As the TARDIS landed on the peaceful planet the Doctor couldn't help but once more doubt his decision to tell Rose the truth. However he managed to convince himself that it would be him and not Rose who would have to live with the consequences, and, if it made her happy, he was willing to risk all that.

He opened the TARDIS doors onto rolling green hills, wild flowers growing dotted about and nothing but forest for miles below. The planet was totally uninhabited. Even the animals that lived their were unknown to anyone. Rose followed the Doctor out, still dressed in pyjama's and limping slightly. One foot had been so badly cut that the bone had been poking through, so the Doctor had had to bandage it up. She still had the bandage holding her ribs in place as well. The minor cuts and bruises had all but faded, but the Doctor could still see, could still sense the mental scars that would take much longer to heal.

Jack grinned as he watched the pair leave and shut the door behind them, making a mental note to have some food prepared for when they came back.

The Doctor and Rose sat in companionable silence on the hill for a long time before either spoke. It was the Doctor who broke the silence first as he watched Rose gaze at her bandaged foot and try carefully to wiggle her toes.

"Rose," he began. "If we… I mean…if we are going to take things, to the next level, I need to tell you some things first."

Rose looked at him curiously, wondering what the Doctor was about to tell her.

"There are things I've done, for which you'd hate me," he said not meeting her gaze. "Like trying to stop the Dalek's from ever being created. I need to know if you can love a killer?"

Rose frowned, thinking it over.

"Yes," she replied finally. "You did what you had to. It's no different than my Granddad going to war."

The Doctor was visibly relieved.

"Another thing," he said quietly, still hoping that everything would work out. "I'm going to outlive you. You can spend the rest of your life with me, but I can't spend the rest of mine with you."

Rose looked slightly downcast at the thought.

"Can't you…" she paused, an idea coming to her, but not knowing whether it was a good one, or even possible. "Couldn't you make me a Time Lord?"

The Doctor's hearts sank. He knew she'd ask this.

"The process could kill you Rose," he said his voice sounding hollow. "Even at full strength, there's no guarantee that you'd survive."

"But it's possible?" She asked. The Doctor looked at her seriously.

"I'd rather spend your lifetime with you, then you try to become a Time Lord and die." He replied seriously. She didn't meet his gaze.

"I have to know that our relationship is what you want," the Doctor said changing tact. "I promised your mother I'd look after you, I don't want you to think I'm pressuring you into anything."

"Your not," Rose said firmly. They sat once again in silence, but Rose slipped her hand into the Doctor's and shuffled closer. "What happened on that spaceship?"

"It was a farm. They were trying to get a child of every species in the world," the Doctor replied bitterly. "They only kept you alive because they wanted you to have a Time Lord baby for them."

"They wanted you… and me…" she shuddered at the thought. "Part of me is glad they did want me. They might've just killed me otherwise."

"That's one thing to be thankful for," the Doctor admitted. He pulled Rose closer to him, nestling his head in her hair. "I love you."

"I love you too," she replied grinning to herself.

When they returned to the TARDIS some hours later Jack knew that they'd talked things over for the better. He dished up the pasta bake he'd been making and felt so glad that they'd finally made it up.

The rest of the day was very pleasant for the three of them, despite the doings of the past week. When Jack finally gave up playing cards with the Doctor and Rose (both of whom cheated and inevitably ended in a draw against each other) he decided it was time for bed. It would be the first time he'd slept properly since… well, he needed a proper nights sleep.

The Doctor and Rose were left alone in the dimly lit console, the Doctor tinkering and Rose contemplating everything that had happened.

"You know," Rose began in a low content voice. "I used to dream about situations like this."

She yawned and the Doctor chuckled softly to himself.

"What, where you were badly injured and I had another universe saving day under my belt?" The Doctor asked smiling to himself.

"No," Rose replied rolling her eyes sleepily. "I meant…"

"I know what you meant," The Doctor said turning to her. Rose grinned at him, her eyes plainly showing how tired she was. "C'mon you, bed."

Rose pouted giving the Doctor the old puppy dog eyes.

"I don't wanna sleep!" Her argument was only shot down by her own yawn. She couldn't be bothered to move and the Doctor had to pick her up and take her to her bed in the TARDIS depths.

"Night," he said quietly, about to edge towards the door.

"Stay with me," she said suddenly, her eyes wide in an effort to keep herself away. She shuffled along so there was enough room for him to climb in. Rolling his eyes the Doctor reluctantly headed back to the bed.

"Rose, I really don't…" he trailed off at her plaintive look. "Oh alright."

He climbed in next to her and she smiled before falling asleep.

Some hours later, Rose woke to find she was facing the door, with the Doctor, snuggled into her back, one arm round her waist protectively. She shuffled as carefully as she could, out of the Doctor's grip, trying not to wake him and padded towards the TARDIS console room.

Rose had an idea that the TARDIS might be able to help her with something the Doctor had said earlier. Limping up the ramp she gently touched the console and the TARDIS chirruped softly, acknowledging her presence.

"Hello," Rose said quietly. "I want to ask a favour, can you help me with something?"

The TARDIS remained silent for a second, almost as if she was considering, then on the screen attached to the console there came a single word.

Ok.

Rose smiled.

"Thank you," she said. "I want to know… can you make me a Time Lord?"

The TARDIS lights dimmed as if she disapproved and Rose was worried for a minute the TARDIS would refuse to help her.

: Yes, but it's a non-reversible process, you have to make sure that it's what you really want. And that Theta will not mind.

Rose read and re-read the TARDIS message.

"Who's Theta?" She asked after a minute.

: The Doctor's real name.

"Oh, ok," Rose thought carefully. "Yes. I am sure this is what I want, and the Doctor won't mind. He would only be worried if there was a chance of me getting hurt."

: My way you will not feel a thing, there will be no scars, no lasting damage. I may even be able to heal your wounds.

"Thank you," Rose said. The TARDIS screen blipped quietly and the console opened, the TARDIS heart being revealed.

The light engulfed Rose and she sighed contentedly as she heard the TARDIS begin to sing.