They ate dinner in her flat, fish and chips (as anyone who knew them might expect). They talked about their lives and all the time that had passed since they last met. There was so much that they needed to share, and he wondered how much time he had with her. Would she come back with him? If she did, would she stay? He hoped that she would come to stay. The thought of parting with her now was to much pain to bare.

In the past he always wrestled about what to do and how to act when it came to Rose. His feelings for her were unlike any he had had for any companion before her. He always loved them. They were his friends, his family. But she...she was something else all-together. While she had been his very best mate, the object of his adoration, the Shiver to his Shake- she was also the only person he had let down all his guards with. He never let anyone as close as he let Rose. She got deep under his skin, sometimes almost unnervingly so. Not because he didn't like her being close, but it scared him. That fear was all based in losing her. He had already done that twice, and wasn't setting out to do it again. In fact, he would do everything in his power to prevent it.

Late that evening he moved the TARDIS to the inside of her flat, alongside the Oldenburg copy. Thankfully her spare power cells had had enough power to make the short hop.(And the fact that Rose had asked her ever so nicely to "pretty please" make the trip likely had a lot to do with it.) Night rolled around and he had no intention of leaving. If the long, tedious year that he had spent living with the Ponds had taught him, it was that he could wait out a few days of domestics if it meant having Rose return to him. If he could wait for those blasted little cubes, he could sure as hell wait for Rose.

"Um, well, you're welcome to stay, if you like," Rose offered, almost sounding nervous. "There's a guest room...or...my room...if you want…"

Her voice trailed off as she fidgeted, motioning at nothing in particular. They made eye contact and both blushed, smiling at each other. He cleared his throat and broke the silence.

"Wherever you'll be, that my choice Rose Tyler," he said softly.

She grinned at him, taking a couple of steps toward him and offering him a hand. He took it promptly and gave it a little squeeze. She bit her lip shyly, looking away for a moment, and then peeking back at him from behind her hair.

"I think I'd like to spend the night with you on the TARDIS, actually," she said warmly. He beamed back at her and gave a slow nod.

"Of course, I would be delighted," he said, leaning in and touching his forehead to hers. They stayed like that for a moment, looking at one another. After the moment had passed, he took her hand and led her toward the TARDIS.

They made their way through the console room and down the corridor toward his personal quarters. This was the room that he never allowed anyone to enter. Not even River had spent the night here. No else had ever slept in that bed, except Rose. He had wanted to keep it that way. So many times he recounted the nights she had spent coaxing his body out of a horrible fever, spending every moment tending to his every need until he was well again. That had been in his ninth form when he was bitten by Darjinian Boiling Beetles. And she had repeated the whole thing when he was in his tenth form and caught the Mangari flu on Xeenox 17. In both instances, Rose had spent the night with him in his bed. Granted it had all been very innocent then, but they did share a cuddle both times (and the subsequent nights after until Rose felt safe leaving him on his own).

When they stopped outside the door, he turned to her, taking her hands into his own, he looked into her eyes while smiling gently. He didn't want to push too hard, but at the same time was desperate to reconnect with her on every level.

"Is this alright? If it's not, I understand," he said, his eyes shining with earnest.

She smiled, reaching a hand up and brushing her thumb over the apple of his cheek. "It's fine for me, but is it really okay for you? I mean...I'm...I'm not...your wife."

When she finally stumbled out the words, they hung there in the air for a moment. The weight of her statement was a blaring bleat of reality, however, he refused to let it deter him. While he felt a pang of loss, remorse, and regret for what had once been, he was consumed by what could be again. Right here, in this moment, he was faced with Rose Tyler, the love of all his lives. It would never overshadow the love he felt for his wife. That would always remain as so. But this love, the love he had for Rose was its own life, its own being. And he was thrust full into it once again. It was like plunging into a cold swimming pool after too much time in the Jacuzzi.

"And I'm not your husband...yet," he said, the last bit with a little wink and smirk.

She giggled a bit, flashing him her signature tongue touched grin. "Sound awfully confident," she chided, playfully but gently poking at his tummy.

"Part of the new package, Tyler. Get used to it. Confidence is cool," he sniffed, giving her his best cool guy smirk. She broke down in all out giggles then. He couldn't help but laugh with her.

"But Rose, to answer your question, yes, it's more than alright. To be honest, no one has accompanied me in here since...well since you."

She relaxed a little then, smiling shyly. "Well okay then, on we go," she said, nodding toward the door. He nodded in return and opened it to let them in.

