A/N One last day in Paradise and a glimpse ahead. We're nearly there, folks! Just the epilogue remaining.

Chapter 21

The Doctor and Rose were soon ready to move forward, in every respect. While their latest trip together had not begun as an ideal honeymoon by any means, it had become exactly what they'd needed. In the end, the difficulties they had encountered – though certainly not desired at the time – had served to make them stronger. That, they both realized, was the key to any relationship's progress and growth – learning to cross obstacles together and move forward.

It was now their last day on the leisure planet of Paradise. They had stayed a few extra days and finally gotten around to seeing some of the more exotic sights and attractions the planet had to offer. It had become very close to the honeymoon Rose had once fantasized of, but not because of the idyllic location, colorful activities or even the unleashed desire, but rather due to the degree of inner closeness they had achieved during this time together, once all else had been stripped away.

As pleasurable as their few days of 'proper honeymooning' had been, their mutual wanderlust was making them anxious for new horizons, dangers and adventures; though both knew this new facet of their relationship would undoubtedly change the dynamic of their typical routine. Unquestionably for the better, though. Sharing mad adventures by day and unbridled passion by night – why had their relationship not consisted of this ideal combination all along?

Without question, they were both ready for the continuation of this new journey. But before moving on from here, they still had one last stop to make. Rose needed to say goodbye to Jaise, the unlikely friend she had found under unexpected circumstances. She couldn't leave this place without giving her newfound friend proper thanks. And doing so would provide the chance for the Doctor to clear the air a bit as well.

The Doctor had not made the best of impressions on the man from the start. And although he would not admit to it, the Doctor felt a certain touch of jealously toward this person who had become close to Rose in his absence. The emotion was irrational, he knew. But that was the trouble with some of the more volatile emotions – the ones he'd tried to ignore but had now learned was a futile endeavor when it came to Rose.

He couldn't deny feeling grateful that Jaise had been supportive of Rose when she'd needed it, though. Determined to keep that appreciation in mind, the Doctor accompanied Rose to say farewell.

"He's really a great person, you know," Rose commented as they strolled together in the bright light of mid-afternoon. The two made their way down Serenity District's main boulevard toward the Guest Services Complex. "I'm sure you two would have gotten on really well if you'd had the chance to get to know each other better."

"I'm sure we would have," the Doctor responded with a little too much cheer. "We would have been best mates in no time. Thick as thieves, us two." He plastered on a grin and aimed it in her direction. It slipped as Rose eyed him knowingly. "I never disliked the man in the first place," he continued, defending himself against the look in her eyes that suggested otherwise. "What? I didn't! I've only encountered him twice, after all. That's hardly enough time to form a permanent opinion. Didn't seem to stop him, though," he grumbled.

"I don't think he permanently dislikes you, Doctor. It's just that you didn't exactly make the best first impression," Rose explained.

He gaped at her in disbelief. "I always make an unrivaled first impression!" She smirked. "Well…perhaps 'unrivaled' might be just a wee bit of an overstatement. There are some cultures that are just naturally hostile and those that even have a severe aversion to charm. Hardly my fault. But! 99.9% of the time my outstanding record on making dazzling first impressions goes without saying." He sniffed, then glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "Just what was wrong with my first impression, anyway?"

Rose fought back a snicker, but replied matter-of-factly. "Well, you began by landing in an undesignated area because you never bother to heed arrival protocols, didn't apologize or offer to immediately move, hadn't registered ahead, and you came off as a bit of a…Know-It-All."

He stopped walking and turned to her. "Rose, I am a Know-It-All," he said in all seriousness.

She smiled sweetly. "I rest my case."

He frowned, then muttered, "Well, I am. I'm simply honest about it."

Rose continued, humor now aside. "Then after you left, he related to what I was going through because he'd been through something similar."

The Doctor grew somber. "Rose, if I could somehow change what happened without damaging the timeline, then I would do it in a nanosecond."

"I know you would," she assured him. "That's over and we've moved past it. But when it looked like you'd left intentionally and might not come back, it reminded Jaise of what had happened to him in a previous relationship. He loved someone once, but it ended badly and left him hurt. Losing what he'd once had left him with scars, and it damaged his opinion of relationships in general, I think."

"That happens quite often, unfortunately," the Doctor answered quietly, eyes distant.

Rose reached out for his hand and twined her fingers with his, drawing him back to the present. "But sometimes even scars can fade."

He looked at her, eyes softening. "Yeah. Sometimes."

They turned together and began walking again.

The two reached the Guest Services Complex and made their way to the Registration hub. It was there they found Jaise at his station, not currently occupied with guests and free to talk for a moment. He looked up, smiling warmly at Rose, then with a little more effort, at the Doctor.

"I take it you've now finally had a chance to see all Paradise has to offer," he said to Rose by way of greeting, having not seen her for a few days but knowing the reason why.

