So, here we are. The final chapter. First of all I want to say a massive thanks to all those who left reviews and favs, your feedback means the world and im so glad you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'm not sure how I feel about this final chapter, I hope you all like how I've decided to end it and please let me know your thoughts. I have a few other pieces coming up soon and then ill be working on some more rose/13 so watch this space. Thanks!

A Chance Encounter

Chapter 4

The universe had thrown The Doctor some curveballs in their time but this really took the biscuit. It was as though they were daring her to just say screw it, screw the universe, screw the timelines. She and Rose both knew that Rose couldn't stay, but she couldn't deny that deep down, the idea of just saying screw it and letting her do just that had crossed her mind. It was one of the reasons she couldn't allow her to stick around longer, it was going to be hard enough on both of them to have to say goodbye again, even harder for The Doctor knowing it would be goodbye for the last time.

Voices filtered out through the partially open door to the media room, it sounded as though the others had decided to watch a film whilst The Doctor caught up with her old friend.

Rose reached out for The Doctor's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before coming to a stop outside the room. The Doctor returned the gesture, turning to look at her friend with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Before we grab your mates, I just.." She trailed off with a sigh, unsure of what it was she even wanted, other than to stay where she was, with The Doctor, this Doctor.

"I wanna give you something." She spoke again after a moment, an almost shy smile crossing her lips.

"Oh Rose, just you being here is more than I could have ever hoped for." The Doctor assured her, giving her hand another gentle squeeze.

Rose reached for the scarf around her neck, it was knitted wool of varying bright colours. She wasn't sure how long she'd had it or even who had given it to her but it had always been one of her favourites.

"It's not much of a gift, more of something to remember me by I suppose." She explained, pulling off her scarf she looked at it for a moment before slipping it around The Doctor's neck.

"Rose.." Her name fell from The Doctor's lips like a sigh, she felt fresh tears prick her eyes as she tried to fathom how she was supposed to let her go again.

"I could never forget about you, ever." She told her, her voice full of emotion as she tried to keep her tears at bay.

Rose gave her a tearful smile of her own, letting go of her hand she reached up to straighten the scarf. It suited her and Rose felt a pang of jealousy as the thought crossed her mind. She was jealous of The Doctor's friends, of Yaz, who once she was gone again could and most likely would do what they could to take her mind off Rose. Something she couldn't entirely blame them for.

They had such little time left before they'd have to say goodbye for good, far too few for Rose to allow such thoughts to get the better of her. Using the scarf as leverage, she drew The Doctor in for one last kiss. It was different than the one they had shared before, it was chaste but no less full of emotion. Both women wanted this final kiss to serve as a reminder to the other that no matter what happened, this moment and what they had would always hold a place in all three of their hearts.

"Oh."

Their moment was interrupted by a surprised voice coming from the doorway of the media room, both women glanced over to find Graham staring back at them looking positively mortified.

"Sorry Doc, Rose, didn't mean to interrupt I was just gonna grab myself another cup of tea." He told them, holding up his empty mug with an apologetic smile.

"Don't worry about it Graham." The Doctor assured him, offering what she hoped was a convincing smile.

"We were just saying goodbye, Rose has to go." She continued, her forced smile falling despite her efforts to keep up appearances in front of her friend.

His expression softened and he nodded, forgetting about his tea he made his way over to the two women.

"It was really nice to meet you love." He told Rose with a smile, bringing the young woman in for a hug which she returned.

"You too."

Yaz and Ryan appeared in the doorway of the media room, both waited until Graham and Rose had parted before heading over to say goodbye themselves.

"Right, everyone had a Rose hug? Rose gives brilliant hugs." The Doctor checked and the others nodded with an amused smile, even Rose managed a small laugh despite the rollercoaster of emotions she was currently feeling.

The group headed back to the console room, the atmosphere had shifted now that Rose's departure was imminent and everyone remained silent as The Doctor shifted the dial a fraction to ensure they were dropping Rose off at the exact time she had arrived.

The Doctor was preoccupied at the console so Rose decided to join the fam who were waiting nearby on the steps. They looked up at her as she approached and she offered them a smile.

"So, where are you gonna go next?" Ryan asked.

She considered the question for a moment, it was unintentionally loaded and in the end she let out a small sigh and shrugged.

"Wherever this takes me." She told him, pulling the dimension canon out of her pocket.

"So, you'll just keep using that until it takes you back to your Doctor?" He asked and she nodded.

"However long it takes."

"We're here."

The Doctor's voice broke the silence they had once again fallen into and Rose felt her heart drop, it was finally time. She tried to keep her emotions in check as she offered the fam one final smile and a wave.

"Wish me luck."

She walked over to The Doctor who was standing beside the console, tears had been shed and both women were sure more would come once they were both alone but they had to keep it together long enough to say their final goodbyes.

The two stared at each other for a moment, taking in each and every detail of the other before wide smiles stretched across each of their faces. They collided, holding each other as though their lives depended on it.

"I love you." Rose whispered into her ear.

"I love you too." The Doctor whispered back.

Neither were sure how long it was before they finally parted, The Doctor reached up to wipe away a rogue tear Rose had tried to hard to keep at bay.

"Always, Rose Tyler." She told her.

Before anymore distractions could keep them from doing what needed to be done, Rose turned and headed for the door. The Doctor followed behind as did the others who had been watching the exchange with heavy hearts.

Pulling open the door she stepped out, the reality of what was happening settling in as she took her dimension canon back out of her pocket. Walking a safe distance away from the TARDIS, she stopped and turned to face The Doctor who was stood in the doorway with her fam beside her.

"Until next time, Doctor." Rose called back with a tearful smile.

With a loud crack, Rose disappeared before their eyes. The Doctor stared at the spot where she had just been, a few silent tears escaped now that she wasn't trying to hold them back for Rose's sake.

It had been pure chance that she and Rose had found each other again, and as brief as it had been it was an encounter that she would cherish for the rest of her lives.