A/N: Last chapter! These really fly by. This is probably unnecessarily long, but hey, you guys know I get carried away a lot with these two. Much, much love to all of you amazing viewers! You guys are the best motivation and keep me sane through the madness that comes with these stories. XD

Hope you enjoy the cameo! I loved writing it ;)

Chapter 8: Déjà Vu

"TEN MINUTES 'TIL THE LIGHTING!"

Rose inwardly groaned at the sound of a loud voice hollering from outside followed by which, to be honest, was expected considering the lighting of the tree was on its final countdown. And what also wasn't a surprise was that she and the Doctor were probably going to miss it. Again.

Repeat of last year. Sort of.

Last year when they headed out to witness the lighting of the tree ceremony, they were both internally fighting with themselves and how they would finally admit their true feelings to each other. Looking back on how incredibly nerve racking their anxiety was back then was a little hysterical now, and how pointless and blind they had been to not open up to each other sooner. But while the entire planet was outside singing along to jolly traditional Christmas tunes and admiring the magnificence of the centerpiece, the two of them swerved through the crowds to head back to the lodge to release what has been building up inside of them for two years.

She couldn't help but smile at the memory, just like every other time it came to her; both of them standing by the fireplace in the den in their Christmas jumpers—the Doctor in his red Santa one and hers the green elf—opening up more than they ever had at the time, revealing what they each felt about the other amongst other things. And then their first real kiss, not counting the small chaste ones they've shared along with that one back at New New York when her head was corrupted by a bitchy trampoline. It was all them as they were, beneath a magical mistletoe as their passion was shown.

Of course it didn't go as far as they had just now.

Rose knew that the Doctor had been holding back on letting himself go as he was afraid of how their relationship would escalate to what it's become now, but when he admitted not too long ago that he had wanted to make love to her in their guest room in the lodge last year, she couldn't help but humor him. At least he had no reason to hold back anymore. Granted, he's told her time and time again that he was still scared for what the future held for the both of them, but they were taking it easy with each day that goes by. And they would be brilliant.

Another call from outside informing the crowd of how much longer until the tree lighting phased her, but instead of making it a concern to her Rose snuggled into the warmth of the covers and her husband's arms. She thought it was cheeky how the Doctor was able to book them the exact same room in the lodge they occupied the last time they came to Noel, completed with the same treatments—including the requested extra bags of instant hot maxa-chocolate.

She still stressed it was borderline addiction, but she prayed it wasn't. The Doctor had enough hyperactivity, and so much caffeine would only make him bounce off the walls. More than usual, that is. But one thing she'll take away with her from this trip was when they both had some of Jack's hypervodka which contained what he said was 'a little extra spice'. Apparently it was ginger, as the Doctor proclaimed, and it had quite an effect on him. They chose not to drink a whole lot of it, but it seemed that even Time Lords were susceptible to that spice.

Rose grinned wickedly at the thought.

From behind her she heard the Doctor let out a deep breath, his tongue smacking the roof of his mouth as he nuzzled the back of her neck. He placed a gentle kiss there. It may have seemed like a sign that he was awake, but she could feel he wasn't. As much as she wanted nothing more than to stay in his arms the next call for the tree lighting was for five minutes, and she wanted to have a peek at it. One of his arms was slung around her like a safety belt, holding her close to his front. Quite the cuddler he was, and she adored it.

Just as she lowered the covers with full intentions to gently remove herself from his embrace she heard him murmuring something in Gallifreyan, a phrase she already knew the meaning of. Smiling warmly she nudged his mind faintly so not to disturb him from his sleep. After that blasted Titanic incident he was so tuckered out, and their usual bouts of intimacy added to it. Somewhat. He needed more rest, and she would let him do so.

Wrapping her fingers around his wrist Rose gently eased the Doctor's arm off of her waist, carefully untangling their limbs as she raised herself to a seated position. She looked over her shoulder to find that usual gorgeous view, and it was always a pleasant sight in the mornings. Swinging her legs to the side of the bed she stood to her feet. The cold air immediately hit her and caused her to have gooseflesh, intensifying from being in the buff. Bending over to the small pile of discarded clothes she fetched her knickers and the Doctor's Oxford—since they were the closest pieces to her—and quietly dressed before slipping out of the room.

