The Bits In Between

They barely left the TARDIS for the next couple of weeks. As such, they barely got dressed. The Doctor wandered around in pyjama bottoms and dressing gown, Rose in her kimono, pants and a t-shirt and that was just to block the drafts. The seldom kept those on as they ended up in bed or any convenient surface. They could barely keep their hands off each other. Now that they knew how each other felt and decided to prove it through actions instead of words, they had a lot to say and little time for anything else.

They would intend on doing something productive. They would be eating when one hand would brush another, something would flash in one eye and then things would scatter off the table, only to be replaced with bodies.

They would be in the control room. One of them would lean over to reach something. Next thing they knew she would be straddling him on the battered chair, knickers and jim jam’s hanging from something.

They would be in the study actually researching some place they would plan to go. Somehow Rose would find herself bent over a desk and moaning as the Doctor thrust into her from behind. They would be curled up on the chaise, watching something. One of them would shift and the telly and their clothes were soon forgotten.

When they did make it to bed, they were slow and languorous. He had never slept so peacefully. For the first time in a very long time he believed his life was a blessing instead of a curse. That Rose would be the exception. She wouldn’t leave by her choice or his.

Rose wasn’t so lucky. At least once a night, she would have a nightmare about the Beast’s message that she’d die in battle. However, every time she’d wake up in the comforting arms of the Doctor. He’d reassure her with either words or actions. For the both of them, it was another way he showed he loved her.

After a particularly nasty dream, one that took him five minutes to wake her up, another thirty to calm her down and another twenty celebrating that fact, he held her close and took stock. As he absent-mindedly stroked her arm he looked around his, well, their room. It had been a long time since he shared his personal space with anyone on a regular basis. Her things now easily mixed in with his. Clothes, toiletries, objects they’d picked up along the way, they sat together like they were always there and always would be. He had exchanged the picture on his side table for a pair from their night in Cardiff. One was of them on the bridge as they searched his pockets for his phone and the other was of Rose later that night. She was laughing at him, eyes bright and full of emotion. She was nude but had her arms up in mock protest, which covered her, her hair was pleasantly ruffled. She couldn’t have looked more beautiful to him and the moment was captured forever. Not to be outdone, she had one of them posing properly (a version of the one given to her mother) and one of him, also nude, hovering above her, grinning manically, hair falling forward. He’d lost his phone along the way, so he was pleased he had put the photos into the TARDIS.

He felt a bit guilty being so content. With everything he’d seen and done, he wasn’t sure if he deserved to be happy. But he really believed this would last, that they wouldn’t leave each other. There was a cynical voice in the back of his head telling him not to get too comfortable, that everyone else left. He ignored it for the most part.

He also felt bad that he was sleeping peacefully while she had to fight her dreams. There was nothing he could do. He understood better than anyone that it was something she had to work through on her own. He felt her body relax and breath slow on his chest. He placed a kiss on top of her hair and made himself more comfortable. As he drifted off, he started to make plans for the next day.

“Rose…” She ignored the whisper in her ear and snuggled further down into the covers. She vaguely felt the duvet being pulled off her, then a hand running over her exposed arm, and lips brush over her shoulder and neck. “Wake up.” She blindly threw a hand back to brush away the Doctor. She misjudged the distance and her own strength and connected with his nose. “Ow.” This woke her.

She turned to see him rubbing his nose furiously. “You okay?” Her concern touched him. He kept rubbing but smiled broadly.

“I’ll live. Just remind me to never be on the receiving end of that on purpose.”

“I’m sorry” She brushed his hand away and kissed his nose then lips.

“You’re forgiven. Now, get up.” He grabbed both her arms and pulled her up further.

He reminded her of a kid on Christmas morning, with him bouncing on the bed, his smiling face, untucked shirt, and rumpled hair. “Where are we going?”

“We’re already there. I have a few more things to do. Get dressed and I’ll be back for you.” He bounded out of the room leaving her bewildered in his wake. She shook her head to clear it and reluctantly rose. She managed to do her business in the loo, pull on jeans and a t-shirt when he came back in. “Let’s go!”

“I haven’t put on any make-up or done anything with my hair.”

“Don’t need to, you’re already beautiful.”

“No shoes.”

“Don’t need them.”

“You’re wearing shoes.”

“Doesn’t matter. Come on.” He took her and dragged her willingly toward the control room. She saw one of the doors propped open and a beautiful sky beyond it. As they exited, Rose noticed they were on top of a small hill. She turned to the sound of water and saw at the bottom was a lagoon that was kept filled by a waterfall and emptied by a small stream. They were in a sort of a valley covered in lush grass.

