Author Note: We're back on the TARDIS folks. Don't want to give too much away. The recent adventure has consequences for everyone involved. So sorry again for the delay in updating. Again my health has not been good. I am positive 2016 will be a much better year with more writing getting done. Thanks as always to my wonderful beta jer832

The markets were in full swing but neither the Doctor nor Rose paid them any attention as they strode back the way they'd come. "Do you think Darcia and Griff will work things out?" asked Rose, when they had almost reached the TARDIS.

"Nothing's ever written in stone, Rose. People's time lines are always in flux. Decisions they make now and in the future send off ripples in time. Simple actions like turning left instead of right all create pathways, some of which we can never retrace. Robert Frost said it best. "Yet knowing how way leads onto way, I doubted if I should ever come back."

''The Road not Taken," remarked Rose. "What?" she said, seeing the surprise on his face. "We learned it at school, though I admit I probably didn't appreciate it back then as much as I do now."

"So you can understand then why it's difficult to know how Darcia and Griff will fare."

Rose nodded. "Yeah. I guess I hoped that you could do some Time Lordy mojo thing and tell." She laughed at him and said teasingly, "Still no Spock. How disappointing."

At her words the Doctor stopped walking. One dark Time Lord eyebrow arched in protest as he turned to face his companion. "Time Lordy mojo! Thanks for the appreciation!" he repeated in a harsh tone. He knew she didn't deserve his spite, that she was sassing him, yet he felt offended. How dare she question his abilities, he the most impressive and sole survivor of a bloody stinking war. Fuck, he wasn't even sure what he was any more. With a small sound, which he refused to call a huff; the Doctor increased his stride as he continued on towards his TARDIS. He begrudgingly noticed that Rose kept in step with him, even though she had to walk twice as fast to keep up. Despite his ire he had to admire her strength and determination. She was red faced and puffing hard from the exercise but that only served to make her look lovelier and … desirable. The lust the Doctor usually held in check threatened to overwhelm him. Images of taking Rose against the walls of his TARDIS flooded his brain. Hell, a convenient alleyway would do. Somewhere where he could have her to himself and bury himself into her so deep that she'd know who she belonged to. Want … need … have."NO!" he shouted out loud, startling both Rose and others around them.

"Doctor, you okay?"

He didn't look at her. If he did so he knew she'd see his body's betrayal; his waning control when it came to her. Where the fuck had that come from? Lust he'd experienced, but this emotion was … primal. Rassilon, he had to get back to the TARDIS quickly. "Come on, Rose," he said gruffly as he quickened his step once more.

They soon reached the blue box. The Doctor pulled out his key and opened the door. As he went inside he could hear Rose chuckling softly behind him. Oh that girl!He should have known she wouldn't be put off by his childish brooding.

"Don't be cross, Doctor," soothed Rose as she followed him around the console. Whatever his faults, she would forgive him, as he truly was the one she loved with every atom of her being. "I'm sorry for laughing. I was only teasing."

The Doctor stared at the console, avoiding her gaze. His lovely companion's remark had hit very close to the centre of his uncertainty but he shouldn't have lashed out at her. His harsh words, impetuously spoken were foolish and he knew he needed to apologise. As to his other problem, well he hoped the TARDIS could help him find answers.

"Doctor?" murmured Rose, in a wavering voice.

He cursed inwardly. His continued silence had made her worried. Now she thought she'd really upset him and was blaming herself. He couldn't have that. He turned to face her. "Don't mind me," he stated. "Sorry I'm being a bit boorish."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, long day, big adventure with a missing companion. You know how it goes," he said by way of explanation.

Rose understood all too well. "At least it's a happy ending for everyone."

Not for everyonehe almost blurted out but didn't. What would he say anyway, so he just watched as Rose danced happily around the console.

"Don't know about you, Doctor but I think I have a date with a bubble bath and a long good soak." Placing her hand on the console, she said, "Hey girl. Hope you've got lots of hot water and towels. I'm going to need them." The TARDIS hummed pleasantly, a sign which Rose hoped was the Time ship agreeing with her.

"She says you can have anything you need," the Doctor announced.

"She's wonderful," whispered Rose as she gave a little skip of joy and carefully stroked the time rotor. "Thanks girl!" She turned to the Doctor. "Thank you as well, Doctor."

