The Bits In Between

She watched him as he sprinted and laughed his way around the console. She leaned against the railing and crossed her arms. She wasn’t sure if his excitement would ever not be contagious. The green light that covered the room made him look like some sort of magician. She supposed he was.

He turned to her, grin wide. “What? What caused that beautiful face of yours to smile like that?

“You, just being you. Watching you, it’s just smile worthy.”

“Yeah?”

“Yup.” She went up the ramp, but instead of going to him, she went to the opposite side of the console.

She gave him a look he could only describe as coquettish. So, they were playing then. Fine with him. He made a move and she matched, as he hoped. Sometimes they ran sometimes the just stood and grinned stupidly at each other. During one lull, she took off her shoes and he slipped out his jacket. The TARDIS decided to join in the fun and would change the light colour intermittently.

A few minutes later, she changed the rules. With a wink, she threw off her t-shirt. After shutting his wide-opened mouth, he smiled and slid off his tie and took off his plimsolls. A few steps later she was sans jeans and he sans shirt. She reached back behind her to unhook her bra. He watched hungrily as she slid it off agonizingly slow. Without warning, she flung it at him. He caught it easily. He just as easily dropped it and his trousers.

She squealed as he took off after her. She let herself be caught as she protested weakly. He countered by lowering her to the floor. The divested themselves of the rest of the clothes and came together effortlessly.

He held himself up by his arms, careful not to press her too hard into the grating. She did her bit by wrapping her legs around his hips, pulling herself up.

Afterwards they were quite content to just lie there. She was dragging her fingers idly over his stomach when he suddenly sat up. “We need tea!” She laughed at his retreating back.

They ended up near his discarded shirt. She slipped it on and patted the floor. “Sorry if we hurt you. I think we just get carried away sometimes.” She leaned against the console. “Thank you for sharing him with me. If you hadn’t had him first, I don’t know if I would have been so generous.” She felt the magical machine that was so much more than that hum back. “I promise you, I’ll take care of him when you can’t. I already know you’ll do the same. You always have.” She felt the agreement flow through her.

He came back, mugs in hand and smiling. He stopped when he heard her voice. He listened and watched his girls. The two women he loved more than anything. He loved them equally in very different ways.

He knew when his final moments came, when all the regenerations where up, he would have three thoughts: Susan, the TARDIS and Rose. He briefly felt guilty for knowing it wouldn’t be the planet or the people he lost.

They were both beautiful too. His ship, which changed with him and his moods. The two outcasts bonded forever. And his silly little ape. He knew now that she had him from the first. His only regret with her was ever holding anything back. They would have such a short time together in his eyes. He wasn’t going to waste a second of it.

“You two conspiring against me?” He made himself known.

“Always.” She gratefully took the offered mug. She wasn’t sure exactly when his tendency to wander about nude quit shocking her. She just knew she enjoyed the view.

“Thought I told you to stop wearing my things.” He gestured to his shirt.

“What are you gonna do about it?”

“I’m going to take it back. Just need to regain my strength first. So, talk about anything interesting?” He moved himself behind her placing her between his legs. She snuggled up against him.

“It’s strange. Since this you has been around, it’s like she can talk to me. Not English or anything but like I can understand her.”

“Well, she’s quite fond of you. She wouldn’t have opened for you otherwise.”

“What?”

“You still don’t remember, do you?”

“Remember what?”

He took her mug and spun her to face him. “What can you recall from right before I regenerated?”

“You sent me back. Never do that again! And Mickey and Mum tried to help me make the return trip. Mum got a big yellow truck and then everything is fuzzy. For some reason I see gold. I remember calling you ‘My Doctor’ in a dream and a glowy golden kiss. Then I remember waking up and you changing. Why?”

He told her everything. The absorbing of the vortex, destroying the Daleks, her burning, him saving her life at the cost of his own.

She took it all in calmly. “How do you not hate me? I abused your ship, I killed you, and then I yelled at you. I mean really.”

“I could never hate you. I chose to do it. I could have let you die, it was a greater good thing after all…I would do it again. Besides, the TARDIS had faith in you. Wouldn’t have let you done it otherwise.”

“Well, I’m quite fond of her too. That’s what we were talking about. She’s quite special, isn’t she?”

