I meant to write more Rewind… but this happened instead.

This chapter was really hard for me to start, but once I got going it practically wrote itself. I hope you enjoy!


He had never felt so humiliated in his incredibly long life. How the Doctor made it out of Rose's bedroom alive was completely beyond him. Jackie had really let into him, and now he truly believed that she had once dated a sailor if the language that was coming out of her mouth was any indication.

His cheek still stung from the slap she had given him! He wasn't even allowed to plead his case! Not that it seemed that Jackie would've even listened to him anyway. As far as she was concerned, no matter what species he was he was just a man, and therefore always wrong no matter what.

He did nothing wrong and he was still punished. It just wasn't fair! Human women were just so confusing.

He stomped over to his wardrobe and went straight to the back of it to where the TARDIS coral was hidden in the small makeshift growth tank he had cobbled together the day before. He wished it was finished growing already. He couldn't stand to be in this house right now. Or even this planet for that matter. But where would he even go? His short journey into the city yesterday just went to prove how different this London was to the one he knew. Plus, he had no money and didn't know anyone else aside those he met during his first journey into this universe.

But the Doctor was ignoring all those thoughts as he had grabbed a small suitcase and started to shove some of his new clothes inside. He was completely used to not knowing where he was going and hence why he never planned things in advance. All he knew is that he had to get out of there. Now.

There was a knock on his door, but he ignored it. Not a single person in this godforsaken universe had anything to say to him! The doorknob began to turn, but he grabbed the sonic and made sure the door was locked up tight.

"Doctor. Please let me in." Rose's voice cut right through him and suddenly the consequences of what he was about to do suddenly became clear. If he ran now, he would be abandoning her! And that was the one thing he promised himself he would never do again. If he ran now it would just break her heart, and he would be thrown out of her life for good. A stone felt like it had taken up residence in his gut. What was he doing? Why did he always just run away? Why was he such a stupid coward?

With a shaking hand, he aimed the sonic at the door and unlocked it and she came rushing in, but stopped short when she realised he'd been packing.

"Doctor…" she started.

"I can't do this…" The Doctor sighed, staring resolutely at the floor, too ashamed to look at her.

"Well, that didn't take long." She grumbled, and before she realised it she was shouting. "Only two days! That has to be some kind of record! I should've known you'd pull a runner as soon as things get 'too domestic.' You never change! I suppose I should've expected it! And here I thought you finally…"

"That's not what I meant!" He shouted back hearing her voice the very same dark thoughts he had running through his head. He looked up in time to see her recoil. "That's not what I meant." He repeated gesturing to the bag he'd thrown on top of his bed, his voice nearly choked out with emotion.

"Oh." It dawned on her that they were having two very different conversations.

"I was going to run." He admitted, turning away to stare out the window behind him. "I was going to run away. Without you. But… I just…"

Rose didn't say anything in response. His whole body stiffened as she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his middle and just held him. He had the urge to pull her off of him as he didn't feel like being comforted or forgiven.

"I'm sorry for snapping, Doctor." She murmured.

"Don't be. Everything you said was true." His voice was now flat and emotionless.

She let go of him and he began to hear her rustling through the bag he'd hastily packed and through his wardrobe. His curiosity eventually got the better of him, and he turned around. She held out some clothes for him: A T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

"What are you…?" He was completely confused as she placed the clothing in his hands.

"Just put them on and meet me by the front door. I've got an idea you might like." She instructed before she swiftly left the room. He stared at the clothes for a moment before he complied. He didn't actually remember purchasing this particular outfit – it looked like something a jogger would wear!

He cracked a smile figuring out her plan as he quickly got changed. He also donned his new favourite trainers and made his way to the front door, thankfully not encountering anyone else on his way. He didn't want round two with Jackie and who knows what she had told Pete about what happened that morning.

He didn't even see Rose when he got to the door, and decided to just wait for her. She always did tend to take a long time to get ready for anything. Then the door opened a crack, and before he could even react, a hand wrapped around his.

"Run!"

He found himself being pulled outside and suddenly he was running hand-in-hand with Rose Tyler and he couldn't help but laugh.