He wasn't blushing. Nope, really not blushing. Watching her delicate fingers stroke the console, he couldn't help thinking about how those hands would feel on him. Mental images bombarded him from all sides as he pictured his Rose touching him as intimately as she had his Time Ship; her soft, warm, hands stroking and sliding up and down his cock in slow, teasing, delicious movements. Not for the first time, he would look into her eyes and see love and a hint of mischief hiding there as she pleasured him. Oh how he would make her scream when it was her turn … Her turn! There wasn't going to be anyone's turn. What the hell had gotten into him?

He violently thrust the images away and said gruffly, "Well, don't need you nagging me to death about this and that, do I! Go on with you and get cleaned up with all your fancy soaps and bubbles that you humans use."

"What about you, Doctor?"

"Are you implying that I smell, Rose Tyler?"

"Well if you want the truth ..." she began but then burst into laughter. "Nah I'm kidding. Like you said, it's been a big adventure so getting cleaned up will be refreshing, even for you, Doctor."

Her words gave him some well needed composure. "Good advice! Then that's what I'll be doing," he said. At least with her going for a bath, he'd have a little time to think. What he didn't expect, although he really, really should have, was Rose ambushing him with a sudden hug. Despite his best efforts he couldn't suppress a hiss of great discomfort as her innocent embrace sent pain through his body where she accidently pressed against the slow healing injuries he'd sustained earlier in the day from the regeneration box. He hoped Rose hadn't heard. That hope was dashed almost immediately.

Swiftly Rose pushed back out of his arms and quickly but gently pushed up his sleeves and then the front of his jumper. Now it was her time to gasp as she took in the multitude of scars criss-crossing the Doctor's skin. She glanced up at him, with tears in her eyes. "Doctor, what the hell happened? Did Van Statten hurt you again, like he did in the bunker in Utah?"

Damn!He hadn't anticipated her actions and he wasn't ready to tell her the truth yet. Not when he didn't know it himself. One thing was for sure; his injuries should have healed by now. The fact that they hadn't was not a good sign. For now, though, he had to placate Rose. And stop her from touching me.It had been the merest brush of her fingers on his stomach but he felt like his skin was burning all over again. Swiftly he took a couple of steps away from her and covered up.

"It's fine, Rose. Things just got a little physical."

"Physical!" retorted Rose in a voice louder than she realised. "Doctor, that's bullshit. I'm no med student but even I can see these are from burns of some sort."

The Doctor reached out and took her hand hoping to steady her fright as much as he needed to hold it for comfort Hand holding, good, familiar, safe.. "Hey, it's okay. I suppose you could call them my battle scars for putting up the good fight. I've had worse. They don't even hurt that much and they'll be gone soon. Quick healer me," he lied.

"But it's my fault that you got them. You were saving me," cried Rose.

"Yep, and I'd do it again; otherwise I'd have to go break in another companion all over again," he answered, trying to throw some humour into the situation. That same humour did not extend to how he was feeling inside. No companion could make me forget that for a brief moment in time I was graced with the light of a goddess.

His quip worked, at least a little bit. Rose gave him a watery smile, but then she said, "You're not going to tell me what happened, are you?"

"Rose, I will. Just ... just not right now. Isn't it enough that we're both back together and in our home? Our next adventure is only a time stream away."

She gazed at him thoughtfully for a moment before nodding. "Yes, but please go to the Med Bay, Doctor and make sure nothing is wrong. I'll come with you if you like."

"No, you go enjoy your bath. I'm a big boy and can take my medicine. A few moments with the dermal regenerator will have me good as new."

Rose smiled, though her eyes still held a hint of fear and anguish. "You promise you'll go straight to the Med Bay?"

"Promise."

She stood for a moment more, not sure whether to leave him or not. Then she said, "Okay, Doctor. How about we meet up in the library in a couple of hours? I'll make us some tea."

"Sounds great," he lied. It really wasn't. Rose was going to have questions about more than how he got injured. The Doctor thought about the brief kiss she'd given him after seeing through his disguise. Short though it had been, he had definitely been caught up in it and given Rose a very good indication of the passion that he kept chained up inside.

"See you soon, Doctor."

"Take all the time you need, Rose. You've had a rough time."

"Okay and we'll chat later, yeah?"

"Yeah!" he answered as he watched her leave the console room. Oh Rose! You might have questions, but for once I don't know the answers.

It had been easy to promise Rose that he'd go get treatment for his injuries. There he could run some tests on himself, and together he and the TARDIS might be able to work out what had happened to him. Swiftly he strode out of the console room and into the Med Bay. Locking the door behind him, he began to work. The first thing he did was draw some blood. This would allow him to see if there were any changes in the cells or to the structure of his DNA. He took the vial and placed it into one of the machines in the room. Buttons lit up and soft beeps started to emit from the equipment. Gallifreyan symbols rushed across the screen, but they were simply providing the length of time it would take to decode the blood sample. Ten minutes.

