A/N: Personally, I'm not really happy with this chapter. I rewrote it six times and everything just feels kind of awkward to me…but I hope you like it anyway.

~DW~

The Doctor lands the TARDIS in front of Donna's house. She steps outside, looking conflicted. She stares at her house, turns her gaze back to the TARDIS, and sighs.

"So, am I okay now?" she asks. The Doctor gives her a quick scan with the sonic screwdriver.

"Huon particles are all gone," he says cheerfully. "You're fine."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far. I missed my wedding, lost my job, and became a widow all in the same day. Sort of."

"I'm so sorry, Donna," I say sympathetically. "I understand what it's like to be betrayed by someone you love. It's not fun."

"I couldn't save him," the Doctor says, looking a bit guilty. "I am sorry about that."

"He deserved it," Donna snaps, but she regrets it almost immediately. "No. No he didn't." She looks back toward her house. "I should probably go…they'll be worried."

"Have a nice Christmas…wait, I forgot. You hate Christmas," the Doctor says.

"Yes, I do," Donna says, smiling a bit. The Doctor raises an eyebrow, grinning at her and pointing his sonic in the air.

"Even if it snows?"

Angel and I watch in awe as a ball of light shoots from the top of the TARDIS, exploding gin the sky. Snow falls to the ground softly. Angel laughs, clapping her hands.

"That's brilliant!"

"I can't believe you did that!" Donna cries, her expression torn between amazed and shocked.

"Basic atmospheric excitation," the Doctor shrugs, trying to sound impressive. I roll my eyes.

"You think you're so great."

"I am so great!"

"Stop it, you two!" Donna says. We look at her sheepishly. "Well, Merry Christmas."

"Same to you," I say.

"What are you going to do now?" the Doctor asks. She shrugs.

"Not getting married. And I'm certainly not going to be a temp anymore. I want to travel, see a bit more of the planet. Go out there and do something."

Angel and I look at the Doctor expectantly. He glances back and forth between us, smiling.

"You could always…come with us."

"I…I can't. I'm sorry," Donna says softly, smiling. "I mean…everything that happened today, you live your life that way, and I couldn't. It was beautiful, but terrible at the same time. And you made it snow – you scare me to death!"

"Well then," the Doctor says, clearly disappointed. Part of me is, too – Donna would have been a great friend.

"I'm sorry," she says. "But, you know, you can stay for Christmas dinner, at least."

"I don't know," the Doctor says. "We've got our own Christmas dinner to go to. I think Sarah Jane will be waiting."

Angel smiles apologetically. "Sorry, Donna. I wish we could stay…"

"That's alright. Go on, have fun," she says with a laugh, waving her off. Angel gives her a quick hug and skips into the TARDIS.

"Thanks for everything," she calls over her shoulder. The Doctor gives a small nod and follows her inside. I move to go after him, but Donna stops me.

"Hold on. Rose?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't ever leave him, alright? I think he needs someone, sometimes. To keep him from going mad."

"I think I need him more than he needs me," I say with a weak laugh.

"You need each other. That much is obvious. Something like that – what you have, whatever it is – it's rare. Hold on tight, and don't let go, no matter how rough things get. I realize now, looking back, that Lance never really loved me. But I can see it in his eyes, clear as day. You mean a lot to him, and he means a lot to you. Take advantage of that."

"I…thank you, Donna," I nod. "I really am sorry about everything you lost today."

"I'm sorry about yours, too. Your mother."

"Yeah. You do me a favor, too. Just…tell everyone in your family you love them. I wish I could do that more often. You never realize what you've got until it's gone."

She holds out her arms and I give her a hug, looking over her shoulder at her house. I can see people laughing and smiling inside, one woman hugging another. I tear my eyes away quickly. Wishful thinking isn't going to do me any good.

"Thank you, Donna Noble." She nods, pulling back.

"And to you."

With that, I turn around and step into the TARDIS, not daring to look back.

~DW~ ANGEL'S POV

Mum stays outside, talking to Donna for another moment, and I decide to get it over with. I plop down in the captain's chair, exhaling slowly, and watch the Doctor carefully. He's absorbed in the console.

"Doctor?"

"Yes, Angel?"

"I'm sorry. About earlier. I didn't mean to call you…" I trail off, coughing awkwardly, my cheeks flushing. "It just sort of slipped. I mean, since you and Mum got together and all, I sort of started thinking of you like that. Oh, who am I kidding? I don't even know when it started, but it was ages before any of this. It's just, I've never had a dad before, you know? But you've always been there, since the minute I met you, and I just…"

"Angel," he says abruptly, but his tone is gentle. I blush even redder when I realize I had been rambling. I never meant to tell him any of that. All I've done is make everything worse.

"Sorry," I apologize again, running my hand down my face, frustrated. "Just ignore all of that. Can we move on and pretend none of this ever happened?"

"Angel, listen to me," he says, coming to stand in front of me. He leans down to meet my height I look up at him, fiddling with my hair nervously.

"I'm listening."

"It's okay. Really, it is. I don't mind. I haven't been a father in a long time, but I must be doing something right. Honestly, I'm honored that you would ever even consider me as such an important person in your life."