She wriggled her toes and looked down. She was standing on a large blanket, half of which was covered with a wide array of food. She smiled up at the Doctor who was looking at her expectantly. “Well, you certainly know how to impress a girl.”

“Thanks. Let’s go swimming.”

“Alright.”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“To get my suit.”

“Don’t need it.” He started to strip. “We’re the only people around for miles and miles. Besides, I’ve seen it all before. In fact, I’m quite fond of it.”

She couldn’t argue with that logic and removed her clothes. She let him run ahead and laughed as he cannonballed into the water.

He emerged grinning, which quickly turned to a frown when he couldn’t find Rose. He could have sworn she was behind him. One second he was spinning around, the next he was underwater. When he came back up, he found her smirking at him triumphantly. “Oh you will pay for that Rose Tyler.”

“Like to see you try.” She shrieked as he came after her. They took turns splashing and dunking each other, throwing in kisses when convenient. They just fooled around and had fun.

After a half-hour, they were more making-out than playing. He wrapped her legs around him and walked them to the waterfall. As the water showered over them, their kisses deepened and their hands started to grope more. He pulled back to look at her. Both their breaths turned ragged and eyes liquid with desire.

The moment was totally ruined when Rose’s stomach growled loudly. She looked away sheepishly. He lifted her chin and smiled softly at her. “Come on, I don’t fancy you mother accusing me of letting her daughter wasting away from hunger.” He took her hands and walked them back to shore. They redressed without drying off, making their clothes cling to them.

“This is quite the spread you have here. If you ever give up time and space travelling, you could work as a caterer. Now we just need atmosphere.”

“This isn’t enough atmosphere for you?” He feigned being offended. “Hold on a tick.” He grabbed the sonic screwdriver and pointed toward the open door. Soon music poured out. “How’s that?”

“Perfect.” They picked at the food, laughed at each other’s stories and generally enjoyed themselves. He eventually leaned back against the closed door, Rose between his legs, her occasionally feeding him some of the sweets she was snacking on. He titled his head back and let his eyes drift shut, letting the feeling of her damp body pressed against him wash over him. He murmured the question he found himself asking almost daily and she answered the same way. “Forever.” He nuzzled her neck and buried his nose in her wet hair before tilting his head back again.

He started to drift away, being lulled once again by her playing with his hands. He was almost completely unconscious when she spoke. “You never took me to a ball.”

“What’s that?”

“A ball. You promised me one.”

“Well, you never said where or when. There’s several lovely planets would could try. What do you say?”

“How about the English countryside, early 1800’s?”

“Huh? Oh.” It was a combination of realisation, disgust and disappointment.

She looked up at him, surprised at his reaction. “What?”

“You have a Darcy thing.”

“Yeah, so?”

“I had to pick one with a Darcy thing.”

“Doctor, most women have a Darcy thing.”

“You know they didn’t all look like that Firth bloke.”

“I’d like to find that out for myself. Besides, I want to see you in a pair of those trousers.”

“Oh no, you’ll get me there and that’s it. You don’t need it anyway. We have all the good ingredients here. Food, setting, music, great-looking partner.” She playfully slapped his arm. “Oi! I was referring to my partner.”

“Alright, you’re off the hook. For now.” They both stood and he pulled her close. “Ow, why did you put your shoes back on?”

“Sorry, stand on my feet.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. Step up.” She did and he put one arm around her waist and held one of her hands to his chest. She rested her head on his shoulder and his cheek went to the top of her head. They more rocked than moved to the music but neither one had any complaints. They stayed that way for several songs; the sun of the planet long vanished beneath the horizon. The light from the TARDIS cast a soft glow over them.

“See, we don’t need a ball, or anyone else.”

“Hm. For now this is good, and I suppose I don’t really want those repressed Regency women ogling my man just yet.”

“That’s my girl. Kiss me.”

“I don’t have to be told twice.” After a long, pleasant kiss, she looked up at him with a serious expression. “Mind you, repression can be dead sexy. That’s where most of the Darcy thing comes from.”

“How’s that?”

“Well, all that holding in business. Once they let loose, you just know there’s an animal waiting to be set free in the bedroom.”

“Really?”

“Oh yes.” She sounded almost wistful “That, and the previously mentioned tight trousers.”

“You really are a simple gender. Aren’t you?”

“Pretty much.”

“Alright then.” He set her back on to the blanket and started to clean up.

“What’s going on here?”

“You said you liked that repression thing. I’m just indulging you.”

She jumped on his back. “They’re called fantasies for a reason. My reality is so much better than my imagination.”

“Good answer.” He turned and lowered her down. They spent the rest of night making love under the stars. She was right; it was definitely better then a fantasy.

And when she fell asleep, the nightmares were gone.