During that time the Doctor stepped into a rectangular-shaped piece of equipment. This was a scanner, made by Time Lords for Time Lords but with a little tinkering, it could be adjusted for use on any species. Only the other day, the Doctor had used it on Rose to make sure she had no internal injuries after a particularly dangerous adventure. He tried not to think about that. She'd been okay and they'd had a picnic under the stars of Quartcenia. That reminded him of how her skin appeared to glow in the starlight and how he'd almost given in there and then to his desires. But even then he'd not felt like he had on the way back to the TARDIS today. Have you tasted the delights of the flesh, Doctor?The words slithered into his thoughts uninvited, along with an image of Rose. The Doctor fumbled with the controls for the machinery. Where the hell did that come from? They weren't his words though the passion behind them was a crescendo of his own desires and carnal dreams.

The scanner beeped, startling him. His diagnosis was racing across the screen and it was soon joined by the results of the blood test. In his haste to find out what was wrong with him, he dismissed the sinuous words from a moment ago and began to read. By the end of it, he really wished he hadn't.

The stripping of his regenerations and the subsequent psychic attack from the Master had destroyed genes on the second and third spiral strands of DNA and damaged base sequences of mRNA. He quickly began the more specific tests necessary to identify the deletions and damage and map the effects on amino acid production.

There was major damage to the sensory-neural receptors of his physical and time senses that would make accurate perception more and more problematic. From the nature of the cellular damage he found, he knew that his physical ability to heal had slowed down, but whether by some undetermined degree or in total he couldn't tell. More worrisome was the deterioration of synapses through his brain, not just in his sensory cortex. Some might re-establish themselves, but others would deteriorate further. His response time to situations definitely would be affected, but again he couldn't say to what extent. The TARDIS was unable to give him any hope that he might ever regenerate again. The areas of his brain that assisted in regenerating and in maintaining his personal identity through the changes appeared to be the worst hit. He'd always had some instability when regenerating, but the damage his brain sustained would increase the instability to over ninety percent. If he had to change – and there was no guarantee that he could – then he would in all probability be insane. He would be a danger, not just to himself but to everyone.

Yet one final hope remained. He typed 'possible cure' into the computer, knowing that if there was one the TARDIS would know about it. It only seemed like seconds before the reply came back. 'None known."

The Doctor felt as if he was on auto pilot as he grabbed the dermal regenerator to work on the scars and the larger burns on his body. When he was finally done, he switched off the machines and discarded the medical waste. Oblivious to everything else, he left the room and made his way to his bathroom. Once there he stripped down and stepped into the shower. Despite the hot water he was shivering violently. The shock of it all was catching up to him. The Doctor forced himself to move. Slowly he dragged the wash cloth over his body, hissing a little when it scraped over a couple of the remaining bruises. Still, the pain was a great way to bring him out of his current state of mind. Slowly he started to feel the warmth of the water, his shivering stopped, and he was able process his Time Machine's diagnosis of his condition … or at least that was his intention.

Like countless times before, his thoughts drifted towards Rose. Though the damage inflicted on his body and mind affected him personally, he had a responsibility to keep her safe. No matter his dislike of Jackie Tyler and Rose's insistence that he didn't need to, he, the Doctor, had vowed he'd do whatever he could to keep his Rose from harm.

Perhaps if he lived a somewhat quieter life then he could handle the challenges forced upon him by today's events. If he could avoid regeneration and just dabble in saving the world on occasion, would it be enough? Would it be enough for Rose? The Doctor thought back to his daydream earlier in the day. Could he stay still and offer her this one life? There would have to be some restrictions but he'd stay with her in whatever capacity she wanted him. But even if she did, Rose would have questions. Would she stay or would she ask him to take her back to the Estate? He knew he'd never be able to bear the pity in her eyes when he revealed that he could no longer be the man she had come to know and … love.

The Doctor forced himself to see the reality of it all. All his lives he'd never really settled down anywhere … okay there was that thing with his third regeneration … but that was the High Councils doing and still he was always being called on to save the universe. One fact was certain; if he kept on the way he'd been, then somewhere, sometime he would be mortally injured and then, Rassilon forbid, regenerate into some mindless, dangerous, perverted version of a Time Lord. Then again, what was there to guarantee that he'd not go mad before that? The TARDIS, though a living creature, was not capable of processing emotional fallout. Since a Time Lord had never had his regenerations stolen before, who was there to say that his mental health might not be compromised? What if he became delusional, unable to choose between fact and fiction? Unbidden a horrifying picture unfurled within his tortured mind. What if he killed the one precious human that tried to save him? He could see blood, Rose's blood, staining his hands. So much of her life's essence that would never fade despite the number of times he tried to wash it away.