"Oh, and then some," the Doctor interjected in a low timbre. "Including many private activities that others on Paradise would not be privileged to enjoy…"

Rose was torn between wanting to jab the Doctor in the ribs or snog him senseless for that suggestive and slightly possessive undertone to his words.

Jaise fought the urge to roll his eyes and instead directed his comment once again to Rose. "I can't say you won't be missed, but I assume you're ready to check out," he surmised with a fond smile as he stepped forward.

Rose smiled back. "Yeah. It's time for us to move on." He nodded. "But Jaise, I just wanted to say thank you, for so much. Including the job, of course. You took a chance on me, and I appreciate it."

"You don't have to thank me. You were a valuable addition here and more than earned your position. And you'll have a place here anytime if you ever want or need it." Rose moved forward and gave him a hug. The Doctor hung a step back, tamping down a lingering swell of jealousy and giving them space for goodbye. "Are you sure you're ready to go?" Jaise asked her quietly. He trusted her judgment, but was still a little wary of the Doctor.

Rose pulled back and nodded. She then reached back for the Doctor's hand and gently tugged him up to stand beside her. "Yes. I'm definitely ready. And do me a favor?"

"What's that?"

"You took a chance on me for this position. Be willing to take a chance again on someone else, too. And I'm not talkin' about for the job. I'm talkin' about in life." He shifted, gaze briefly dropping. "No relationship is ever perfect and not everyone is meant to be, in the end. But if you truly find the right person, any rough spots along the way are worth it. Just…let yourself be open again. That's all."

Jaise didn't make any kind of commitment nor even nod, but he did seem to at least consider her words. Rose sensed that in some mad way, her relationship with the Doctor had actually served as an example that loving someone didn't always end in ruin, despite difficulties.

The Doctor cleared his throat, feeling spectacularly out of his element, but at least putting forth an effort. "I'm…er…not even going to attempt to give relationship advice. But…what Rose said is right." He continued then, offering the words he knew were due. "And I wanted to thank you, too. For being here for Rose when I wasn't."

Jaise paused, but then replied. "I'm glad I could help, but I think we both know Rose can handle herself just fine on her own. She's strong and knows her own mind." The Doctor almost, almost bristled just slightly at the man's familiar knowledge of Rose's inner nature. How could he object, though? Jaise was right. He continued, his words forming a sort of truce. "And…if she's willing to give you another chance, then maybe you deserve slightly better than my initial opinion."

The Doctor answered with sober honesty and a wry, if not tight smile. "I doubt if I do. But thanks just the same."

"We'll be back," Rose said, breaking some of that residual tension. "We can stop by and visit now and then. I'd like that."

The Doctor tugged on the lobe of his left ear as he offered, "And I'll try to be a little more…precise when it comes to the landing the next time."

"That'd be a first," Rose muttered with a smirk.

Jaise had to give a short laugh at that. Did the Doctor mean with arrival protocols or with his timing? Either way, he would definitely do well to improve in both regards. Jaise offered a suggestion. "Or maybe you should let Rose be the pilot now and then. She's more than capable."

The Doctor paused to consider that recommendation. He realized the idea had quite a bit of merit. "Perhaps so…"

A group of new arrivals began filtering in and Jaise would soon need to return to work.

With parting words having been made, Rose waved a final goodbye and the Doctor gave a lax salute as they both turned and left.

They made their way back through the luminous glass complex, past the bustle of the group of new guests who were streaming in to register. The main doors obligingly slid open wide as the Doctor and Rose stepped back outside into the bright light of a new day, with the waiting TARDIS as their immediate destination.

Rose turned to the Doctor, drawing in a deep, invigorating breath. "Next stop everywhere?" she asked with an adventurous gleam in her warm caramel eyes.

His grin started out slow, then finally overtook and lit every feature of his exuberant face. "Oh, yes!"

-:-:-:-

Many months had passed since that stage of new beginnings, and time found Rose on a distant locale halfway across the galaxy, ambling along at a leisurely pace as she moved past various vendors selling everything from Venusian crisps to sentient pet plants. She didn't even have a clue how far away she was from Earth. It didn't matter. It never did. Home was the TARDIS and the man who occupied it with her. Regardless of the planet or constellation she found herself on from day to day, home was never far.

With a delight that had yet to fade, she absorbed the sights and sounds of all manner of cultures and species as they bartered and traded around her. To her right, Rose gave a wide berth to a woman who looked alarmingly similar to a Klingon and was taking a few practice swipes with a newly-purchased sickle, while up ahead, a humanoid alien male bartered rather animatedly for some type of gizmo that looked like a ridiculous cross between a coat hanger and a retro radio. The alien male in question happened to be the Doctor.

Rose grinned as she watched him. He would sometimes whinge when she proclaimed she wanted to go shopping, but she knew the Doctor secretly enjoyed it as much as she did. And leave it to him to find a bazaar located on an asteroid.

