The TARDIS was floating in the silent depth of the space. Its only inhabitant was mumbling something under his nose, while he was trying to figure out the writing he found. It was strange, outrageously strange for him not to understand some stupid language! He could speak pretty much everything, he had the TARDIS translator but still he didn't understand a word. Whoever coded this message was really clever and really didn't want him to understand it.

Finally giving up, the Doctor fell heavily on the armchair. He gave up. Whatever that is, he can't crack it. He sighed and looked around. He was sitting in his big laboratory for weeks now, trying to crack the code he found on the Bluevan asteroid, this was the place where he last could find some trace of the Silence. This lot was good! It's like they predicted his every step and knew exactly where he is going to be. He haven't met such a complicated enemy in a very long time! And yeah, there was something behind all this, some bigger picture as Rose said.

He flinched at the thought. He didn't want to think about her or anyone, as the matter of fact. It was almost a century since he dropped the Ponds off and he didn't wait for someone new to appear in his life, thanks. Only one-time companions, only one-time friends. That's it. No more permanent companions. He made this decision after he lost Donna, and he would have sticked to it if it wasn't for one little redhead and a crack on her wall. As for Rose…He felt abandoned. He knew it wasn't fair and he knew that she never promised to visit him frequently and yeah he knew that for her a hundred years was a glimpse, but still he couldn't help it. After their emotional goodbye, he at least hoped she would visit him after the Ponds. But I guess, the Doctor thought, it wasn't that much a big event in my life, I've lost dozens of companions over the years.

During this last century he mostly tried to gather as much information as he could on Silencio lake where he had to, well, die. He was trying to find a way of cheating the fix point and he was running, faster than he did ever before, not taking into account the Time War and everything related of course, nothing would ever compare to that. The Doctor stretched. He needed to take a snack. Plus, he was really tired of all this mysteries and stuff. He did get into trouble now and then course, he even visited Jack's stag party once and was thinking to visit Rose, maybe to help her with hometask, he shacked his head. Stop it, you old idiot! That was exactly was what Rose warned him about, that if he knew she was somewhere nearby, he would constantly think of her, waiting for her. He had to take a grip. Even if she'll ever visit him, it won't be long! He had to keep in mind that Rose was gone and this echoes of the Bad Wolf was her last act of kindness, her last gift.

The Doctor stood up and went to the kitchen; he looked young and old, all at the same time. He was wearing his professor-trousers and a shirt, he didn't bother to put on a jacket or his cool bow-tie. No one cares anyway, and he is not sure when he'll feel like landing somewhere. His steps echoed lonely in the endless corridors of the best ship in the Universe. He tried really hard not to think about merry times with Amy and Rory, Jo and Sarah Jane, how Ian and Donna always stood up against his foolishness, how he fought with Brigadier and Peri, how he felt when Rose embraced him…

-Jesus Christ! – the Doctor yelled as he entered the kitchen and almost fell off his feet.

The young blonde smiled at this.

-Jesus Christ? Seriously? Never saw you as a religious type – she laughed.

The Bad Wolf Rose was sitting on the table in the TARDIS's kitchen. She knew the Doctor would want a snack and decided to surprise him, Rose was wearing jeans and a pink t-shirt, her hair was blonde and loose in a simple hairstyle. She could be easily mistaken for an ordinary shop-girl if it wasn't for her eyes which glowed with the ageless power of a Bad Wolf now and then.

-Sorry – the Doctor said – You just took me by surprise, plus it's not like I've been really communicative lately.

Rose jumped off the table and came closer to the Doctor. She knew he was lonely this years and she knew he expected her to visit after saying goodbye to Amy and Rory, but she couldn't come, besides the fact that she wasn't the part of his life anymore there were far more complicated reasons for that. Rose took his hand and looked him in the eyes.

-Doctor, I know you've been waiting for me after the Minotaur business but I couldn't come, I did warn you about this, didn't I?

-Right to the point? – the Doctor smiled sadly – I know it was stupid of me waiting for you, I know you are not really here and all, it's just a tough time for me.

-I know. – Rose said gently – and I know how much you miss Amy and Rory - she was trying really hard not to think of the day when they really disappear from his life forever. – But it's not that I couldn't come because of the moral reasons, I literally couldn't.

-What? – the Doctor exclaimed in surprise - Why not? I thought in this form you are omnipoint and, you know, almighty.

-I am – she agreed – But you are far more complicated than any other creature in this universe…

-I hope it's a compliment – he interrupted with a chuckle.

-Weeell –Rose said a bit unsure –it's defiantly your personal signature…

-Oi!

She laughed and he put her hand on his chest.

-Anyway, what I meant that it's hard to choose the right time and place to reveal myself, especially for this incarnation. You've surrounded by so many paradoxes that I've lost a count. It wasn't safe for me to appear earlier without damaging timeliness and all….other things.