With an anguished cry he banished the image to the furthest recesses of his psyche but there was no denying it. He had been and would always be dangerous. Hindsight had shown how those close to him had lost their lives. He wouldn't let that happen to Rose. Even if it meant losing the one person that purified his soul, he'd give her up if it meant she'd be safe. Safe and protected… especially from me.

As he exited the shower and got dried and dressed, the Doctor had made an agonising decision. He'd take Rose home. As he took the corridor to the library he imagined that this was how prisoners on Death Row felt as they took their final walk towards execution.

Rose Tyler was feeling particularly good despite the events of the day. It probably helped that she'd been able to take a kip at the hotel after being reunited with the Doctor as well as enjoying the benefits of a nice long soak in the luxury tub which the TARDIS had provided for her. She giggled a little at the pros and cons of travelling with an alien in a living Time Ship. Not a bad life, especially when she was in love with said alien.

Rose thought back to the hotel room and blushed slightly as she remembered the smolder in the Doctor's eyes as he had taken in her near naked form. Whatever he thought or felt, Rose was fairly sure that he at least wanted her. When she kissed him in the belief that, despite his disguise, he was her Doctor, Rose was absolutely certain that he loved her too. But then he had pulled back and run from her with a look of fear that meant so much more than the fact that his cover had been blown. He'd run from her.

Dressed in a soft pink floral top and white shorts, Rose made her way to the kitchen to organise the tea. She was still pondering the Doctor's reaction to their closeness; but even more, she was worried about his condition and wished he would tell her what happened. As she'd told him, the only other time he'd been injured so badly was after Van Statten had tortured him while trying to figure out how the last being from Gallifrey ticked. Even back then she wasn't meant to know. He hated appearing weak in front of her but because of the severity and freshness of the wounds he'd been forced to let her help tend to him. He hadn't made it easy though, she remembered. Griped and groaned like a young child whilst chastising her to be more careful, even though she was doing her best to be so. Afterwards he had hugged her and said thanks, but she knew from then on he never gave any indication of being hurt even though she suspected otherwise. Today would have been the same if she'd not given him an impulsive hug.

The kettle boiled and screeched, making Rose jump. As she made the tea she felt nervous. The Doctor had told her she knew him better than anyone, but in many ways he was a complete stranger. She was determined to make sure he was okay, but there was so much more she needed to know. Would he tell her about Griff and Darcia? Would he tell her what happened with Van Statten, but more importantly, would he talk about that kiss? Rose added an assortment of biscuits to a serving tray as well as the mugs and other tea additives. With a heavy sigh she lifted the tray up and carried it to the library. For better or for worse she was going to get answers.

The Doctor was already seated on their favourite lounge, thumbing through a book, when Rose came in. Though she was worried, it was easy to smile when he was near. When he looked up at her with one of his fantastic grins, she fell just that little bit more in love with him. At the same time her brain reminded her that the Doctor grinned a lot whether he was genuinely happy or fighting for his life or trying to convince her or others that everything was fantastic when it wasn't. She wondered briefly what was happening behind the smile before wandering forward to set the tea tray on the low table in front of the lounge.

"The kitchen recommends the Earl Grey tea and chocolate chip cookies," she said in her best imitation of a posh accent.

"Does it now," replied the Doctor seriously. "I never knew the kitchen could talk."

Rose longed to say something about him having the ears to hear but instead she smiled softly and started to pour the Doctor a cup of the freshly brewed liquid.

"She does talk to me sometimes. I mean not the kitchen but the TARDIS."

The Doctor gaped at her in surprise. "What!"

"Well not talk in words as such. Its more signals I guess. Should I not do that, Doctor? I never thought to ask if it would be okay."

The Doctor set his cup down on the table. His intent had been to tell her of his decision immediately before they fell into their easy companionship. But what she said startled him. Looking back over their time together he should have seen the bond forming between his Time Machine and Rose. This is going to be harder than I thought.Finally he answered her. "Okay? Yes, of course. I was just surprised. She's never talked to anyone before except for ..." he trailed off, eyes downcast."

"Except for your people," finished Rose kindly.

