I released the energy of the Time Vortex into the TARDIS. If I need more I can just concentrate. The Vortex energy is in my soul. It never completely went away all those years ago when I looked into the heart of the TARDIS. I walked over to where John had lain when the Vortex destroyed him with a triumphant smile.

Suddenly I was whirled around and I was in The Doctor's embrace. Before I could react his lips were pressing onto mine. They tasted of relief and passion. It was delicious. I craved more. For all the resistance I was giving him before, after what just transpired in the last hour, he deserved a little something. He only reacted when John shoved me to the ground. He spoke defending me. Everything he did was for me. I thought I had no chances left for him, but apparently this was another chance for him. And he delivered more than I would have expected. Then again, knowing The Doctor, it shouldn't have surprised me. I kissed him back. Only briefly though. He probably was running on adrenaline and not thinking straight. For that matter neither was I.

I pulled away and stepped out of his warm embrace. His face went red and he looked down at the ground. There was guilt in his eyes. "Sorry. I'm so sorry. It won't happen again. I'll get you home now." He walked over to the controls, without looking at me.

I followed him and stood next to him. I tried to catch his eye, but he just kept looking at the levers and knobs he was fiddling with. I put my hand on his skinny but strong bicep. He looked at it before slowly looking at my face. "Why did you give up so easily earlier? Why was it easy to convince you to bring me home?" I asked softly.

"I have alienated you enough. It took me too long to realize that I had hurt you. I have caused enough damage. Everything that happened today is my fault. I am so sorry, Rose. My emotions got the best of me, I didn't stop to think once about my actions. And now I am dealing with the consequences. It is probably best that you live in a parallel universe. Or else I..." He closed his eyes and shook himself a bit. "Never mind. It doesn't matter anymore. You will be happier without me in the picture." He sighed as he went back to his button pressing.

I leaned against the control panel and kept observing his actions. He never was the nightmare. It was just my self defense. He never meant to do any real harm to me. "I forgive you." I grabbed his hand. "But what makes you think I want to go back to that world? There was nothing there for me. All I ever needed was in this ship. The only thing keeping me there was John, and that turned out not to be a good bargain." He looked at me disbelievingly.

"What about your mum and Pete and your brother?" He asked.

I shook my head. "They have each other. They would understand. They don't need me. But if I stay, we are going to take baby steps, okay? No rushing into a romantic relationship. As if we are just meeting each other on the street."

He nodded in agreement. Then his face brightened. "I have a better idea!" He started pressing buttons and turning knobs. The TARDIS took off and then she landed smoothly. The Doctor ran to the door and popped his head out. Then he looked at a pocket watch and put it back. "Yes, this will work. Come on Rose!" And he went outside.

I hurried outside to see we were in the shopping district. "What will work?"

"You go into that shop over there, okay?" He indicated a shop across the street.

I was confused, but I did as he asked. When I went into the shop, I automatically went into shopping mode. I was so focused on browsing and looking for clothes that I didn't notice the smoky smell. Then I heard people screaming. I popped my head out of a price tag to see that there was a seven foot tall, purple skinned, two headed alien with very sharp claws that just broke into the shop. Everyone was running to the exit, but I was stuck at the far end of the shop. And the alien locked its four eyes on me and started to stomp its way toward me. All my Torchwood forgotten, I just stood there paralyzed by fear. Oh my god, I'm gonna die.

Then a large warm hand grabbed mine. I looked over to see The Doctor and he said, "Run!"

a/n THE END! Thank you for following my story! Please review and let me know what you thought of it! I bet the previous chapter had a very unanticipated twist, eh? Well I don't write the story, the story writes itself! Anyway, hope you enjoyed it :)