it. I know none of this came naturally for you, and it took effort to try to do this in the way of humans. But you could have asked me in the middle of an alien invasion and my answer still would have been the same. I love you. Just you, as you are. No matter what."

Just before his lips touched hers, she knew the words she heard him murmur were to question why. Rose sank into the kiss and accepted that this was who he was. She could tell him in a thousand different ways and show him every day of their lives, but she wondered if his deep-seated self-doubt and loathing would every fully dissolve. Oftentimes, he alone was his own worst enemy. And yes, she accepted him still.

-:-

The candles were starting to burn down as the Doctor lit a fire in the fireplace. The evening was turning cool, and they curled up together on the plush rug in front of glowing warmth as they talked about their plans for the future.

"So, how soon were you thinking of getting married?" Rose asked, the question itself still sounding surreal.

"Is tonight too soon?" He raised a hopeful brow as he asked. "We could elope."

Rose giggled and shook her head. "As tempting as that offer may be, my mum would kill you if she didn't get a chance to plan a wedding."

"Fine," he pouted. "But let's make it as soon as possible. We don't need to have a lot of pomp and circumstance. Unless, of course, that's what you want."

"No, I don't want a big wedding. Just Mum, Dad, Tony, and a few friends from Torchwood. We could have the wedding in the back garden of the mansion. You said the TARDIS would be ready in just under a month, yeah? We could plan it for then. Our first trip out could be our honeymoon. What do you think?"

"Well, if we're not going to elope tonight, I supposed that will do as a compromise," he agreed. She smirked. Rose settled between his legs and leaned back against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her.

The Doctor's thoughts were churning. He still had another significant proposal to make, and if he were honest, it was the one that caused him the most trepidation.

"Rose?"

"Hmm?"

"There's another type of wedding ceremony to consider – that is…if you'd want to," he ventured cautiously.

She tipped her head back and looked up into his eyes. "What do you mean?"

He drew a long breath and went on to explain. "When Time Lords join in marriage, they have a…well…a bonding ceremony. It's similar to an Earth ceremony in the way that the man and woman pledge themselves to each other for life, but it's also more. It's a complete joining of the mind. The two literally come together as one."

She turned in his arms and sat on her knees in front of him. "When you say a 'joining of the mind', you mean like…you'd be able to see my thoughts?"

"If you wanted me to, yes. But if there was anything you didn't want me to see, all you would have to do is imagine putting it behind a door and I wouldn't go through. You would be able to see my thoughts as well. But it wouldn't involve constantly reading each other's minds. We would be joined in thought only when we chose to be. But we would have a constant awareness of each other. I would be able to feel you through our link and you would feel me."

"Is that how it was for you with the other Time Lords?" she asked softly.

"In a way, yes. We were aware of each other's presence, but this would be stronger than that. This would be much more intimate and we would sense each other's feelings. You have to be absolutely sure about this though, Rose. If we did this, there would be no going back. We would be bonded for life."

"Till death do us part, yeah?"

"Yes."

Perhaps this was the sort of thing she should have taken a great deal of time to consider. But Rose knew this was something she wanted. She wanted to give this to him, and she also wanted to share such a connection with the man she loved. "I want that, Doctor," she told him decidedly. "You and me forever – that's what we're about."

The Doctor swallowed hard. "Are…are you sure? Absolutely sure? Because if you'd rather–"

She placed two fingers over his lips. She then replaced her fingers with her mouth, reaffirming her answer.

"That was another yes," she informed him, whispering across his lips.

"Your communication skills have my utmost admiration," he husked back, recapturing her lips. Despite the sultry quip, she had seen the somber weight in his eyes. This meant more to him than she could perhaps understand.

They eventually eased apart and resumed their reclining embrace, listening to the crackling of the fire, the Doctor gently caressing up and down her arm with one hand while the other drew lazy, circular patterns on her midriff. Rose rested her back against his chest and laced her fingers through his hand which rested caressed her waist. She was trying to think of the right way to bring up the next subject that was on her mind.

"Doctor? Were you…," Rose hesitated for a moment. This was a subject that had never been broached before. But if they were going to be married, if they were going to be bonded, then everything needed to be open between them. "Were you bonded with your wife…before? On Gallifrey?"

The Doctor's eyes seemed far away as he responded. "Yes, I was." Then he looked at her. "But that was different, Rose. What we have won't be the same."

Rose turned her gaze downward, misinterpreting what he was saying. When she spoke, her voice was small. "I know I'm not a Time Lord, and I don't know anything about bonding…or…how to use that sort of connection. But I can learn. I…"

The Doctor placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head to meet his gaze. "Rose," he smiled lovingly at her, then moved his hand to sweep his thumb across her cheek, "what I have with you is unlike anything I have ever felt before. I loved my wife, yes. But my marriage was one of…suitability based on family position and rank."

"That doesn't sound like you," she admitted.

"No. There were a lot of things the Time Lords did and believed that I didn't agree with. Even among my own people, I was sort of an…outcast, a rebel, I suppose."