He looked up at her, running a hand through his short cropped hair. He hadn't told her about regeneration so he had to be careful about his response. Rose didn't know he'd stolen the TARDIS centuries before the Time War, so it was quite plausible to tell her a slightly abridged version of the truth. Keeping secrets, is what I do besthe thought ruefully.

Rose noticed the change in his demeanor and swore under her breath for bringing up the subject. "You don't need to say any more, Doctor."

"Rose, it's painful but I've learnt that there are worse things." Like making you leave he thought. As Rose began to ask him what he meant he continued speaking. "I had a couple of other Time Lords and Ladies travel with me in the TARDIS. They could, of course communicate with her but I've never had a human companion who could do so. Its part of why you were kidnapped, you know. For a human you have great empathy but also the capacity to be capable of telepathy. I just never guessed that you had formed a connection with the TARDIS."

"You're pulling my leg, Doctor," gasped Rose in disbelief.

"Nope. I should have told you earlier, I guess. The TARDIS would have known the minute you came on board. Sounds like she's been trying to communicate with you in the best way she can."

"And you're really okay with it?"

No, I'm not. It's another way Rose can be put into danger,he told himself, but if this was to be their last conversation he didn't want to shatter her joy about being to communicate with his oldest friend. Aloud he said, "Yeah, its fine. Good to know she had someone else to natter on with."

The use of had instead of has did not slip Rose's notice but then again it had been a harrowing day for everyone involved so she wasn't about to pick on the Doctor on account of his grammar. "Well that's nice to know. Still my ego is a little deflated that they didn't kidnap me for being beautiful and irresistible," she joked.

The Doctor was horrified. How could Rose not think herself beautiful? No, whatever his intentions, he had to reassure her that she was lovely. The Doctor took her hand. "Rose don't ever think that. You are beautiful and I ..."

Rose held her breath

"- have no doubt you fitted in with their sense of The Golden Ratio." Stuff the maths. Your loveliness transcends everything as does your heart and soul.It was what he desperately wanted to say but knew that he had run out of time.

"Right, of course. Golden ratio, right," replied Rose as she removed her hand from the Doctors. So much for getting my hopes up. She covered up her feelings of embarrassment by bringing up the subject of their friends."It's good I was able to help then. I hope Griff and Darcia manage to locate all the other missing people."

"I've been thinking about that," said the Doctor as he pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket. "The TARDIS managed to find a couple of things that might satisfy your curiosity." He didn't tell her that the TARDIS did it of her own accord whilst he was brooding over their future. He handed the paper to Rose.

The first piece of information was a news article that would be written by Darcia in three days time.

JOYFUL RETURN – GWILGOLOTHS KIDNAPPED VICTIMS FOUND!

As she read the article, Rose felt a sense of accomplishment and joy. Darcia had told the whole truth as promised whilst leaving out any mention of the Doctor and Rose. She painted Van Statten as the blackest of villains whilst causing every reader to cheer for the brave hero Griff and shed a tear of happiness at her descriptions of families being reunited. Rose couldn't help tearing up either.

She wiped away a lone tear on a napkin before turning her attention to the second piece of information. It was dated further into the future. Though a much smaller article than before it contained the best news ever.

DAUGHTER FOLLOWS IN MOTHER'S FOOTSTEPS.

Gwilgoloth University is pleased to announce that Rose-Marie Alexandru, the youngest daughter of prize winning journalist Darcia Alexandru (formally Darcia Entillan) and Commander Griff Alexandru has received the award for most outstanding piece of journalism in the immediate galaxy. Rose-Marie was unable to receive her award personally as she is currently travelling with her parents and sister. The family are part of a major project to help find and reunite children removed from their families in the recent Telcinian Revolution. We at Gwilgoloth University wish Rose-Marie well and best of luck for the future.

Rose read the article through twice more. Though she knew by now that time wasn't a straight line, she felt sure that these glimpses of Darcia and Griff's future were woven into the very fabric of time. She didn't understand how she knew except that it just felt right. Glancing at the Doctor, she wished she could be as certain about what was happening between them.

Walking over to him she said, "Thank you, Doctor. Thank you for trusting me with this information." She bent to bestow a kiss to his forehead but at the same time he ducked lower and grabbed another biscuit. Rose's earlier joy dissipated into anxiety. The Doctor had always enjoyed their gentle affection so did his actions have a purpose? Swiftly she chided herself. His movements had been jerky and uncoordinated. That reminded her of his earlier injuries and her promise to herself to make sure he was alright.

