"...and then we ran off, drunk as hell, because they were chasing after us for some reason, and-" "They were chasing after us because you called them ugly, lowlife dropouts." John interrupted. "You're lucky at least one of us was sober enough to get us out of that."

Rose laughed. "Wow, Doctor. And I just thought you were a pretty face." She teased. "Any more stories to tell about you and the Doctor as children?" She asked the Master.

The Master glanced briefly at John. "We did have some good times, the Doctor and me. The best of times. We were practically joined at the hip, a telepathic and psychic connection so strong...almost inseparable in our earlier years."

"But then we grew up." John interjected and looked at the Master.

"You know...I don't think we ever really did." The Master replied, intensely holding John's gaze.

He continued."This has been fun, this journey down memory lane, and you've been wonderful, the both of you, but I really should get going."

Rose cooed and went to hug him. "You're welcome here any time...if, well, you know, you ever get trapped here again..." The Master looked at John quizzically. "Thanks...I guess?"

"Come on, we'll walk you back to your TARDIS." John said. "Oh, actually, I really should call my mum, see where she is. She better not be spoiling my child just like the rest of the grandmothers out there." Rose kissed John. "You two go ahead."

"Tell little David that his uncle Harold sends his love as well." The Master shouted to Rose while John pushed him out the door.

"So..." John started. The Master waited for the rest of that sentence. When it didn't come quick enough, he decided to speak for himself.

"Hold on to that one, that Rose. She's a definite keeper. If I had only one heart, only one lifetime, I would-"

"Why can't you stay with me this time? We've gotten a second chance! We can travel the universe, see the stars...Master...you don't know how devastated I was when you died, in my arms. Please..." John was on the verge of tears.

"You've only got one life, John. You have your Rose. You love her, more than you could ever love me at this point. I need to go to the Doctor. And you know better than anyone that he needs me too. You and Rose...you can spend your whole lives together...just as me and the Doctor can. Please, tell me you understand..." The Master went to hug John and held him until he felt him stop sobbing.

"Thank you, Master."

The Master walked into his TARDIS, looked back at John and closed the door.

The wind swirled the loose leaves on the ground and John was left standing in the far reaches of the park, alone.

Rose heard the door open and she went to propose an idea to her husband when he grabbed her head and kissed her full force on the mouth.

"Well hello there. I always enjoy when-" She looked up and saw the dried tears on his face. She immediately understood and just held him for a while. "Come on. Let's get you to bed."

Rose was running her fingers through his hair when she decided to run her idea by him. "We could just leave my mum a note, saying that we've decided to take a holiday…and we can take our first trip in the TARDIS…what do you think?" Rose didn't expect an answer from her tear-stained husband, so was surprised to hear his voice reply: "Only if David gets to come with us."