Here we are at the end of the story. This has been a pleasure to write, and I hope that you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. What now follows is a little epilogue as our favorite couple in time and space ride off into the metaphorical sunset.

For the last time, I do not own Doctor Who! (So stop asking!)

EPILOGUE

They picked up Clara and Danny about 15 minutes after they'd left. Unfortunately, that was enough time for the younger couple to notice their absence.

"What's the big idea leaving us here like that?!" Clara scolded. "We didn't know where you were! Next time you two decide to jettison off without us, could you at least take us back to London first?! We were about to buy airplane tickets! And I hate to fly!"

"Oh, come on, Clara, you know I'd never just leave you stranded... don't you?" the Doctor replied, duly chastised.

"I... suppose," Clara sighed. "But there's a first time for everything!"

Danny laughed and made mental note not to ever make her mad. She was downright scary! He was grateful that he was not on the receiving end of that fury.

Rose also laughed. "You should just be glad he left you on Earth and in your correct time period! You never know, with this one. Why once he..."

"That was one time! One time!"

"And I'll never ever let you forget it either!"

Clara looked back and forth between the pair. There was something different about the two of them. She scrutinized the Doctor most particularly. "Who are you, really, and what have you done with the Doctor? Running off and having a spontaneous adventure without dragging me along, participating in a playful banter, laughing?!"

The Doctor just shrugged. He looked good. Really good. He hadn't looked this good since... wait. Had he ever looked this good? He still looked the same. Still greying with bushy eyebrows. He still sounded the same with that rough, Scottish accent. But something about him had definitely changed. His face was brighter, and a smile now replaced the scowl that he had seemed to wear like a badge. Not just the fake smile that his Eleventh self had often plastered on his face to hide what he was really feeling, either. This was a true, genuine smile that seemed to come from within. His steps were lighter, too. She'd even say that he had a bounce in his step. Yes, indeed, the Doctor had changed again. But this time, the change was from within. What in the Multi-verse could have brought about such a change? She looked around the console room, hoping to find a clue. Her eyes rested upon Rose.

Rose, too seemed changed from the woman Clara had last seen. The Rose that Clara had met had been full of grief and sorrow and seemed to carry the weight of the Universe on her shoulders, much like the Doctor did. But the woman before her now was glowing; perfectly radiant in her happiness. Suddenly, the last piece of the puzzle clicked into place. "Is there something that the two of you would like to tell us?"

"Well... Rose and I... well, you see, it's like this. Rose and I... we're... bonded."

"Huh?" Clara had no idea what he was trying to say.

"It's like we're married" Rose replied. Then she turned and smiled at her new husband. "Only better."

"You mean, you two have gone off and eloped?!" Danny laughed. "That's awesome! Congratulations!"

"It's about time!" Clara shrieked as she ran over to give both of them a hug. The truest testament to the change in the Doctor was when he did not even hesitate to hug her back.

"You know," Clara told him. "I like this new you very much. I'm glad you have her. She suits you."

"Thanks. I think so too." he replied.

The foursome continued to travel together and have many more adventures. Soon, there was not just one married couple on board the TARDIS, but two. Mr. and Mrs. Pink still continued to travel with Mr. and Mrs. Doctor for a few more years after that until the bittersweet day that Clara found out she was expecting. The TARDIS, it was decided, was no place to raise a child. So the Doctor helped them to purchase a house in London, much like he had done for the Ponds many years before. It was there that they said their goodbyes. It was a sad day for them, because the Pinks did not really want to go, and though the Doctor and Rose could and would visit for many more years to come, things would never be the same again.

That night in the TARDIS, the Doctor and his Rose held each other closely, checking off two more losses to add to the ever growing list. But this time, it was different. This time, they still had each other. There would be more companions traveling with them, of that they were sure. And one by one, each of them would break their hearts just a little as well when their time in the TARDIS was done. But they would always have each other. And this was a beautiful thing.

The years continued to move swiftly by. Before long, the entire universe knew of the pair: the Doctor and his Rose, The Storm and the Wolf, Defenders of the Universe, and Champions of Time and Space. They truly were the stuff of legends now! As they journeyed on, they did indeed pick up several companions: most of them new, and one of them old. The immortal Captain Jack Harkness joined them again for a time, but had to leave because he was slowly evolving into a giant telepathic head in a jar and wasn't able to do much running, shooting... or flirting for that matter! There hearts were broken many times over, but they still had each other. The Doctor regenerated a few more times, but still they were together: like Hope and Glory, Mutt and Jeff, and Shiver and Shake. She had once promised him forever, and that promise was never broken!

No, they never did stop running. They never could. But now, instead of running away from something out of fear, they were running closer and closer to each other: they were running home!