~ Pete's World ~

Rose opened her eyes, feeling the Doctor's skin dissipate from her lips, and found herself back at TORCHWOOD with her sleeping child in her arms. She sighed. Balancing Lily in one arm Rose set her watch to 72 hours and approached the computers where a sleeping Susan sat.

"Susan," Rose whispered as she tapped her. Susan let out a small snore before lifted up her head, drowsily making eye contact with Rose.

"What are you still doing here," Rose asked. Susan shrugged her shoulders. Her curly brown hair was in a messy bun on the top of her head. Her green eye shone in the dimmed light of the room. Her movements slow as she rubbed her eyes with her fingers which were painted professionally.

"I wanted to wait for you and I had some work to get done." She looked at the computer in front of her. "Which I didn't even do."

"You need to sleep sometimes Susan."

"Sleep is boring," Susan said as she rolled her eyes. "How'd it go?" Rose closed her eyes in remembrance. Warmth blossomed in her chest.

"It was just...perfect," she answered. Susan put her hand on Lily's sleeping head.

"I'm so happy for you Rose. I just hope we can making this permanent."

"Me too," Rose nodded. "Any new developments?"

"With the stars? Nothing new. We are kind of at a standstill. They are disappearing at such a slow pace. Nothing new for now."

"And do you think I can cross over permanently?" Susan met her with sad eyes.

"Honestly I don't know. I've expanded the stay to twelve hours..."

"That good," Rose interrupted. "Right?"

"It is," she answered. "But honestly the only person I think could figure this out is the Doctor. If he is a fraction of the way you described him than he could get this done."

"So...we bring him here yea? See what he can do?"

"Exactly. I think I can figure out how to cross him across universes. I'll do it tomorrow."

"Susan," Rose said with concern. "Don't overwork yourself. You have other cases to deal with." Susan gave her a warm smile.

"I like keeping busy. And it's been quiet recently." They stood for a moment in comfortable silence as Rose rocked Lily in her arms.

"I should get her home," Rose said gesturing to Lily. "But I'll come in tomorrow to help."

"Rose, no, stay home!"

"Can't hear you," Rose said as she swung Lily's bag over her shoulder and left the room. "Bye! See you tomorrow!" Susan rolled her eyes and chuckled to herself as she turned back to her computer.

~ The TARDIS ~

24 hours later

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Donna exclaimed as she pulled the levers of the TARDIS controls. The Doctor was wary of her driving the TARDIS but after what he's been putting her through recently he figured she deserved to give it a try.

"No, neither can I. Be careful!" The TARDIS jolted to the side almost knocking them both off of their feet. The Doctor reached forward and pushed a lever, then stepped back to let Donna take over once again.

"Left hand down. Left hand down! Getting a bit too close to the 1980s," the Doctor said. Donna laughed.

"What am I going to do, put a dent in them."

"Well," the Doctor answered. "Someone did." Donna stopped for a moment.

"Hold on, wasn't Rose supposed to meet us back on that planet with the Oods?" The Doctor shook his head.

"No, I'm having her meet us in London. We decided we would meet in three days. Give the baby some time to recover after universe jumping." The TARDIS began to jolt rapidly.

"Okay Donna it's my turn again," He said as he gently nudged her to the side.

"Spoiled sport," Donna mumbled.

"And I thought you would like to visit your family." Donna didn't answer. She merely watched the Doctor as he moved rapidly through the controls. The TARDIS gave a small jolt as they reached their destination. They stepped out of an alleyway in London. The Doctor looked at the nonexistent watch on his wrist.

"We've made it in the nik of time!" They leaned against the TARDIS and waited.

"So Doctor," Donna began. "How is it being a dad?" The Doctor side glanced at her.

"It's brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. We do have a lot to work out though. And it's a dangerous life, being a Timelord." Donna gave him a shocked look.

"She's a Timelord? Like you?" The Doctor nodded almost sadly.

"She is, more Timelord than human. She'll be brilliant though, just like her mother."

At that moment Rose appeared a few feet away with Lily asleep in her arms. The Doctor noticed Rose waver for a moment before approaching them. Donna watched the Doctor's face break out into a smile and bounce towards Rose and Lily, wrapping them in his arms. Donna knew the Doctor was at his happiest when Rose was around. Before Rose returned Donna saw the heartbreak behind his eyes. She saw his drained face when he didn't know she was looking. Now there was only joy. Joy, relief, and love. Donna smiled to herself. She hoped she could have what they have some day.

