Rose was like an angel, a beautiful driving force and as he watched her something came over him, something he couldn't bear to feel. Beside him, Clara nudged his arm with her own and when he looked down at her he received a quizzical look.

"You know her?" Clara asked softly, "Doctor?"

The Doctor ignored her, turning back to stare at Rose climb from the small, makeshift TARDIS the half-human version of himself had surely constructed. She looked up, over the crest of the hill, and her eyes landed on him for a mere half-second. His hearts tightened to the point of pain and a small, wounded noise broke free from his throat.

"I loved her," The Doctor said finally, as Rose looked away to watch his double climb out after her, "I loved her with everything I had. I still do. I will love others," At that Clara slid her hand into his and he smirked, "But she will always hold one of my hearts."

"She's the special one," Clara nodded in understanding, "Aren't you going to say hello?"

"No," The Doctor shook his head, "I couldn't do that to her."

"I'm sure she misses you too," Clara said, as if it was the simplest thing in world, "She'd love to see you."

"Not yet," The Doctor insisted, "Soon."

"Do you think she'll like the bow-tie?" Clara asked, "You told me once that you change your face sometimes."

The Doctor nodded down at the two of them, holding hands and laughing as they tore across the grass, "That is what I used to be. Who I used to be. Before I looked twelve and wore a bow-tie." He smiled again, "I didn't get her, but he did and she got me. She'll always have me. The version of me she loves."

"That just proves that you love her," Clara whispered, "The fact that you won't step in and ruin her happiness. You love her enough to let her love him."

"Yes, I suppose that's true."