Thank you for everything you have done for this story! All the reads, reviews, favorites and follows.

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you get back? I understand you must have used the TARDIS, but parallel worlds are sealed off."

Rose smiled sadly, she had known this question would come up sooner or later.

"Like I said, sometimes John would go off on the TARDIS on his own. One day, We heard the TARDIS materialising outside and I went to say hello, but I couldn't find him. The TARDIS just stood there, he didn't come back, and we heard no word. Also, the TARDIS, she wasn't herself, she was so much quieter, almost sad, like she was in the alternate world with Donna but without you. Finally I had to believe…"

She trailed off as tears started to form once more. The Doctor understood, he knew he would be upset if he lost River, she was a close friend.

"Life went on for a bit, but then I went to check on the TARDIS and she was all buzzing, I checked the destination on the console, it was in English for me. I worked out the co-ordinates, they landed somewhere in the city. It was when I went into town to check that I realised the significance of the location. It was where we first came through the void, when we first met the Cyber-men. I kind of figured it was about finding a way through the void back to this universe."

"Surely Jackie wouldn't have let you go."

"No, she didn't want me to, but I had to find you and she's got Tony now. The TARDIS flew herself and after a particularly rough ride I found we had landed in London, the exact time, but a different location, as when we first came through. Turns out I was the reason we got stuck in Pete's world the first time after all."

The Doctor smiled at that thought, if only he'd known that when it had happened. This also explained why the TARDIS wouldn't translate, that feature was a telepathic thread through the living part of the TARDIS. It wouldn't work in this universe. Of course, most of the other TARDIS instruments would work if enough electricity were channeled as a substitute. Regardless of the kind of Rift energy the main engines soaked up.

"Come on,"

He said, helping her up.

"We can't hide in here forever, be both have fears to face."

She smiled in reply and they walked back to the control room together.

Meanwhile, in the Doctor's absence Clara had decided that she would have a talk to River. She had grown to care about Rose in the few hours that she had known her and wasn't happy with the scene that had just played out.

"Would you like to explain in more detail this, startling revelation that caused my friend to breakdown into tears?"

River, for her part was upset too. She hadn't intended to inflict hurt unto anyone by her words. Certainly not someone the Doctor obviously cared about a lot.

"There's nothing more to it, we are wed. Though if you're wondering why you haven't met me yet, it's because our timelines are reversed. We don't travel together as companions because I am constantly swapping between traveling with his younger selves and him now. But I feel my time is running out, his younger selves know me less and less…"

"What do you mean?"

"When I meet the Doctor at the time he first met me, then it will be the last I see him. His past is my future."

"Right,"

Said Clara, not bothering to ask for more details. Never mind, the Doctor will sort this out when he comes back, she reasoned. I suppose a little courtesy might be in order, after all, River hasn't really done anything wrong. You're just prejudiced because you don't know her.

"I am Clara by the way."

"Nice to meet you, have you been traveling with the Doctor for long?"

"Not really, though it's complicated."

"What about…"

"Rose? I'm not actually too sure, I only just met her and the Doctor only just found her. They used to travel together, but I've no idea how long ago that was or for how long. All I can say is Rose is madly in love with the Doctor."

Again the sad expression returned to River's face. She didn't know what would happen when the Doctor got back, but either way she knew her husband would feel terrible. As for herself, even if the Doctor chose her over Rose she would feel a horrible guilt.

"I could tell…"

She said softly. They waited in silence until the Doctor and Rose returned. They had arms about each other, and while Rose had recovered and seemed happy her eyes still bore traces of the trauma she had experienced. The first place the Doctor's eyes looked when he entered the room was to River. Guilt, uncertainty, sadness, helplessness. All these River saw straight away, but she saw beneath that joy, and happiness and excitement. She saw the way he held her, the way he had her pulled close to him in a way more than just friendly.