-Other things?- the Doctor quirked his brows

-Yep, but as your future wife likes to say "Spoilers". – the Doctor darkened – Sorry, I didn't mean to..well, you know, step on the wound.

-No, it's fine. – the Doctor said. They sat at the table still holding hands; the Doctor started playing with Rose's fingers and didn't look up. - I already know that she either has to marry me or murder me, or both.

- Oh, my Doctor –Rose sighed – Only you could have been dragged into something like this.

-Yeah – he smiled. – I mean I know that nothing of this is River's fault and she was just as dragged into this game as I was, it's just all those thing she said…I don't know how to react to them. I mean I saw her, what? 6 times, with years of gaps between them? I didn't even bumped into her during this century! And every time we meet, she proclaims her eternal love to me! It's not fair, I don't have a choice in this situation at all and I don't love her and I certainly don't wanna marry her! – it was like the Doctor couldn't control his words, he just put out everything that was bothering him in this situation. He wasn't a marrying kind and he didn't like the idea of owing someone a relationship, even if it were the child of his best friends. And then he looked at Rose and hit him to whom he just told all those things! How could be so stupid?!

-Rose, I am sorry – he started quickly – I didn't mean to whine, especially not to you and especially not about this, it's just – he sighed – You know me, you really know me. Not only in your super-power way, but you've lived a whole life with me and even before, I've never opened up to someone, like I did to you.

-Doctor, its fine. I'm glad you can tell me anything, even this. And I am not jealous or anything like this. – she smiled – Those emotions are left in my human life, it's ok that you have someone, even as human I never wanted you to be alone and miserable, even if you think that you were dragged into it. At least you have someone to take care.

The Doctor was so moved by this. Of course as Bad Wolf she could see into his past and his future and she really understood this sort of things, but he was glad to hear that even as human she wished him only the best. Not that he didn't know it, it was just nice to hear it from her, it was like they could discuss anything in the world, at least their past and feelings. Future was still a dangerous domain.

-I assume he did tell you our name and the danger of it? – the Doctor broke the silence

-Yes, he did. – Rose nodded – That's how I found that he married me without my consent. I kicked him in the guts when I found out what actually happened, when he uttered those words into my ear.

-What? Kicked him in the…? Why would you do that for? – the Doctor was whining, much like his Tenth self did.

-Of course I did! – Rose exclaimed – He didn't explain me what was going on, he just grabbed my hand while we were running from another alien, than behind the corner he whispered me your name and snogged me! And then after a moment he proclaimed that we are married! He didn't even ask me!

-Wouldn't you say "yes" anywhere? – the Doctor asked in confusion. – I bet he was just trying to be romantic with you.

Or, God, Rose thought, we had exactly the same conversation with his human-self, back in Pete's world. He was still so dumb, when it came to relationships.

-Of course I would have said "yes"! But that's beside the point, I am not his or yours, for that matter, property, he had to ask me. What if I would have liked to wait? Or I would have wanted to have a proper, human wedding with my parents and friends. Or a wedding on some planet, or no wedding at all! It wasn't right. So he had to beg for forgiveness and go through a grand wedding 200-guests-ceremony planned by my mom, and only after that we got our honeymoon. – Rose winked.

Somehow, the Doctor didn't feel jealous too. He still envied his human self, but seeing that Rose's and his life was so happy and full made him feel…free somehow. He loved her enough to be her happy, because she was happy.

-You know, Rose Tyler, I didn't know you had that in you! But I bet it was worth waiting – he bit his tongue quickly. What the hell are you on about? Do you really want to discuss Rose's and Metacrisis's sex life?

Rose laughed brightly

-Oh, yeah it was – she smiled with her tongue-teeth smile and he shifted uncomfortably, suddenly this place became a bit hotter.

Rose continued to grin at his sudden embarrassment, he was so cute when it comes to intimate stuff!

-OK, fine, I brought this onto myself! – the Doctor squeaked – But I really don't want to discuss that part of your and his life. I may trying to behave like and an adult and be happy for you, but it's still you!

-Fine, fine we'll leave this subject. – after a moment she asked – What are we gonna do? I still have some time. – on his frightened expression, Rose rolled her eyes – I didn't mean that, Doctor! Good God, you act like a teenager!

The Doctor felt daft. Again. Was he really that shy? He was thousands years old, for Rassilon's sake! But then again, it was Rose in front of him and Rose and sex was…wow, no, he won't allow his thoughts to go into that part, too tempting.

-Besides – Rose added – I don't sleep with married guys, so let's think of something else.

-I am not married yet. – he mumbled

-Doctor, do you really want to go into this? Can you take a hint and just take me somewhere nice? On some sunny beach or sugar-made planet?

-Yes, of course! I know exactly the perfect place!

The Doctor jumped to his feet. She was giving him the way out of the trap he put himself into and he was grateful. They rushed quickly to the console room, oh how he missed this shiny room! He had a perfect place in his mind. He reserved that place long time ago, when he saw her running to him at that dark street, too bad he didn't have a chance. Maybe his other self did, he wondered. Even if he did, it didn't matter. This him didn't get a chance to take her there, so now he was going to use it.

