Companion Appreciation Day
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Chapter Eight - Final Installment
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Dancing Is A Favourite Pastime
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Half an hour after they had started dancing, Rose and the Doctor stopped. The Doctor gently tugged on her hand to get her attention, then nodded at the door. "Let's get out of here," he whispered. Rose nodded, smiling, and suddenly led the way, the Doctor grinning like a schoolboy as he followed.
They reached the door and Rose silently pulled it open, stepping out into the corridor of the TARDIS. The Doctor shut the door behind them and beamed tenderly at her, taking her arm and beginning to lead her down the hallway. Suddenly they both stopped in their tracks when they heard the door squeak open behind them. The Doctor glanced at Rose and urgently mouthed, "Meet you in the kitchen." Rose nodded before she began to walk briskly down the corridor.
The youth that had entered looked about with confusion, then continued to follow Rose, but the Doctor stepped forward and was surprised when the young man took him by the arm and twisted, flicking a knife open at his neck. "Do not move if you know what's good for you," the guy hissed in the Doctor's ear.
The Doctor fought the urge to roll his eyes at the TARDIS, but settled for accusing her instead. Look who said the door was invisible?
I thought he just wanted to thank you and maybe say hello, the TARDIS replied, slightly smug on her part.
The man tightened his grip and the Doctor winced. He slowly lowered his fingers to his pocket, searching for his weapon. His sonic screwdriver wasn't there.
TARDIS!
If you want to marry her, you're going to have to learn how to protect Rose properly. Now is a good time to start, the TARDIS sniffed back in response.
The Doctor blushed. I didn't say I wanted to marry her!
The TARDIS rumbled lightly. I can read your thoughts, remember? Now shut it and think about being human for once in your life.
What am I supposed to do – attack him with a crowbar— But then his captor did something he really shouldn't do.
"Where did that gorgeous blonde go?" he hissed in the Doctor's ear. "Tell me, or so help me I'll cut your throat." He chuckled dryly, his voice grating like nails against a chalkboard.
Oh, boy, the TARDIS whistled slightly.
The Doctor's face flushed with anger. "Now that is something you really shouldn't do." He whirled around, catching the youth by surprise.
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The Doctor stumbled into the kitchen half an hour later, and though he was weary with exhaustion his eyes glowed with pride. Rose shot up from her seat. "Doctor… what… happened?" she asked concerned, coming nearer to examine him.
The Doctor was covered head to toe with bruises. Though eventually the Doctor had outlasted the youth in strength, the guy had given as well as he had received. He had received a black eye that was slowly turning purple, a broken wrist, a few sore ribs, a gash in the forehead, two slashes on his left cheek and a broken foot. It was even an effort to speak, but he managed. "Some… stalker… you… pulled… knife…" The words he had chosen weren't exactly the best ones.
"What? Someone was stalking me and you pulled a knife out at them?" Rose asked, bemused and slightly confused at the same time.
"N…o."
Rose smiled anyway and gave him a careful hug, aware of his bruises, then she gave him a gentle kiss that he wanted to deepen and enjoy, but his energy was almost entirely spent.
"Doctor, you need medical help."
He flashed her a crooked grin and Rose realized that three of his teeth were missing. "You should have seen the other guy."
Rose couldn't hold back a small smirk. "I'm sure." The Doctor gave a sudden gasp of pain and Rose winced. "Come on, let's get you to the med bay."
The Doctor sighed. "So much for CAD day," he told her grumpily.
Rose smiled. "It was brilliant, Doctor. Thank you." She gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek and helped him to the med bay.
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ONE YEAR LATER (ON ACTUAL CAD DAY)
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The Doctor and Rose enjoyed a candlelight dinner by the fire, stars shining and twinkling above them. Rose, dressed in a beautiful white dress, was loving every minute of their time together – the fact that the Doctor never let go of her hand was a nice way to spend the evening. After they had completed desert, the Doctor took her other hand in his gently and escorted her out of the TARDIS slowly, smiling. Rose followed, anticipation stirring in her stomach.
They stepped outside and Rose gave a little gasp. Standing there, decorated with roses, vines and white lights, was a romantic gazebo under the stars. The Doctor grinned.
"I never said thank you for dinner," Rose murmured, turning to the Doctor with delighted eyes that shone brightly.
"You're welcome," the Doctor teased back. He escorted her up the steps into the gazebo, and suddenly soft music began to fill the starry night above and the air around them.
They began dancing under the full moon of that planet, taking their own time. Then, after the first song had ended, the Doctor bowed on one knee, keeping her hand in his. Rose held her breath, tears coming to her eyes.
"Last year today, more or less, I told you how much I cared about you. How I loved you, Rose Tyler – you who are the most amazing creature I have ever had the privilege to see. My feelings have not changed – rather, they have intensified." The Doctor took a deep, steadying breath and stared into Rose's brown eyes, so much like his own. "Now, I take your hand in my own, offering nothing but myself – "
At this Rose started to silently cry, the tears rolling down her cheeks. A flash of concern lit his face, but he continued, struggling to suppress the urge to reach forward and hold her in his arms.
"I know you love me, Rose – you have told me time and time again, and I treasure you so much." The Doctor's words faltered as his voice filled with emotion.
Then, he said it. He finally said what Rose had always wanted him to say. Except, he didn't say it in the way she thought he would.
"Will you give me honour and the highest respect by accepting my proposal of marriage?"
Rose blinked. What had he just said? Something about honour and accepting… "Will I… marry you?" she queried.
The Doctor smiled at her, slightly nervous. "Yes. Will you… marry me?"
Rose grinned. "Now that we're speaking proper English – yes!"
The Doctor laughed as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. "Oh, my sweet Rose, I can't tell you how happy your answer makes me feel."
Rose chuckled. "Oh, I can guess."
The Doctor dipped her as the music came back on and gently kissed her under the stars.
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THE END
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It took me the whole length of the WICKED soundtrack twice to complete this! Hope you're happy! Oh, and if some of this stuff is exactly like my other story, Even On Holidays You Can Get Hurt, it's because I used it here first and then used it in… that story. Anyway… yes, most of you probably realize that the last scene resembles A Cinderella Story. To tell you the truth, I was kind of running out of ideas.