"That's my line!" He protested half-heartedly. She just turned and smiled at him without breaking her stride.

"Seemed appropriate!"

The both laughed. And boy did it feel good.

They ran across the front of the house towards a large field, and Rose only slowed when they got to a big tree. She let go of his hand and pulled out a couple water bottles, handing one to him. He took it and gratefully took a few large sips and he had barely enough time to put the cap back on before he realised Rose was off running again and he took off after her.

His heart was pounding and his muscles were slightly protesting as this was the first time he had run like this since becoming human, but it just felt so right!

Rose was only a few paces in front of him, and the Doctor could've easily overtaken her, but he hung back. Aside from the brilliant view he was getting from her – those pink shorts were quite flattering, but that was most likely just his hormones talking – he rather liked her taking the lead. She was the one with the most experience with this world, and he was content to let her show him around. During their run, just enjoyed himself allowing all the angst over what happened that morning with Jackie to just wash away.

After about twenty minutes they found themselves on a main road and Rose slowed to a walk and took his hand again.

"Where are we going?" He asked eagerly looking around at the shops that were just opening for business.

"You'll see!" She grinned at him. They turned a corner and Rose led him to a café with a black and red sign with a picture of a kraken on it and the Doctor realised it was this universes version of Starbucks. She instructed him to sit while she went to the counter to give their order and returned to him with two very large paper cups and a plate of pastries.

"Since we ran out without having breakfast." She explained as she sat down and handed him one of the cups, a hot drink that he now realised was topped with whipped cream. He took a careful sip and Rose giggled when he ended up with a tiny dollop of whipped cream on the tip of his nose. He swirled the drink around his tongue for a moment before swallowing to try and analyse the flavour. It was some sort of coffee, but it was really chocolatey and just a hint of something fruity. A fruit he loved but one that he could never imagine in coffee. It was absolutely delicious.

"Is that…?"

Rose nodded.

"Chocolate banana latte! Thought you'd like it." She beamed at him as he took another greedy gulp. "I took up running shortly after I arrived here. You got me so used to it I found I just needed to get up and do it as often as possible. Even when I worked for Torchwood, it was mostly boring desk work and I hate being locked up in that house for so long."

"Yeah, I kept you in tip-top shape, didn't I? A steady regimen of running and junk food. Brilliant!" The Doctor chuckled as he picked up one of the pastries. A strawberry cheese Danish by the look of it. He took a large bite and hummed appreciatively.

"The running cancels out the junk food so when I discovered this place, I realised it was a great place to go when mum's being particularly difficult." She picked at her pastry.

"Like this mornin'." He grumbled around his food, his unhappiness over what occurred that morning coming back slightly. She nodded.

"I think she was more upset that the door was open. Doesn't want Tony seein' that."

"Well, she didn't have to take it out on me like that! Not like we were even doing anything anyway! I mean, what's she gonna do after we get married and…"

Rose's cup slipped from her fingers and the Doctor yelped when the hot coffee hit his exposed leg.

"What did you just say?" Her words were a mere shaky whisper and he suddenly realised his gaffe.

"Just… just forget I said anything." He stammered reaching for her dropped cup, but she grabbed his wrist and made him look at her.

"Y-you… you want to marry me?" She was completely gobsmacked. He took a few steadying breaths before he continued speaking feeling like the answer to her question needed to be given carefully.

"Rose, I love you more than you can possibly imagine. After the war, I was so… broken. And when you came into my life you took the pieces of my shattered life and put them back together better than they were before. When I lost you at Canary Wharf… a piece of me died that day, and I swore that I would never ever love another again as I love you. Now he's given this second chance and…" He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "I was telling you the truth yesterday when I said that I was willing to start a new life with you, and… well… Rose I want everything with you – silly Earth customs and all! I'm willing to even endure a mortgage with you if that makes you happy and have a house with all it's carpets and doors and our two and a half kids and a dog – not a cat… I draw the line there – if it means I have you. And… and… Rose… why are you crying?"

Rose practically leapt over the table, knocking her chair and his coffee over in the process, and just kissed him.


I know, I know… me and my cliffhangers.