24 Time Enough for Love
The Doctor blinks at the change in surroundings thinking, /Unite, unite…What could she mean unite? Join, connect weld, fuse, bind…Bind! She means Bind. She wants me to BIND myself further to Rose./
"You want Rose and I, to be Bondmates?" he asks, incredulous. "That isn't entirely my decision you know, and really I have no idea if she'd even want to, with me anyway; and well….so much has happened. Really, we haven't even seen each other in two, no, three…hmmm…days…weeks, months…God, it feels like forever. A while, let's just say…a while. So you see, she needs to…well… and she doesn't even know what all….you can't possibly really mean a proper Binding. There's all this ceremony, and …and… Why? Why is it so important now?"
With this question he finally winds to a stop, realising that he's been speaking out loud, and Bad Wolf is gone. Feeling like an idiot, he squints over at Rose and wonders if she's noticed.
You can almost see the waves of uncertainty and guilt rolling off of the Doctor. Uncertainty that Rose would want to be saddled with someone as broken as he is. Oh sure, he's good at hiding behind all the bluster; but truthfully, he's terrified he'll make another decision that will kill millions more while trying to do the right thing, and then living the rest of his lives consumed by the guilt for those he was forced to kill. It is a never ending cycle.
/Which is exactly why this is about to happen,/ thinks Rose. She'd become aware at Bad Wolf's statement that there was a final part to Unite, but remained silent. Rose can feel all the self loathing, regret, sadness, and fear from the Doctor through their Link. But she is also getting nudges from the TARDIS and Bad Wolf that this cycle must end. Rose knows exactly how to end it, and that's by sharing it.
He's right though, it does feel like he's been gone forever. Though actually short, this separation has given Rose more than enough time to be absolutely certain that she doesn't want to lose him ever again. Of course, being his Bondmate won't protect them. It isn't a magical shield against all danger, but it would mean that all those difficult decisions would be theirs together. She just hopes he doesn't refuse her.
Choosing now to be noticed, Rose opens her eyes and taking a deep breath, she sighs, "So tired. Did we…" Her eyes alight on the Doctor and widen at seeing him and at the change in their surroundings. She is half curled around him on the bed in the Infirmary, and definitely not in his mind anymore.
"Doctor?" she whispers. She had known he was there, but finally seeing him takes her breath away.
"Oh Rose—my precious girl. What have you done? Something brilliant and impossible, I'm sure," he says with tears coming to his eyes. Reaching out with his free hand, he lightly brushes a strand of hair from her eyes.
He had been so worried about her. Not knowing, and then thinking she was gone, just to return to not knowing again. It had nearly been too much for him. He would rather not continue at all if it meant continuing without Rose; as evidenced by his decision in the defunct timeline. That realisation alone makes the Doctor want to keep Rose with him for all his lives. It's not like he hasn't considered Bonding with Rose before. Now though, he wishes they'd actually gotten around to having that 'relationship conversation' they'd both been putting off.
The Doctor feels his mind trying to fill up with all the 'what if' scenarios that seem to plague so many of his musings about one Rose Tyler. This time, the epiphany he'd just had regarding his feelings for her, is finally the stronger force. Valiantly, he pushes all his fears and doubts down…down and away. His Rose had just rescued him…and he had so much to tell her…and what the hell…OHGODWHATIFSHESAYSNO?… Stop it! Just…
Taking a breath, he opens his mouth, but Rose reaches out and lays a single finger on his lips; conveniently stopping his attempt to speak. Smiling against her finger, he reaches for her other hand bringing it to his lips as his he gently kisses the fingertips. The intimacy of the gesture and the obvious love in his eyes, makes Rose gasp and feel more confident about her decision, while also starting a glowing well inside herself.
Looking deeply into the Doctor's eyes, Rose begins before he can say something that would make her lose her nerve.
