IMPORTANT: THIS IS AN ALTERNATE ENDING. It diverts from Part Four of Viera, my main Doctor Who project. If you haven't read that then this won't make a whole lot of sense.

Supplemental Soundtrack:

Alt 4:4 - Farewells & Final Gifts: "Burial On the Presidio Banks" by This Will Destroy You

ALTERNATE PART FOUR – JOURNEY'S END

Diversion Four – One Last Gift to Give

The Doctor and Rose were back in the TARDIS alone, having just dropped off her mother in the alternate dimension. The Doctor hadn't been absolutely, entirely, completely convinced that Rose was going to stay with him, at least until she'd nearly slapped him for suggesting otherwise. He was a bit embarrassed by how relieved he'd felt at that. He'd tried not to show it, but he had the nagging feeling that Rose could see right through him anyways.

"We'd best go pick up Donna," the Doctor mused, setting their course on the controls. "We leave her with her mum any longer and there's going to be hell to pay." He glanced over at Rose, checking for signs of sorrow. He knew she was hurting from saying a permanent goodbye to her own mum. "Last chance to change your mind," he offered quietly.

"Shut up," Rose told him with a faint smile that said she knew what he was doing. "I said forever, didn't I? You're stuck with me."

Innumerable emotions flashed through the Doctor's eyes, but he settled on just enjoying the fact that she was right then. He'd worry about the future later. The Doctor grinned at Rose. "Alright, hang on!" He pulled back the handbrake and the TARDIS took off with a shudder, traveling through the void to get back to their world.

It was something of a surprise to stall somewhere in the middle of the time vortex before they could reach it.

"What's going on?" Rose asked as the ship went still without its usual landing rumble.

"I dunno," the Doctor answered, puzzled. He moved the monitor, but its readings just confused him further. "The TARDIS just… stopped. And I'm picking up some sort of… life signs? That can't be right." He tried to adjust the monitor.

Rose was in the perfect position to see behind him as a form shimmered into existence. Her jaw dropped as Viera's face coalesced and the ghostly form gave a wink. Viera looked much as she had on the video feed from the Crucible, though perhaps a little fainter.

The Doctor was still trying to fix the readings on the screen. "We're in the middle of the Vortex," he muttered. "That's impossible."

"Ah, but we've seen so many impossible things, haven't we?" Viera asked quietly. The Doctor froze a moment, then turned slowly, eyes wide. "Hello, Doctor."

"Viera," he breathed. Then the shock faded and he was left with wary happiness. "You shouldn't have been able to leave the Crucible."

"No," she agreed easily. "But it exploded in the Medusa Cascade. I latched on to the energy of the rift. That's why I had to wait until you were in-between worlds before I could reach you." Viera smile was a bit sad but sincere. "I'm afraid I don't have long, even with the help of the rift and the TARDIS, but I wanted to say goodbye. And I wanted to give you something," she added, turning to Rose.

"Me?" Rose asked, surprised. They barely knew each other after all.

Rather than answer, Viera reached into the energy over where her heart would have been had she still had a physical form. When she withdrew her hand it was tangled in the chain of the Obetovat pendant. As it dangled from her fingers the stone crackled with vibrant green electricity, shimmering the way Viera's body did but brighter. It looked to be more energy than matter, really. One shard was missing. A quick twist of Viera's fingers freed the other four, then she held out the Stone itself to Rose.

"Viera…" the Doctor objected instinctually, taking a step forward.

"Don't you trust me?" Viera asked. The Doctor hesitated. She didn't take offense, knowing his hesitation was due to the fact that it was Rose's safety, not his on the line. Viera smiled encouragingly. "I don't mean any harm. The TARDIS wouldn't have let me in if I did," she pointed out. "I wouldn't hurt Rose."

The Doctor searched her shimmering face then eventually stepped back.

"What is that?" Rose asked, not yet reaching to take it.

The Doctor eyed the pendant a bit warily. "According to legend it's capable of bringing the dead back to life, but there's a sacrifice involved."

"Can we use it to save you?" Rose asked Viera hopefully, immediately focusing on the first part of the Doctor's sentence rather than the latter.

Viera shook her head. "It's my energy bound up in the Obetovat. It can't save me."

Rose bit her lip. "Couldn't we just get you another body or something?" she asked, still looking for a way to save her.

Viera could see why the Doctor loved her. She smiled, unperturbed at the reply she had to give. Viera was just grateful that she had one last gift to give and that it was this woman and this man who would benefit. She loved the Doctor to the depth of her heart and Rose fit him perfectly. "There's not enough of me left," she answered Rose. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm just energy, thoughts. A fading ghost." Viera held up a hand. What had been a closely-woven net of energy had started to fray. The details were gone, except for her face. Instead of a hand Viera had only a vaguely shaped limb and even that was unraveling around the edges. Rose looked sad. The Doctor looked torn, guilt and frustration creeping into his eyes.

"It's alright," Viera tried to convince them. "I know where I'm going. I'm the one who believes in heaven, remember?" she quirked a smile at the Doctor. "What's there to be scared of?" Viera's gaze shifted back to Rose, offering the necklace again. "Please just take it." Despite her impending end, Viera felt more excitement than fear. As far as last acts went, her gift was a dozy.

Rose finally reached for the pendant. She glanced at the Doctor before actually touching it and he nodded. It shivered when she touched it, but none of the electricity actually seemed to touch her as it shifted beneath the brightly glowing surface. Rose slung the glittering chain around her neck and the Obetovat Stone settled over her collarbone. A gentle wave of green and gold light spread from it to shimmer across Rose's skin.

