"Well how do we know he's coming back? These things can't get us inside that bloody space hopper of his!"
"Mum, he'll be back" Rose said for the forth time in ten minutes.
"Yeah but …"
"MUM! He's coming!" Rose snapped at her mother. "He promised and he knows I'll kick his butt if he doesn't. He also has a very strong conscience when it comes to humans"
"My ears are burning." A man's voice said with a touch of amusement. Rose turned around and flung herself into the Doctor's arms. He hugged her tightly, reacquainting himself with the feel of her warm, soft body and the coconutty smell of her blonde hair. Pulling back at last he asked;
"How long was I gone?"
"About ten minutes"
"Not enough time for you to miss me then?"
Rose hit him playfully, but hard enough to cause him to wince. Looking in her eyes, the Doctor saw everything he needed to stay sane. And he could see that he still loved her. He now knew he would have asked her even if Donna hadn't made him promise.
