A/N Here is the last part – hope everyone likes it. There is a special word in here dedicated to my friend – you know who you are, if you're reading this – if you can find it.

DW

"Rose?" Jack peeked through the door. The said person was sitting on the bed, her face stained with tears she tried to hide as soon as she heard him. Her head perked up hopefully.

"Doctor?" she asked.

"No, it's just me," Jack dashed her hopes, fully stepping into the room. He sat down on the bed next to her, glad that at least this person needing comforting was more cooperative – not naming any certain Time Lords.

"He- he doesn't want me anymore," Rose said, sniffing slightly. She held her head high though, still brave.

Jack wasn't sure what to say. For once the flirty captain was out of words, and that didn't happen often. He couldn't even think of any innuendoes to distract her with. So he put his arm around her, and let her sob softly into his military jacket. "He does, Rose, I know he does," Jack said, thinking of the raw pain in the Doctor's eyes whenever she was mentioned.

"Then why isn't he happy I'm back? Why won't he stay with me?" Rose asked.

"I- I don't-" he stopped himself just in time. To say he didn't know would be a lie – he did, he was just trying not to think about it. All the planets the Doctor had destroyed. All the people – he wasn't stupid, he had heard all the rumours about the things the Doctor had done, he just chose not to believe them. "He thinks he doesn't, but he needs you. He's done things… It's just like after the Time War. He needs you badly, but his mind is so clouded with guilt he can't see past the end of his nose," Jack cracked a smile.

Rose nodded, but a stray tear still found its way down her face. "I'm gonna go find him, talk to him again," she said, resolved.

Jack bit his lip, unsure. He knew the Doctor would never hurt Rose, but a small doubt was gnawing at the back of his mind. He decided it was better to tell her what had happened between them before. "Wait, Rose…"

"Yes?" Rose said, slightly impatiently.

"There's something you should know," Jack said.

"Then tell me," Rose answered, looking at him like it was obvious.

"The Doctor said that he changed, and I believe him. You have to be careful-"

"Not you as well!" Rose protested, her disappointed face close to tears. "I've already had him telling me that. I thought you were on my side!"

"I – Rose – he lost control completely – he-" Jack found it hard to bring the words out.

"I trust him," Rose said, unfazed.

"He snapped my neck," Jack blurted out, annoyed at himself for putting it so bluntly, but Rose had to know the danger she might be in. "He warned me, but I didn't believe him…"

Rose stayed silent for a long time. "I…" her voice wavered. She didn't want to believe that it was true, but even worse was that she easily picture it happening. Jack wouldn't lie. She looked up again. "That just proves how much he needs me. I'm gonna find him right now. I refuse to lose him a second time." She left the room quickly, leaving Jack on his own. Jack let himself shudder slightly, now there was no one around. He hadn't let Rose see, but he was shaken by what the Doctor had done. If there was anyone who could tame the man the Doctor had become, it was Rose. He just hope it wouldn't destroy her along the way.

"It's not true," Rose said defiantly. The Doctor didn't look up from his knees, still leaning against the TARDIS where Jack had left him.

"What?" he murmured, his tone completely level.

Rose moved closer to him, trying to resist the urge to envelop him in the hug she had been longing for all those weeks. "That you're not good enough for me." It was ironic, really. "If anything, it's the other way around,"

He was up on his feet unnaturally fast, invading her personal space with a hostile expression on his face. "Never say that," he snapped, but the words were lost on Rose. She leaned forward, inhaling his scent. His sudden proximity was making her feel dizzy, her heart aching for him so strongly she felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.

The Doctor realised how close he and Rose were, a small blush forming on the back of his neck where Rose couldn't see it. Then she was even closer, and he cursed her. She was turning all his self – control into shreds. So quickly that she probably wouldn't even notice, he brushed his lips over hers, committing the taste to memory, before springing back.

Rose opened her eyes, her face puzzled. "Doctor, did you just-"

"Nothing, Rose," he interrupted her, his harsh demeanour back instantly, his walls springing back into firm place. "Nothing happened and nothing has changed since we spoke last. I lo- I like you too much to let you close to me again. Why can't you understand? I'm not the man who held your hand that Christmas day, who took you around the world, in his blue box – he's gone." He hit his chest violently to emphasise his point. "I've changed, and this is the last time I'm telling you,"

Rose took a deep breath. "Maybe that's true, but I still love you. You are still the Doctor, whatever you do, and that's who I fell in love with. I don't care what you've done, or what you will do – I am always going to love you," she cupped his face in her hands. "Can you look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me anymore? Because if you can, then I'll go away, and I promise never to bother you again,"

Hazel eyes met chocolate ones, searching for an answer.

Furiously, the Doctor moved and crashed their lips together roughly, cradling her in his arms. His fingers ran over her cheeks gently. As soon as they stopped so that she could breathe, he pressed their foreheads together tightly and stared into her eyes.

"I missed you so much," he admitted, his voice breaking. "Losing you drove me insane. Of course, it was worse the first time I killed. I didn't mean to – he – he said things about you, Rose, things that- Afterwards, I was sure you wouldn't, couldn't ever love me again. I disgusted myself. That was when it really started getting worse. I was a monster. You can't ever know Rose, ever. You would run away screaming, and what would become of me?" he tried to lighten the topic.

Rose shook her head. "I understand if you're not ready to tell me, if you're never ready, but I promised you forever. And that's what we're gonna focus on, right here, right now. Yes, there will be a time when I die, and don't you dare deny it. But I forbid you to lose it when that happens. You are going to carry on, the best you can, doing what we always do. Promise?"

The Doctor swallowed. "I'll do my best," he said honestly, eyes dark.

"Good." Rose grinned cheekily, the smile he loved so much. "Because I think we have some unfinished business here-" The Doctor cut her off with another passionate kiss.

Jack looked in through the door a bit later, unashamed. They had definitely sorted things out for now. He knew he would inevitably get a heart broken Doctor coming sobbing to him. And he was ok with it. In the end, it would always be these two – Jack and the Doctor. For now, the Doctor and Rose would make the most of their time together. Mortal's lives were so short, and he knew that from experience. In the end though, Jack thought, the Doctor would say that it had been worth it. After all, the best things in life never last. Both Captain and Time Lord had learnt that the hard way.

The End.

DW

A/N You know, review if you'd like – they do make me very happy.