Grabbing a biscuit, and carefully carrying her cup of tea, Rose strode to the lounge to sit next to the Doctor. Any other time she might have snuggled up to him but now she sat down on a separate cushion which left a small gap between them. If the Doctor was in the running mood, she didn't want to give him further cause.

"So I noticed a few bruises when I had a bath earlier. Good one on my hip. Guess I must have bumped something." Rose tried to keep her tone light as she continued speaking. "How about you, Doctor? Did you find something in the Med Bay to fix you up?"

The Doctor knew exactly what she was asking. Though he was loathe to talk about it, he didn't want her to worry. "Yeah, the dermal regenerator got a workout," he said and just in case she didn't believe him, he rolled up his sleeves to show her the newly healing skin.

"What about the rest of it?" asked Rose softly.

She didn't need to clarify. "It's all good, Rose. I'm fine now, honestly."

He watched as she let out a sigh of relief. Now maybe she'd drop it.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?"

Yep, what was that saying that humans have? When pigs fly? Of course he knew of a race of flying pigs but that was beside the point.

He forced himself to give her a little smile. "Rose Tyler, do you really want to know every horrible detail? Didn't think you'd appreciate such a tale of violence."

"Doctor, you were tortured. Don't make light of this. I don't know what that monster did to you but it's obvious it hurt. If it were me you'd feel the same way." Rose tried to keep her voice even but it gave way to intense frustration.

The Doctor sighed inwardly. Rose cared about him and she was right when she said he'd want to make sure she was okay if the tables were turned.

"Look, I'm sorry. Yeah, Van Statten used a device that gave me electrical burns. They were pretty severe so that's why they hadn't healed completely by the time we got back here. I just … I just didn't want you to worry. Not after everything that happened to you today." Although it was the truth, it still sounded lame even to his ears. Damn it Rose. Why do you have to care so much? I should have made you leave me before this. Don't you know you're throwing your life away? This is what I get for falling in love with a human, for daring to think that somewhere in the Time Lines we could be together. Silently, he raged at the universe and though unreasonable, some of that emotion was directed at Rose. He struggled to contain his feelings when she spoke again.

"And that's the truth, Doctor?" questioned Rose warily. She had good reason to be.

"Take it or leave it," he replied curtly.

Rose felt hurt by his reply but decided that it was better to leave the subject alone. "I'm just thankful you're alright."

They sat in silence for some time as they finished off their tea. Both were thinking hard about what they were going to say next. Rose noticed how tense the Doctor was beside her. She guessed that it was because he usually ran in the opposite direction when it came to domestics but it was clear, at least to her, that they needed to talk. She was unsure of how to bring up the topic of their kiss but finally decided to jump right in. They had been dancing around each other for far too long. It was time to find out exactly what they were to each other.

"Doctor," she began softly. "I need to talk about -"

"I'm taking you home tomorrow," exclaimed the Doctor suddenly.

"What!"

"Home, to Jackie. Back to London, beans on toast and the rest." He cringed inwardly. He'd said that so calmly. Well, it was for the best. Making her angry will help her hate me.

Rose stood up from the lounge, thunder in her eyes. "The hell you are!"

The Doctor stood up too. "It's for the best, Rose. Besides, my ship. My rules."

"And what the fuck does that mean?"

By the Gods, he hated himself. He forced himself to shout at her. "Means I decide what's best for you. Time Lord remember. Think I know the best way to keep you apes, safe." He hated throwing that insult at her. Inside he felt like his hearts were ripping apart. Perhaps they were. Rose, forgive me. I only want you safe and able to live a fantastic life.

Rose Tyler might have been young but she was far from stupid. "That's the biggest crock of shit I've ever heard. I know why you're sending me away. And here I was silly enough to think that what happened today might mean something for both of us. How foolish of me. You haven't even got the guts to talk about it. You want to drop me off home and run away from your feelings, Doctor. Can you at least admit that?"

If she thought he would flinch, she was wrong. Rose wasn't stupid, but she had no way of knowing he could lose his regenerations so she'd picked the only explanation that made sense to her and he, desperate sod that he was, had to go along with it and hurt her even more. There was a war going on inside him but he managed to keep the conflict from his face. Nine hundred years of living and experience gave credence to the mask he liked to wear.

"Rose, you've got the wrong idea. It was all an act," he replied steadfastly. So, so sorry.

She wasn't backing down though. "So you're saying that to convince whoever was watching us you had to touch me and kiss me back. Geez, how hard that must have been for you!" Yes, that hit a mark as he pulled back a little at her sarcasm.

