The Doctor stood there, shocked and feeling his hearts tear apart in his chest. It only lasted 32 seconds, but for him it was almost unbearable. He had failed her. Rose. The one thing in the universe he would give his life to protect.

But then it happened.

He watched as the beams of electric energy retreated from the pylons, right back into the portable television. The Wire convulsed and screeched, writhing with pain as the tables turned. She was the one who had failed.

It was only because he couldn't leave the poor boy that the Doctor was able to stand in the control room, explaining to Tommy how he had trapped the Wire into a video tape. The only thing he wanted to do was run to Rose, see her safe and sound again, and with her face, her beautiful, gorgeous, brilliant face.

When they got back, Tommy found his gran immediately. The Doctor smiled for a moment at their reunion, before scanning the crowds, holding his breath, looking for Rose. When their eyes met, a huge smile spread across her face and he couldn't help but grin back, matching her enthusiasm and speeding up. Before he knew it, he was there, engulfing her in a huge hug, picking her up off the ground. He never wanted to let go of her again. That wouldn't be very practical, though, now would it?

Rose held on to the Doctor, after going through all of that terrible experience, he had come through for her. Her heart pounded in her chest. She wanted to tell him so badly... but she couldn't. Not after what he had told her when she had met Sarah Jane, and not after they found Teagan. It would never matter how much she loved him, even if he felt the same way, he couldn't be with her. Not wanting to think about it, she buried her head into his shoulder. She just wanted to be happy, because thinking about how she felt... sometimes it just broke her heart.

They had a nice time after that, hanging out at the street party. All too soon, though, they were getting back into the TARDIS. Rose stared at the Doctor as he ran around the console, piloting the ship into the time vortex. With exhaustion setting in, she found herself frowning.

One day the Doctor was going to leave her. She would get too old to travel with him. As much as she knew that he hated leaving his companions, she still couldn't stand it. Her heart was breaking as she watched him grinning and running around. He kept so many secrets from her, he never told her what he was feeling when they had moments where it almost seemed like it could be possible, having him love her back. Then he went around bringing her barely-boyfriend on board and snogging French aristocrats.

She balled her hands into fists, nails slightly digging into her palms, as she tried not to cry.

"I- I'ma head to bed now, Doctor," she said, quickly turning away and heading down the hallway.

"Rose?" the Doctor asked, confused. He could tell something wasn't right by the sound of her voice. But hearing him say her name only made her speed up towards her room, leaving the Doctor bewildered in the console room.

Shhh it's okay. Rose appreciated the TARDIS's concern, she really did. But she just couldn't be comforted right now. When she got into her room she collapsed onto her bed, sobbing into her pillow.

"'S not okay," she moaned into her pillow, realizing that even if it wouldn't help, she needed someone to talk to right now. Why not the TARDIS? No one knew her better than the TARDIS, what with her looking into her heart and absorbing the time vortex and all, even though she could barely remember it. Maybe that was when they started really getting on better, not that it had been bad before or anything. The TARDIS talked to her now, though, which was nice. She wondered how the Doctor could ever really be lonely with the TARDIS there.

This sadness will pass.

"Oh yeah? Well you would know," she sniffed, "but it's never gonna go away really, is it? 'S always gonna hurt." Rose bit her lip, trying not to cry so loud. She didn't want the Doctor to hear her.

Little did she know, the Doctor had followed her down the hall once the TARDIS was in the vortex. He had been concerned that her room would be hidden somewhere, but it was where it usually was. He could hear her crying in there, and wondered what was wrong. Maybe the events of the day had really traumatized her. Maybe she'd ask him to take her home for good. His hearts sank. Of course, he'd have to oblige her.

He walked closer to the door, wondering if he should knock and try to comfort her, or just give her some space.

The TARDIS, of course, knew he was standing there. She could have sound proofed Rose's door, but decided against it. He was at the right place at the right time, so maybe she could allow him some information to mull over.

This is not fixed. There are many paths open from here.

Listening through the door, the Doctor heard Rose say, "What's that supposed to even mean? That doesn't make me feel better, because there's nothin' I can do!" and then her sobs were loud.

Was she on the phone with her mother? No, couldn't be. Her phone had been sitting on the jump seat when he left to find her. He hadn't known Rose to be one to talk to herself.

But there is. There are many things that you can do, Rose Tyler. At one time, you could see all of the options laid out before you.

"Yeah, Bad Wolf, eh? Don't really matter now, does it?"

The Doctor's eyebrows shot up. Bad Wolf? Why was she talking about Bad Wolf? And she was definitely speaking to someone or something. He could feel the TARDIS's disapproval. It was with his reaction, but he assumed she just didn't like that he was listening in.

Of course it matters. It is fixed.

"I di'n't mean I wouldn't go back an' do it all again, 'cause I would. I would do anything for him, you know that better than anyone. But I can't give him anythin' that matters. I wanna travel with him forever, so that he'll never be lonely, but my forever isn't the same as his. It's never gonna matter how much I love 'im, he's never gonna... never..." she couldn't keep going, she just broke and cried for all she was worth. She could feel the comfort of the TARDIS, but it wasn't enough.

Rose Tyler, you are more than anyone knows. The Valiant Child, The Bad Wolf. You will be light in the darkness, an impossible star.

The TARDIS was too confusing. She knew they were supposed to be nice words, but it didn't keep her from her tears.

Meanwhile, the Doctor stood frozen at the doorway. He couldn't believe that all of this pain she was feeling was because of him.