I wasn't going to put this up until later this week, but I just love it so much and I feel like it's just a great ending to this story and I was so excited that I couldn't wait! :) Thank-you so much to everyone who has followed and favorited this story! And a special thank-you to everyone who has left a review! And an even bigger thank-you to everyone who encouraged me to continue this story! I've loved writing this and I'm so glad I listened to all of you! I hope you all enjoy the final chapter of DRitRL!

Out of instinct, John cupped his hand around the back of Clara's neck, his long fingers twisting into her hair. His other hand pressed against the small of her back, bringing her closer to him. The kiss was angry and heavy, but it wasn't invasive. There was no tongue or biting, but the lips that moved against each other were hard and unforgiving. Both wanted to prove their love to the other, but there was also the vicious beast, roaring in both of their chests. The beast that wanted to cause as much hurt and pain to the other as they themselves had felt.

Clara let go of John's jacket and braced her hands against the wall behind him, to keep herself from stumbling. John had always known Clara was short, but it hadn't really mattered or had an impact on him until now. He slipped his other hand down to her waist and wrapped both of his arms around middle, pulling her up closer to him. The kisses slowly lost their anger and heat. They fell into a steady rhythm and John couldn't stop smiling against Clara's lips.

When the two finally broke apart, Clara clasped her hands behind John's neck. John tilted his head down, so their foreheads touched. The two were breathing heavily and what was really only a few seconds, seemed to stretch out for an infinity. An infinity where there was nothing in the universe except the two of them. John was just thinking of how he would be perfectly content to never move from this spot for the rest of his life, when the door to Clara's apartment swung open. Danny stepped out into the hallway, but the two payed him no attention. Clara just smiled sweetly and turned her head, not moving her body from John's,

"Danny, you're a complete and total ass. I really should have told you sooner, but there you have it. I'd say it's been a pleasure to know you, but it really hasn't." Clara pulled away, grabbing John's hand and tugging him into her apartment. John wiggled his fingers at Danny, over his shoulder, as he kicked the door shut behind him. The last image he got of Danny was one of him standing in the hallway, his mouth hanging open and his eyes round. Clara pulled John onto the couch and placed her hands on his jaw. She leaned forward, sliding her lips against his. The two went on kissing for a few minutes before John mumbled,

"Clara."

"Mhmm?" John chuckled,

"As much as I'm liking this new arrangement, do you think maybe we should talk?" Clara laughed,

"Yeah I guess we should." She sat back, tucking her hair behind her ear, "Sorry."

"No, don't apologize! It's absolutely fine! Better than fine, in fact, it's great!" Clara smiled and pressed a finger to John's lips,

"Babbling." John nodded. Clara stood up and motioned for John to as well. She pulled the cushions off her little loveseat and threw them on the floor, pulling out the hide-a-bed. She threw some pillows onto the mattress and the two lay down, facing each other, just like when they were kids, having a sleepover. Clara propped her chin on her hands and John realized he would have to be the one to start this conversation,

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry about what I said about Danny. I didn't mean it."

"No, it was true. All of it" John shook his head,

"Not that last part. I still stand by what I said when he left you the first time. You deserve only the best and the greatest the universe has to offer you." Clara smiled and then it fell,

"John, I'm… I can't even begin to say how sorry I am. What I said was rude, uncalled for, and absolutely not true! If you- if you were suddenly gone and I could never see you again, I wouldn't be able to function. You've been my best friend for fifteen years and I don't ever want to lose you. And I know I said this before, but that was when I was trying to end anything romantic between us, because ... the truth is…" Clara sat up and crossed her legs, pushing her hair out of her face. She took a deep breath,

"John, I've been in love with you for a long time now and that scares the hell out of me." John sucked in his breath. There it was, out in the open. All the cards were on the table and both of them knew how the other felt. Clara continued,

"I've never been able to keep a guy for that long. I think the boyfriend that lasted the longest lasted maybe ten months. I was terrified that if I let myself fall in love with you, and that if we got together, I would lose you. That we would end on bad terms and I wouldn't just be losing my current boyfriend. I would be losing my best friend in the whole world. And I never wanted that to happen, so I pushed you away. Romantically, at least. When I noticed your feelings for me, part of me was ecstatic and the other part was scared senseless. I pushed my feelings down for years and then I met Danny." John shifted from where he was sitting on the bed, "He was nice, at first, and I thought I could finally forget about you. Well, you know how that worked out and then came that terribly, beautiful night." John didn't have to ask which night she was talking about.

