Later, back on the Tardis, they sat together eating dinner. They had stayed watching the Towers sing, until as dawn broke the horizon, the song had ended.

"What made you change your mind." He asked casually.

"I didn't, I still don't trust you."

He glared at her. "Then what was that?"

"Me forgiving you." She replied and he sat there and stared at her waiting for her to continue.

"After it happened you seemed okay with it. Even though you said it hurt you, I didn't think it had." She said not looking at him. "I wanted to hurt you and make you feel as bad as I did. It was only when you brought me breakfast that I realized you all ready did."

He wanted to say those three little words he knew would make it all right, but instead he took her hand and rubbed the back of it with his thumb. She smiled at him and he felt his hearts race.

-DW-

Fate was against them and it had been since the beginning. He lay curled up on his bed sobbing harder than he had in a long time. Rose was gone. He had searched desperately for a way to pull her back to him but at least he had got to tell her goodbye. Then Donna had been a distraction for a short time but she hadn't wanted to go with him and he didn't blame her.

He had tried and failed to tell her how he felt again but the gap closed before he had the chance and now she would never know how he felt about her.

-DW-

2 years Later:

He stood on the beach beside her. Across from him stood the Metacrisis who had grown from his hand. After everything they had been through together it had come down to this. There couldn't be two Doctors in the universe. He didn't think the universe could survive it. Rose stood between them looking confused as he was handed a piece of the Tardis and Donna explained how to accelerate it's growth so rather having to wait thousands of years they would only have to wait a few.

"But he's not you." Rose said nearly in tears.

"He needs you. That's very me."

"But it's better than that, though. Don't you see what he's trying to give you? Tell her. Go on." Donna encouraged them.

"I look like him and I think like him. Same memories, same thoughts, same everything. Except I've only got one heart."

"Which means?" Rose asked still confused.

"I'm part human. Specifically, the aging part. I'll grow old and never regenerate. I've only got one life, Rose Tyler. I could spend it with you, if you want."

"You'll grow old at the same time as me?" She want to know.

"Together."

"We've got to go. This reality is sealing itself off for ever."

"But, it's still not right, because the Doctor's still you." Rose insisted.

"And I'm him."

"All right. Both of you, answer me this. When I last stood on this beach, on the worst day of my life, what was the last thing you said to me?" She asked looking at him. "Go on, say it." She said turning to look at the other.

"I said, Rose Tyler."

"Yeah, and how was that sentence going to end?" She demanded to know.

"Does it need saying?"

"And you, Doctor? What was the end of that sentence?" She asked turning to him. He leaned forward and whispered the three words he had been longing to say into her ear.

"I love you." As soon as the words were out of his mouth she grabbed him by the collar and pressed her lips to his. He opened his mouth and kissed her back passionately. As the sound of the Tardis dematerializing filled the air, she broke the kiss and ran towards it. He walked up beside her and took her hand as it disappeared for the last time from the beach. She looked at him and then pulled her hand away.

"If you have all his memories, then you should know I didn't trust him." She said angrily. "I didn't trust him for the longest time and I tried and he has left me here again. I am sorry but you aren't him."

He stepped forward without saying a word and took her hands and put them on his chest. He saw her eyes grow wide as she realized she was feeling two heart beats.

Still more to come!