“The best.” And the threesome that was so tightly knit just sat and enjoyed each other’s company.
________________________________________________________________________

They kept running and laughing long after they forgot why they were doing it to begin with. They ducked into a well lit alleyway, still holding hands, still smiling, absolutely breathless. They did the most natural thing in that moment and kissed. Hand still cupping her cheek, he rested his forehead on hers. “I fancy a drink, how about you?”

She ran a hand lovingly down his chest. “Alright. Cash point first. We’re getting these the proper way.”

“You know, Rose Tyler, sometimes you’re no fun.”

“Look here, physic paper is all well and good when we’re five galaxies and two hundred years away, but I might know someone in there who will blow our cover. What then?”

“We run.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t stop her smile as they reached the cash point. She patted her pockets and frowned.

“You don’t have your card, do you?” He pulled out the sonic screwdriver and pointed it at the screen. “Whatever would you do without me?”

“Not too much now, I at least want to pretend this is coming out of my account.” She shoved the stack of notes into her pocket and retook his hand. “There’s a pub,” she pointed with the other and they were on their way.

He grabbed a table while she got the first round. The bar was scattered with people but far from crowded. The murmer of voices was a pleasant backdrop to the music pouring out of the jukebox. They just sat and listened to the noises around them.

The constant stream of bodies made the air warm, causing both of them to shuck their coats. The Doctor made no secret of his appreciation of the tightness of her t-shirt. That was until he saw the other men do the same. His fighting hand unconsciously curled into a fist, ready to deck anyone making an off remark about his Rose.

She noticed what he was looking at and shook her head. She curled her hand around his. “Hey, I came in here with you, I’m here with you now, and I’m most definitely am going to leave with you. Just ignore them.”

“Did you see how they were looking at you?”

“If I got angry at every female who looked at you that way, I’d never get anything done.”

“They don’t look at me that way.”

“Doing it right now.”

“Where?”

“The birds in the corner.” She jutted her chin over her shoulder.

He saw the cluster of women whispering to each other and winking at him. He smiled weakly and waved at them. “And this happens often?”

“Everywhere we go.”

“Well, you have nothing to worry about either.” The barman came over at that moment and set a drink in from of him.

“Compliments of the ladies in the corner.” She quirked an eyebrow at him. He lifted the glass to them in silent toast then pulled Rose to him and gave her a searing kiss. He felt her smile against his lips as they heard the disappointed groans.

“Nothing to worry about. After all, how long you going to stay with me?”

“Forever.” She smiled at him and the rest of the universe disappeared. “No point letting this go to waste.” She downed the drink in one gulp. “Dance?”

“Love to.” He led her to the small floor and held her close. He dipped her like he did that night so long ago. She winked cheekily at the table of women who were currently upside down.

Instead of pulling her back up, he parted his mouth and lightly dragged his lips along her throat. As he set her right, the women swooned and the men cheered, except a bloke in the back who yelled, “Get at room!”

They laughed but stayed together. They kissed properly but quickly. And in that moment and the rest of the night, they forgot. She forgot she didn’t live as long as he did. He forgot he wasn’t human. They both forgot the coming storm. They forgot everyone else in the room.

They were just the Doctor and Rose. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Two lovers who were oblivious to everyone and everything else. A pair that had everything before them.

The crowd in the pub were torn between being jealous or privileged at seeing the display of feelings of this couple so very much in love.
________________________________________________________________________

They turned back to watch the sting ray-like creatures soaring through the alien planet’s sky, secure in the knowledge that what was between them transcended space and time. With smiles still on their faces, their hands met and laced together.

“You ready to go?”

“Can we stay a bit longer? It’s so beautiful here.”

“Sure. We’ll make a day of it. Have a picnic and all.” He led her back to the TARDIS to get the supplies.

After they ate, they played a rousing game of charades. She accused him of cheating when he started to use films from the distant future. He calmly explained that it wouldn’t be the future but the past in the moment they were in. She rolled her eyes and threw a piece of fruit at his head. He dodged it easily and kissed her until she forgave him.

“You do know how to get your own way, don’t you?

“Of course! Now then, the sun’s going down soon and it’ll be very cold. I prefer my Rose non-frostbitten, thank you very much.”

“I prefer that too. Then again, I like the warming up part a lot more.”

