One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a girl
Four for a boy
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a secret never to be told
Eight for a wish
Nine for a kiss
It was ironic, on so very many levels. He had lost everything he ever held dear, but the Daleks, the cockroaches of the universe, kept turning up. And this time, it looked like the only way to stop them would leave him no room for escape. There was time when he wouldn't have cared; would have welcomed it, even. But of course, it had to happen now, when he'd finally found a measure of hope and peace, and perhaps even joy, in the form of one simple girl from Earth. He could stomach his own demise, after all, he deserved it, many times over, but not hers. Never hers.
So he'd kissed Rose Tyler soundly on her forehead, tricked her inside his TARDIS, and sent them both on their way, far, far away from all this. He could bear his own death, knowing that he hadn't dragged her bright soul down with him.
But as it turned out, the Doctor had underestimated his two precious girls, and they were back now, Rose awash in the energy of the Time Vortex. And it was killing her, and he simply wouldn't permit that. A touch was required to draw the power out of her, and this time, a simple kiss on the forehead wouldn't satisfy him, so he leaned down to kiss her lips. It would kill him, he knew. This him, at any rate, but that was all right. His only regret right now was that he'd never thought to explain the regeneration process to her, but his Rose was clever and strong and brave. She'd manage. He had faith in her. If he believed in anything at all in this godsforsaken universe, it was her.
Ten for a time of joyous bliss