Hugging his shirt to her body she went to the small bar and fixed herself a cup of the hot chocolate. Good thing the Doctor requested for extras, otherwise they would have run out what with him and his constant love for it. Still with the mug in her hands she walked over to the window placed in between the large Christmas tree that stood in the far right corner with beautiful red and gold decorations and the grated fireplace that gave the room a bright orange and yellow glow.

She took another sip from her mug as she peered outside to take in Holly Square, the tree centerpiece in the distance not yet lit. The crowd was larger as they flooded the snowy pathways and narrow cobblestone roads, already cheering and singing along to various songs as they waited for the final countdown.

It was then she felt a familiar pair of hands rest on her hips before slipping around her waist from behind that caught her attention. She kept her eyes forward and smiled. The Doctor was never was one to sleep in…unless she was beside him. At least until he would toss her out of bed for his own amusement. He had dressed himself, seemingly recovered his blue trousers but was still shirtless, foregoing his jacket.

"Heard me get up, did you?" she asked.

"Yes, but that's not why I'm awake," the Doctor told her, his voice gravelly from sleeping.

"You're never usually one to sleep in. You sure it had nothing to do with our wedding present?" she said with a teasing grin.

He sniffed. "Nah, definitely not."

Rose leaned into him. "That so? You seemed to have quite the reaction to the stuff earlier."

"Only because I wasn't expecting to taste ginger, that was all."

"As long as it's not poisonous. Too much to handle for ya?" she teased.

He scoffed. "Of course not. When it comes to such activities that's not something I'd excessively do."

"That so?"

"Yep. Now humans on the other hand, is another matter."

Rose craned her neck to look at him. "Care to explain?"

"All my years travelling I've noticed how a lot of humans tend to resort to alcohol as a relaxant, but it can become more than that. When alcohol is consumed you absorb a chemical called ethanol, which works into the brain and slows it down. The things you normally do—speaking clearly, being alert of your surroundings, reacting to certain things, you know, simple things like that—become affected, especially if you've had a specific amount. That's why many start to have those common side effects like slurred speeches, making impaired decisions, blackouts…"

Rose raised her brows. "Right."

"Mind you, those aren't as bad as the side effects the Ubbulorbs on Grasamon could have - now if they were to become highly intoxicated their ears fall off. Well, they could grow back, but it's very painful. That's why they have certain limits."

Only the Doctor could carry such random conversations.

"Doctor, are you drunk?"

"Didn't I just answer that? Of course I'm not."

"Have you ever been drunk?"

He hesitated for a second. "That's hardly relevant."

Rose smiled. "So that's a yes, then."

"I know what you're doing, Rose."

"Really? What am I doing exactly?"

"You're diverting the subject onto me, and you're not really being subtle."

"Can you even get drunk?"

"Weeell, I could but I can't. I'm susceptible to the effects of alcohol just like humans but my metabolism can just brush them off." He leaned forward and waggled his eyebrows. "Superior Time Lord physiology."

Rose nudged his face with her forehead. "So you have no control over it, then."

"Of course I have control," he told. "It's my body and I can control all of its senses and actions."

"Don't I know that," she said in a low voice, that she swore made him growl.

"Oh, yes. But…to get back on topic…that's not the reason why I'm awake."

"Then why are you up?"

"Well, it appears that someone has stolen my shirt again, and I'm cold."

"You didn't seem to be using it," she said with a chuckle. "And that's a poor excuse. You've got a lower body temperature. Not to mention we've got methods of warming ourselves up," she added with a grin.

The Doctor growled and nuzzled her temple. "Fair enough. You got me there. But not only have you stolen my shirt, but you've taken my hot chocolate."

"Have to get some before you drink it all, don't I?" she snorted. "You're gonna gulp down the entire planet's supply if you're not careful."

"I hardly think so," he said. "The supply for hot chocolate, or any other items for that matter, are an abundance. Enough to last for decades. Centuries, even. And for one person to consume such a quantity would have quite the sweet tooth. Far too sweet. Could get the worst cavities. Now that, Rose Tyler, is a poor excuse."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Whatever you say, love." She took another sip from her mug before setting it on the fireplace mantle and rested her hands over his, threading their fingers together as they both gazed out the window as the countdown continued. "'S beautiful."

