Earth, 2006, outside the Powell Estate.
"What?" Asked Rose wiping her tears as she looked at her old Doctor once more.
"Nothing could ever come of it, it wouldn't be right, and of course I'd outlive you by centuries, but…" the Doctor paused, his bright blue eyes burning with the intense flame they always did. "I do love you, you know."
Rose smiled slightly.
"You still do," she said nodding at the other Doctor who was leaning on the park railings watching the world go by.
"I hope I've been behaving myself," the Doctor said, shoving his hands awkwardly into his leather jacket.
"You're the perfect gentleman," Rose said turning back. They paused for a moment just looking at each other. "I love you too by the way."
The Doctor was slightly taken aback. He hadn't been sure if Rose had thought of him that way, or if her feelings might've disappeared after the regeneration.
Rose had to fight very hard not to let a sob escape her lips then. She still couldn't believe it. Her old Doctor was stood just in front of her, a few inches away.
Neither knew who initiated it, but somehow they ended up kissing, one sweet kiss goodbye. They stood their frozen in time, just holding each other in their arms.
The future Doctor stood staring at the pair in his long brown coat. He felt a pang of jealousy despite the fact that it was his own self over there kissing Rose. He only hoped now she'd have the closure she needed to move on with her life.
Rose broke the kiss very reluctantly, mumbling something about being sorry. The Doctor cupped her cheek gently.
"For what?" He asked her. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."
Rose smiled softly.
"Bye, Doctor," she said quietly.
"Goodbye, my Rose Tyler," he whispered grinning.
They parted and Rose wandered slowly back to her own Doctor. The two Doctor's eyes met and both knew that they had done what had needed to be done.
"Done?" Asked the Doctor gently. Rose looked up, tears rolling down her cheeks and nodded.
"Yeah," she replied smiling slightly. He held out his hand to her and she took it. For the first time in months she actually took it. Properly. She held it as she had done all those months ago before his regeneration.
His hearts soared as they wandered back towards the TARDIS together, the old Doctor watching them go before turning and heading for the Powell estate to find his own Rose.
As the Doctor closed the TARDIS doors he turned slowly to Rose who was wiping the last of her tears away.
"Feel better?" He asked smiling gently at her. She nodded.
"Yup," Rose said as brightly as she could muster after having just cried what felt like buckets of tears.
He walked up the ramp and pulled her into a hug. Again, she responded, hugging him the way she'd done previously. It felt so good to finally have his Rose back, but he knew he'd have to tread carefully. After all she'd had a very tearful goodbye.
"You umm," Rose pulled back for a moment to look at the Doctor. "You told me something… before I said goodbye…"
The Doctor looked at her carefully. He'd been wondering when she'd ask.
"You said… you said that you loved me," she continued, turning pink around the edges. "Do you… I mean, I understand if you don't… but do…"
He could see that Rose was having trouble plucking up the courage to get the words out, so he decided to answer the question he knew she was about to ask.
"Yes," he said, looking at her seriously.
"I thought so," she said. "I just wanted to say… that I still… love you to…"
The Doctor grinned as she said the words he'd been longing to hear for so long.
"That's why I had to go back," Rose said. "It felt like I was betraying the other you. That's why we kissed, just so he- that you, know that it's the Time Lord inside that I love."
The Doctor nodded looking at her properly for the first time in months. He knew he shouldn't, and he knew that if he gave Rose what she wanted then he'd have to deal with all the implications, but… oh to hell with it!
The Doctor leant forward and gently kissed her. Rose didn't pull back, as he had feared she might. But he knew it could never last. Eventually they parted and the Doctor took her by the hand up towards the console.
"Rose," he began as he set the TARDIS in flight.
"I know," she said quietly. "I know we can't… you said… the other you… I just need to know that you do love me."
She squeezed his hand and he smiled gratefully that she wasn't making it difficult.
"I do love you," he said. "But it can never go further than that."
Rose nodded. She could live with it.
"Of course there may be occasions when we have to kiss, you know, for scientific purposes," the Doctor said grinning.
"Oh well of course," Rose agreed looking up and grinning back.
"Ready to go find more trouble?" He asked.
"You bet," she replied, glad that she had finally been able to say goodbye.