Rose didn't really have anything in particular in mind she was looking for while here. Sometimes half the fun was just in seeing what was out there. She did have it in the back of her mind that maybe she should get a gift of some kind for her mum, though.

Thanks to life on the TARDIS, some aspects of time were relative; but Rose knew they were overdue to pay a visit to Jackie again. Their last stopover hadn't gone entirely well. They had parted on good terms, all things considered. But Rose had hopes that the next visit would be a bit smoother for all concerned.

Still, it wouldn't hurt to bring back a little token as a peace offering. Rose thought she might have found just the thing as she stopped at one of the stalls to get a closer look at a curious little piece that caught her eye. It was a small bronze-colored bauble that fit in the palm of her hand and was rather pretty, too. She didn't have a clue as to its purpose, but it intrigued her none the less.

"Ah, now there's an interesting choice."

Rose startled at the sound of Doctor's words spoken into her mind. She turned and saw him sauntering toward her, hands in the pockets of his long tan coat and a relaxed smile playing easily on his face. She didn't think she would ever grow accustomed to being linked on such a level.

They had continued making progress in strengthening their bond. She was getting even more adept at transmitting her feelings, and had even been able to learn to echo words into his mind when touching physically, as she had done that memorable morning together when imparting her love. And due to the increasing strength of their connection, they had reached a level where the Doctor could reach forth and speak to her inwardly from afar, as he was currently practicing.

"I may never get used to that," Rose said with a smile and slight shake of her head as he reached her and drew to a stop.

"Are you saying I hold your interest, then?" he asked lightly, hand seeking and slipping into hers.

"Only just," she replied playfully, tongue touching the corner of her lips, grabbing his focus. She held up the item she was considering for purchase, pulling his attention back toward it and away from her distracting lips and tongue. "What is this?"

He plucked it from her hand and tossed it once in the air, catching it again with ease. "Ohhh, it could be a great many things. A decorative ornament – you know, the type of thing people put on mantels or display tables or those brilliant little marvels known as curio cabinets. I love a good curio cabinet! On a more boring note it could also be used as a paper weight. Or in a pinch, it could be used to defeat an angry Sycorax leader if one didn't happen to have a Satsuma handy. And then, there's its intended purpose, which is to be used as an instrument to tell the weather. It has the ability to vary its temperature according to current weather patterns. It's made of a rare metal called Bazoolium."

"You think Mum would like it?" Rose asked, hopeful.

The Doctor began to give an automatic reply in the affirmative when the implication of Rose's question caught up to him. He stopped mid-word, mouth clicking shut. This meant it was time to face Jackie Tyler again.

He finally answered in as brave a tone as he could muster. "Only one way to find out, I suppose."

She squeezed his hand and smiled, silently thanking him for being willing. Cooperative, at least.

Rose made the purchase, and soon she and the Doctor were walking hand-in-hand through the open air bazaar, re-tracing their earlier path as they made the short journey back to where the TARDIS sat waiting.

Rose suddenly drew to a stop, and the Doctor looked at her questioningly. She gazed down at the small trinket in her hand, her expression thoughtful.

"I'm sure she'll like it, Rose," he reassured her, hoping Rose hadn't become dissatisfied with it, which would mean they'd be traversing the universe to find the perfect gift. He didn't mind a little shopping now and then (not that he'd admit it), but engaging in said activity more than once in the same day would quickly become monotonous.

"Yeah, she probably will," Rose murmured. She looked back up at him. "But let's not find out today."

He cocked his head to the side, trying to understand, and not for the first time, the whims of human females. "I thought you wanted to go see your mum."

"I do," she confirmed. "It's just that…" Rose shrugged. "I dunno. I guess I just want to stay with you – just the two of us – for a bit longer. Just you an' me. That okay?"

His answering smile was infinitely soft. "Yeah. More than okay. I think that's brilliant, actually."

He swept her into his arms in an enveloping hug, lifting her off the ground and twirling her before he sat her back on her feet, both laughing with glee. He took her hand again, swinging it merrily between them as they continued on.

"Have I ever taken you to Oz?" he asked cheerily. "The planet, not the dream state. Oh, those munchkins know how to party! Mind you, there's a witch with a nasty disposition to look out for. And while their yellow brick road isn't the most advanced highway system in the universe, it is fun for skipping. Have we ever skipped, Rose? It stands to reason we'd be naturals, considering our talent for hopping. Oh! And then there's the Emerald City. Could send your mum a postcard. They're collector's items in the 71st century, you know."

She rolled her eyes. "Now you're just havin' me on."

He looked affronted. "No! I'm serious. Where do you think the inspiration for The Wizard of Oz came from, hmm? I once traveled with L. Frank Baum."

"Well, there's only one way for you to prove it to me," Rose answered with an impish grin, very much like the one the Doctor was now giving her.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

Their shared laughter faded to a dimming echo as they boarded the TARDIS, ready for the next adventure.

The Bazoolium could wait.