"That it is," the Doctor agreed, resting his chin on top of her head. "But there's still about…less than forty-one seconds 'til the tree lighting."

"And this time we won't miss it," Rose said.

"Nope. Unless, of course, you pull off another stunt at distracting us again."

She gently elbowed him. "Oi, keep that up and you won't get your shirt back."

He hummed as his fingers peeked under the shirt tails, making her shiver when he traced circles on her stomach, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "I have my ways of persuasion, you know."

"Libidinous old man," Rose commented, turning around in his arms and looping hers around his neck to give him a lingering kiss.

He hummed and licked his lips when she pulled away. "Mmm. Chocolate flavored Rose. Not a bad combination," he said with a sly grin.

She shook her head and placed her hands over both of his hearts. Staring into his eyes she could still see the faint traces of solemnity that's been lingering for the past couple days since reuniting after the Year That Never Was, but it was subsiding. He was the Doctor, and that's what he did—dwell on everything until it went away. And that's what they would do. Each day that passed them by they were going to be brilliant and laugh until the pain was gone. However long it would take didn't matter as long as they went through it together.

"Blimey, talk about thinking too loud," the Doctor said, bringing Rose out of her thoughts.

She shrugged. "What can I say? You're rubbing off on me."

He made a happy sound. "Not the first time you've said that."

A few seconds later the crowd cheered at the tops of their lungs. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

At that time the towering trees began to light up, its vivid hues pouring over the townspeople along with the golden beams cascading from the massive star at the peak, shining proud and bright. The Doctor and Rose turned back to the scene outside when the choruses of Christmas songs began as the residents and visitors sang along, happily celebrating the holiday.

Rose craned her neck to look up at her husband, smiling when she saw his eyes twinkling along with the lights of the town. The smile mirrored on his own face. Maneuvering to give her another kiss, he was perplexed when she placed her hands on his chest to stop him.

"Wait," she said.

In a flash she ran over to the couch to search though the bag she had brought. The Doctor watched from where he stood until she came back over to him with her hands behind her back.

"What're you doing?" he asked.

Her signature tongue-in-teeth grin made an appearance as she enough her hands around to her front. He laughed when he saw the item in her hands - the magical mistletoe she required on their last trip.

"It's part of the tradition, yeah?" Rose said warmly.

He eyed the familiar item and gave her a lopsided grin. "Oh, yes."

Recreating the scene from last year he gently placed his palm over the mistletoe held out in her hand, activating it as the golden glow shone between their fingers and the warm sensation radiated off of it, tingling through them the reflections of their unattainable love. Once it shook the Doctor removed his hand, then it ascended to hang above their heads between them, and they watched its path before meeting each other's gaze. Not even hesitating they both leaned in for another passionate kiss, amplifying everything through their bond.

"Merry Christmas, Doctor," she said softly, smiling into the kiss.

"Merry Christmas, Rose."

Déjà vu at its finest, with just a little more drive. Not a bad feeling at all.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You already have the thirty-five snow globes," Rose groaned as she and the Doctor stood outside of the gift shop. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet like an impatient kid.

"What's wrong with adding others to my collection?" he said with a frown. "There's eight that I haven't come across."

"And you wanna hoard them with the rest."

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Rose, it is not hoarding, it's collecting. Just…pragmatic accumulating."

Rose snorted and shook her head. She's said it before, and she'll continue to say it for the rest of their long lives; no matter how old the Doctor was, he would always be a five year old inside.

"How do you even know if they're new?" she asked. "You could be getting duplicates."

He shook his head. "I never get the same thing twice."

Rose arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. "Seriously? What about all of those bags of hot maxa-chocolate?"

"Well…"

"And all of those candles you told me about?"

"Ah, well—"

"And what about those many copies of Monty Python in the TARDIS library?"

"Those are different editions," he clarified. "Some from your future, mind you. Completely different." He sniffed. "Even though they're reprints. Okay, maybe I do when it comes to certain things. But, I assure you, there's eight snowglobes in here there I've yet to come across, and they would work well with the others."