"Wait a minute, do you mean...I can call you 'Dad?'" I ask hurriedly. "That's alright?"

"If you want." He smiles at me softly as my jaw drops. I beam at him, throwing my arms around his neck.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I say happily. I jump up and down in my seat excitedly.

"Did I miss something?" I hear. We both turn around and look at Mum, who stands at the TARDIS doors with her arms crossed and eyebrows raised. I can't contain my smile.

"He said I can call him Dad!"

She looks at the Doctor, surprised, but smiling. He just smiles back at her.

Then it hits me - I have a family for the first time in a long time. An actual, proper family. With a mum and a dad, something I'd never had before. I have something I can call my own.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" the Doctor asks. "Sarah Jane is waiting!"

~DW~ ROSE'S POV

The ride to Sarah Jane's is quick, and Angel is out the door immediately, extremely excited to see them. It's been almost three months since our last visit. We didn't take very many trips while the Doctor was searching for a way to say goodbye to Mum. Angel and I spent most of our time together, learning how to cope.

The Doctor moves to follow after her, but I grab his arm quickly.

"Thank you," I say softly, kissing him on the cheek shyly.

"For what?" he asks, completely oblivious.

"You have no idea how much this means to Angel. She's finally got the family she deserves, she's finally happy."

"It works both ways," the Doctor says simply, taking my hand and lacing our fingers together. I sigh happily as we walk through the TARDIS doors together.

"So guess what?" Angel is saying, jumping up and down in front of Luke and Sarah Jane.

"What is it?" Luke asks excitedly. Sarah Jane smiles and waves, noticing us. Angel beams at us.

"They're together now!"

Sarah Jane gasps, brightening the room with her smile.

"It's about time!"

"Is that all?" Luke asks, disappointed.

The Doctor and I roll our eyes. Total trots up to me.

"The infamous Maximum Ride has finally got herself a boyfriend," he says, offering me his stupid little dog smirk. I nearly kick him.

"Shut up," I say. "The nerve of you, honestly."

"That's wonderful, though," Sarah Jane says, hugging both of us. "You do know it's Christmas, right?"

"Yes," the Doctor laughs. "That's why we're here."

"Well, I never know with you, do I? Might I remind you of the time…?"

"That's alright. My driving skills really do not need to be insulted anymore than they already are," the Doctor pouts. I pat him on the head.

"Aw, are the Doctor's feelings hurt?" I tease. But his eyebrows are raised. I follow his gaze to Luke and Angel, who are talking animatedly. Then I grin mischievously when I notice the mistletoe hanging above their heads.

"Hey, Angel, Luke," I call, smirking. Angel is finally going to get that payback. They look over at me. "Look up."

With confused faces, they turn their gazes upwards. Immediately, both of them flush completely red.

"You know what tradition calls for," I say, crossing my arms and raising an eyebrow. Angel and Luke look at each other awkwardly. In a quick movement, Luke leans his head forward and kisses Angel on the cheek. I smile.

"That's cheating," I say, "but I'll let it go." Angel and Luke both take sighs of relief and run off, desperate to get away from the awkward situation.

"You know, most mothers don't want their daughters off kissing boys," Total says.

"I'm not exactly the average parent, am I?"

"You are the opposite of an average parent," the Doctor says.

"You're one to talk."

"Hold on, he's not a parent," Sarah Jane says.

"He is now! Angel started calling him Dad, apparently," I tell her with a smile.

"That's wonderful," she says. "Doctor, you act so lonely all the time. But look at you! You've got one of the biggest families on Earth."

I think for a moment about how lucky I am. Three years ago, I never would have imagined myself where I am today. My life has been changed in so many ways, and I am so grateful to have so many people I love with me. However, there's still a nagging feeling that it won't last forever. Nothing does.

~DW~

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" I ask Angel, hugging her again. She sighs.

"I'll be fine. You act like you're never going to see me again. I'm just staying with Sarah Jane."

"I know," I say sheepishly. "I'm just worried, that's all. A lot has happened over the past few months."

"We're going to be okay," Angel says.

"I'm supposed to be the one comforting you," I laugh, but there's still a nervous edge to it. I don't want to leave Angel. A stupid part of me worries that something bad will happen – that she'll disappear like Mum.

"Again, you act like you're leaving forever. I expect a visit next week," she says, crossing her arms. She looks over my shoulder to the Doctor, raising an eyebrow. He mimes x's over both his hearts.

"You have my word, Angel," he grins. He looks at me. "You ready?"

I sigh, nodding. "I suppose so. Let's just say goodbye to the others and we can go."

We head back to the TARDIS, where Sarah Jane and Luke are waiting for us outside the doors. They smile at us.

"Going so soon?" Sarah Jane asks.

"Yeah, we'd better be off. We'll come visit next week, I promise," the Doctor says, hugging her. I'm right after him. Then I lean down, patting Total on the head. He licks my hand.

"Take care of yourself," he says. I nod.

"I will."

