Last chapter. I hate to end it, but as the Doctor said...everything has its time, everything ends.

Don't worry I have more stories to finish and some to start. :)

"I'm not really tired anymore," Rose protested as Sherlock led her into her room.

She was a bit, but she knew Bad Wolf was helping with that or that part of her that was a Time Lady.

"I'd feel better if you did," Sherlock replied and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes because he was fussing like her mum. That thought made her grin. She would've never pictured him for a fussy one. "Something you find amusing?"

He caught the humor in her dark eyes. She turned around to shoot him some teasing reply, but ungracefully tripped over one of her trainers. He caught her before she fell.

"Remind me to pick up my room."

"That I can do." He shifted to move her over to her bed, but she paused him by laying on hand on either side of his chest. She grinned, gazing up at him. His brows drew together in confusion. "What is it?"

"I never thought I'd feel it again."

"Feel what?"

"The double heartbeat." Her smile dimmed a moment later as guilt flooded her eyes and he wanted nothing more than to take that look from her. "'M sorry."

"For what?" he asked, not sure what she thought she had to be sorry about.

"You did this...changed yourself..." she glanced away. "Because of me. I...I know it's not what you wanted."

He took her chin and tilted her head back so she was looking at him.

"Yes, I did do it for you because you were in danger. I couldn't allow that. I care about you and I didn't want you to be hurt. So, yes, you're the reason I opened the fob watch." Her eyes began to water and he cupped her cheek. "I didn't want to open the watch because I was afraid, but I don't regret doing it so I don't want to see one shred of guilt in those beautiful eyes of yours. I was a fool. I said things I didn't mean. I lashed out at you in my fear and you didn't deserve that. You deserve so much more because you, Rose Tyler, are my clever girl. You took a broken man and you gave him back the life he was meant to have."

In the next moment she surprised him by grabbing his lapels and pulling him down against her lips. She was fire and passion and she tasted of time. Of the future and the past, but most of all she tasted of hope. He cupped her cheeks and allowed the light inside of her to reach into the darkness he held because that's what she was, light and love and compassion. Everything that he wasn't.

John sat in his chair…well, a replica of his chair, waiting for Sherlock who had helped Rose back to her room. Now that they were out of danger he thought about everything that'd happened over the last few days.

Sherlock vanished for three days. Three days he spent searching for his friend and when the detective returned he said he'd been working a case. A lie. John knew that now because Sherlock had been with Rose, probably in the ship.

Before the detective met her he hadn't said anything about Time Lords, aliens, and ships that could travel in time and space, which meant she must have told him. John still wasn't sure who she was, but his friend cared for her…possibly loved her, at least, if the way Sherlock acted around her and looked at her were any indication. John couldn't help smiling at that. It was something he never thought he'd see.

He was drawn out of his thoughts as Sherlock stepped into the control room from the corridor. John stood up.

"Is she all right?" he asked.

"She will be after she rests," Sherlock replied, slowing down as he drew up to the console.

"So, how exactly did this happen," John asked indicating the control room that seemed to have undergone a remodel while they were dealing with the Master.

Sherlock gazed around the room that looked like a combination of the living room of his flat at Baker Street with steel accents, including the console, control panels attached to the railing on either side, and Gallifreyan symbols in a circular design at the ceiling where the colander connected.

"She did it to make me feel more at home," Sherlock explained.

John chuckled, disbelievingly.

"This is all mad," he said.

Sherlock eyed his friend, worried about what was going to happen next. He couldn't leave Rose, but John, John was his best friend. His only true friend. They'd been through so much together. He didn't want to lose his friend either.

"John," he began, drawing his friend's attention. "I appreciate your help with…" he glanced at his hands, "the Master and Rose, but…" he sighed, returning his gaze to his friend, "I'll understand if you want to go back to Baker Street."

And there they were. John gazed at his friend. Sherlock was a Time Lord and Rose was…whatever she was. Sherlock who had never been ordinary, who spent his life solving one case after the other always looking for something extraordinary had finally found what he'd been searching for. And there was John…human…ordinary. He didn't really fit into this new life.

"Yeah," he replied, dropping his gaze to his feet, "…well, suppose I should." He glanced at the console. "I'm supposed to be at surgery in the morning."

"Right," Sherlock said, clearing his throat. "Wouldn't want to be late for that." Normally, he would leave it at that, but something inside him pressed him to continue. "Unless…" he trailed off, not entirely sure if he should finish the thought that begged to be released.

John glanced at him quizzically.

"Unless?"

"Unless you…wanted to…stay," he managed.

"Stay?"

"Never mind," Sherlock dismissed, turning to the console. "It's absurd, of course."

"Do you want me to?" John asked, drawing his attention.

Sherlock's brows furrowed.

"Of course, why would you think otherwise?"

John shifted uncomfortably. Feelings were difficult for him, this sort anyway. He sighed.

"I guess I thought…now that you have her," he glanced at the corridor, "and this," he indicated the room, "you wouldn't really need me anymore."

"John," Sherlock said, drawing his friend's attention, "I will always need you."

They shared a smile before John glanced away, clearing his throat as Sherlock took an interest in the console.

"What about Rose? Will she mind?"

Sherlock grinned.

"I think she'd be very happy to have a doctor on board," he replied.

John caught an underlying meaning, but he chose not to ask. He wasn't entirely sure what he'd gotten himself into, but he knew as long as he had his best friend nothing else really mattered. Aliens or criminals there would always be danger, running, and puzzles to sort out. Sherlock's version of fun and, although he'd never admit it, it was his version too.

Standard Disclaimer.

Thank you to all my brilliant readers!

If you have time reviews are always welcome. :)