Rose patted his arm. "Okay, go 'head. But don't wipe out the whole shop. There's others wandering about that might want some of them."

"The crafters of Noel are some of the most hardworking on this side of the galaxy, Rose, remember? They're nonstop when it comes to keeping the tourists satisfied."

"Then they'll have to always work at supersonic speed with you around," she teased.

"Good for business, though," he said with a smile. "Sure you don't wanna join me? You could pick up some more knick-knacks. Or candles. Or candy, or—"

"'S okay," Rose said, waving her hand. "'M just gonna wait out here. You won't be long…I hope."

The Doctor nodded. "Alright, just don't wander off."

She blinked once and arched an eyebrow. "Really, Doctor?"

"I know, I know, nothing bad ever happens in Noel, but…anything's possible with you."

Rose scoffed. "Don't you mean us?"

"Yep," he said, popping the 'p' and throwing her a wink before giving her a quick peck on the lips.

He entered the shop, heading straight for the shelves holding the snowglobes, looking like a kid on Christmas—which was an appropriate expression for him in a place like this. Rose couldn't help but smile warmly at her husband being in such a good mood as of lately. He deserved it, both of them did. She wouldn't mind if they were to stick around here for a little longer, just like last time.

A loud crashing sound in the distance caused her head to whip around in its direction. She glanced at the Doctor in the shop, seeing that the disturbance hadn't got his attention as he was browsing around for the snowglobes, shaking a few of them and grinning like a loon. Letting her curiosity get the best of her, Rose began to walk in the direction of the crash.

Walking along the cobblestone pavement Rose headed down the snowy pathways leading to the forest. Whatever the crash was came from around this area, and she was intrigued to know if she would stumble upon something interesting. This was a place known for miracles, she knew that for a fact, but what if something alien had crashed here? She hoped it wasn't anything to cause a riot and send everyone running away panicking. She wasn't really keen on having their newer Christmas tradition merge with their old one, not when they were in the mood for some peace.

Couldn't they catch a break for once?

Passing the trees of red and green with the striped candy cane barks she ignored the slight shiver that shot down her spine. Probably was just from the small breeze that nipped at her. She hoped. Maneuvering around another tree Rose scanned the area when she heard some kind of noise like…creaking? That was odd. She recalled when she and the Doctor had encountered a reindeer around these parts last year, but she had a feeling it wasn't one of those again.

Rose froze when she saw something strange up ahead. It wasn't a creature of any kind, but rather a man with a wooden barrel stuck on his body, covering his head and torso as he stumbled around on his brown tweed plaid trousers mumbling to himself. She furrowed her brows while at the same time refrained from smiling at the man's antics. Maybe that had been the crash she heard?

"You okay, mate?" she asked, carefully approaching the man.

His words were muffled as he came to a stop, turning his body around as if he were trying to figure out what direction she was coming from.

"Uh, just stay still," she told him, placing her hands on either side of him to attempt to lift the barrel off of him. "Now…hold on a mo'."

Straining as she tried to haul the barrel off of the man it took a few moments until he was able to squeeze out of the object. Both of them fell backwards into the snow, Rose still gripping the barrel in her hands as it rested on her chest.

"Tight squeeze," she heard the man say with a Scottish accent. "Perhaps that'll be a lesson for me to never try skiing down a slope without skis. Thank you, good dear."

"No problem," she ground out as she rolled the barrel off of her.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience," the man said as he came to stand over her.

"No, it was no trouble," Rose said, blinking away the spots before her eyes as she took the man's hand held out for her. As she made it to her feet she was about to make a silly comment until she realized who the man was. "Doctor…"

A pleasant smile came across his face. "Yes, that's me."

Sure enough it was another past incarnation of her husband—his seventh; the short bumbling albeit serious man with black hair, donning a yellow pullover adorned with red question marks and bluish green zigzag patterns underneath his off-white safari-styled jacket and red paisley scarf.

Rose blinked a few times. Yet another encounter she wasn't expecting. This really was becoming quite the occurrence.

"You've heard of me, I see," Seven said, still smiling.

She returned the grin. "Oh, I've heard some amazing stories."

"Not surprising." He opened his mouth to say something else, only to frown and look around. "Ah, there we go."