"Doctor…I…"
"A-hem!" Jack coughs politely into his hand, hoping to not startle the couple too much. He was still sitting in his chair facing the bed in the Infirmary; hair mussed from sleeping in it, and the debris from hours of waiting on the table and floor around him. He hadn't realised they were awake until the Doctor started speaking out loud to no one, about Rose, binding, and Bondmates. He'd been just about to rush to their sides, when Rose spoke up; and it was such a beautiful, private moment, he couldn't bare to interrupt it. Being a bit freer about such things, it didn't even occur to him to feel particularly embarrassed about watching. That is until Jack saw Rose come to some sort of decision. He had a feeling something major was about to happen, and he was pretty sure he should not be there for it.
The occupants of the bed both start, and all four eyes flash to Jacks as they are made aware of his presence. "Hi there, I'm glad to see we all came through that with a minimal amount of dying. I was just…"
"Jack?!" the Doctor exclaims. "How in the bloody hell are you here?…wait, you're the Jack from the club. Rose said she saw you there, just before…." As more of those memories assert themselves, the Doctor's eyes narrow, and Rose feels him tense up.
"Doctor! It's okay. Jack helped me rescue you. I couldn't have done it without him. He had nothing to do with what John Hart did. He came with me; offering to help. It's our fault that he loses those memories of having been with the Time Agency, because he comes with us. I…sort of invited him—when you were taken. I was so scared." Rose wound down a little uncertainly. She had noticed the Doctor's flinch when she mentioned John Hart, and he was looking at her intensely; eyes flicking from side to side trying to read what all had happened in just her steady gaze.
Taking a breath and trying to slow her hammering hearts, Rose continues, "I know what happened to you on…on the ship in the collapsed timeline. I am so sorry. We tried to get to you, but we got lost, and then…then, Sontarans and Mars…and the Rift…Oh Doctor! There's so much!" With a cry, Rose throws herself into his arms, finally giving in to the suppressed emotions from the past day's traumas. He holds her close. Rubbing her back and humming to her in Gallifreyan as the flood of emotions works itself out, however his gaze is still intently pinned on Jacks.
Once the initial storm has passed, the Doctor finally releases Jack to look down at Rose. In her face, he can see all of the fear, determination, and love that had been keeping her going since he was taken. Her gaze is so filled with emotion that he's a little overwhelmed at the intensity of it. The old feelings of uncertainty and worth try to creep in around the edges of their reunion. But for once in his long, long life, he refuses to let them in. Rose loves him and Jack is a friend, even if he isn't yet the Jack he originally knew, he and Rose saved his life. He would not be here now, wrapped in Rose's embrace, with the soothing hum of his TARDIS welcoming him home, without Jack.
Keeping one arm firmly around Rose, hugging her close, he reaches out to Jack. "Hello, Jack. I'm the Doctor. Thanks for the rescue!" he says with a growing grin. And ever mercurial in mood, "Before you even start, don't call me Doc!"
With an answering grin of his own, Jack takes the Doctor's hand firmly, "Sure thing, Doc."
With an eye-roll on the Doctor's part and an exasperated huff, Rose and Jack dissolve into relieved giggles.
After cleaning up in the infirmary and making sure that they were all in fact safe and sound, the trio move to the kitchen. It seems to always be the place that makes anyone who comes to the TARDIS feel better. All the Universe's worries and tragedies seem smaller with a hot cup of tea and a belly filled with warm food.
Feeling a little awkward and not yet ready to talk about what had happened to all of them, Jack does a masterful job of keeping them entertained with stories of his escapades. It's easy and refreshing to have his light easy banter again in the TARDIS. Rose can almost imagine she's cuddled up to a leather jacket instead of the pinstripes.
Feeling her contentment through their Link, the Doctor glances down at Rose with a small smile that is so reminiscent of her first Doctor that she instantly sees him looking out of her current Doctor's eyes. Thinking of her last encounter with her leather clad Doctor causes Rose to flush, and she ducks her head further into his shoulder, letting her hair obscure her features. The Doctor isn't sure why she just hid from him, but the conflicting impressions he picks up from their Link makes his smile a little more than simply happy.