Rose was looking at him and trying not to laugh, he was like a little boy who was caught in mischief, his hair were disheveled and his cheeks were burning, she thought he looked beautiful , but again, he always was perfect to her.

They both knew that Bad Wolf could take them anywhere and anywhen in time and space and she would do it perfectly unlike the Doctor's Type 40 TARDIS. But they both wanted for the sake of all times to enjoy the ride in the old girl and to be brought where she decided not where they planned.

But this time the TARDIS agreed with her beautiful idiot, or maybe she was influenced by the presence of her beloved ex-human, with who she shared mind and soul. Whatever the reason, the TARDIS landed perfectly. The Doctor grabbed his tweed jacket and then turned to Rose quickly.

-I should warn you, it's really cold out there, it'll be fine for me but…

Rose closed her eyes for a moment, she glowed and a warm brown coat appeared on her.

-See? – she smiled – Not that I need it, I mean I am part of the vortex, but I do like playing dressing up.

-That you always did –the Doctor smiled and clapped his hands– Now! No picking and I mean no Bad Wolf picking! I want to surprise you, so please close your eyes.

-OK – she felt the Doctor took her hand and opened the TARDIS's door. It was cold for human here but she felt perfectly comfortable. Rose felt the snow on her cheeks and heard a silent music of the wind and then she guessed where they came:

-Wait a minute – she smiled, while the Doctor closed the door – I think I know where you brought me, you crafty man!

Rose opened her eyes and gasped. Her guess was right, the Doctor brought her to the Woman Wept.

The Doctor on his part was beaming happily it was so nice to bring her here, she looked at the frozen kingdom with the same expression she had when he brought her here for the very first time. He never brought or never will bring anyone here again. That was their place, it belonged only to them.

Rose slowly walked to a frozen wave and touched it with her fingerprints, they landed just in the middle of the sea which was forever frozen during the raging storm. It was breathtakingly beautiful. After everything she saw and did, it was so nice to be surprised by such a majestic beauty.

The Doctor was mesmerized, he was watching like his Rose was walking in the heart of a frozen storm and nothing could compare to this. He approached her silently and took her hand again. She looked at him and smiled genuinely and lovingly. With that they started their many-hours walk. They talked non-stop, about everything and nothing, reliving their adventures; she shared some stories of their Pete's world life, he told her about his fears concerning the Silence, they talked and talked and talked. As if they were trying to make up for every stolen moment. And nothing in the world could disturb them.

It was five and a half hours later when they came back, laughing hysterically remembering when Jack was trying to distract a hospital staff by his usual naked manner. The made a huge leap and now came back to the TARDIS. Breathless from laughter and freezing air, they stood in silence for a moment leaning on the police box.

When Rose reveals herself to the mortals' world, the laws of physics work on her too. Not so heavily like on the rest of the world but still worked, she was feeling a bit tired but completely happy and satisfied. But she also knew that their date was over. She needs to get going and the Doctor needs to resume his journey.

She turned her face to his and saw him smiling. He didn't feel so good in years!

-I have to go, Doctor. – and there it is. His smile faded. Just he thought he was happy and bang! The time is up. He was trying really hard not to smash his fist into the icy wave.

-If it's easier for you I won't come anymore, I know it must be hard for you...-Rose trailed off.

-No – the Doctor said firmly – I mean, yes, letting you go is not easy, but it's worth it. I've wasted so much time trying not to get too close to you in order not to be hurt in the end and it didn't mean one bit when I lost you, I still felt like falling into the black hole. And now that you here and it's a miracle, frankly speaking. – he swallowed – I want to gather as much memories of you as its possible. And please don't ask me about this again, because the answer is always the same : I'll be always happy to see you.

Rose felt a lump in her throat. He was so open with her, just like he was when he was human. She guessed he was always like this, when unafraid.

-OK, I won't bring that up anymore. But I still have to go now. You have a message to crack, a world to save.

-Will you come before my death? – the Doctor asked in despaired voice. He wanted to know how many times he'll see her again before his last journey.

Rose smiled at this, well she could hint a bit.

-Who told you that this would be your death, Doctor? Just because someone said that it's not necessary true.

-But…-the Doctor started. Were there a chance for him?

-Think outside the box, Doctor, I mean literally. Go on adventures, meet some old friends, visit Amy and Rory, Ian and Barbara! Don't think about the future for awhile. Get a new companion, be your usual self – she started to glow – that will help you crack the message and gain hope.

With that Rose disappeared into nothingness.

The Doctor couldn't believe it. Was she serious? There was a real chanced for him to survive this, to cheat a fixed point? Maybe he should visit someone, he was living alone way too long and forgot that not all riddles can be solved by logic. He decided to say hello to Craig.