He walked over to the side where his white Panama hat and umbrella with the red question mark-shaped handle lay. With one foot he positioned it beneath the tube before expertly kicking it up in the air. He grabbed it, tossed it to hold the handle while at the same time placing the tip of his foot inside of his hat, kicking it up as well and turning it over before placing it on his head.

"Always have to make sure I keep up with my irreproachable sense of couture," he preened, rolling his r's as he straightened his tie.

Rose still smiled at him. Every one of the Doctor's regenerations were unique in their own ways, each with their own idiosyncratic styles.

"Have to look your best when saving the world, right?" she said.

"Exactly," Seven chuckled before narrowing his eyes, studying her as he walked up to her. "Excuse me, but is there a possibility we've met?"

"I should think so," Rose said.

"I rather think so, too. You seem…familiar. Perhaps we've crossed paths once or twice before." He came closer and stared deeply into her eyes, his hand coming up to his chin. He hummed, almost deep in thought. "Something about you…I can't quite put my finger on it…you're absolutely sure that we've met, yes?"

"Not yet, but yes, we've met," she told him genuinely.

Seven backed up, an intrigued look on his face. "Interesting. That seems to be an occurrence of mine, running into the right people at the wrong times. Though you seem like someone I would never forget."

"I can say the same for you, Doctor," she said, the smile never leaving her face. Interacting with her husband's past selves was always amusing. "You know, you're a real legend in my eyes. Brilliant, you are."

"Yes, so I've been told," he said. "Running across the galaxies, saving planets, it's what I do. Speaking of which…who are you? Humans are hardly visitors on Noel unless they came from the other other side of the Sembluon galaxy in the 42nd century. And, by my understandings, you aren't from there, I'd imagine."

"No, I'm from Earth. Came all this way for the tree lighting, and especially the hot chocolate."

"That's understandable," Seven said pleasantly. "This planet has the best hot chocolate known to man…and alien. It's no surprise that people come from all over just to taste that chocolatey richness. Something so rich could have men die for it. Or not. Best not for this planet. Excuse me, but what was your name?"

"Rose," she answered. "Rose Tyler."

"Rose…Rose Tyler," he repeated slowly, drawling it with a roll of his tongue. "A name like that has some familiarity to it indeed." He threw a charming grin. "And with a smile like that I'm certain I should recognize it anywhere."

She ducked her head a bit. Always had that charm. "You're pretty easy to find too, Doctor. Usually you and your blue box give it away, but even without it you're still able to be found."

Seven nodded. "Yes, I've found that to be true as well."

"Roooooose!"

As if on cue the sound of her Doctor's voice was getting louder as he was coming closer. She turned in the direction of his voice, keeping herself sealed off through their bond. She enjoyed surprising her husband's past selves with their connection, but she had a feeling he was about to worry about yet another paradoxical situation.

"Is that your gentleman?" Seven asked.

"Yeah, that's him." She turned back to him. "He's a fan of yours too, y'know."

"Really? Then I'd like to meet him."

Rose inwardly snorted at that as her Doctor was coming into view, carrying a bag filled to the brim with snowglobes. "You bought the whole shop again, didn't you?" she asked him.

"Of course not," he said, then cocked his head to the side. "Well, not at least, but I did get the rest of the snowglobes. Turns out there were more than eight-" he stopped himself when he saw…himself. "Oh, hello," he said in his friendly tone. "If it isn't the Doctor."

Seven nodded and tipped his hat to him. "Good day, sir."

"Good day to you…Doctor," her Doctor said, coming to stand beside Rose. "Enjoying the festivities?"

"Oh, yes. That was until I made a mishap and decided to ski down a slope without skis. Ended up caught in a barrel, like a pickle," he added, pointing to said barrel with his umbrella.

The Doctor chuckled, smiling at his former self. "Well, that's very you, isn't it? Look at you! I mean, a giant gap in the universe could swallow us up in a matter of minutes," he mumbled to himself before saying louder, "But look at you! With the Scottish accent and the paisley, the hat, the safari-Panama look, the umbrella, the question marks…the whole lot of the question marks…" he faltered a little. "Mind you, not many people can carry off those. At least that much. Very fashionable to seem more mysterious than usual."

