Rose almost swept him off his feet as she came in for the hug.

'I've seen it all happen on the screen, in the TARDIS! You were brilliant!'

'You two getting along, then?'

'No flushing this time,' she grinned, tongue-in-cheek.

'Yeah, I've got a feeling that won't happen anymore.' He lit up when King Miramys approached behind her, followed by a small army of Illantis in various attire, from Royal Guards to regular citizens of the castle. Virgil was among them, along with Mary. They walked behind the king, wide grins on their faces.

King Miramys gestured for the crowd to stay. Alone, he approached the Doctor and Rose. He looked confused – like he couldn't decide if he wanted to be happy or disappointed the Doctor had actually managed the impossible.

'How?' he asked simply.

'Telepathy. A sort of mind-conversation, if you will,' the Doctor said flippantly. 'I made a deal with him. He doesn't kill you, and I'll see him home. Problem solved.'

A sharp smile appeared on the king's face. 'You merely tricked him.'

'Oh, not at all. I fully intend to uphold my end of the deal. Shouldn't be too difficult, really. I'll just have to figure out how that Key of yours works, and then reverse its polarity or something.'

Virgil and Mary had walked up to them, prompting the Doctor to flash a meaningful look at the king. What about your promise?

But the king, with a flourish of his robe, turned and strode back, parting the throng of rejoicing angels like a boat parting waves. Soon, the Doctor, Rose, Virgil and Mary were surrounded and stories were told, fantastic tales of heroism and clever prevention of violence; stories that wouldn't leave the Dale anytime soon.

'That's him taken care off,' said Rose, leaning against a fully finished railing near the white walls of the TARDIS.

The Doctor swung a dial and popped up a lever. 'Delivery of one violent cactus: check!'

'You think it'll be fine? I mean, you know... If we judged him by British law, he'd be in prison forever.'

The Doctor looked up from his console. 'Change of heart?'

Rose thought for a moment. 'I just wonder if he'll be happy now. It's been thirty years, his wife probably didn't wait that long.'

'He's made many friends on Pikoola,' the Doctor said. 'His fault was that he's never appreciated what he'd already had. Maybe he'll do it differently this time?'

Rose smiled at that.

'Right, then!' The Doctor shouted, punching buttons and pulling levers. Already, the TARDIS vibrated softly, shuddering just a little as she flung herself into the time vortex, though its passengers barely felt the bumpy ride. 'Time to get ourselves a sonic upgrade! And then we'll subject the hyperspace nexus to a proper analysis, send Felgorn off to his home world, and figure out whoever built this thing in the first place! Oh, I'm telling you, Rose, this is the true fountain of youth! Whole new universe, whole new mystery!'

'Doctor, wait,' she laughed.

He froze, peeking from behind the central column. 'What is it?'

She walked around the TARDIS-console, and took his hands into hers. 'Forgetful, are we?'

He grinned. 'Never.' In that moment, the TARDIS fell silent. The Doctor pressed a single button, and the triangular door opened up to a new world. 'I hope you like it.'

Before them, a vast azure ocean spread to the horizon. Large whale-like creatures floated above it, their trumpeting music carrying all over the seas. Behind them, the clouds were like a painting, pierced by golden streaks of sunlight, their shapes etched into the sky.

'I love you,' Rose said.

'I love you,' the Doctor replied.

Arm in arm, they walked into the future.