"Had to be convincing," he replied gruffly.

Rose had had enough. "You bloody wanker," she yelled.

He rubbed his hand over his eyes. He couldn't contradict her. He was a wanker and so much more besides. If there was a hell for Time Lords when they die then he'd definitely earned admission.

He hated his next words. "It's time for us to part ways. I don't know what you think there is between us but whatever it is, you're wrong. I'm getting a bit tired of saving you anyway. Thought you were smart, the best even, but turns out I was wrong." There it was. The icing on the cake that would ensure that she hated him. Actually forget waiting to die. He'd go to hell right now. It had to be easier then the agony he would be left with when Rose was gone.

He expected her to burst into tears and run to her room but it seemed that once again he had underestimated Rose Tyler.

"You about done?"

"This is not open for discu-"

Rose cut him off. "Just shut it, Time Lord. I know I'm young compared to you but I know when a man wants me. I see the darkness in your eyes when you look at me sometimes, Doctor. It's like you want to strip me naked on the spot and have me against the wall. You've been giving those looks for months and it was like that today when you came into the room." Rose forced herself to lower her voice and slipped into a gentle coaxing tone. "It's so much more than that though. You don't think I haven't noticed how you crave my touch. I do, you know because I crave yours too. When our hands are joined we have a connection, Doctor. I think we proved that today. You came to me as a stranger but I knew it was you. Part of it was your eyes; so old and knowledgeable. I recognised your smell. It surrounds me whenever we're together. Did you know that? It's an unforgettable fragrance of leather and spice and time that makes me feel protected. But-" she said as she gathered his hands in hers. "It was your touch that finally convinced me. Only you could touch me like that and make me feel so alive. When I kissed you and you kissed me back I felt I was flying through the stars, but without the TARDIS. Me and You, Doctor, together." With great reluctance Rose let go of the Doctor's hands and forced him to look her straight in the eyes. "You can't fake what we have. I wasn't acting, Doctor and neither were you." With those words hanging between them, Rose left the library. As quickly as she could she ran to her room. Once inside she locked the door and instructed the TARDIS not to let the Doctor in. It was only then that she burst into tears.

The Doctor sat in the library unable to believe what had just happened. His intent has been clear. Send Rose home no matter how painful it would be. No matter how he felt, it was better to keep her safe. But she'd turned the tables on him. He'd been stupid to think that she'd accept his orders without an argument. No, she'd seen straight through him; straight to the truth of things. He groaned into his hands as his hearts constricted painfully. She was right of course. He'd never felt such a strong connection with anyone. Not even with his own kind when they had lived. And he did crave her touch. Sometimes the yearning was so painful. That was when he'd give in and take her hand or press a kiss to her head. The way he'd touched her in that hotel room had only made the addiction stronger. Skin to skin and lips to lips. A sudden urgency gripped him. The urge to make love to Rose and apologise with his lips, his fingers, his tongue, his …

Have you tasted the delights of the flesh, Doctor?

Those words again. Where did they come from? Who had spoken them? Whatever it meant, it drew him back from the brink of surrender.

You'll hurt her. One way or another you know you will. Will you take that chance?

"No," he stated bitterly to the empty room. He was going to have to take her home. I'm so sorry, Rose.

With slow steps he headed to the heart of his TARDIS. At the console he configured the co-ordinates to take Rose back to the Powell Estate. He took his time, wanting to hold off on that final moment for a long as he could, but eventually everything was set. All he needed to do was to move a lever.

With agony in his hearts he reached out to pull it down. The next thing he knew, he was thrown to the grating from a sudden burst of current, courtesy of his Time Machine. When he tried again, she did the same thing.

"What in hell do you think you're doing?" he raged. "Do you think this is easy for me? You think I want to do this?" He slumped on the jump seat, an emotional wreck. "Who made you judge? You don't even understand what love is. There I said it, okay! I love Rose which is why I have to send her away. You know the diagnosis. Without those regenerations I'm destined to be unstable. Hell, I probably already am. I can't subject her to that. She's too good, too young to be tarnished by the likes of me." He stood up and walked determinedly over to the lever again. "I have to keep her safe," he said quietly as he attempted to send his Time Machine into the correct time stream once more.

Like most females, the TARDIS decided to have the last word. She made the lever disappear all together and then pumped the air with a strong sleeping gas. The Doctor cursed at her in Gallifreyan and several other languages before collapsing to the floor to sleep where he lay.