Rose elbowed his side. "Rude," she muttered. "Be nice."

"Can't help it," he shrugged.

"There's something oddly familiar about you as well," Seven commented, coming up to him. "You have quite the gob, much like myself."

"Got that from you," the Doctor said with wide smile. "Brilliant, old you. A bunch of your mannerisms, in fact. Although I'm not quite sure about certain skills like how to play with spoons. Oh! You've still got them on you. Bring 'em out, and give us a beat!"

Seven studied him, considering the request but instead said, "Wait a minute…are you one of those members from LINDA? I don't associate myself with any of them." He turned to Rose. "You don't seem like one of those nuisances, though, Rose. You're far too kind to be a member of a cult. And none of it seems like an act. It's all genuine. That's something I wouldn't forget in the least." He smiled before taking her hand and placing a kiss to the back of it, making her giggle.

The Doctor rolled his eyes. Once again his wife was flirting with one of his past incarnations. The prevalence of running into his old bodies was becoming very common. Why was that? Wrapping his free arm around her waist, he held her closer to him.

"Neither of us are part of a cult, but we're real fans, though. And that's my Rose," he said, patting her hip. "Always the more kind one. And the one who flirts way too much with other men," he murmured.

"Oi!" Rose cried, swatting his arm. "I'm only being nice!"

"Maybe a little too nice," he teased.

She smacked his arm again. "Rude and not ginger," she said through their bond.

Seven's head popped up, his eyes boggled as his lips moved with no words coming out.

"Oh, there it goes, the mind-blowing shock!" the Doctor exclaimed, turning to Rose. "I think that's the best one yet."

"Dunno, all of them are pretty amusing," she told him.

"True."

"B-but that's…" the other Doctor stammered, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Impossible?" the Doctor supplied, still grinning as his voice softened. "You love the impossible, though. And this woman right here…one day you're gonna love her."

Seven blinked once. "You're me…"

"Yep," he said, popping the 'p'. "Well, you will be in the future."

The other Doctor turned to Rose. "You're a human…"

"Yep," she said.

"And…we've…we've bonded?"

"Oh, yes," her Doctor said happily. "She's gonna mean so much to you one day. From the very first time you meet her, you'll know right off the bat that she's special."

As Seven was a little more than awestruck by the revelation that Rose would become his future wife, he did manage to respond with a smile. "I believe I already knew that already. How did you do it, Rose?"

She shrugged. "It's what I'm good at."

He chuckled. "I should think so. I understand a great many of things, some better than others, but I'm guessing that I may never understand how you've grown on me like you have in the future."

The Doctor made a happy sound. "Trust me, you never will."

Seven nodded. "I suppose I'll have to suppress all of this then. Can't risk a paradox." He reached for one of Rose's hands, patting his opposite over hers. "If meeting you has been a pleasure already, then I look forward to meeting you again, Miss Tyler."

"I know you will." Rose smiled and kissed his cheek. "I know you won't remember any of this, but hold onto that, ya hear me? Know that everything will be okay, and we'll be brilliant together."

"I certainly will try," he said, his eyes twinkling. "And you, Doctor. I will look forward to the day I become you; a man with much luck to find a lady as…convincing as this lovely Rose is."

"Yeah," the Doctor nodded, brushing his thumb over Rose's lower ribs. "So, uh, what have you been up to lately? Just been wandering around on your own?"

He sighed. "Yes, I am. But that's alright, nothing wrong with a little downtime. And what a better place to do that than right here. I've been meaning to go on holiday for quite some time now, and Noel is a nice getaway."

"And you can always got to the little shops and get that hot chocolate," Rose added, still smiling.

"Of course!" Seven chirped.

"Not much has changed," she said, looking up at her Doctor, who winked at her. Always the same man.

"Well, then, I must be off," the other Doctor said. "Can't put the universe in any more peril."

"Definitely not," the Doctor agreed.

"Wait," Rose said, nudging her Doctor in the ribs and nodding at Seven. "Before you go…can you play us something with the spoons?"

An amused look crossed Seven's face. "I haven't done that in a long time," he admitted. "I may be a little rusty."

"Come on," she urged. "Just a little something for old time's sake."

