Thanks for the reviews. Sorry for the wait, but my exams have taken priority. Actually, I wrote most of this chapter in the last 15 minutes of my Maths exam!
The Doctor, Martha and Rose came through into the parallel basement.
"Oh my god," said Martha. "Where are we?"
"The exact same basement we just came from, except in a parallel universe," explained the Doctor. "I guess travel between universes isn't as hard as I thought." He turned to Rose. "Oh Rose, I'm so sorry I made you think you'd never see me again."
"That's okay," said Rose. "It was being separated from you that made me realise how much I need you. How much I … love you." Martha's eyes widened at this confession. The Doctor just stood there, a small smile creeping onto his face.
"Ditto, Rose Tyler," he said. "About everything."
"You mean…?" said Rose and Martha in unison.
"Look into my eyes Rose," said the Doctor. Rose gulped and took a step towards him. She looked into his eyes, and he told her the words she'd been longing to hear for so long.
"I love you." He then leaned down and captured her lips with his. Rose kissed him back, while Martha looked on, feeling so many feelings at once. This was just Joan all over again! Except … this time the Doctor was all there. And he'd been through so much with the girl he was now kissing. She had to face the facts – unless he was giving her a genetic transfer, that girl would never be her.
"Eh hem," she said. The Doctor and Rose stopped, and looked her way.
"Well, now that's all sorted…" she said, "…I've got some announcements of my own to make. First of al, I love the Doctor too." Rose gasped, and the Doctor sighed.
"I know Martha," he said. "But I don't…"
"I know," interrupted Martha. "I know you don't feel the same way. I know every time you've taken my hand, there's been a part of you that's wished it was Rose's. I know how much you've missed her. And now that you've got her back, there doesn't seem to be a reason for me to stay. Which is why I'm going to leave."
"Oh Martha, you don't have to do that because of me," said Rose. "You've obviously been a great friend to the Doctor, I wouldn't want you to lose that."
"Rose, the Doctor chose memories of you over my life," said Martha. "And that hurt. Luckily you were there to save me, thanks for that by the way, but if I kept travelling with you guys then it'd just be the same thing over and over again. And I wouldn't be able to handle that." The Doctor lowered his head as he took in what Martha had said. She was right. Now that he had Rose back, he never wanted to lose her again. He didn't know what lengths he'd go to to ensure her safety. And he certainly didn't want Martha to feel like a shadow, or as Mickey would say, a tin dog. Perhaps it would be better for them to part ways now. It was going to happen eventually.
"Okay Martha," he said. "Let's take you home."