A/N: Well. Firstly, thanks for all who reviewed/alerted/faved, because it really did motivate me [sad, but true]

I didn't know whether to publish Rose's noticeably shorter introspection separately, because hers is slightly more inclined towards DD and all that. But they start and end on roughly the same level, so, here's part 2! Set in a different scene to the first chapter. Basically, they are still on that bloody beach...

It's strange, and more than a little unnerving, that he looks at her, but doesn't seem to acknowledge that he's doing it. Or that she's even there.

Frustration coils rapidly within her. What will it take for her to get him to speak? Oh, the Doctor himself had his moods alright, but—

She nearly weeps at the thought of her Doctor, broken and alone. Again.. And then berates herself for comparing the two of them. What right has she to that? Really, they barely know each other, and the thought makes her head spin, her thoughts spiral out of control, frantically chasing their ragged tails. Not long ago they'd kissed, for God's sake. Did that not mean anything?

Guilt began to seep in as she realized she had ultimately, been kissing the him-but-not-him by proxy. Imagining that she was actually, truly –finally- locking lips with the love of her life.

And what a life it was.

The harsh reality of Him standing, clad in blue, sullen-faced, was like a slap in the face.

...What a life it had been.

Now, no chance of that wonderful blue box with all that power inside. No more fiery stars, civilizations, gods and entities. She'd become addicted to that life.

What was left of it was but a square footprint in the grey sand, fading even now as the frozen tide lapped at the shore.

A sudden grating onslought of wind assaults them both, whipping her hair sharply over her features.

The salt and tangible atmosphere of despair is a cruel deja vu. Why this, why here, again?

She'd thought, that, for once, the Universe was being kind when she arrived in that desolate, car-strewn street. In her travels -so long ago- she'd learned from the Doctor that the Universe could give and take as it pleased. His entire life was a very obvious example of that. They'd danced among the stars, care-free and decidely reckless. Unbeknown to the devastation that was to come.

After the War, she'd realized for a while that there was no going back. Fate hadn't been something she'd really believed in, but it was if the separation was meant to happen. It had been agonizing. But, inside,she had matured. Realized she'd have to fend for herself. Her odd little family -if you could call it that, with her dad-but-not-dad- welcomed her with open arms.
In Pete's case...not so much. She was still the daughter of a dead man to him.

So Torchwood had been but a sanctuary to her. A spat between herself and her mum - Look, sweetheart, you just can't keep pinin' after 'im. When will you get this into that stubborn head of yours? He's not coming back"
had decided it for her. Jackie's desparing tone, imploring her to drop this wishful thinking, filled for with regret. When mingled with Pete's short, snappish and uncaring jibes, anger started to resurface. Who the hell did he think he was? He'd practically disowned her without so much as a by-your-leave from the start! Who was he to tell her no?

Her brief angry nuances softened when he turned soft eyes towards her, imploring her to speakas he shuffled closer. No. She couldn't be angry at him.

God...they really had to come up with a name for him. She'd no longer be privy to calling him the Doctor, most likely; if anything, his expression if interest of changing his attire -a blue suit, indeed- was a clear indication of wanting a fresh start.

A clean slate. She swallowed.

How could she, though? Forget any possibilities of surfing the Time Winds whilst with the man who showed her all of it, showed her a purpose for living.
She'd never really questioned her own existence after that. But, now...The feel of his heart -his one heart- thumping rather erratically beneath her palm, the warmth of his skin that emanated from the fabric in turn warming the plates of her nails.

To be honest, as much as it thrilled her -for reasons she couldn't quite place yet- it was oddly terrifying. That one day he would, too, grow old, and when the time came, there would be no golden light to save him.

But at least he could grow old with her. And she with him. Together.

If her 'parents' would even accept him. Half-human or not, he was probably still the reckless Time Lord they had known in their eyes, and she awas pretty sure it wouldn't go down easy. Fear claws at her own heart at the thought of him being shunned by them, even if accepted by herself.

Hope quashes the spell of fear, and any remaining anger or hate. Instead, it's replaced with a strong resolve. Briefly, it brings her such confidence that her pulse quickens and she reaches and grasps at his hand. Which is, she notes, warmer than it used to be. But still, the perfect fit.

Despite the howling winds, the acrid salt tang in her mouth and Jackie practically yelling at her husband on the phone to come and cart their arses of this sodden living Hell, she just about musters a smile. It widens just that bit more as she feels the pull of his, tugging her closer. Not as close as she'd like, not yet, but, give him time. and she's no going to compare them anymore, she promises, and he smiles. And, didn't the Doctor say, once, even as foreboding stole upon them and fireworks collided in vibrant explosions in the sky, that she should never say never ever?

A/N: I really didn't expect, or want this be as short as it is. But I felt it was finished, and I've learnt, with art and literature, to not try to 'over-finish' anything. I felt this was the place to end. But, if you beg to differ, please point it out nicely. [Reviews are much love, remember!]