John walked back over to Clara and held out his hand. Clara looked at him skeptically, "What are you doing?" John shrugged,

"I'm just doing what the fortune cookie said. Who am I to stand in the way of fate?" Clara laughed, shaking her head. She sighed, took John's hand, and stood up. John grinned, placing his other hand on her waist and pulling her towards the middle of the room. The swayed back and forth, Clara spun into him, and John dipped her. They both laughed at how ridiculous they were, dancing to no music.

"I couldn't stop beating myself up over that! I so badly wanted to be with you and I knew you liked me and I knew it was possible to be together, but I was just so scared." John reached out, pulling Clara into his lap. She rested her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms protectively around her. He gently kissed the top of her head,

"Now, Clara, listen and listen carefully, because this is the only time I'll say this." He waited a beat, "I am not going to leave you. Now, this relationship won't be easy, because I know the two of us and nothing with us is ever easy and I'm not saying everything will be peachy-keen. I know there will be fights. My God, there will be fights! I think tonight stands as a testament to that. There might even be some nights when I sleep on the couch or leave the building completely. But, I will always come back. Because, in reality no relationship is perfect and they all need work to keep them good. We'll need work, but what we have is worth fighting for. There will be days when we are pulling our hair out over how the other one is acting, but we just have to know we love each other and know that we'll get there in the end. We'll always get there in the end, Clara." He gripped her by the shoulders and looked her straight in the eye,

"So? Whataya have to say?" Clara slowly smiled and leaned forward just enough to brush her lips against his. When she spoke, her voice was low and her lips still touched John's,

"Are you going to stay the night?" John grinned,

"Absolutely."

xXx

John lay on his back and Clara's head rested on his chest. He absently stroked her hair and looked out the window. It was late, she was asleep, and yet the city stayed awake. Lights flashed by as cars went who-knows where, to do who-knows what. It was these nights that John loved. Winter nights when it wasn't cold enough to snow, but it wasn't warm enough to rain, and the resulting sleet fell down, catching the light of the city as it traced its way down the window. John looked down at Clara and smiled. He quietly whispered into the dark,

"I love you, Clara." He closed his eyes and fell asleep to the sound of her breathing.

xXx

As soon as Clara's lease is up on her apartment, she moves in with John. They're a little cramped, but they have everything they need in their small little home. For John's next birthday (which Clara remembers) she buys him a Polaroid camera and soon enough, their whole living space is covered in the instant photos. The entire front of the fridge is a collage of John and Clara (and Pond). Them going to the movies. Them at night on a boardwalk. Them on holiday at the beach. When their friends learn of the relationship, not a single one of them is surprised. It seems the only ones who ever doubted it would happen were the two themselves. The two quickly and easily fall together as if there was never any other way this story could have ended.

And one day when Clara comes home from work and sits at the table, across from John, he slides her a box. Inside the box sits a ring with a small strip of paper wrapped around it. Clara pulls out the paper, reads it, and begins to cry. She launches herself into John's arms, laughing and kissing him, repeating one word over and over. Yes. John puts the ring on her finger, Clara takes the piece of paper and slides it into her pocket, and all John can think is that the wheel has come full circle. That little piece of paper that started it all. That little piece of paper that reads:

The love of your life is sitting across from you.

Are you crying? Because I am! Again, thank you so much for reading this! If I hadn't received such great support, I wouldn't have continued this story! As always, favorites and reviews are greatly appreciated! Also, if you have any ideas for a new story or oneshot, let me know!

Lots of Love, Annie