The end! Thank you so much to all my readers, and doubly so to anyone who reviewed and/or favorited. I really appreciate your feedback and encouragement.

At the moment, I don't have any concrete plans for continuing this series. I have half an idea for a post-Journey's End thing and/or CoE rewrite/fix-it, but if that happens then it won't be for a while. Also, it wouldn't be half as cheerful as this story. We'll see how things go.

In which the Dynamic Duo make their inevitable departure.

-DW-

The next three days passed with a surprising lack of incident. Well, except for the five minor explosions, two rows, and one disastrous shopping trip (Donna was certain that the Doctor was intentionally difficult, just to keep her from asking him to get the milk ever again).

By the end of the second day, the Doctor was looking antsy, and by the third evening he seemed about ready to crawl out of his skin. When he began to literally twitch, shooting contemplative looks at the computers, Donna decided that he had probably had as much rest as he could tolerate.

"Doctor," she said, coming to sit beside him on the sofa and stilling his compulsive movements. "I think it's about time we got going."

"Yes!" the Doctor agreed, springing to his feet. "Molto bene!"

"Hold up, Spaceman!" said Donna, catching his arm as he made to bolt to the TARDIS. "We've still got some things to straighten out. First: are you fit enough to pilot the TARDIS?"

"I've been fit enough to pilot the TARDIS," the Doctor asserted.

"Without causing yourself excruciating pain?" asked Donna pointedly.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," he said impatiently. "Now if we can just –"

"Second," she cut him off with a stern look, "you are not going anywhere without saying goodbye to this lot." She indicated the Torchwood team as a whole, all of whom had paused in their work to watch the exchange.

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," said the Doctor, rocking back on his heels. Over his shoulder, Donna could see Jack's eyebrows quirk upwards skeptically where he stood in the doorway of his office.

"Are you leaving already?" Gwen asked, rising from her desk and ascending the stairs.

"'Fraid so, yeah," said the Doctor, his eagerness fading slightly and his lips twisting into an apologetic smile. "You've all been wonderful, you really have, but I think it's time I got back in the saddle, so to speak. Also," he continued in lighter tones, "if we stay any longer Donna and Owen might kill each other, which would make things a bit awkward. Oof!"

The Doctor let out a little huff of air as Gwen hugged him – gently, in deference to the bruises which had yet to fade completely.

"Take care of yourself," she ordered as she pulled back. "I mean it, this time!"

"Yes, ma'am," the Doctor agreed, with a joking salute.

"Second that," said Owen from where he was sulking in the archway, pretending not to care. "I don't care how fucking traumatized you are; feed yourself, for fuck's sake."

"Also, it's probably best if you avoid the trauma in the first place," Ianto pointed out, and the Doctor grinned ruefully.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Thank you for looking at my programs," said Toshiko. "Your comments were very helpful."

"Oh, it was my pleasure," said the Doctor with a warm smile. He turned towards Jack and the smile faded somewhat, though the warmth remained. "Captain."

Jack tilted his head in the suggestion of a nod, his expression falling short of a careless grin.

"Doctor."

It was impossible to tell who moved first, but a moment later the two men were wrapped in a tight embrace, so raw and intimate that Donna averted her eyes. By the time she looked back, they had separated slightly, but Jack kept a hold of the Doctor's shoulder as he spoke, low and earnest.

"Remember what I told you."

"I will."

There was a moment of heavy silence, and then the Doctor spun on his heel to face Donna, grinning widely.

"Right, then! Off we go!"

This time she let him get all the way to the TARDIS before stopping him with hand on his arm as he went to unlock the door.

"What now?" he groaned. Pleased though she was with his renewed enthusiasm, Donna refused to be quailed.

"I need you to promise me something, Doctor."

"I appreciate the thought, Donna, but Jack and I already had this conversation."

Donna glanced questioningly at Jack, who was still watching from the doorway. He held up his right hand and waggled his fingers in explanation.

"Good to know, but that's not what I was going to say."

"Then what –"

"If you'll shut your gob and listen for a second, I'll tell you!" She glared at him, waiting until she was sure he'd stay silent before continuing. "Good. I want you to promise me that if you need to, or even if you want to, you'll come back here. No matter how long it's been; no matter what's happened in the meantime; no matter what silly stories you've told yourself about causing trouble or not being wanted. Alright?"

"Alright," the Doctor agreed solemnly. "I promise."

"I'll hold you to that," Donna warned him.

"I believe it," said the Doctor. "Now can we go?"

He looked so much like the child he had been a few days ago, shifting impatiently, his voice nearly a whine. Donna couldn't help it – she laughed.

"Yes, okay; keep your shirt on. Lead the way, Spaceman!"

He leapt forward eagerly, getting the door open in record time and darting inside. Donna spared one last glance at Jack, who smiled wistfully after them.

"See you, Captain," she said, smiling back.

"And you, Donna Noble," he returned.

She pulled the door shut behind her. As she turned, her smile widened at the sight of the Doctor, spinning dials and pulling levers with completely unnecessary amounts of flourish. He grinned at her across the console, bright and shining and genuine, and reached for the handbrake. A familiar jolt, and his voice called out above the sound of dematerialization in a exclamation brimming with cheer and promise and hope.

"Allons-y!"

-Fin-