Hello guys I'm back! Didn't keep you waiting for too long this time, eh? Anyways, again thank you to anyone who reviewed/favourited/alerted! But keep reviewing! :)

And here it is... I am planning to turn this into a longer story but, as always, I'd like your opinions! If you think the story was perfect as it was last chapter and should end there, please say! Same for if you think it should carry on!

btw when there is a long line across the story it means its changed perspective to the other doctor! and when there is another line it changes back! hoipe its not too confusing but you can probably work it out...

"Are you sure?" River looked at the Doctor. Despite his obvious sadness he still managed to look at her disapprovingly.

"Or what? We can't stay here for much longer or the TARDIS will die – permanently. The quantum lock shields are already at their highest exposure, and I'm not sure how much longer they can hold out..." the Doctor rambled on. A tear pricked River's eyes. It was so blatantly obvious he was hiding behind his was his automatic response to anything that might lead to talking about his emotions.

"Rose," the Doctor nodded at her, a large lump in his throat. Rule 6. A clean break was best. He wasn't one for goodbyes.

"You're not getting away that easily, mister. C'mere," Rose smiled sadly, and her voice lacked any real playfulness.

The Doctor stopped, and turned slowly. River could practically hear the cogs working in his mind. She bit back a response to Rose's slightly bossy tone and gave him a nudge. "It's alright," she whispered. She couldn't deny him this last farewell.

The Doctor's ancient eyes were hooded and full of sadness. On one last impulse, he turned around and ran to Rose, sweeping her off her feet in a hug that said more than words ever could. He buried his face in her hoodie and she took in his wonderful scent – it always stayed the same, regardless of regeneration. When they broke apart, both pairs of eyes were full of tears.

"You said I'd never see you again," Rose choked out. The Doctor looked at her affectionately and shook his head.

"I know. I was wrong. But I'm not going to be wrong again. This is it,"

"The last time," Rose smiled a little, a shadow of the smile the Doctor loved with her tongue poking out from between her teeth.

"You've still got me," the Doctor pointed out. "I gave you the best thing I could. A normal life. Now its time for you to live it,"

"And you've got River," Rose looked slightly sad. "Promise me one thing."

"Anything, Rose Tyler," the Doctor looked serious.

"Be happy,"

"I will," the Doctor said. And for the first time in his life, he wasn't lying. "So I guess that means I can ask you to promise something in return,"

"Always, Doctor," A tear slid down Rose's cheek, just making her look more beautiful. This was the way the Doctor wanted to remember her.

"Forget me. You've got him now, and you need to make the most of it. Like I've said to someone before, you've got to stop waiting. Let go of me. Sometimes the thing you most want is there along."

The Doctor turned away, and after brushing his lips against hers in an airfelt touch, he rushed over to the TARDIS. "Don't forget this!" he called and threw out something which the other Doctor caught.A smile graced his lips fleetingly. A few seconds later the street was filled with the familiar sound Rose knew so well.

Rose felt another hand take her own, and her blurry vision wandered to her Doctor next to her.

"We'll get through together," the Doctor promised, his eyes dark. Rose just nodded. He decided he needed to cheer her up a bit.

"Still up for a spot of travelling?" the Doctor asked Rose. She tore her gaze away from the sky and looked at him quizzically.

"TARDIS. Grow your own. Not as good as the real thing... But only if you want to. If it reminds you too much of – him, I understand." The Doctor took out the object his other self had thrown at him earlier.

Rose blinked at him slowly, searching his face. Then her face lit up in a heart warming grin.

For a few moments, the Doctor stood frozen against the console. He could have been a statue since not even the rising and falling of his chest was visible. River walked up to him slowly, giving him time to know she was coming. She wrapped her arms around him comfortingly.

"It's O.K to cry sometimes, sweetie," she whispered gently. He looked at her, and for a momnet his fcae was filled with raw pain, and then his usual masks were up again.

"Crying? Who's crying?" he brushed off and danced to the other side of the console, pressing unneccessary levers. His face peeked out from behind the pillars and his face was full of his usual fake enthusiasm again. River couldn't tell how much of it was real. That was why he always needed friends around him. He needed someone to pretend for, or he's just fall apart at the seams. River knew he couldn't be completely fixed, but she would do her best. The only problam was, the Doctor didn't let himself be helped. She sighed in defeat and put on a smiled for him.

Yes I know it was very short but its more of a filler chapter! Please say if you wnat me to post the rest of this story I had in mind because this could be an ending.

And which characters would you want to come back? Yes, I was thinking of you Jack but that doesn't mean I want to kiss you now. Ow! Donna, you don't have to shout that loudly! Ooh, another redhead slapping my other cheek. O.K, O.K. Keep calm. Theres an angry Roman with a sword... Actually forget keeping calm! Back in a sec, just got to run away for a bit!

Phew! Right, as I was saying before i got so rudely interrupted, who would you like to return! And don't worry you can speak your mind, lucky things. They don't know where you live!

Thedoctorandriver

Xx : )

ps... see that button down there? the one that says REVIEW on it? click it? you know you want to... come one, just a teensy tiny review? please? yes, i am begging and proud of it! :)