When they entered, they saw that the TARDIS had intuitively deduced the outcome of the evening and had provided what they needed to ready themselves for the night. Two sets of jimjams laid neatly folded at the foot of the bed, his and hers respectively. Also in his ensuite was a toothbrush and necessary toiletries for Rose. It seems the ship had already made up her mind about a certain someone staying. They both readied for bed, her dressing in the privacy of the en suite. He left his vest top on in lieu of the jimjam top, neatly folding it and setting it aside.

Rose emerged a short time later in her pale pink tank and short set, looking all freshly scrubbed. He liked seeing her dressed down like this. It all felt so natural, so intimate. They silently climbed into bed, the lights dimming as they slipped beneath the covers. With very few words, they found themselves comfortable with him spooning her from behind and an arm tightened around her waist as he pulled her to him. He placed a soft kiss on the back of her neck as they murmured their goodnights. For the first time in quite a long time, he fell into a deep, restful sleep.

Several hours passed while they slept snuggled close together. He usually didn't sleep this long, but he found himself unusually drowsy, and far too comfortable to move. In the past when they had laid together like this, he had always woken first and vacated the room before she stirred. Something about the closeness unnerved him. Not because he didn't like it. On the contrary, he liked it very much. Too much, he had feared. So he would distance himself, and avoid the feelings all together. But not now, certainly not now. This time around he would revel in every moment he spent near her, not wasting a single second of it.

They laid facing each other now, having drifted apart slightly in their sleep. Their hands had remained together throughout the night. He gently traced his thumb over the top of her hand as she watched her sleep. She was so beautiful, breathtaking really. How could he have ever walked away from her? He really wasn't sure, but he was certain that he would never do it again. A short while later, she began to stir, squinting at him through sleep ridden eyes.

"What time is it?" she said hoarsely, stretching out and then releasing a little sigh.

He smiled. "It's about 8 o'clock in the morning, London time. You slept a full 8 hours, 13 minutes, 42 seconds. Give or take."

She laughed then. "Just a guess, right?"

He smiled and leaned in to lightly press his lips to hers. "Something like that. So Rose Tyler, what do you say to some breakfast?"

"I'd say I'm dying for a good cuppa about now," she groaned, stretching again.

"Cuppa it is, then. Shall we?" he said with a goofy grin.

Then both got up then (with a bit of grumbling from Rose, as she was not now, nor had ever been a morning person), and went to the galley. They were pleasantly surprised with a piping pot of tea and tray with scones with jam (courtesy of the TARDIS, no doubt). Rose cooed excitedly as she set herself on pouring a cup of tea for them each. The Doctor sat across from her, smiling all the while. This was how things were supposed to be. He and Rose Tyler on the TARDIS, enjoying a cuppa and some delicious scones.

They made friendly chit chat over tea, laughing as the Doctor recounted a story about a time he'd ended up in a Grimian prison for trespassing on sacred lands. He told the story with great enthusiasm, waving his arms and flailing about as he reenacted his stealthy getaway.

"You should have seen me Rose! Dumped an entire bucket of green pain on myself just so that I might blend in as man-shaped flora! But really Grimia is a lovely place if you go the right time of year. You'd love their harvest festival! So many great foods, fireworks, local wares sold in the market, dancing, oh the dancing!" he said brightly, grinning from ear to ear. Just then he noticed that Rose had gone quiet and was no longer laughing.

"Rose?" he inquired gently, eyebrows knitted together in concern. "Is something wrong?"

She had gone a bit pale and her eyes were glassy, as if she was holding back tears. He saw her take a deep breath, shuddering a little as she did. The Doctor moved quickly to take her hands into his, giving them a gentle squeeze.

"Rose, what is it? Please talk to me," he pleaded, thoroughly confused and greatly concerned. Finally she brought her gaze up to meet his.

"Nothin' jus' thinkin' about how you'll...how you'll have to go back eventually," she said, giving a watery laugh that held no mirth. "Guess I should be used to saying goodbye to you by now."

He stared back at her, waves of emotion crashing over him as he watched a tear slip down her cheek. He hated to see her cry. That always pulled at his hearts strings. The Doctor slipped off his chair and knelt on one knee in front of her, cupping her cheeks in his hands, gazing into her eyes.

"Come with me, Rose. Please. I'll beg if I have to…I meant it when I said I wanted you back.. I can't leave you again," he said, his own emotions betraying him this time. The desperation in his voice rang out loud and clear. Her eyes widened.

"Y-you mean it?" she asked, more tears falling now.

He nodded frantically. He wouldn't let her slip away again, not this time. He had waited far too long for this moment, a moment he thought would never come, but had always hoped for.