/Maybe Jack would like a little vacation,/ the Doctor thinks as he allows several things he has wanted to discuss with Rose flit through his mind.
Jack is chattering away about some incident on Barcelus Major involving three Centauran dancing girls and their drummer, as he watches Rose and the Doctor's little exchange occur. They are so sweet together, but really! He might just have to offer himself up as a sacrificial lamb just to break the tension. Ever since they woke up, all he can pick up from them is a current of sexual tension that you could literally cut with a knife and serve with cake.
/I wonder if they would consider dropping me off somewhere warm, safe, and filled with the frisky sort, I could really use right now?/ Jack thinks as he sees Rose duck her head.
The Doctor and Jack's eyes meet over the table, and with a final anecdote about how one should always know where all the snakes are when flirting with Centauran dancing girls, Jack comes to a smiling stop. Both Jack and the Doctor open their mouths to speak, when Rose launches herself from the Doctor's side and starts cleaning up the dishes, effectively halting their attempts to speak but causing a couple of confused expressions
"Doctor. You know, Jack has had a really trying time with all that's happened. I think it would be lovely if he got a little vacation somewhere nice before we go pick up Donna. I know they'll get on like houses, but a little down time would probably do him good. What do you think?" Rose hopes she isn't being too obvious, but if she doesn't have some time alone with the Doctor soon, she knows she will just burst! They have so many things to discuss, and some of those 'things' she is uninterested in Jack hearing or being in the TARDIS for.
"Ohhhhh, Rosie," Jack mock whines. "Are you trying to get rid of me?" He says as he leans back in his chair putting a pout on that no one believes. The excitement in his eyes is too easy for all three of them to see.
Still, they are all surprised when the Doctor and Rose both bust out in unison, "Yes!" Laughing now at their blushing faces, Jack gets up and pats both of them on the back on his way out of the kitchen.
"Finally! I was sure I was going to have to use my considerable powers of persuasion to get you to drop me off somewhere. You two need…."
"Jack!" Rose stops him. She isn't positive what he was about to say, but she was pretty sure it would be thoroughly embarrassing, and she was enough of that already. With more chuckling, Jack heads off to his room to pack.
"I request a nice, beachy haven for the sexually repressed, please. I have a lot of love to give!" They both hear from down the hall as he closes his door with more laughter.
"Alright, Jack. We'll be back to pick you up in a week, so.… What?!" The doctor turns to look at Jack, who he had heard come down the hall, but squeaked in surprise when he sees what all he has with him. At the Doctor's exclamation, Rose looks up from her book on the Jumpseat, and gasps seeing Jack with three trunks of stuff, several bags, and a large inflatable penguin.
"What…Where…Okay, let me try this again….What's up with all the stuff, Jack?" Rose finally manages to get out. She looks over to the Doctor meeting his wide gaze, and he nods in agreement.
"Oh, this? Please. A boy needs to be packed for every possible situation. The TARDIS completely understands, and helped me get ready. She has the best taste. I am prepared for every single thing…trust me!" he says with a purely lascivious grin that makes both the Doctor and Rose blush again. The TARDIS, for her part, hums a farewell to Jack that definitely feels like a sigh.
"Riiiight. Like I was saying, you've got a week. I'd tell you to stay out of trouble, but…" With a shrug, the Doctor indicates what he thinks about that.
"Excellent! Doc. Rosie. I'm outta here! See you soon." Pausing at the door, he can't help but poke and prod them one more time, "Now go get yourselves someplace private and…."
"Thank you, Jack! See you soon!" Rose had come up next to the Doctor, and interrupted Jack again to keep him moving. With a final grin and waves all around, the door clicks shut.
