The Doctor was making another toy, he did many these days, he had to be busy between the battles with so many creatures he lost count. It's been 200 since he had to stay on Trenzalore in order to protect his home planet and this planet from inevitable destruction. After his talk with Tasha everything became clear, every crack in the Universe, the Silence affair, even River's training to kill him. Rose was right, this life was far more complicated than any other, apart maybe from his Eight self. During these 2 centuries the Doctor changed a lot. He thought once, he is not capable of standing in one place, but he managed it perfectly, the TARDIS was away saving Clara and he got used to living here, too bad all the people he knew from his first century here already died, well, humans were fragile, he knew that and now he witnessed thousands of them wither and die, a price for his refusal to watch it happen to his friends, he thought sadly.
He changed not only inside, but outside to. The Timelords were capable of getting older, he already was 300 years in this body when he settled here, now he was 500 and he looked like he was in his 40th, his youthful face changed into mature one. And yeah, his leg was injured a bit. He knew he'll have to replace it someday, but not now, it still was there and he'll try to keep it that way as long as possible, stupid Angel with its dust and claws, the Doctor thought about his lat encounter with Weeping Ones.
He accepted his fate, he knew, that most likely he won't survive this battle and he'll be buried here, Rose knew that and she warned him so many times to be careful. And River knew, but she had a hope and Rose didn't, because she knew the future, she knew that he won't go through this and she did everything in her power to change his remaining days for better. He was waiting for her, he knew she'll come eventually, she promised to visit him one last time and now he knew why it would be the last one, he grimaced painfully, he was so worried, seems millions years ago, that he'll outlive her, now it's vice a verse, she is an immortal Goddess and he is a doomed Timelord. He just wished she visited not right before his death, but earlier, so they could spend some time together, like they used to. He wanted to repeat that wonderful night they had in Victorian London, he knew it was a bit strange for an old man like him, but you can't really blame the doomed, can you?
Someone knocked the door, the Doctor stood up and with a bit of limp went to open his house, he got used to it, he had a lot of guests mostly children and grateful people who fed him and listened to his "magical" stories, he was a bit like a Father Christmas to them, the one who fought aliens of course. The Doctor glanced outside the window, it was snowing, the never ending snow in the town called Christmas, it would be poetic if it wasn't so sad.
The Doctor opened the door and he saw his little new friend Hannah, who brought him pancakes every week.
-Hello, Hannah – he said smiling – If you brought your super pancakes I would love you to join me.
-No, sir Doctor, not today – she said quickly in her squeaky voice - I am a postman today, there is a lady waiting for you near the Truth field, she said she was your old friend.
-Hannah – the Doctor sighed – if it's a dark-haired woman with lined eyes, tell her that my answer is the same and that she shouldn't waste my time – the Doctor started to close the door
-No, no, sir Doctor. This lady looks very strangely, she is in the white dress, even though it's cold as ever and she has no lines, oh and she has blonde hair and fireworks eyes.
The Doctor hearts stopped as always when he heard about this particular blonde.
-Wait here. – with that the Doctor closed the door and rushed to the mirror, he combed his hair quickly and straightened the bow tie, he looked like a decent middle-aged gentleman. Well, after all, she didn't mind kissing his Ninth self and he was far less attractive and didn't have his amazing hair, the Doctor thought to himself smugly. And then he stopped, what if she wouldn't want to kiss him, let alone…anything else. Pervert, he thought. She visits at such a terrible time and all you can think of is sexual intercourse? Whatever, even if she just smiles at him, it would be the happiest moment in these 200 years. The Doctor popped back to the street.
-How do I look? – he asked surprised Hannah
-Like a hero, sir, like always – she answered sincerely.
-Good, now lead me to that lady.
Rose Tyler stood silently under the snow, she could have come straight to his house but she wanted to surprise him and to make it a bit funnier. She was looking in the night sky and wondering about his and her lives, about Ponds, about the end of Trenzalore's battle. In the inside pocket of the dress she held a photo she took from Amy and Rory, this time Rose was planning to stay for awhile, if he would let her. Because they owed it to each other and because she knew that for many centuries he'll see nothing but battles and snow. Every day these battles will be more and more difficult, until the day he'll have to sacrifice his life, so Gallifrey would be brought into the light one day.
The Doctor saw her from the distance, she stood out from this grim forever-cold landscape, it reminded him a bit about Woman Wept, but there was a frozen but shining kingdom, here is never-ending darkness in a small village. Rose looked like an angel today, her long blonde hair was streaming in the wind, she was wearing a simple long white dress, but it looked like she was shining, perhaps she was, but he didn't care. Hannah has gone home and the Doctor approached the lady in waiting, he knew she felt his presence but he stood next to her and looked at the same direction as she did. A huge spaceship was hovering above them, scanning the village.
-Funny thing fate, don't you think? – she broke the silence
-I don't' believe in fate – he answered – I believe that there are beings that can create an image of fate, but not destiny itself.
-Beings…like me?
-No, you can create a destiny for someone, but you never will. – she glanced at him
-So theoretically there can be one.
-Maybe, but you are one of a kind with consciousness and power, so I doubt it.
The Doctor turned his face and saw that Rose was already starring at him.
-You look older – she said
-You look the same, but then again you always do. – she smiled at these words
-I'm here for quite long if you want me to – Rose said
He looked into her brown-golden eyes and felt confusion and happiness
-For how long?
-Years, decades, maybe. 30 years at most. – she said – but then I'll leave forever. You won't see me ever again.
The Doctor took Rose's hand. If they can have 30 years together, than that's it. He counted on 2 days at max and now she was giving him an enormous gift, afraid that he won't accept it. He knew why, because after decades of being together he would be devastated, but it was his greatest reward, being with her for so long when he was going to the end of the line anyway, so why won't make it painfully beautiful.
