Chapter Four.

The Doctor heard the footsteps heading back to the door and he dived out of the TARDIS.

"ROSE!" he screamed, breathing heavily. Rose spun around and stared at the Doctor, her mouth falling open.

"Doctor?" she whispered, tears forming in her brown eyes. He grinned and ran towards her. Her face broke into a smile and she ran to him. The Doctor swept her up in his arms and he held her tightly, never wanting to let her go.

"Doctor, what are you doing here?" she asked with a laugh. The Doctor grinned.

"I honestly don't know!" he replied as he softly stroked her blonde hair. "I was sort of kidnapped, you could say." Rose laughed, and the Doctor felt his tears of joy mixing with hers. Suddenly, the Doctor pulled away from Rose. He looked deep into her eyes and held tightly onto her shoulders.

"When I last spoke to you, that time on the beach," the Doctor said softly. "There was something I was trying to tell you, but I ran out of time, so I'll say it now." He took a deep breath.

"Rose Tyler, I love you."

"I love you too, Doctor," she said with a smile. Then the Doctor pulled her back into his arms and their lips met in a passionate kiss. They stayed like that until they could hardly breathe, never wanting to lose each other again.

But their moment was ruined by a loud beeping sound. Jacque looked at the watch on his wrist and frowned.

"Doctor, it seems that the hole you came through is going to close in ten minutes. If you intend to go back to your universe, you have to hurry. The TARDIS?"

"It's most likely been floating around Time and Space for years before it's finally conked out and landed on Earth. No use for it so you can do what you like with it."

The Doctor turned back to look at Rose and could see she was torn.

"Rose," the Doctor said softly. "I never want to be apart from you again, but I have to go back." Rose nodded. "Will you come with me?"

"Doctor," Rose started. "I don't know if I can. I have a whole new life here with Mum, Dad, Mickey and my baby brother." Tears were slowly trickling down her face and the Doctor knew there were tears running down his also. He nodded sadly.

"Well, I suppose I should be going then," he said quietly, stroking her cheek. He felt as though his hearts were breaking. "I wonder..."

"Wonder what?" asked Rose as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. The Doctor smiled sadly.

"If I'll die and regenerate from broken hearts." Rose wrapped her arms tightly around the Doctor's neck.

"You'll be fine," she whispered. "You were alone before me, and you managed when you lost me."

"But that was different," the Doctor argued. "Before I met you, I didn't know such an amazing, beautiful woman existed. Now though, I guess I was clinging onto some hope of finding you again. And I did. But now I have to carry on, knowing I'll never again have you by side."

"Oh Doctor," Rose sobbed. "I'm so sorry." The Doctor nodded.

"Goodbye Rose," he said softly. "I'll never forget you." Then he turned and walked away from her.

Rose felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces. Just at that moment, Pete Tyler walked through the door.

"Doctor?" he cried incredulously and the Doctor turned back around to face him. His eyes were red from the tears he was unable to hold back.

"Hey Pete," he said, trying to smile. "I was just leaving, gotta get back to my universe before the gap closes and I'm stuck."

"Oh, and you thought you'd leave without saying goodbye, eh?" Pete grinned and put his arm around Rose's shoulder. "How long have you got?"

"About six minutes," the Doctor answered sadly. "So I've really got to run. Great to see you, say hi to Jackie and the rest." Then the Doctor stepped past them and out of the door.

He walked quickly back to the elevator and stepped inside, wondering how to work it. Just as the doors were about to close, the Doctor heard Rose yelling out to him.

"Doctor, wait!" she screamed as she ran along the corridor. The Doctor stood between the doors so they couldn't close and Rose skidded to a halt in front of him, gasping for breath.

"Long time no see," the Doctor said with a wry smile.

"Doctor, when you said goodbye, I felt my heart break," she said. "And the only way that my heart will ever be whole again is to be with you. I love you." The Doctor didn't say anything for a moment.

"Rose, I love you too. But I want what is best for you."

"You are what's best for me!" Rose screamed hysterically and threw herself into the Doctor's arms. He held her tightly for a moment, before remembering he was in a hurry.

"Rose, we have to go now," he said urgently and she nodded, jumping into the lift beside him.

The Doctor pressed a few buttons and hoped for the best. Moments later, the lift was still and they stepped out, side by side. The Doctor ran towards the big red door and Rose followed quickly. The door swung open and his TARDIS was still there. Rose grinned at the sight of the blue police box and followed the Doctor over to it. He tried the doors, and this time they opened. They stepped inside and the Doctor went straight over to the controls, pressing buttons and levers. Rose heard the familiar sound of the TARDIS dematerializing and she stroked the wall lovingly.

"Boy is it good to be back!" she cried and the Doctor grinned.

"Good to have you back," he replied and took her into his arms. "I missed you so much Rose."

"I missed you too," she said as he kissed her softly on the lips. "This has been the best Christmas ever."

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