"Bye, guys," Luke says, waving as we step inside the TARDIS. We wave back and I glance at Angel one last time before closing the doors. The Doctor watches me carefully.

"Are you sure you want to leave? We could stay a bit longer, if you want."

"No. If we don't leave now, I never will," I say. He nods and pulls the lever that sends us spinning off into the Vortex.

"So, where are we headed?" I ask. He gives me a look.

"The infirmary."

"Why?" I ask, completely taken off guard by his response.

"Donna might have been clean of Huon particles, but I'm not so sure about you."

"I feel fine!" I protest. He grabs my arm and pulls me off anyway.

"Rose, this is serious. You could be in danger," he says worriedly. I frown at his tone.

"It can't be that bad…"

"I'm checking you over anyway!" the Doctor says shortly. "End of story."

~DW~

"What?" the Doctor cries. He's got his glasses on, squinting at the scan results, utterly bewildered.

"I don't know, you tell me!"

"You've got Huon particles everywhere. It's in your blood, it's pumping through your body – I don't understand! You should be dead."

"But I'm not."

"How is this even possible?" he says, looking me up and down, running a hand through his hair.

"Well, didn't you say that there are Huon particles in the heart of the TARDIS?"

"Yes, but…"

"I looked into the heart of the TARDIS."

"That was two years ago, Rose. There weren't any particles in you, I should know, I checked you over!"

"Well, what if there wasn't enough to trace then? I've been travelling in the TARDIS since then. What if it was like Donna? She was slowly dosed with Huon particles over six months. If there was just a little to begin with, and I've been slowly exposed to more of it over the years, then it wouldn't hurt me. I just attracted more of it, a little at a time. Just like Donna. Nothing bad happened to her! Kind of like a shot, yeah? You get exposed to a little bit of a dead virus, and your body learns to fight it. I got exposed to a little bit of Huon energy, and my body learned to live with it."

The Doctor stares at me.

"That…actually makes sense."

"I know, I'm absolutely brilliant," I say. "See? I'm going to be okay."

The Doctor sighs.

"I think so. Your body has pretty much adapted to it…but I really think if you were completely human, it would have killed you. You got lucky, Rose, and I don't want to push that luck any further. From now on, weekly checkups. No arguing. Are we clear? I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you."

"Okay," I sigh. "Weekly checkups. I guess I can deal with that."

"Thank you," he says, still looking a bit worried.

"Can I go to sleep now?" I ask, yawning. "I'm exhausted."

"Course you can. It's been a long day. You need some rest. You could even go back to your own room, if you like, now that Angel is back with Sarah Jane."

"No," I say quickly. "I'm not ready for that. It's just…there's picture of Mum and stuff in there, and I can't…"

"That's fine," the Doctor says. "Whenever you're ready."

"Goodnight," I say, hugging him. He wraps his arms around me in return.

"Goodnight Rose."

~DW~

"Rose! Rose, wake up!" the Doctor says. I groan, pulling my pillow over my head. He's leaning over me, bouncing on the bed excitedly.

"What do you want?"

"The TARDIS scanners picked up plasma coils at a hospital on Earth. That kind of technology won't exist for ages. We're going to check it out! Hurry, get dressed! Allons-y!"

I sigh, sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. The Doctor has an excited grin on his face.

"How exactly are we going to investigate a hospital without looking suspicious?"

"Well, one of us has got to check in! We're going undercover!"

"And which one of us is that going to be?" I ask. "You're an alien and I'm not completely human, either. Do you see the problem? Because I do. I don't fancy a complete stranger sticking an IV in my arm."

"I'll check in, it'll be fine," he says, waving it off. "Severe abdominal pains or something."

"If you're a patient, you'll have to stay overnight," I point out. "I won't be able to stay with you."

"You will if you're my wife," he says casually. That wakes me right up. I blink.

"Are you suggesting we get married?"

"No! No, no," he says quickly, going a bit red. "It's going undercover, Rose. We won't actually be married. John Smith and his wife Rose, that's all."

"And how exactly are we going to make people believe us? We don't have rings or anything," I point out. The Doctor reaches inside his coat pocket, producing two of the objects in question. A simple gold band for him, a silver diamond one for me. He slides his ring on.

"Why the hell do you have rings in your coat pocket?" I say after a moment of silence.

"For things like this," he says, slipping the ring on my finger. My heart picks up and my face flushes slightly. This is stupid, it's just making believe. Like the Doctor would ever marry me for real.

"Alright then. I'm going to take a shower. I'll meet you in the console room in an hour," I say finally, after an awkward quiet moment. He nods quickly, looking down and seeming to realize for the first time that he's practically sitting on top of me in my bed.

"Right," he says hoarsely. He clears his throat and scrambles off of me, making a beeline for the door. I notice after all this time that he's actually wearing a new suit.

"Hey, new suit! What's the special occasion?" I tease. He glances back at me with a grin, all awkwardness completely vanished.

"I dunno. Just found it, thought I'd take it out for a spin. You like it?"

"Yeah. It's a nice change. But I still like the brown better," I say, smiling. "Now out, mister. I need to get ready."

"See you in an hour," he says. "Hurry!"