-You know, -he started –I've spend most of my life running, running from my family, from my home, responsibility, companions, pain, love…-he stopped for a second- and now I am stuck here until my dying day, which is fine, I deserved it. But with you being here, even for 30 years – he kissed her hand – I don't know what else to ask for. You always were my biggest happiness, my star and now you are here as my personal angel who'll make it easier to prepare for my eternal sleep.
Rose felt tears in her eyes, the Timelord never talked to her like that, only when he was human he allowed such confessions.
-You could simply said "yes" – and she kissed him deeply.
A few hours later the Doctor and Rose was lying in his bad and was giggling a bit. They agreed not to think about the future but enjoy every moment they'll have. The Doctor's head was lying on her lap and she stroked his hair gently, while he told her some ridiculous stories. He looked older, yes, but she even liked his lines on the face, they made him wiser and...sexier, she though with a bit of blush.
On the Doctor's part he felt so happy and peaceful that he didn't care one bit about Tasha and future-past and the crack in his wall, now, he just felt content. He knew that it'll last for 30 years only but it was better than…well, then everything.
-I swear, Rose, he did that!
-I know you are lying through your Timelord teeth, but I'll pretend that I believe you – she kissed him, and then remembered something very important - Doctor, give me my dress, I need something to show you.
-You can show me anything without your dress, I don't mind – he wiggled his non-existent eyebrows. But then reached for her white gown.
Rose rummaged in the pocket of her dress and took the precious photo.
-I've got a surprise for you, Doctor, it's not much, but…-she gave him the picture
The Doctor glanced and the photo and his hearts raced.
-Is that?.. – he asked in a very low voice.
-Yes it's them, and it's not faked or photoshopped or anything. I visited them before coming here and Rory suggested to give you this, so you could, you know be sure that they are happy and all.
The Doctor didn't know what to say. Only Rose could do that to him, when he thought that he can't be happier she goes and do this.
-So you talked to them? How did they settle down? Is Amy happy? – he knew they had years ahead to discuss things, but he needed to know this now.
-Yes, Doctor, they are very happy, they live in a big house actually. Amy is a writer and Rory is a doctor – she smiled – they even adopted a son, you see? His name is Tony. Anthony Williams.
-Tony…like your baby brother, right? –he smiled looking gently at the picture. – Too bad I can't visit them by myself…was it hard getting there? Or it was fine for you?
-Hard, - Rose answered – it took me whole minute to materialize and in my case it's an eternity. Melody can't get to them to; I guess she'll find a way eventually as she had to give Amy that book.
The Doctor nodded, he put the picture of his friends on the table next to bed.
-Oh and Amy – Rose sad urgently –she made me promise that I'll tell you that they love you and miss you, they think of you every day.
The Doctor nodded again and then embraced his Rose, he didn't break down like the last time, but he wanted just a bit of her warmth and support, it was like bathing in a warm sea that calms and surrounds you.
-You know what I was thinking? – the Doctor asked Rose suddenly and she shacked her head- I was thinking about the Impossible Planet, remember? It was the first time we talked about settling down, get a job and live together in one house, you said we should just live our lives like the rest of the world, not jumping to the great events.
-I remember – Rose smiled – And I remember how you freaked out.
-Oi, I didn't freak out! I was just surprised, and then you said something that made me love you even more, as if it were even possible, you said that being stuck with me is not so bad. That day I realized that you love me to. Not a life I showed you, not the stars but me. And it made me so happy…
-And before that conversation you didn't realize that I was head over heels in love with you? – she asked sarcastically and the Doctor smiled:
-I had a guess or two, but that day I knew it. I was always wondering if you could love me, not the things I gave you and you willing to stay with me, on that planet, without the TARDIS and not being angry, even offering to share our lives in the future. That was incredible. And now we have that life, sort of.
-You can be so, so daft sometimes – she slapped him playfully – I would have stayed with you forever, until my dying day, you know that right?
-I do, believe me I do. Plus you already did once, with my human-self, lucky bastard.
-So what are you usually doing here? - asked Rose playfully, moving away from that topic – It's not like there is plenty to do and without the TARDIS, it's a bit hard to think of how to entertain yourself.
-Well, I have battles almost every day, but now with the Bad Wolf on my side I think it'll be easier.
-Doctor, you know I can't use my powers for real, don't you?
-Well of course I do – he said with i-know-everything tone – But you can do cheap tricks now and then, you know confuse them with your glowing eyes and move here and there, stuff like that.
-Ok, - Rose giggled – that I can. But we should keep it quiet, you know. About me being here and especially my powers.
-Well, we can try to hide your powers –the Doctor said with a hint of a doubt. - But your presence? Not a chance! I bet the whole village is already talking about you and Tasha will find out sooner or later and with her the others.
-I don't care about the village or others, they can't get me anyway, but Tasha can be a problem ,yeah.
-Do you know her?
-We've met once, long-long time ago, when you were in your Third body ago. I asked her to do me a favor. – Rose smiled – Specifically to direct you at UNIT.
-You did that? –Rose nodded – Let me guess, I would've got there anyway, you just sped up the process
-Cross my heart – she answered – But anyway, I know Tasha and I am sure she'll try to persuade me to persuade you to make the "right" choice and she'll disturb us not once, that's for sure.
-Will you try to make me the "right" choice? – he asked carefully
-No, - she answered without a second thought – your choices belong to you and in this case I support it. You are doing the right thing, even though they don't understand that.
-Thank you, it means a lot to me that you approve my plan.
Rose kissed him again and with that there were no talks for quite awhile.