The same sleeping gas was also pumped into Rose Tyler's room; however Rose had little need of it. She had virtually cried herself to sleep. The combination of the physical and emotional turmoil had taken its toll.

As both the Doctor and Rose slept the TARDIS made plans for a new destination and sent out a signal into the depths of space and time. There were others that must play a part in her plan. She knew who she was after but it was a secret she'd keep to herself for the moment.

It was the insistent humming of the TARDIS that woke Rose several hours later. She stretched and blinked away the sleep before turning over to say good morning to the Doctor. He wasn't there. Of course notthought Rose sadly as she remembered what happened in the library. Before she could lose herself in tears she dragged herself up off the bed and headed for the shower. The warm water was soothing and helped her to think. Whatever the Doctor had decided, she wasn't going to give in without a fight. The fact still remained that she'd come on board the TARDIS because this life was what she wanted. She was a strong woman and had been raised by an even stronger mother. Rose loved the Doctor, but if he couldn't or wouldn't return that love then she could live with that. She and the Doctor made an excellent team when it came to saving the world. She'd be damned before she let him send her away when she could do so much good. A rumble, almost like laughter, came from the TARDIS. Rose guessed that the old girl approved of her plan.

The Doctor woke up because something sharp was digging into his face. Eventually he realised it was the metal grating and sat up confused. He hadn't slept on the floor since that tribal celebration on the planet Zavna. The potency of the local brew had really done a number on his ability to stay sober. All he remembered was getting back to the TARDIS before passing out and waking up with an almighty headache the next morning. He chuckled softly. That would be a good story to tell Rose. Oh!The memory of the events in the library and his Time Machine's defiance crashed down on him. He slowly picked himself off the floor and sat down on the jump seat. One glance at the console told him that the piloting lever was still missing. What in hell am I going to do?

"Doctor!"

He stood up from the jump seat and turned swiftly to face Rose. Even after all the drama he still couldn't stop himself from taking in every aspect of her.

"Rose, I ..."

He was suddenly silent as Rose laid a finger on his lips. "Doctor, I've been doing some thinking about everything and I just … I need to say this. What I said last night about how I feel, well I can't take that back because I meant every word. I don't know why you won't let yourself give in to what's between us. I can't pretend that it doesn't hurt that you want to send me away but I told you before that it's better with two and I meant that. Whatever you can give me I'll take, but I won't leave you! You showed me a new way of living, Doctor. You showed me the good we can do when we stand up when no one else will. I can't walk away from that. Can you?"

The Doctor was speechless and proud and worried all at the same time. This was certainly not what he had expected after the hurt he'd caused her. She should have her bags packed and running for the door. Perhaps find comfort with her mum or though he loathed thinking it, Mickey Smith. But she hadn't and that made him even more afraid. Afraid for her and for him.

"I still ought to send you home. There is so much about me you don't know, Rose Tyler. You've seen the danger we face but you forget that at any moment you could get killed."Or I could be the one to end your life."I am dangerous, Rose. Never forget that."

She looked up at him without even a glimpse of fear. "Whatever happens, Doctor it's my decision as to when I leave. I know it's not going to be easy, but your friendship means so much and I want to help wherever we can. Please," she beseeched. "Please don't send me away."

He knew he had lost the battle. With hardly a shot fired Rose Tyler had brought him to his knees. Somewhere in his mind he knew he should take her home, but he was too selfish. He couldn't give in to his desires, but he also couldn't let her go. And Rose, she was willing to stay with him and be his friend. Maybe one day he could tell her how much he loved her.

"Stay," he breathed. "Stay, Rose Tyler for as long as you want."

Despite their reconciliation, it was still nearly two weeks before they felt comfortable with each other again. They didn't share a bed any more even though their sleeping arrangement had been solely to give comfort to each other. Rose had gently but firmly explained that she couldn't, given her feelings for him. Though the Doctor accepted her explanation, he felt her loss at night deeply, especially when he dreamed of the Time War. Rose would hear him crying out but she didn't go to him, just as he forced himself to stay away from her even when he knew she was sobbing her heart out behind the closed door of her bedroom. Some things just couldn't be mended. At least for now.

Despite this, they both worked hard on repairing their friendship. Conversation, though awkward at first became easier and they dabbled in some minor adventures. They had a few false starts, but then came the day when the Doctor stretched out his hand and Rose took it. As was their habit, they ran together; something that they always did best. Things were going back to normal.

The only thing that they both forgot was that trouble when it arrives is not always obvious and doesn't always start with a T.