Home

Rose slowly became aware of the ache in her muscles as she knelt next to the Doctor, enfolding him within her arms. With a tiny regretful sigh she let him go so she could shift and let out a gasp of astonishment as she took in the room. No longer bare, its blue-tinged walls were covered with eight by ten photographs – or what looked like photographs – of people and scenery. She could identify some of them from what she had seen both in the Doctor's mind and during their adventures. There were several of herself, a few of Jack, a few of Ace's Professor standing next to Ace with a proud grin on his face, and dozens upon dozens more. Everywhere she turned was another memory. There, a picture of the London Eye. There, a castle of some kind. There, a massive city on a plain. Rose stood and walked closer to the images on the walls, her eyes wide in astonishment.

"Gallifrey," the Doctor said as he moved to stand behind her.

"What?"

"That's a picture of Gallifrey. The Citadel, to be precise," he hesitated for a moment before placing his hand upon her shoulder, "My home."

"It's beautiful," she breathed, taking in the various images as he pointed them out to her.

"Each image is a memory – a place that I've visited, a person that I knew, something that I never want to forget. Thank you, Rose, for reminding me of this."

Rose smiled as she turned towards him and hugged him again. She felt his arms go around her in a gentle squeeze – she felt as if she could stay like that forever. The sound of his hearts beating was comforting, and she closed her eyes as she held him closer.

"Brilliant! You did it!" A familiar voice exclaimed and Rose and the Doctor moved apart almost guiltily.

"Ace!" Rose identified her immediately and gave the other woman a hug, "You're back!"

"Yup, so's the Professor but he didn't want to disturb the two of you," Ace grinned at them both and winked, "Anyway, I thought you might like to know the way back?"

"Back?" Rose asked, glancing towards the Doctor nervously.

"Of course back! You don't want to stay in here forever can you? There are some scary things in here, let me tell you. Why I saw the Professor's collection of..."

"Ace!" the Seventh Doctor exclaimed as he stepped into the room, "I don't think you need to tell Rose that, right?"

"Oh, right then," Ace said, properly chastised, "Anyway, you need to get back to your own body. And the Doctor here needs to wake up. Jack's rather nervous right now, and we don't want to keep him waiting right?"

"Jack? Oh!" Rose's eyes widened.

"Exactly. So, if you'll take my hand I'll get you outta here. See ya later Professor!" Ace held out her hand.

"Rose," the Doctor said, "Wait."

Curious, she turned towards him only to unexpectedly feel his lips pressed against hers. Before she could react, his lips were gone and he smiled gently at her, "Thank you for believing."

"Anytime," Rose smiled as she grasped Ace's hand. As she felt herself move she could almost hear the Seventh Doctor exclaim, "Honestly, what am I doing these days?"

A second later, Rose Tyler opened her eyes.