The Bits In Between

The Doctor enjoyed the next week immensely. Rose, not as much. They went on a couple adventures, saved a galaxy even. However, as soon as they would return to the TARDIS he would give her a look. She would then undress and keep her end of the bet.

She was convinced he was making extra messes on purpose. He would follow her to whatever room she would work in, hands in pockets and whistling. He would then take a seat, prop his feet up and point out bits she missed. She found most of those things required her to lean over or get on her hands and knees. She was also certain she was cleaning rooms no one had been in for years.

Each day she swore to herself she would give him a piece of her mind. Each night she was so knackered, she’d let him lead her in and out of the shower and fall asleep while he lovingly worked the knots out of her body.

The last day finally arrived. Rose emptied the last of the dust pan into the bin. She got up and stretched. She felt and heard her spine pop all the way down. “Done!”

The Doctor smiled at her. “Come on Cinderella, you deserve a treat.” He took her hand and led her away. She was surprised to find they bypassed the bedrooms. Even more surprising was that they stopped in front of a door she hadn’t been to before.

He opened it with a great flourish. She gasped. The room was stunning. Every surface was made of marble. In the dead centre was the largest deepest bathtub she had ever seen. It was currently filled with steaming bubbly water. “All yours.” He motioned to a vanity filled with creams, powders, brushes, clips, combs, whatever one would need to pamper themselves.

He watched as she went over and clipped her hair on top of her head. She turned to him and cocked her head toward the tub. He nodded and she climbed in. She gave a contented sigh and relaxed. She took a deep breath and inhaled the spicy, heady scent she couldn’t quite place but found it intoxicating. She decided she would shut her eyes for just a moment.

When she opened them, it was to the sight of the Doctor. He was lounging on the other side of the bath, nude. He was swirling the water with one hand, casually keeping an eye on her. “Welcome back.”

“What do you mean?”

“I left to get some towels and when I came back to join you, you were out cold.”

“Was not!”

“Was too. For about twenty minutes now.”

“But the water cooling off should have woken me up.”

”Ah, but you see, this water doesn’t cool off. It’s wired to keep the temperature constant.”

“Hm.” She reached for him and he slid in. He took her extended hand and spun her, then pulled her to him. She moaned as he started to rub her neck and shoulders. He gently pushed her forward against one of the sides. He worked his way down her spine as she arched back. “I’m thinking I might lose more bets if this is the treatment I get, but then again, I may not be able to handle your smugness. It’s charming only in small doses.”

“I’m always charming.”

“I’ll just let you believe that,” she shrieked was he tickled her sides. She flipped over and he silenced her protests with a kiss. She playfully kicked him away. He caught her foot and started to press. “Oooo. That’s nice.”

He smirked. “Reflexology is very interesting. You hit just the right spot on a foot,” she groaned, “and you get a reaction. Each spot does something different. In fact…” She dropped her head and gave an exaggerated snore. “Fine. I’m trying to broaden your horizons and you mock me.”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“It’s a good thing you’re cute when you’re sarcastic.”

“Aw, come on. I’m always cute.”

“Cheek will get you nowhere.”

“Works for you.”

“Well, I’m very good.”

“And I learned from you. So really, you just can’t handle the student surpassing the teacher. It’s okay.”

“Rose, please be quite when I’m trying to seduce you.”

She smirked. “Yes, Doctor.” He moved to the other foot, and then moved to her calves and thighs. He moved her into his lap and massaged her buttocks. She responded the way he hoped. Her legs and arms went around him and her lips descended on him. With very little manoeuvring he slid into her. They rocked together lazily, just enjoying being bonded. They moved very slowly, neither in any hurry to reach the end. They took their time kissing, stroking, nipping, and caressing the bits they could reach.

He pulled out and led her out of the bath. He took one of the towels and gently rubbed her dry. She followed his lead and did the same. He wrapped his towel around his waist and laid another on the floor. He directed her to lie down as he retrieved something from the vanity. She found the floor was also heated. She looked up at him.

“What ‘cha got there?”