The Doctor and Rose head back up the ramp to the Console. The Doctor sends them into the Vortex, and turning to ask Rose a question, he sees her retreating form heading down the hallway. "I need a shower. See you in a few," she calls back to him.
The Doctor thinks that seems a bit odd; but he isn't picking anything negative up from their Link, so he leaves it alone. The TARDIS hums at him soothingly, and he smiles as he looks up at the Time Rotor. Leaning forward with both hands on the Console, the Doctor starts talking to his ship as he pulls out his favourite tools and lifting away a piece of grating, slides beneath Her Console to begin the ritual tinkering.
"Has Jack been flirting with you again? You know that's a little weird. Did you miss me? Oh look, your architectural stabilisers are completely out of whack! How did that happen…"
The incessant chatter soothes him, and the singing of the TARDIS filling his hearts and mind helps to reestablish his feeling of control and stability. Rose is right, so much has happened. He's still determined to use this time alone with Rose to its fullest; but right now, he is thoroughly grateful for these utterly familiar actions. No one but him and his ship. The TARDIS feels his need and lets him tinker about for a long while, only zapping him a couple of times when he got a little overzealous in her coolant flanges. Eventually she starts prodding him to leave. He hasn't actively started hiding yet, but she can feel the shift coming.
Getting shocked one last time bad enough the Doctor knows he will actually have a blister, he finally gives in. "Fine, fine! I'm done. Ow! Really? Were you trying to catch me on fire?"
Checking his time sense, he realises that he's been under the Console for five hours! Where's Rose? He's surprised that she didn't come out to find him. She hasn't entered the console room at all as far as he can tell. Feeling for her, he senses that she's relaxed and happy, but a little anxious. Querying the TARDIS, he heads off in search of Rose.
Abruptly, he finds himself outside the door to his room. Rose isn't in his room. He can feel her off deeper in the Ship. Turning to head down the hallway again, he makes a left and finds himself not only in his room, but at the entrance to his en suite.
"Right, so am I that offensive? What's with…ahhhh." Seeing himself in the mirror, he concedes that maybe going in search of Rose covered in grease and other TARDIS slime would be a bad idea. The Ship dims Her lights reprovingly at him at the thought of 'TARDIS slime', but She's glad he finally gets the picture. She and Rose have been making plans, and a filthy Time Lord will not help in them.
Stepping freshly washed into his bedroom, the Doctor dresses quickly, impatient to find Rose. The tinge of anxiety bothers him, and truthfully, he misses her. It's been hours since they spoke last, and her abrupt departure was a touch unnerving. Heading off down the hallway, he's glad that the TARDIS is no longer impeding his progress, and is actually helping. Blindly allowing the TARDIS to pull him through the Ship, he finally arrives at a door that he assumes will lead him to Rose. Seeing where he is, the Doctor smiles. He likes the notion that Rose would come to his mother's garden to relax.
Darling lets Rose know Her Thief is within the Gallifrey room. Receiving her acknowledgement, Darling takes away the door and adds more shielding to Her adjacent rooms. Then She leaves Her Time Lords to their business. So far, they are threading their way through the congested minefield of possibilities beautifully. This is one more step on that path.
The Doctor always feels a pang upon entering the Gallifrey room. This time though, it is a flash of blistering hope. The new sensation almost brings him to his knees in its intensity. He has hated himself a long time for ending Gallifrey, and would have added another 400 years to that building self loathing; if not for Bad Wolf. This new hope gives him a fresh bounce as he heads off to the garden and its Fountain. He has only taken few steps toward the woods when a disturbing thought intrudes on his happiness, causing him to stumble and roots him in place—what if She lied to him.
He only had Bad Wolf's words to give him the hope that billions of his people were still intact somewhere, somehow. What if he was being played? That had happened before. Damned Eternals, Guardians, and any number of other forces giving him hope and then dashing it to bits as their own schemes played out, with him only as a pawn. That isn't to say that he didn't put himself purposefully in harm's way plenty of times, seeking to be the next move in the Grand Game, and hoping for an advantage; but too many times those gambles had been paid out in blood and lives.