She knew it was over and she was sad. But not like Rose. She had often wondered if the Doctor felt for her the same way she felt for him. Often wondered if it wasn't all an act to keep her happy. She saw the difference between how the Doctor treated her and Rose immediately, though she had had only a slight chance to observe it. She was very good at observations.

"I understand,"

Not quite crying but with tears in her eyes, and a small smile on her lips. The Doctor was speechless, but gratitude was clear on his face. River had to leave. She knew she wouldn't cope seeing him with another for long. But before she did go, she had something to tell him. The reason she had come to find him originally.

"Doctor, you of course, would know the war between the Sontarans and the Rutans?"

"The what and the what?"

Asked Clara, confused about what this had anything to do with Earth.

"The Sontarans and Rutans," The Doctor answered for her, "They have been at war for thousands of years, an intergalactic battle between two horribly war-inspired species. What news is there of the war?"

This last part he phrased to River, suspicious of the Sontaran's intentions. After all, they had tried to take over the Earth before, who's to say it wouldn't happen again?

"It's headed this way, that's what. Soon the Earth will be in the midst of the firing grounds unless you don't stop it."

"Stop it? You want me to stop the great war between the Rutans and the Sontarans that's stretched hundreds of generations, being one of the longest battles in the universe, the two most war-bred civilizations I know of, so mad about their honour that they'd die even if it wasn't at any cost? Two cultures that literally love bloodshed? Thank you for the compliment but I don't think even I could do that!"

"Doctor, of course you can, you are the most incredible man I have ever met!"

Rose said, the first time she'd spoken since they'd come back.

"I should say so!"

Added Clara.

"And I, but I am afraid that you will have to proceed without me, I have other matters to attend."

The Doctor looked up at her, an unspoken question in his eyes. What if? They said. River smiled sweetly,

"I never could have stayed, I'm wanted for an interview with Mr Lux about a job I've been asked to do."

River simply assumed the sadness in his eyes was over the guilt he had acquired, and dismissed it.

"Here,"

She said, getting out a sheet of paper from her pocket and walking over to hand it to the Doctor.

"Co-ordinates and statistics. And with that I believe I shall take my leave."

"Goodbye River,"

Simple goodbyes said by Rose and Clara.

"Until we meet once more, I shall be seeing you again. Both then and now."

"Goodbye my love, Clara, Rose."

She fiddled with her time-vortex manipulator and then teleported away. The room was silent for a moment longer before the Doctor broke it, sparking up and jumping to the controls.

"Time to meet the Rutans!"

"What of the Sontarans?" Clara asked, "Surely we must meet them as well?"

"That might not be for the best to start with considering my bad reputation among them. Besides I see a lot more Sontarans then Rutans, used to have a Sontaran as a companion, of sorts. You met him in fact."

"No I didn't"

"What? Oh right, wrong you, never mind."

Clara was annoyed, but let it pass. Rose however had no idea what he meant.

"What do you mean? Wrong Clara?"

"I don't exactly know the details myself, or how it's even possible. But after Clara dies she comes back to life, same person, different life, no memories."

"Weird."

Said Rose, by now more than competent with the like. Clara pretended to ignore them and crossed her arms in a huff. In reality though she wanted very badly to know what was wrong with her. The TARDIS lurched into motion, rumbling and crashing about as the Doctor clung to the console and the girls grabbed the railing for support. The great ship settled whilst Clara and Rose recovered the Doctor bounded over to the door.

"Well what are you standing around for?"

He said with an excited glint in his eyes and a smile on his face.

"The Commanding Rutan Spaceship! Geronimo!"

Rose and Clara looked at each other, laughed together at the Doctor's antics and raced over to join him.

"What happened to Allon-sy? Not that I mind of course."

"New regeneration, new words. Lets go!"

They opened the door and stepped out.

Thank you again for everything, the reads, reviews, favorites and follows!

I know I'm lazy but I am finishing this story here as the story was about the Doctor and Rose getting back together. What happens next for them is for you guys and your imagination now. :)