"Hey Donna," Rose called, bringing Donna back to the moment. Donna had a good feeling about Rose. She was so kind to her from the first moment that they met. The Doctor spoke highly of her but Donna never imagined that she would be as kind as she was. Rose even encouraged Donna to travel with the Doctor, which she appreciated very much. Rose made sure Donna wasn't forgotten. She made her feel special when she knew she wasn't at all, as did the Doctor of course.

"Rose!" Rose wrapped her arms around her, giving her a good squeeze before letting her go. Donna smiled at her before looking at the Doctor holding his sleeping daughter, rocking her and kissing her forehead.

"Hello baby Doctor," Donna greeted her. Rose laughed.

"I like that! So how are you?"

"Good," she answered. "I saw those...oh what were they called...Oods?" Rose made a face.

"Oh yes! Very funny creatures. But I didn't have the best experience with them so who am I to judge?" Donna nodded.

"I didn't exactly have a picnic with them either. Just another adventure with Spaceman!" Donna heard the Doctor grimace.

"Never did like that nickname," he grumbled. Rose looked around.

"Are we…" She closed her eyes and breathed in the air of her home, the place she lived her entire life. "We're in London!" Tears brimmed in her eyes. "Oh Doctor!" She pranced up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you." The Doctor beamed at her.

"Not just London but we're at the Chippy where we had our first date!" Rose let a tear fall down her face. She looked over at Donna.
"Sorry I'm getting so emotional! I must seem mad. But I haven't been here since…" She looked at the Doctor and then at Donna. "Since the war. Since it all happened." Donna approached her.

She looked over at the Doctor who had a distant look on his face. She could tell that he was remembering, he was reliving what had happened when he lost Rose. Donna didn't know the specifics but she knew that it must have been horrible and it clearly haunted them both. She put her hand on Rose.

"It's okay. You're a survivor, Rose Tyler. And you're here now!" The Doctor smiled at her in thanks.

"That she is. My Rose. Defender of the Universe." Rose closed up in embarrassment.

"Enough about me. Let's eat!"

With Lily still in his arms, the Doctor lead Rose and Donna down the street. Lily began to stir and he halted. Lily stretched and opened her eyes at the Doctor. She whimpered a bit.

"Rose," the Doctor said in panic. He felt her hand on his arm.

"It's alright," she said as she took Lily into her arms. "Hello baby girl," she said as Lily looked at her. Lily smiled at the sight of her mother.

"Did you sleep well," Rose said as she bounced her a bit. She turned Lily towards the Doctor.

"Daddy's here," Rose said and Lily looked at him. The Doctor had to keep himself from crying. Lily smiled at him and reached out her arms towards him. The Doctor beamed at Rose as he took Lily in his arms.

"Do you think she remembers me?" He bounced her just as Rose had.

"Of course," Rose said. "How could she forget her father."

"Could I hold her," Donna asked.

"I insist," the Doctor answered. "Here's your Auntie Donna, Lily." He gently handed her to Donna. Lily looked at Donna and smiled. She reached out her tiny hands and put them on Donna's cheeks. Donna laughed.

"Hello again Lily." Rose leaned forward and kissed the top of Lily's head as she smiled in Donna's arms.

The Doctor's pocket began to ring.

"Hold on. That's my phone," the Doctor said and he pulled a small mobile phone from his pocket.

"You've got a mobile? Since when," Donna asked.

"It's not mine." He put the phone up to his ear. "Hello?"

"Doctor," Martha Jones said. "It's Martha, and I'm bringing you back to earth."

The Doctor walks back and forth talking on the phone.

"Who do you think it is," Rose asks Donna.

"Dunno, could be anyone really."

"I'll be there in a giffy," the Doctor says loudly as he hangs up the phone.

"Well gang, we have a mission. Let's get into the TARDIS." He begins to lead them back, grabbing Rose's hand. Donna propped Lily up on her hip and followed.

"Who was it," Rose asks as she enters the TARDIS.

"My old companion Martha Jones."

"Martha?"