"Yes. Yes Rose, I want you to come with me. I want...I want us to be together," he said, greatly emphasizing the last word.

She broke out into a thousand watt grin, throwing her arms around his neck and thrusting herself forward at him, landing them in a tangled pile of limbs on the ground. They rolled together a bit, hugging tightly, both laughing.

"That's a yes, I hope," he said, burying his face in her hair, closing his eyes as he inhaled her scent.

She laughed and nodded emphatically. "Yes, yes, a million times yes!" she said, peppering kisses all over his face until her lips met with his. They lingered on the kiss for several moments before the Doctor pulled himself up into a sitting position. He pulled Rose into his lap, holding her close to him. They stayed like that for a long while, reveling in this moment together.

When they finally pulled themselves up off the floor, they were quick to make plans for their departure. The Doctor helped Rose pack up the few boxes of personal effects that she had, and moved them into the TARDIS. It wasn't long before they had cleared the apartment of anything she wanted to take with her. As they worked, the Doctor grew antsy, hopping about like an impatient child being allowed to open his first present at Christmas. Rose couldn't help but laugh, as she found his youthful antics to be greatly endearing.

Rose decided to simply sign away her apartment to her elderly neighbor that she had taken a shine to. She explained to Mrs. Featherstone that she simply wouldn't be needing it any longer and that she was free to do with it as she pleased. The woman was very confused, but accepted Rose's gift, thanking her over and again. Afterall, it was the biggest, most posh apartment in the entire building, and had the very best view. If Mrs. Featherstone didn't take up residence there herself, she would bank a hefty sum from selling or sub-letting it.

Finally, they boarded the TARDIS and prepared to say goodbye to Pete's World once and for all. Rose sat on the jumpseat as she watched the Doctor work his magic with the controls. She was curious how he handled them in this form. His piloting techniques had been different in his previous two forms, each incarnation having his own style about it. She watched him pull a lever she didn't recognize and all of the lights came on inside the ship.

"Oh wow! Just like that," she exclaimed, laughing a bit. "Bit different than the last time I left this world with you!"

The Doctor nodded, smiling. "Well after last time, I made some upgrades when the desktop changed. Installed an ionic energy converter, allowing the TARDIS to take energy cells from within this atmosphere and convert it into a usable fuel source. Figured I'd be prepared in case I ever ended up back here."

She simply smiled and nodded, leaning back against the jumpseat. Then she sat up again, looking alarmed. He looked at her, head cocked to one side as he threw the dematerialization switch.

"Rose? What's wrong?" he asked.

"Well, I was just thinking...how did you end up in Pete's World? I thought it was impossible! I mean, unless the walls of reality were breaking down again," she said, looking worried.

He circled around the console and slipped onto the jumpseat next to her, putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. "Just a chance happening, I suppose. Found a loophole. I'm good at loopholes, me."

She chuckled a little, shaking her head. "Yeah I suppose you are. Always were good at defying the impossible."

He grinned, leaning in to kiss her cheek and nuzzle her neck. She giggled a bit, turning her head to kiss him sweetly on the lips. He could certainly get used to this. Then, quick as a rabbit, he hopped to his feet and approached the console again.

"So where to Rose Tyler? All of time and space is at your feet," he said, giving a little bow.

"Anywhere! Surprise me," she said with a giggle.

"Alright then, a surprise it is! Love a surprise. I'm good at surprises," he said, tweaking his bow tie and wriggling his eyebrows at her.

"By the way, love the bow tie," she commented, nodding to him, flashing him her classic tongue touched grin.

"Bowties are cool," he said with a smirk.

"Bowties are cool," she repeated with a laugh and nod.

"Exactly, Rose Tyler. I knew you had good taste," he joked, giving her a wink.

And so they were together once more, the Doctor and Rose Tyler on the TARDIS, just as it should. All was well and right in the universe. Or so they thought...until the cloister bells began to toll and the TARDIS began to shake violently. They came to a thudding crash, both of them falling to the floor, grasping at whatever they could reach. Finally, once they were able to regain their footing, they both stood, wavering on their feet. A ruckus could be heard going on outside the TARDIS. They looked at each other questioningly, each shrugging. He extended his hand to her, grinning broadly.

"Shall we?" he asked as she took his hand. She smiled and nodded firmly.

"Let's," she said, matching his grin.

"Geronimo!"

xxx

So there's my version of Eleven and Rose reuniting and living happily ever after. I thought about doing more with this, as it has the potential for further installments, but wasn't sure. Tell me what you think? Thanks for reading!