A/N: Here's my secret santa fic for megabadbunny over on tumblr. Merry Christmas!

*Special thanks to ashlanielle for helping me bounce around some ideas and to hanluvr for giving this a read through before I posted and finding those mistakes I was sure to miss!

Prompt: Nine x Rose fake marriage.

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or anything related.

"WHAT!?"

The Doctor jumped in surprise from his place under the console, hitting his head in the process. He'd been making a few minor repairs and adjustments while Rose was occupied herself on the jump seat while she called up her mother. Muttering a string of curses, he focused his attention on the conversation his companion was having on her mobile.

"But why? I mean, really though... Why? Seriously, Mum, are you sure?"

"Loaded question, that," the Doctor snorted.

Ignoring his jest, Rose continued speaking to her mother. "Okay, okay, I believe ya, but I still don't see why he would send me an invitation his wedding. He's my ex-boyfriend."

"Rickey the Idiot tying the knot, is he?" he asked, knowing full well Rose was not going to be amused with him. Still, he couldn't help himself. Even when she was irritated with him she was adorable. Not that he would admit that out loud of course. Nope. Best to keep that bit of information to himself.

"Of course, I'm not going to go!" she exclaimed, twisting her hair between her fingers. "Well, why do you think? Mum- Mum! No, I'm not going to go to his wedding. Check no on that RSVP, yeah? Ta." She sighed. "Yeah, I love you too. Okay... Bye, Mum."

He watched his companion hit the end button on her mobile before flinging herself backward to lay dramatically over the jump seat. "Mate getting married, then?" he asked with a cheeky grin.

"Not bloody likely," she bit out. "My ex, Jimmy."

The Doctor took a sharp breath and narrowed his eyes. He'd heard of the bloke before. Rose had told him all about how she'd left school for the boy and how'd she'd given up everything for him before he left her in loads of debt for another woman. The only solace she had given him was that the other man had wound up being arrested for theft. "Thought he was in prison?"

"Out I guess," she huffed, "and apparently getting married. And he had the nerve to invite me! I mean, he probably just wants to show off. Show me what I'm missing out on or something."

"If only he knew, eh?" the Doctor teased, nodding to the open TARDIS doors. Currently they were floating through space while he'd made some quick repairs.

Rose smiled at the sight. "Yeah, if only he knew. But, he's not going to know anything, because I am not going. It's ridiculous that he even invited me. Bet he knows that I won't show up. Probably testing me. He was always doing stuff like that to make me feel silly."

"So prove him wrong."

Rose frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Go and show him he's wrong about you. That you will show up and with your head held high."

She shook her head. "No! No way. How pathetic would I look? Showing up to his wedding all on my own?"

"Who said you'd be on your own? Did that invite come with a plus one?"

"Are you serious?"

"Yep!"

"You would seriously go with me?"

"Well, if you'd rather Rickey Boy take you..."

"No!" she answered a little too quickly. "But, I don't know. Isn't a wedding a bit domestic for ya?"

"Absolutely. But showing up your ex? Sounds like quite a lot of fun to me!"

A lovely blush spread across Rose's face. "You'd really do this for me?"

The Doctor smiled softly. "S'my idea isn't it? Call your mum back, get the date and location."

Rose nodded. "Do you think we could stop at some shops somewhere so I could find something to wear?"

Normally the Doctor would cringe and give a good whinge about going shopping, but he knew this was important to his companion. "Course. Best shops in the universe, coming right up! Just don't expect me to hold your bags for ya."

Three days later the Doctor was setting the coordinates for the wedding venue while Rose put the finishing touches on her hair and makeup. Unnecessary in his opinion, he thought she looked gorgeous no matter what. Not that he said it out loud of course, there were certain lines he tried very hard not to cross and that was one of them. Still, he knew it was important to her that she look and feel her best today. From what he knew of her ex, Jimmy Stone, the other man would constantly make Rose feel like she was not enough and that was completely unacceptable.

After inputting the coordinates, he set the date and scoffed. "Christmas Eve. Who wants a Christmas Eve wedding?"

"Jimmy doesn't celebrate Christmas. He's Jewish."

"Oh, well that makes... sense," the Doctor trailed off as he turned to look at his companion. The sight that met him left in silence.

Rose brushed a few strays hair behind her ear self-consciously. "Do I... Do you think I look all right?"

"Rose, you look beautiful."

"For a human?"

"No. You look beautiful. Period."

A wide grin split her face. "Thanks. I wasn't sure about this dress at first, but the saleswoman at the shop promised it was flattering."

"Well, she was right," he said softly, taking in her form. The ensemble she had chosen was a simple black cap sleeve dress with a lace overlay. It fell to her ankles and though modest, was sexy in a subtle way. She paired the dress with simple open toed black heels and her TARDIS kept on a sparkly unbreakable chain they had picked up awhile back at a small astroid bazaar. Her hair was swept up in a simple twist with a few loose pieces framing her face.

"Look at you, though!" Rose acknowledged his appearance excitedly. "Didn't even know you owned more than a few jumpers and that leather jacket. You look very handsome."

The Doctor rolled his eyes, and tried to ignore the way his hearts suddenly sped up at the compliment. He'd donned a charcoal grey suit for the occasion, simply because he knew that, for once, his leather jacket was not going to blend in. "Course I own more that just my jumpers and the jacket. You've seen the Wardrobe Room."

Rose giggled. "You telling me you've worn all those clothes in there?"

"Maybe not all of them, but a good majority!"

"Yeah, I'm gonna need to see pictures."

"Not going to happen, besides we'd be late to the wedding," he told her as he began the well choreographed dance of piloting his ship.

"Time machine," she reminded him in jest, feeling the nerves of where they were about to go set in.

When the ship landed with a only a small bump, the Doctor patted the console. "Ready?"

"No."

"Rose-"

"Last time I saw Jimmy he was dead to the world asleep. I was getting ready to leave for my shift at the local chippy. I bent down to kiss his forehead when I saw the needle marks on his arms and the love bites on his neck. I was so mad... and sad. I was determined to talk to 'im when I got home. I was going to break up with him, yeah? I would still be there for him, let him know there was help if he wanted to stop the drugs, but I was too late. I came home to empty bedsit and an even emptier bank account," she gave a watery laugh.

The Doctor pulled her into his arms and gave her a warm hug. "We don't have to do this, not now. You were right before. Time Machine. I can fly us away and come back when and if you're ever ready."

She shook her head. "No. I'll never feel really ready, but I've got to do this now."

"Good girl. Then here," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a white gold ring with a daisy shaped diamond cluster in an art deco style.

Rose's eyes widened. "Where'd you get that?!"

"Oh, I've had it rattling around for ages," he brushed aside. "So what do you say, want to be my wife, Rose Tyler?"