"Yup, we traveled a bit after you and I were separated."

"Oh," Rose said trying to hide the jealousy that came bubbling up. Rose didn't mind the Doctor traveling with other people, especially after meeting Sara Jane. And Rose adored Donna. But she didn't know this girl and it was right after he lost her. Rose felt as if Martha was sort of his rebound. Did he even mention Rose to her?

"Oh, I remember you mentioning Martha," Donna said.

"Well, that was her on the phone and she asked for my help so off we go!" Donna handed Lily back to Rose. They watched as the Doctor danced around the controls. They left and landed in no time at all.

"Allons-y," the Doctor said as he bolted towards to door.

"You two go ahead," Rose said. "I want to get a bottle to feed Lily." She paused. "Doctor? Should I bring her out there?" The Doctor leaned against the TARDIS door.

"It's safe for now. And I would love for Martha to meet you both." Donna nodded in agreement.

"Okay," Rose said. "See you out there."

The Doctor and Donna left the TARDIS to find Martha waiting for them. Martha's hair was pulled back and she wore an army uniform. She stood with her arms crossed but a smile was on her face.

"Martha Jones," the Doctor greeted her.

"Doctor," she responded. He strut towards her and he wrapped her arms around her in a gentle hug.

"You haven't changed a bit," he commented. Martha stood back a bit, blushing.

"Neither have you."

"How's the family?"

"You know," she responded. "Not so bad. Recovering."

"What about you," he asked. Martha looked over the Doctor's shoulder and saw Donna as she approached.

"Right. Should have known. Didn't take you long to replace me, then." Donna stopped at the Doctor's side and smiled at Martha.

"Now, don't start fighting," the Doctor said with a roll of his eyes. " Martha, Donna. Donna, Martha. Please don't fight. Can't bear fighting." Donna glared her eyes at the Doctor.

"You wish," she says as she extends her hands towards Martha. Martha takes it happily and they shake.

"Like anyone would fight over you," Donna says in a mocking tone. The Doctor sticks out his lower lip and Martha laughs.

"I've heard a lot about you," Donna says to her. "He talks about you all the time."

"I dread to think," Martha answers. Donna laughed.

"No, no. He says nice things." They heard the TARDIS door creak again as Rose steps out. Martha looks at her curiously. The Doctor smiles as Rose as she approaches them, taking in her surroundings as she feeds Lily who in her arms. Donna moves to the side to let Rose stand next to the Doctor. Martha gives her a confused look. Rose smiles at her.

"Hi," she greets her. "I'm Rose Tyler." Martha's mouth hangs open. She looked at her blond hair and wide, sparkling smile.

"Oh, my God. He found you," she says in disbelief. Rose turned her head towards the Doctor. She smiled at him. He missed her just as much as she missed him. The Doctor smiled back at her and put his arm around her.

"She found me really." He leaned towards Rose and kissed the top of her head. Martha felt unwanted jealousy come up as she watched the Doctor gaze lovingly at Rose.

"It's so nice to meet you Martha," Rose said. Martha smiled at her.

"It's nice to meet you too. The Doctor talked so much about you." Martha's eyes moved towards the little girl in Rose's arms. She crunched her eyebrows together. The baby looked to be eleven months old Martha guessed.

"Oh Martha!" Martha jumped at the Doctor's sudden outburst. "There is someone very special I want you to meet. This is Lily. My daughter." At first, Martha thought she had heard wrong. But then she looked from the Doctor to Rose to the baby.

"You have a daughter," she said in disbelief.

"I do," the Doctor said proudly. "Though I only found out about her recently, she is indeed mine! When Rose found me so did Lily." He squeezed Rose's shoulder and she smiled at him. She loved how proud he sounded when he told people that he was a dad.

"That sounds…" Martha paused. "Complicated." Rose let out a long breath.

"You would not believe," she said, smiling at Martha.

"Well, congratulations," Martha said. The Doctor beamed.

"Thank you," he said. Rose eyed Martha. She seemed nice enough but Martha was giving her sort of unpleasant looks. Rose didn't know what to think of her. But any friend of the Doctor's was a friend of hers.

