The Doctor swallowed and blinked, now staring intently at a point approximately half a mile beyond Rose's shoulder. He knew what she meant. And he knew that she understood his reasons. Because he did want her to have a normal life, a normal life where she could be fantastic and didn't have to worry about looking after him or whether or not she was ever going to go back home.

And she deserved a man who could actually tell her that he loved her. The Doctor had too much baggage for that. Too much - and this really sounded ridiculous - too much fear.

He sighed, and closed his eyes in turn, feeling very, very old. "I know," he said softly.