The Doctor took Rose to an empty classroom, carrying her on his hip. He set her down on a desk, and grabbed a chair to sit in front of her. They stared at each other for a few moments, Rose swinging her legs idly.

"Rose. I'm going to go away for a little while. I just wanted to say goodbye." The Doctor finally broke the silence.

"But-"

"Rose…I need to say this." The indignant expression on her face slowly vanished. The Doctor sighed shakily, finding this much more emotionally draining than it should've been.

"In life Rose….we don't always get a chance to say the things we want to. We aren't brave enough….or we just…run out of time." He got up and paced around the room, trying to avoid her gaze.

"Sometimes, the things that need saying, don't get said. And…I don't know what I'm trying to say to you Rose. But I just want you to remember something for me o.k?" He sat back down, grasping her hand.

"There is so much more to life than this. Going to school, being with boys like Mickey Smith…or even working in a shop…I need you to know something. You need to know that you're special. One of the most special people in the universe. And you are so much better than the life that this planet offers you. You deserve so much more than that. When everything seems like it's to much to cope with Rose, I want you to remember that someone's gonna come for you. And whisk you away someplace magical, and hold your hand through all the bad stuff." He stroked her fringe back from her forehead.

"Like a prince? And a horse?" The Doctor held her close and chuckled to himself.

"Sure. As long as the horse can be blue." Rose frowned, her mouth forming a pout.

"There's no such things as blue horses."

"There could be!" The Doctor laughed. As she opened her mouth to reply, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Doctor, Gomanel's waiting for us in the TARDIS….And, I've brought Rose a drink." Donna said gently, holding a plastic cup of juice. The Doctor drew away from Rose, staring at the cup, knowing what it meant.

"Donna, I'll give it to her. You just wait in the TARDIS for me?" Donna set the drink down on the table, and took Rose's hand.

"Well, it was nice to meet you Rose. Hopefully I'll see you again one day." She said with a meaningful glance to the Doctor. Rose shook her hand enthusiastically, with a huge smile. As the door clicked shut behind Donna, the Doctor took the drink she had left. He looked into it's depths, as if trying to find an answer to all his problems.

"Well…I guess this is it then Rose." The Doctor's voice broke as he watched her face fall.

"You'll find me again though John. Come teach me." She said firmly, having all the confidence in the thought that he would.

"But I can't Rose. Sometimes, it's not in my power to find you. I try and I try, and I can't. And I'm sorry that I can't get to you, and I want to so much…" He addressed the room, suddenly not talking to Rose anymore. The Doctor glanced at her, surprised to see sadness etched onto her features.

"Rose….what is it?"

"Why are you so sad?" The Doctor paused, searching for his answer. Sighing, he picked up the cup and handed it to her.

"I'm not sad Rose. I'm just…full of regret I suppose."

"I'll see you again John. So I'm not gonna say goodbye." Rose smiled as she took the cup from him, and he held his breath as she took a long draught.

"Goodbye Rose." The Doctor whispered as she gave him a sleepy smile, before slumping forward. He took her weight and picked her up, settling her on his hip. He buried his face in her hair, willing the hurt to go away. But it didn't.

……………………………….....................

Donna looked up as the Doctor swung the TARDIS door shut.

"You alright?" She murmured softly, taking in his bedraggled appearance. He ran a hand over his face, averting her gaze.

"Yes." Finally came the reply. Donna stepped forwards with the intention of embracing him, jumping back as he leapt towards the console.

"Gomanel! Tell me where this planet of yours is then, eh?" Donna slipped into the ancient sofa, watching the Doctor converse with the alien.

After the Doctor and Donna had fixed Gomanel's problem, (the Doctor literally poured a foul smelling liquid into the centre of the hive, and all was well) they went to every teachers house, and eased them out of their comas. The Doctor slipping his drug into everyone's tea, carrying them all to bed, to look as if they really had been asleep. When they had finally finished their work, Donna and the Doctor collapsed into the sofa.

"I rarely say this Donna. But I'm not o.k anymore." He whispered to her, his hand seeking hers. She took it and squeezed.

"You wanna talk about it?" She murmured back. The Doctor thought for a moment, and Donna thought he wasn't going to reply.

"The first time I met her, I blew up her job."

Well, there you are. I just have to write the epilogue and that'll be up by tomorrow night. So I hope you guys all enjoyed that! And please, tell me what you thought. xxx