"You're worrying about being a pawn, aren't you? Worrying that Bad Wolf is deceiving you, while your Bondmate waits for you in the Garden. I see you're still an idiot."
At the first words, the Doctor had frozen, every muscle in him screaming that what he was hearing was wrong. Turning around slowly, he's afraid that what he has heard will be real, and even more afraid that it won't be, the implications towards his sanity not boding well; he finally lays eyes on a person he thought long lost.
"Romana. How?" Seeing her, in flowing traditional burgundy robes and not as the regeneration he last saw, but the one prior—the one he'd traveled with—the Romana that became President, and implemented so many reforms. The Romana he'd loved, if he wanted to truly be honest with himself.
"Really? Only two words for me after so long? I can't believe that your ability to bury yourself and anyone around you in your words has left you in your old age, Doctor," she teases him. "Your Rose and Bad Wolf, to answer your question. I copied my Matrix engrams into the Pools to control them, and when they were removed from your mind; your TARDIS saved me. I told Rose it was impossible, but she figured out a way, and here I am…well, my avatar anyway—I picked my favourite. Your Bondmate is quite extraordinary, by the way." Romana grins at the Doctor. She is greatly amused at his surprise. It almost makes up for his never visiting her within the Pools.
"You…we're…ummm. Rose and I aren't Bondmates." The Doctor is trying to wrap his head around why, let alone how, Romana could have embedded a copy of herself in the Pools, so instead he focuses on something that he still has control over.
"Yes, Doctor, you are. A Bond of the First Circle was enough to call her wife on Gallifrey for millennia. It is certainly viable here, in this place you have built." She spreads her arms wide, taking in the vistas and the forest of his personal Gallifrey. He had never had anyone else in here before Rose, and she wouldn't know he had built it if he hadn't told her. It wasn't her world to remember.
Focusing on Romana's words again he explains, "That isn't what I meant. It's true, but there hasn't been the ceremony or witnesses, plus I want more with Rose. I want to be fully Bonded. I never liked the surface commitments, even when I had one forced on me by the Family. We both know how that ended, though you weren't loomed yet," the Doctor says with sadness. He and his first wife may not have gotten along well, but he had tried his best for the children. He can't say that was good enough, but he had tried.
"Doctor, we will have plenty of time to debate the merits of what was once Time Lord society for as long as you like. I only came to you, to derail your paranoid tendencies before they interrupted your going to Rose. She's been waiting for you," she says with the enigmatic smile. That particular smirk had driven him spare when he wore a scarf big enough to hide in, when the extra words hadn't been enough. Becoming a tracery of gold, she disappears.
"Oh, she's going to enjoy that whole disappearing thing way too much," the Doctor mutters as he heads back to the path that will lead him to his original destination.
Thinking back on what just happened, he knows she's right. He had been caught up in his own paranoia. She would know she was right, too; insufferable woman! He finds though, that he is thrilled to have even this small piece of his home restored to him. Of course, Romana had been a hand full; she'd never let him get away with anything. With a shrug and a grin to himself—he's feeling charitable enough to admit that at times, it probably was for the best. Maybe he did need someone to keep him in check. Rose was already quite skilled at it, even when she was just human. Just human—when had Rose ever been 'just' anything? Smiling softly, he resumes his trek into the woods, bounce restored.
Reaching the inner patio, it takes the Doctor a moment to find Rose. She's on the other side of the small stone wall. As he approaches, he begins to realise she's talking to someone. He hadn't heard them over the sounds of the Fountain. Thinking it must be Romana, the Doctor is completely unprepared for the sight he's greeted with as Rose turns and steps forward to take his hand. It is then that he notices Rose is dressed in deep golden robes traditional to Gallifrey, and his mother is dressed in their House colours, blue and grey. Rising from where she'd been seated on the wall, he can see she looks just as she did when he was a child on his way to the Academy. At nearly two meters tall, and with a mane of thick, dark-red hair, she is hardly forgettable, but it's her large expressive deep chocolate brown eyes mirroring his current set, that he remembers the most.