Rose smiled. "Now that sounds like you."

"One day, I finally stole the TARDIS and left. I couldn't wait to get away. Now I can never go back," he said, anguish evident in his eyes. "And once they were all gone, that just made the guilt even harder to bear. I might not have always agreed with them, but they were still my people. Now they're all gone. My friends, my family…"

"But they're not," Rose gently interjected. "They live on inside of you. You carry them with you – in your memory and in your hearts. And I'll carry that with you if you'll let me. You have been alone for so long. But you're not alone anymore," she promised.

"Oh, Rose," he whispered, resting his forehead against hers. "I don't want you to ever think that you're second-best or just consolation now that my people are gone. You are everything to me." Rose swallowed down the lump in her throat at his declaration. "After Gallifrey was destroyed, there were times when I thought I would never let myself feel again. But you changed that. You changed me."

He leaned into her, found her lips, and laid claim. Soft and tender became frenzied and passionate. Hands roamed, and touches became bold. The Doctor groaned, loud and deep, barely recognizing his own voice. He finally tore his mouth away, panting hard. He knew if he didn't stop now, he wouldn't be able to.

The Doctor tried to regain his thoughts, hoping this would come out right. "Rose, I don't think I could ever put into words just how I feel." He took a deep breath. "But I could show you. And I want nothing more than to show you right now." He searched her face and hoped she would understand just what it was he was trying to say. "Oh, how I want to…" He closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to clear the lusty fog. "But Time Lords don't have casual relationships, quick shags, one-offs… And I know that's not the sort of relationship we could ever have, regardless of whether or not we had pledge to mate for life. What we have is so much deeper. But…but Rose, I want…" He reached out and slowly trailed his fingers down her cheek. "I want to wait," he whispered. Then gave a pained, embarrassed little smile. During their latest heated round, Rose had been close enough to certain parts of his person to know that wasn't entirely true. "Well…certain aspects of my anatomy clearly have other ideas." She pinched her lips together to suppress a smirk. "But the first time we make love I want it to be with me as your husband and you as my wife. I want us to be bonded and belong to each other completely. What we have is sacred, Rose, and I want to treat it with reverence."

Rose took his hand from her face and kissed his palm. "Doctor, do you have any idea how different you are from most men?"

"Weeell, I think I've been told that once or twice. So are we talking good different or bad different?"

"Good different. Definitely. And I…I want that too," she admitted softly. "It just feels right. I want our bonding and wedding night to be perfect. And you are worth waiting for," she told him with certainty, but added with a breathless laugh, "Even if it won't be easy."

He leaned in to kiss her once more, then wrapped her in his arms as she lay against his chest.

"Doctor?"

"Hmm?"

"While we're on the subject of…well…you know." The Doctor smiled at her adorable shyness. "I was wondering if we would be…well…compatible. Would it be possible for us to have children?"

The Doctor looked down at her. "Before the changes in you I would have said no, most likely not."

"And now?"

"Now the changes in your DNA have made you in many ways similar to a Time Lord. Not identical. But still, similar enough that the two of us being able to have children together is a very real possibility. Is that something you would want?" he asked. The Doctor didn't have any definite desires either way, simply taking all of this a step at a time. But the more he thought about it the more a somewhat frightening wish stirred deep inside him.

"There was a time when I probably would have said no," Rose admitted. "I didn't think you and I would ever be together like this. I thought we'd just keep traveling as friends. I didn't think you would ever settle down, so neither would I. And that was enough for me because I loved you regardless of what you could give in return. I wasn't going to push you to give something you weren't ready or able to give. And the truth was I didn't much care for children back then. 'Right terrors' I used to call them. But then came Tony." Her face lit up at the mention. "And he's such a sweetheart; I just adore him." the Doctor smiled. "So my thinking has changed a bit. And now that we're gonna be together like this, I want everything with you. I want to be able to give you children. I think the universe could use another Doctor or two," she grinned. "Maybe not right away. I think I'd like to wait a few years – have it be just the two of us for a little while. After all, there's no rush. We have plenty of time now. But what about you? Would you want to have children some day?"

The Doctor let out a long, slow breath. "If you were to ask me that just a year ago, I would have said no. Absolutely not. I was a father once before and I lost all of that. That was a part of me that I thought was gone forever. But then there was Jenny…" Rose squeezed his hand reassuringly. "And I realized that I could let myself feel that kind of love again. Even though it has the potential to hurt so, so much, it's…it's worth it, Rose." He looked deeply into her eyes as he continued to speak. "I want that with you, Rose. Only with you. I want you to be the mother of my children – children that wouldn't even be possible with anyone but you."

She reached up and stroked his cheek. "You wouldn't be the last of the Time Lords anymore. You'd be the first."

"Oh, Rose." He gave her a watery smile as he hugged her tight.

The Doctor wondered if his hearts were capable of feeling any emotion other than joy from this point forward.

He should have known the universe wasn't going to let him off quite that easily.