“As do I. The sooner we tidy up the sooner we can get to that bit.” It took very little time to clear everything away. They went back out to watch the sunset. He stood back against the TARDIS, her nestled in his arms. It was a perfect moment.

As he said, the sun went down and the temperature dropped quickly. They chased each other inside. They agreed to stay parked so they could watch the sunrise in the morning. They found a way to keep themselves occupied until then.
________________________________________________________________________

The Doctor found himself woken slowly from a dreamless sleep to find a very nude Rose straddling his thighs. She was paying very close attention to the part of his anatomy that was very much up and about. He was grateful for the day they decided it was useless for them to wear anything to bed as it ended up on the floor.

He was about to make a witty comment about this being the best wake-up call he ever had when she placed a finger on his lips. He nodded in understanding and she lowered herself onto him.

As she started to rock, she took his hands and moved them over her body. It was clear she wanted control and he was more than willing to let her have it.

He took turns watching his hands be manipulated to her hips, breasts, neck, wherever she fancied to watching her face. She would bite her lip in concentration. She would close her eyes and roll her head back. But what he enjoyed most was when they would lock eyes and they let every emotion they felt pass between them.

They continued to make love in silence. They even climaxed in unvoiced screams. She collapsed on top of him and moulded her body to his. He lifted her chin to give her a proper snog.

“Good morning.” She rubbed her nose against his.

“I should say so.” He felt rather than heard her giggle against his throat. He started to run his fingers through her hair.

They lulled themselves back to sleep, comforted in the knowledge there would be many more mornings just like this.

A few hours later he lounged on the bed, feet crossed at the ankles, as he watched her scurry about the room. After they had woken up properly, he had asked her what she wanted to do with the day. He was less than thrilled with her answer. He decided to make another effort to change her mind. “I just don’t see why we have to go. We have perfectly adequate laundry facilities here.”

“Oh it’s not that bad.” She was currently dislodging a bra from the cushions of the chair. When it was freed, it took a pair of long thought lost knickers with it. When she recovered from her shock, she gave him an accusing look. He, in turn, winked and gave her a self-satisfied grin. She shook her head and continued about her task. “It makes her feel useful. Goodness knows she never sees the lacy things you seem to prefer. I’m beginning to think that she suspects I don’t wear underwear at all. Don’t say a word. Besides, it wouldn’t kill you to play the good son-in-law every once and awhile.” She paused when she realised what she had said.

“Oh, alright, I suppose it wouldn’t.” He caught what she had said. He was surprised to find that not only did it not bother him; it felt like the most right thing in the universe. He would be Jackie Tyler’s son-in-law if it meant he got Rose Tyler in return. “And since I’m being so agreeable, I think it’s high time we go to Barcelona. And I’ll take you to your poncy ball.” He mumbled the next bit.

“What’s that Doctor?”

“And I’ll wear the trousers.” She launched herself at him, covering his head in kisses. He slid his hands under her top up the small of her back. “Of course, there’s no hurry on any of this because how long you gonna stay with me?”

“Forever, you wonderful man.”

“And don’t you forget it.” They lazily kissed for awhile longer. “The trousers come off the table if you mother tries anything funny.”

“You don’t mean that. You’re too curious to see what those trousers will do to me. You thought my stockings were persuasive, just you wait.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yes.”

After a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to get her out of the clothes she was in, she jumped off him. He protested loudly but helped her gather the rest of her things. He would sometimes hold an item above his head and make her work to get it back.

“You know, Mum would do some of your things too.”

“No. No way. Never. Not going to happen. The day I let Jackie Tyler touch my unmentionables is the day you have me committed.”

“Fine. Just thought I’d offer.” They finally finished up and went the control room.

“You sure about this? Barcelona!”

“Yes, let’s go. It’s not so terrible is it? At least Mum let’s you stay with me now instead of the sofa. After all, you are her hero.”

He sighed heavily, “I guess. Powell Estate it is.” He set them in motion. She hugged him in sympathetically from behind. “I believe we landed in the park around the corner.”

He picked up her pack and they went to the door, He helped her put in on her shoulders. “Hello.”

“Hello.”

“You want to know something?”

“What?”

“You’re beautiful.”

“Thanks, so are you.” With that they kissed. As far as their kisses went, it was amazing of course, but nothing special. Neither one realised it was to be one of their most important.