Martha was having a hard time processing this. The Doctor never really explained what happened to Rose but he was completely heartbroken about it. He barely paid any attention to her, that's why she left in the first place. And here Rose was! Back again. And with a child, who had the Doctor's eyes and Rose's blond hair. Of course she was blond! Martha could only assume the child was Rose's as well but a small part of her hoped that it wasn't. That would mean that Rose and the Doctor...Martha closed her eyes, pushing the thought of them being together and her jealously away. She was happy now and she had someone that she loved and who loved her in return.

"So," Donna added to break the awkward silence.

"Doctor Jones, report to base, please. Over," Martha's walkie talkie spoke from her belt. Martha looked down and held it in her hand, pressing the button on the side.

"This is Doctor Jones Operation Blue Sky is go, go, go. I repeat. This is a go." Martha lowered it down looking at the others.

"You ready," she asked the group. They began to follow her when Rose stopped.

"Doctor, I think I should wait in the TARDIS." Martha couldn't help but smile. The Doctor grasped Rose's shoulders.

"No, Rose! You just got here." Rose looked at Martha.

"Sorry, Martha. Just one second." Martha then felt guilty for how she had been feeling towards Rose.

"No problem," she said with sincerity. "Take your time."

"Rose," the Doctor said.

"Doctor, look around. This is no place for a baby. Believe me, I would love to come but I should keep her safe. You guys go on ahead." Donna felt a wave of sadness.

"Rose, let me watch Lily and you can go with them," she offered. Rose immediately shook her head.

"No Donna I won't hear of it. This is your adventure. They need you. They need your skills." Donna was taken aback by Rose's compliment. She opened her mouth to respond.

"Donna," Rose said. "You go with them. I can take care of my daughter."

"Rose," the Doctor said as he put his hand gently on her cheek.

"Okay how about this, go assess the situation and if it's safe then we will come out of the TARDIS," Rose said as her eyes bore into his. "Deal?" The Doctor thought for a moment. He couldn't risk putting his daughter in danger.

"Deal," he answered. "But we don't have a lot of time together." At this Martha raised her eyebrows.

"But the universe needs you," she answered. "Go save it, like you always do." The Doctor looked to Martha who smiled sympathetically at him.

"Okay, I'll be back in a bit." The Doctor leaned forward and captured Rose's lips in a gentle kiss. Lily reached towards the Doctor and he kissed her hand before leaning forward and kissing Lily's cheek. She giggled in delight. Rose leaned towards the Doctor.

"I love you. Be safe," she whispered out of earshot from everyone else.

"I love you," he whispered back.

Martha was in awe at the scene before her. She had seen the Doctor in all sorts of different moods but never had she seen him this tender. She was shocked at him openly kissing Rose in front of them. He was never one to show his real emotions. But right now he looked at Rose and his daughter with so much love and devotion. Martha had never seen that side of him. A small part of her wondered if that could have been her. If he could have looked at her the way that he clearly looked at Rose. Martha sighed. It wasn't meant to be and it was for the best. Besides, she had never seen him this happy. She almost felt guilty for taking him away from them.

"Okay," the Doctor said sort of darkly. "Let's go."

9 hours later

"The streets are half empty. People still aren't driving. There's kids on bikes all over the place. It's wonderful. Unpack that lot, I'm going to see if Suzette's all right," Sylvia said as she left the Noble household. Donna, Wilf, and Rose stood, watching her go.

"I won't tell her. Best not. Just keep it as our little secret, eh," Wilf said as he smiled at his granddaughter.

"Yeah," Donna answers giving him a wink. Rose stepped forward.

"Wilf, thank you so much for watching Lily when all that..." she gestured to the outside. "Was happening."

"It was my pleasure," he said as he handed a giggling Lily over to her mother. "She's such a special girl." Rose smiled lovingly at her.

"I'll leave you two to say goodbye. Thanks again. I hope to see you soon." Wilf gently lifted Rose's hand and kissed it as she smiled at him.

"I hope so too." When Rose was out of sight Donna faced Wilf.

"And you go with him, that wonderful Doctor. You go and see the stars, and then bring a bit of them back for your old Gramps," he said with a gentle voice. Donna smiled at him, wrapping him in a tight embrace.

"Love you," she said as she headed towards the Tardis.

Donna entered the Tardis where everyone was there waiting for her. The Doctor had Lily in his arms, spinning around happily by the consol. Rose and Martha were chatting off to the side.

