Epilogue - Gareth
The doctor freed us, brought us here, gave us hope. Today we did what we could to repay him.
He had a friend, not long ago, and more than a friend. He loved her.
If she had died, we couldn't have helped. But she didn't die. She's still alive, away beyond the reach of time or space, beyond the universe. But if you look at it right, she's only beside the universe. And when the seers merge, even the walls of reality are no barrier.
I told him what we could do. He closed in on himself, afraid to think about what he'd lost. He took a long time to decide, but in the end he said: Yes.
So the seers merged, and I made the link so he could see what they saw, and we showed him Rose.
Rose, working to use what she knew, saving the world whenever it needed it.
Rose on her twenty-first birthday, laughing and happy and insisting on having fairy cakes.
Rose, with her baby brother in her arms.
Rose in her forties, newly appointed head of the Torchwood Institute, celebrating with family and friends and powerful acquaintances, making a toast only three others in the room truly understood. "To the Doctor!"
It was a long time before he spoke, and all he said was a simple thanks. We knew what he meant.
He is standing by his ship, over there at the edge of the trees. I can feel Chloe watching him. He doesn't dare ask her to come with him, and it hasn't occurred to her that he might want her to.
Go on. Go to him. When you've satisfied that wanderlust, come back to us.
She is running to him. She is there. I can feel the laughter like pearls at the edge of her mind. He is surprised and uncertain and a little nervous. But now they are gone, and I am comforted by Babs taking my hand in her tiny one and telling me, with perfect certainty, that my Chloe will come back to me.
A/N Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed the ride.