Viera approached the Doctor, the four jeweled shards from the necklace in her hand. She could feel the energy flowing through them as well, the ties that bound them to the Stone.

The Doctor tensed a bit but didn't draw back. "What are you doing?" he asked, curiosity momentarily overriding the pain of her passing.

"Do you trust me?" Viera questioned quietly, near enough to touch him. The Doctor nodded slowly and Viera leaned in closer. "Do you love her?" she asked even softer, too quiet for anyone but the Doctor to hear.

The Doctor went very still, surprise and confusion flickering across his face. They didn't quite cover the fierce look of longing though, and Viera had her answer without needing to hear the words. With a slightly apologetic smile Viera shoved the four shards in her palm against the Doctor's chest. He grunted in brief pain as they slid past his shirt, into his flesh. He stepped back with a grimace to rub at the sore spot.

"What was that for?" he protested a bit warily.

"I could have done it the other way around, but I figured you'd rather take the sting than Rose," Viera said, deliberately drawing out the explanation. Truthfully, giving Rose the shards would have been slightly easier, since she was the one who needed fixing, but Viera had enough control over the energy to make it work either way.

"Well… yes," the Doctor admitted, still confused.

Viera grinned mischievously and clasped her hands together, anticipating their reactions. "Alright. Best be quick about this. Say your vows and get on with the wedding."

There was a brief moment of silence then they both shouted at once. "What?"

"Kidding. Sort of." Viera's expression softened into understanding, though amusement still shimmered underneath. "I know its sudden, but I'm running out of time. I want to do one last thing for you, if you'll consent. The Obetovat is meant to shift life force from one being to another. In a state like this, already more energy than matter, I believe the Obetovat can be used to share life forces rather than trade them." Especially under Viera's very careful control. It was, in a way, her energy powering the Stone, after all. Rose still looked confused, but realization was spreading across the Doctor's face. He looked shaken by the myriad of emotions that washed over him. Viera continued explaining to Rose as he tried to sort them out.

"I can tie your lifespans together. He'll never have to watch you get old," Viera stated gently. Rose looked overwhelmed as well but there was hope and happiness bubbling underneath. "Actually, I'm pretty sure that neither of you will be able to die without the other, so unless you both go out together, you might be in for a long ride."

"I know it's a lot to take in, but I'm afraid you have to decide pretty quickly." Viera could feel the energy weave that was holding her together beginning to fall apart. The two of them stared at her, then stared at each other, wide-eyed. Viera smiled and shook her head. "Well I suppose I can give you a minute or two."

She backed away from the pair, kneeling down by the console with her eyes closed. She whispered her gratitude to the TARDIS as Rose and the Doctor tried to sort out what they were feeling.

"Well…" Rose spoke first, trying to keep her voice calm and not quite succeeding. "What'd you think? Ready to really be stuck with me forever?"

The Doctor's voice was just as taunt with suppressed emotions. "You sure you want this, Rose? That's… a really long lifetime. You'll never be able to change your mind, settle down with another human. You'll outlive… everyone."

"Don't be daft," Rose spat, almost offended that he could question her. "I just gave up my family to come with you! I said I was gonna stay with you forever and I meant it!"

"Rose…"

"Do you want this?" she demanded.

The Doctor's voice was quiet, intense as he answered. "Oh, yes," he murmured. Viera could almost feel the hope and joy radiating from his voice. He gave a laugh as he finally let himself believe that it was possible. "Yes, yes, yes."

Viera stood and turned to them, smiling softly at the sight. The Doctor had hold of Rose's upper arms and his face was only a breath away from hers. They were both grinning like fools, love and happiness lighting their faces.

It was a good moment to die. "This is going to be goodbye," Viera said quietly, pulling their attention away from each other. Pain darkened their expressions and Viera wished she could make them understand that she really, really was alright with her fate. "Please don't be sad. I'm not," she said honestly. "I'm going to see my family again. And out of all the ways I could go, this… this is better than anything I can imagine. I love you," Viera's gaze shifted to the Doctor. "Tell Donna I love her too. And I'm grateful, so very grateful to have met all of you." She smiled at Rose, completely at peace with the world she was leaving behind. "Take care of each other, yeah?"

They both nodded silently. Viera closed her eyes and reached for the Obetovat.

Obet duse, vzdal liecit dusu… she recited the inscription around the pendant silently. Alright, God, I'm ready. Take me home. Then Viera set the Stone and shards in motion and simply let go.

Her body unraveled with a gentle fizzle of energy. The white light poured into the Obetovat and into the shards, pulsing with purpose. For a moment a bright, thick stream of energy bound the two together. Then it spread, engulfing Rose and the Doctor completely.

They would spend the rest of their lives together, traveling the stars in every time stream, picking up friends along the way. The universe would be a better place because of them. They'd love their friends and carry the weight of their losses when inevitably they left, but they would always, always have each other.

When the light died out, Viera's ghost was gone; there were no life signs but Rose's and the Doctor's. The Obetovat had vanished, having fulfilled its purpose. The couple stood panting lightly as their daze cleared. The Doctor took a breath and stepped closer, taking both of Rose's hands.

"How long are you going to stay with me?" he asked softly, something warm and content in his voice, fierce joy banked behind the surface of his dark eyes.

Rose smiled, her love radiating bright and steady as sunshine. "Forever," she promised.

Forever it was.

FIN