Mouth agape, the Doctor can't seem to find a focus between his mother and Rose. Every thought in his head grinds to a halt, and it isn't until his respiratory bypass can no longer sustain his held breath, that his mind finally lurches back into action. Resting his gaze on Rose, he can hear her calling to him, worry writ on her face and her hand twined in his.
"Doctor! Are you alright? I know it must be a shock, but I can…"
"Here, child, let me explain," the Doctor's mother says with a smile and warmth in her dark eyes. Taking a step forward toward her son, she raises her hands and the space behind her is filled with the image of an enormous green crystalline structure. It glows from within and appears to be constructed of millions of thin green crystals. The whole is eerily beautiful, and feels alive. Both the Doctor and Rose know what it is—the Matrix.
"My son, you will recognise this as the Matrix and how it looked on Gallifrey. This is how it looks now." Behind her, the image shifts to another crystalline structure, but this one fashioned in millions of shining gold, honeycomb shaped crystals stacked together. The life in these crystals was even more evident, and Rose and the Doctor can hear the singing.
"The TARDIS," breathes the Doctor. "You placed a copy of the Matrix in my TARDIS. My God! It's been here the entire time. You've all been here the entire time, and I didn't know. Mother, I…," he trails off, eyes shining. He reaches a hand towards her but lets it fall, knowing she is basically a highly sentient hologram and he won't be able to touch her; no matter how much he'd like to.
"I know, my son. You were so alone. I am so, so sorry. I was in stasis, a part of the Matrix, until earlier today, when Romana went looking for me. I have been chatting with Rose about you; catching up," she says this last with a twinkle of amusement that Rose had already recognised from her Doctor. "She is quite lovely, and I wholly approve of her ability to keep you out of at least some of the trouble you court." Her smile is filled with love, compassion, and a healthy dose of teasing.
The Doctor is grateful for the humour to alleviate some of his sadness. Choosing to take refuge in the teasing, "That is if she ever learns to not wonder off." He's expecting the affronted "Oi!" and smack on the arm as his due for the teasing. So caught up is he in seeing his mother, he doesn't notice Rose slip away to the other side of the Fountain after smacking him on the arm.
"Mother, I cannot begin to tell you how much it pleases me to see you, and I have so much to share, but why are you here? I know the how, but why?" Looking around, he spots another person coming toward the glade at a stately pace. As she comes into the light, he sees it's Romana in her full Presidential regalia. Dressed in white and gold with the high collar peculiar to the Time Lords on Council, wearing the Sash of Rassilon, and carrying the Rod, the Doctor notices the distinct lack of the seals of Rassilon on her robe and collar. No wonder, considering the difficulties she'd had in dealing with that mad man. Just as he's about to ask what the hell is going on, Romana slams the Rod of Rassilon onto the flags three times.
"I, Romanadvoratrelundar, the last elected President of Gallifrey, and the Lady Professor are summoned here today by the Lady Rosemariontyler of Powell House to witness her proposal of Binding to the Doctor, head of House Lungbarrow, twice President-Elect of Gallifrey, and current head of the Prydonian Chapter." Romana intones this grand formal statement and punctuates it with another loud crash of her staff against the stones. Choosing to ignore the Doctor, who once again is standing mouth agape, she nods to Rose who starts moving forward, coming around the side of the fountain with a length of gold ribbon in her hands.
