Bunches and bunches of thanks to everyone who reviewed. I notice there were some spelling errors and a but of unintended repetition in this, which really gets on my nerves. I just didn't notice it while I was typing. So I hope you'll forgive me. Maybe? Anyway I'm thrilled to bits so many people liked this and here it is, the requested epilogue of 'If I could Just Touch Your World Upon a Whisper'. Seems a little odd without a prologue, but here we are. Roll credits!
Disclaimer: Still don't own it, and all the Doctor Who toys I ever bought were all for other people, so there we go. David Tennant still on request. I was ever a wishful thinker! XP
Epilogue
A Cup Of Tea
This is my story. My name is Rose Marion Tyler, daughter of Pete and Jackie Tyler, sister to Jane Tyler, friend of Mickey Smith, and the Doctor's companion. This is my life. And that is me.
That sums it up. But those are just the facts. Because there's so much more to me than those. I don't pretend to be great, and I don't pretend to brilliant, because in the end, I just know I'm lucky. But one thing I do know is that I'm more than words on a piece of paper, more than an image in a photo, and more than facts in someone's head. I am me. And that makes me completely, utterly unique. I've known this ever since I was born. It just took a while to realise.
Because when you've seen all the things I've had, and lived my average, boring life; if you've ever in your life accompanied the Doctor, ever ventured inside the magical TARDIS, then you'll know that life is a lot more than anything like that.
Seven years ago I was ripped apart and left alone in a universe that looked and was exactly the same as my own home, give or take – the only thing that was different was the absence of my real home. Aboard the TARDIS. With my very own magician, who could take me to the furthest reaches of the galaxy and would always be there to hold my hand. I was alone inside and I think everyone knew it. With time, nothing healed. But it made me stronger.
And then came the mission of K37 Gem 5, where we journeyed to the edge of the galaxy to look upon Satan's rock, Krop Tor… The Bitter Pill. Then came the time I was sucked through to another universe, where I died, and where finally, I lived again.
Because that's what being with the Doctor is all about. Life. Death will always be a part of life and some things he may have caused to die too early; but if you just had the chance to travel with him, you'd understand what he really did. He breaks hearts, breaks lives, breaks civilisations. But hell, can he mend things. And any time, if you ever get the opportunity to travel with him, grab it by the throat and hold on for your life because it's guaranteed to be the best time of your life.
Nothing's changed since the day he finally said the words that I'd been longing to hear, and yet known for so long. It's me and the Doctor and life as normal… as normal as could be had for us. I wouldn't have it any other way. That's why I loved him in the first place. Because he didn't give a damn, and at the same time he cared about things more than anything. He just wasn't good at showing it. Not all the time, anyway. Not the times when it mattered.
But that's okay. Because now I know.
I'll miss you, Jane Tyler, Jackie Tyler, and Pete Tyler. For seven years you consoled me and helped me move on. If there's one regret I have, it's that you think I'm dead. But I was willing to give you up seven years ago and I still am now. It's not because I don't love you with all my heart, it's not because I favour the Doctor. It's because I had to come back, had to know some point in my life, and everyone leaves home sometimes. I haven't found something better. But I feel better for it.
And as for you, Mickey Smith. I don't know where you are. But I will find you. And if there is no way to get back to the universe you fell in love with ages ago, then I'd do anything to make up for it.
These days are bright and colourful and breathtaking. Enough to take all my worries away. Even if I sometimes wonder that I'll wake up in my bed and find it's all a dream. Either way, I intend to enjoy it while I can. Because I won't be able to spend eternity with the Doctor, even with the vortex inside me. But I can make sure I enjoy every minute of it. I can make sure that he always has a hand to hold. And I'll always, always make sure he has a cup of tea to hand.
The TARDIS key glows around my neck these days and it reminds me of the time I had so hoped it would come to life again. It makes me grateful, because that is what I should be.
So this is me. Rose Marion Tyler, and this is my story of ripped stitches and the needle and thread that came and patched me up again. But this isn't the end of my adventures, I promise you that. There'll be a lot more stories about me.
I'll make sure of it.
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Rose closed the book and rose off the seat near the console to look around as was her daily ceremony, and be glad that she was there. She was greeted by the Doctor, who had something delicate and round in his hand, and was looking rather pleased with himself.
"What you got there?" she said, trying to look over his closed hands. "You been fishing in the bath tub for gold again?"
The Doctor opened his hand to reveal one, perfectly circular white gold hoop earring. He grinned. "That took me days to do, that did."
Rose beamed. "Ages? Couldn't you have just… I dunno, used one of your TARDIS-tastic thingymabobs to fix it?"
"Fixed this by hand, I did," he said proudly. "And I mean, it took ages. It's exactly the same shape it was before. Every curve is accurate…"
Rose was still smiling when he looked down. She took the earring and slipped it into her ear. One earring on. "Yarr," she said. "What do you think of the pirate look?"
"Very dashing," said the Doctor in that way that suggested he wasn't going to go into detail for fear of being… rude.
Rose looked up as he turned away and linked arms with his. "Thanks," she said. "I know you could have used one of your machine things."
The Doctor took a deep intake of breath and nodded slightly. "Ooh, you've got me there."
"So why didn't you?"
"I, er, I like a challenge. And, er, well…"
"What, Doctor?"
"Ah, you were worth the effort, Rose Tyler."
They walked out of the TARDIS to the unknown still laughing and joking about things, because this was the present, any they were taking life as it came. Anything to have just one moment more with the other.
THE END
A/N: Now, I'm writing the sequel. Enjoy. I hope that answered any questions about Rose's feelings to leaving a parallel earth with her mother and father on it. Or what happened to Mickey.
SO… Review!