"How were they," Martha asks as Donna stepped through the Tardis doors.

"Oh, same old stuff. They're fine." She paused, smiling at Martha. "So, you going to come with us? We're not exactly short of space." Martha gave her a sad smile as she looked around.

"Oh, I have missed all this, but, you know. I'm good here, back at home. And I'm better for having been away. Besides, someone needs me. Never mind the universe, I've got a great big world of my own now." Rose and Donna nodded knowingly.

The Tardis doors suddenly swung shut and began to rattle. Everyone held themselves steady as the Tardis began to move.

"What? What," the Doctor said as he balanced Lily on one hip and moved about the controls in a panic.

"Doctor, don't you dare," Martha warned, pointing her finger at the Doctor.

"No, no, no. I didn't touch anything. We're in flight. It's not me," he replied with wide eyes.

"Where are we going," Donna yelled over the commotion. Rose runned to the Doctor and grabbed his arm, putting one hand on Lily to steady her.

"I don't know. It's out of control!" The Doctor handed Lily to Rose as he pulled all of the levers on the console.

"Doctor, just listen to me. You take me home. Take me home right now," Martha yelled.

"If I could I would," he retorts. Martha and Donna ran to the console. The four of them held on as tightly as they could.

"What the hell's it doing," Donna yelled at the Doctor.

"I don't know where we're going," he said as he let go of the consol. The Tardis jolted to the side and the Doctor goes flying, smashing against the grating. The sound of the Tardis landing fills the room and with one last jolt everything is silent.

"But my old hand is very excited about it," he said as he gestured towards the hand floating in the tube on the console.

"I thought that was just some freaky alien thing. You telling me it's yours," Donna asked him with a disgusted look on her face.

"Well…"

"It got cut off. He lost it in a fight. So he grew a new one," Rose informed.

"You're completely impossible," Donna rolled her eyes at him.

"Not impossible," he replied. "Just a bit unlikely." A large bang is heard outside the Tardis, making everyone jump. Lily let out a small whimper. Rose hushed her as she holds her tightly to her chest. She held her head as she shushes her.

"What just happened," she whispered. The Doctor looks around.

"I have no idea. She must have wanted us to come here."

"But why," Martha asked. Rose's watch suddenly let out a long beep. Her eyes widen in panic.

"Doctor," she said. He looks at her with sad eyes. He nods at her.

"I know," he whispered. "Here," he says as he gestures for her hand. Rose approached him giving him her wrist.

"Is three days still alright?" Rose nodded, attempting to keep the tears in her eyes. The Doctor lets out a long breath, pinching the bridge of his nose as he lets go of her wrist.

"I wish you could stay." He looks at the floor, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Me too," she whispers, watching him.

"What's going on now," Martha asked.

"Rose has to leave," Donna answers.

"What?" Rose hands Lily off to the Doctor and turned towards her.

"Lily and I are trapped in a parallel world. We can only visit this universe for twelve hours at a time." Martha saw the hurt on her face.

"I'm sorry." Rose shrugged her shoulders.

"S'okay. I'm lucky that I even get to be here at all." She puts her hand on Martha's. "It was nice to meet you." Martha squeezes her hand and gives her a gentle smile.

"You too. Thanks for helping us save the world."

"Anytime." Donna stepped forward and wraps her arms around Rose.

"Good luck," Rose tells her. The Doctor stands there silently, pressing Lily's cheek against his nose. He kisses her forehead, forcing down the tears that threaten to spill.

"Why is this so hard every time," he whispers, mostly to himself. Rose approached him, putting a hand to his cheek.

"We will see you again," she said with strength in her voice. "Believe that." Rose reaches out her arms and takes Lily.

"Be safe," she tells him. "Have fun and run fast." He smiled at her. The Doctor reached a hand towards Rose. Before he could feel her skin on his fingers, Rose and Lily disappear before his eyes.

"Rose," he called out, reaching out his hands for her. He stood for a moment, his eyes closed. He then smashed his fist on the console.

"No!" he exclaimed. Donna immediately put her hand on his arm.

"It's okay," she attempted to calm him. "They'll be back. You will see them again." The Doctor took a deep breath out his nose.

"Right," he said. "Let's go find out where we are."