“It’s a cream from a planet know for their skin regiments. I made a side trip once while you were visiting Jackie and picked this up for you.”

“I didn’t know you cared so much about my dermatology.”

“I care that you’re all soft when I touch you.”

“Universal male thing?”

”Partially, also a me thing again.” He picked up a leg and worked the balm in. “It started when you two dragged me shopping. While you were on about eye shadows and such, I noticed someone who didn’t belong at the skin care counter. I struck up a conversation, asked him what he was doing so far from home. He panicked but I told him I was sure he wasn’t going to overthrow the Earth with lotion. He bragged about the beauty of the skin of their women and his people just wanted to spread the idea of it across the stars. They weren’t even doing it for profit. Refreshing change let me tell you. Anyways, he said they had a special cream that made even the most perfect skin better. I was intrigued and asked if he had any with him. He was sad to say he didn’t but told me where his planet was. You and Jackie went to try on shoes, so I knew I had at least an hour before you’d even notice I was gone. Popped there and back, this in hand.”

During his speech, he managed to cover most of her, turning her when needed. “He did give me a most important tip before I left him. He said it worked best when applied by a lover.” With that he kissed her.

He stood her up and wrapped her towel around her. “Let’s continue this in bed.”

“I’d love to but my feet are all slathered up with magical alien goo.”

“Easily fixed.” He whisked her into his arm and carried her away.

“You called me Cinderella before. Does that mean I get to go to a ball?”

“Could be arranged. Anytime or place in particular?”

“Just as long as my Prince Charming is with me.”

“While that’s flattering, it’s also very cheesy.”

“Who said I was talking about you?”

“Once again, cute, sarcasm and you.” He placed a kiss in her hair. “Don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”

“You could ravish me until I can’t walk.”

“Now that’s a plan.” He threw her on the bed and yanked both of their towels away. The picked up where they left off, still going slowly. They drew it out so long by the time they reached their climaxes, they were exhausted. He pulled her to him. “Happy Birthday.”

“Is it?”

“Could be. I kind of lost track. You’ve been travelling with the old me for near a year and it’s been that at least with me. So, by Earth standards, you’re at least twenty, probably closer to twenty-one. I figure today is as good any.”

“Well, thank you. Was this my present then?”

“Partly. I thought tomorrow we’d do whatever you want.”

“Let me sleep on it, yeah?”

“You got it.”

When Rose woke up, it was alone except for a note, “Meet me in the control room when you’re ready. No hurry.” She smiled and stretched. She decided casual but pretty would be best, just in case they ran into something that required making a runner. She stuck just her head into the shower to wash her hair. After drying in straight, she put on her make-up. She chose against heavy lip work because any more he ended up wearing more than her. She didn’t mind.

She found him hunched over the console. She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She rested her cheek on his back. “So, what you up to then? No good I suspect.” She felt him chuckle but he continued doing was he was doing.

“I resemble that remark. I’m just making sure she’s in working order. Running diagnostics. Science stuff. Have you decided what you want to do?”

“Surprise me.”

“Alright, let’s see how far out we can find a signal and go there. Not sure where we’ll end up.”

“Fine with me. I’m sure we’ll find something tricky. We always do. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Very true.” He turned to face her without removing her arms. “You look extra nice today.”

“Well, special occasion and all. Is that the tie that, well, you know, from then?” She saw his cheeks flush.

“Well, special occasion and all. Let’s get the old girl going. Press that button there and when I give the word, pull that lever.”

He let her go and went to work. He checked the monitor and found a week blip very far out. Looked good to him. He set the coordinates and flicked some switches. “Go ahead.” She smiled at him and yanked.

They lurched as they took off. He went to her. “You okay?”

“Just fine. Though you might want to snog me, just to make sure.”

“Safety first.” He sat in the chair and pulled her to him. He slipped his hands under her t-shirt to rest on her waist. He loved the fact that he still got a thrill when their tongues touched. He briefly thought that maybe this was the day he admitted how he felt to her.

The thought was interrupted by an easy feeling coming from the TARDIS.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“Don’t know. Have to bring her in manually. Come on, birthday girl, your present awaits.”