The TARDIS is at work here.
He hummed to himself. He wasn't quite sure what he was humming, but figured it must be a Muse song that the Ponds had been playing once. Yes, Supermassive Black Hole, he realised. Good song. Quite fitting as he'd just steered the TARDIS from plunging into one. That's always good, avoiding near-death experiences. He chuckled to himself as he spun around, feeling quite silly. The TARDIS made the lights dance, obviously amused at his silliness and willing to add to the fun.
He was off to find Amy and Rory to take them to a planet made of sapphires for their wedding anniversary. It was the least he could do for his in-laws. That word left a sour taste in his mouth, and he stopped spinning and humming. The lights stopped dancing.
It felt wrong to be little Amelia Pond's son in law. He rubbed his jaw, suddenly tired. He slumped into the jump seat, wishing he could talk to the TARDIS, and hear her answer.
"How're you feeling, sexy?" he asked, trying to perk up.
He got her usual hum as a response.
He hit a few buttons, quite randomly, he had to admit. He was bored. What else could he do? According to his earth calendar, he'd be early for the anniversary if he popped up this very moment. He had time to spare. (And he didn't want to pop up while they were occupied).
A hologram of Amelia appeared. He waved her away, not wanting to face his mother in law at the moment. Donna Noble popped up and he smiled sadly.
"Hello, Donna. How are you?"
There was no reply, just a sassy stare. She disappeared to reveal Martha, who looked so confident and proud. She flickered away like Donna. Rose appeared in her place, staring at the Doctor unblinkingly.
The Doctor dared not look at her. He twiddled his thumbs, and began to ramble about how he hoped she was happy. And how he hoped she didn't miss him. (But he did hope he was missed, so much).
"Doctor," he heard her say. That's when he thought he was hallucinating.
He looked up, startled. She wasn't a fuzzy, far-away hologram. Her hands were in her pockets, her eyes wide and her lips curved into a small smile.
"I did miss you," she said.
The Doctor stood, walking towards her. He raised his hand to her cheek, hoping against hope that she was real. That she was really there. He brushed his thumb against her soft skin before she enveloped him into a hug. He could smell her shampoo, the very one that still sat in the bathroom she used. He ran his fingers through her hair, to her back. So very Rose, and so very much with him.
"My Doctor," she whispered.
Then she was gone, and he was hugging nothing but air. His green eyes scanned the room before he rested his hand on the console.
Tell me you love me
Come back and haunt me
Rose Tyler would be nothing more than a ghost.
"Right," he said.
The TARDIS whined mournfully. She had tried to make him feel better, but now he looked even emptier than before.
"You tried, love," he ran his hands along the console, noting that he should never press that button again unless he wanted his chest to ache.
More sadness. Try as I might, these little bits never end up on a happy note. And I do think the TARDIS would try to comfort our lonely Doctor. I still can't see Rory and Amy as in-laws, so that's there, too.