The younger Doctor grinned as he switched his umbrella to his other hand to dig into his pockets. He pulled out two sliver spoons, sticking them together as he walked over hand Rose his umbrella. Propping his foot up on the barrel and bending his knee he raised his brows at them before tapping the spoons against his leg, deftly creating a tune alternating from beating against his leg to his forearm and his fingers.

The Doctor and Rose watched with wide grins. She knew he was unpredictable when with his wide range of abilities, able to deploy a repertoire of tricks that he kept up his sleeve, and witnessing one of his younger selves perform one of them was entertaining for sure.

"Still got it," the Doctor praised when Seven stopped and bowed his head.

"Brilliant!" Rose cheered, handing over the umbrella. "A man of many skills."

"Not the first time I've heard that, too," Seven said with a chuckle, pocketing his spoons. He smiled and tipped his hat to both of them. "Merry Christmas to you both."

"Merry Christmas, Doctor," they said in unison.

And with that, they parted ways and followed the trail through the forest back to the cobblestone pavements. Rose looped her arm through the Doctor's. "That explains why the TARDIS was a bit queasy, then."

"Should've known that would happen," he said. "It's becoming too frequent."

"I've noticed something else. So far the only past lives of yours we've encountered have been odd numbers; your third, fifth, and seventh."

The Doctor lifted his head up thoughtfully. "So, they are. Good observation."

"That one's a little clumsy," Rose said with a teasing grin.

"Yes, I remember. I had many a talents with that body, but I also seemed the most…butterfingered."

She chuckled. "Still brilliant though. And he's enjoying himself right now, about to grab some mugs of hot chocolate." She felt him tense up a little and rubbed his arm. "You alright?"

"'Course I am," he said right away. He was silent before saying with a hollow voice. "Little does he know of what'll be in store for him soon."

"Don't dwell on that, Doctor. He's still got one other body to go through before that."

"Yeah, but that'll be coming soon for him. Dealing with the Master…and his regeneration was…one of the most unfortunate and painful."

Rose bit her lip, recalling the faint vision of what that incarnation of the Doctor went through during his change. Yet another reason why hospitals made him uneasy. She continued to rub his arm soothingly. "But he makes it through everything. He may not know the disaster that'll come to him, but he'll remember to keep holding on. Like always."

The Doctor smiled softly before placing a kiss to her temple as they continued to walk. After a moment he felt the new memories coming to him, as his younger self had suppressed them. He recalled the warm feelings he got when he encountered Rose, and it was much like the first time he saw her. Okay, maybe not exactly, it was multiplied on that day. But it was enough to reassure him.

"Doctor?" Rose said, bringing him back.

"Hm?"

"Are you finally about to admit that you were a little jealous of your past self again?"

"Of course not," he scoffed. "Wait, again? You're assuming it happened the other times, too."

"Oh, please," she laughed. "Just admit it."

The Doctor sniffed. "Okay, yes, my past selves are brilliant in their own senses, and…are not hesitant to flirt with you…but I'm definitely not jealous."

Rose rested her head on his arm. "So possessive."

He looked down at her, smiling. "Oh, yes."

They may have a road of healing to go through, but they would be okay. Just like Rose had said: their wounds may be fresh, and would be there for some time, but as long as they were going through it together, they would be fine. Always.

End…for now.

To be continued in Chasing the Starlight (Series 4 rewrite)

Now the road to healing…which may be a little rough at times.

In case anyone was curious, in the first story of this series—An Unexpected Christmas Miracle—I mentioned that the Doctor had last arrived at Planet Noel in his seventh regeneration, soooo I figured I'd give Seven some love. He's a bit underrated, so I wanted to give him some notice. I have a feeling many would've preferred that it be Eight instead, but I'm not as familiar with him yet.

Oh, cameos :) As I said in the first chapter's author's note, I plan on including other past Doctor cameos in my stories, whether it be one shots related to this series or part of CTS. They'd take some time for me to get familiar with the characters, but cameos are fun to write so I'm open to trying more out. Any suggestions?

And that ends this next installment. Be ready for CTS, which I'll start posting in a matter of days. Most likely on Wednesday or Thursday. I like to be ahead of myself, and already began it. So be sure to check it out when it's up.

;)