Looking over to Rose, the Doctor swallows thickly. As she glides toward him intent plainly written on her face and looking somehow even more beautiful in the voluminous golden robes; he suddenly wishes he had his blue robe with him. He smiles just a little at the thought, knowing full well that this is the first time he has ever wanted to wear the over large stuffy robe. The TARDIS, doing what she does best, drops the robe directly at the Doctor's feet. Luckily he has just enough time to stoop and retrieve it sliding it around himself and clasping the inner brooches before Rose reaches him, ribbon in hand.
Calmly, and with all the poise he would expect in a queen, Rose stands easily in front of him. Lifting her right hand toward him palm up, she begins the formal proposal,
"I, Rose Marion Tyler, consent and gladly give myself. May we be fruitful in Love, bountiful in Wisdom, and Cherish each other for the fullness of Time. Would you join me in walking our Live's Paths together for as long as the Sun of our Love burns, and our Hearts beat as one?" she asks formally, her eyes filled with love and tears and hope as she gazes up at him, praying he won't refuse her.
The Doctor's eyes widen in surprise at her Offer. The beginning of the vow was the one commonly used in First Circle Bindings, but the last was only used when couples desired the fullest Bond possible—the unbreakable Bond that would mingle their energies and unite their lives. Rose is just about to worry when he gives a shout of joy that should wake the stones around them. Attempting to school his features back into something resembling the solemnity the occasion would deserve on Gallifrey, he fails completely.
So, with a daft grin, he replies as formally as is possible, "I," (speaking his own name to her, which is immensely long, and nearly unpronounceable) "consent and gladly give myself. May we be fruitful in Love, bountiful in Wisdom, and cherish each other for the fullness of Time…," at this point he takes her offered hand with his left, and they both begin to glow with the light of their inner cores; his a brilliant changeable cobalt and hers a deep flickering gold.
Reaching forward from behind the surprised couple, Bad Wolf, looking as she did as the Moment, takes the ribbon from Rose's hand and waits patiently for them to continue. With a roll of her eyes and a silly grin of her own at their surprised expressions, she mouths the word -joining- at them, and nods her head for them to get on with it. Feeling compelled to continue, and not stop in wonder or trepidation at this new and unfamiliar development, the Doctor intones the final portion of the Binding as Bad Wolf ties the ribbon around their joined hands, "I will Bind myself to you, and walk the Path's of our Lives together, for as long as the Sun of our Love burns, and our Hearts beats as one."
Once the ribbon is tied and their essences have begun to mingle blue within gold, Bad Wolf takes their free hands in each of hers and begins speaking, looking out at the dazed expressions on the witnesses faces.
"I, (here Bad Wolf sings words in a language that doesn't exist, causing the TARDIS to tremble, and Rose's hearts to miss a couple of beats), consent and gladly give myself to my Rose, the Child Time loves and her Storm, Time's Champion for the fulfilment of all that is to come, all that has been, and all that is at this Moment. I Bind myself to you so you may accomplish together, what alone you could not." With a final smile at both of them, and a nod to Romana and the Lady Professor, Bad Wolf bursts into a cloud of gold that rises, swirling into the already mingled energies that are Rose and the Doctor. With an incandescent flash and a mighty concussion that is felt rather than heard as it spreads away from them, everything goes dark for the Doctor and Rose.
The waves throughout Space and Time that occur at the moment of their completed Bond extend well beyond themselves, reaching to the very ends of the Universe. There, playing with a Singularity, the Sphynx feels the overlapping tides of their Union wash over her. She feels their joy and completeness. The Bad Wolf and Rose Tyler—the Oncoming Storm and the Doctor are no longer separate pieces, but are now joined into two halves of a single united whole. The yin to the other's yang, and the force of Balance the Universe has been working towards forging for many years.
Smiling to herself, the Sphynx enjoys their happiness, and mirrors their Love with her own. There will be plenty of Time later for the work that must be done, but for now, they can have their fun.
A/N: I borrowed the name of the Doctor's mother from FriendlyQuark. It's just so perfect! :-) If you haven't read her stories, you must! Start with Susan's War. They are all spectacular.