Disclaimer: Doctor Who doesn't belong to me. Come to think of it, neither does the original story.

Author's Notes: This is an interpretation on the fic 'Consequences' that was posted on 'Time and Chips' by JeanneDark. That one was from Rose's POV; this one is from the Doctor's. Hope you enjoy.

Everything Has A Price

By: Jade Daniels

"You did it!" Rose glanced at her father, then back at him as he exited the TARDIS. One glance at her face told the Doctor all that he needed to know. She was happy; he had done the right thing. After all, she needed her father more than she needed a 900-year-old Time Lord with a penchant for getting into trouble.

"Everything's alright now," he replied, nodding his head. For a moment he wondered who he was trying to reassure more – her, or himself. He took her hand in his, squeezing it gently, knowing that it would be the last time he would be able to do this. "And like I said, what you changed… it'll stay changed."

She would never know the full meaning behind those words. But he didn't want to tell her what they really meant, did he? He didn't want to give her a choice and face the possibility that she would choose her father over him. So, he had made the choice for her.

Rose beamed at him, her smile lighting up her entire face. He would miss that smile, being able to tease it to the surface. He would miss her. Travelling alone through time and space suddenly became an unappetizing prospect. But he couldn't be selfish; this was what Rose wanted. Her father was alive and she was happy. Her happiness was worth anything, and everything.

Wasn't it?

"Thank you." There was such appreciation in her voice. "For – everythin'."

He tried to smile, though he knew that it didn't quite reach his eyes. Before she could notice, he pulled her to him, engulfing her in a hug. "Anytime," he whispered, swallowing back the tears that threatened to fall. Not yet, not now. When he was alone, then he could indulge the pain of his hearts breaking.

She hugged him back tightly, and he buried his face in her hair. He never wanted to let her go. But everything was done now, and there was no turning back.

"Goodbye, Rose."

Something in his voice must have alerted her, as Rose whipped her head up to look at him, shock written on her face. "What do you mean, good…"

He could feel the timeline shift, making room for one more person within its stream – one who hadn't been there before. Everything changed.

The Doctor watched her, hidden within the blue public call box sitting on the corner of the street. Rose looked around with a confused expression on her face, her idiot boyfriend by her side. He could see that she knew that something was wrong. Despite having only time-travelled for a few weeks, that had still been enough time for her to be able sense such a large time-shift. He saw them coming closer, their voices drifting by. He looked away from Rose's smiling face, his eyes focusing on their hands clasped together. He ruthlessly stifled the urge to go to her, tell her what had happened, and to begin travelling with her again.

Everything had a price.