This is my second Doctor Who fic…..aren't you all proud J I will be writing this one along side the other one. This one kind of came out as something when I got a bit stalled while writing A New Adventure Began. Will be a bit shorter than that one I can assure you, because I can write all I want for those two…they have a whole lifetime together don't they : )….As usual I don't own the characters, because If I did 10 would be handcuffed in my closet right now. Heheh.

The Five Times I Was Done For and The Other Two I Was Done

The first time I realized I as done for was in 1869 Cardiff. I had to go and mention to her that she would have started a riot in her 21st century garb, to be honest she was going to start a riot in that blasted dress. She is strikingly beautiful for the human she is. I tell her so, and she takes it as the backhanded complement I don't intend for it to be. I find I am incapable of intelligent speech right now as its black and crimson silk hugs her curves in all the right places, so much so that I am finding it hard not to pound my fist into the face of the next bloke on this street who leers at her. There are times that I hate having such keen senses. If it wasn't bad enough to hear the dirty thoughts about my new companion emanating from the primitives swirling about in my head; it was a dozen times worse to smell her perfume. Be it I still bear the scars of war that feed my need for intimidation, or baser male instinct, I lay my claim on her by offering her my arm. I cast a warning glance as we walk at the other men on the street that dare entertain the thought that she is not spoken for. Rose looks up at me and flashes me one of her tongue in teeth smiles and takes my hand, I marvel at how smooth her skin is and how well our palms fit together. I brought her here at Christmas time because I wanted to give her something special, a gift no one could ever in a million years give to her. I have to admit a certain affection for the Earth holiday. I love Christmas, all the brightly wrapped presents and trees, the mistletoe. Wait why am I thinking about mistletoe all the sudden? I am somewhat confused by these feelings that are stirring up inside me. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold night air and I cant seem to remember what I was originally going to say. She slips on a patch of wet brick, and I wrap my arm around her waist pulling her close to me. I hear her gasp and I look down at her, a poor decision on my part not to make eye contact as her cleavage already enhanced by the corset she is wearing is now pressed against me in an intimate fashion. I quickly draw my gaze away from her breasts and instead fix them on her eyes. I am amazed by how her eyes sparkle in the light of the gas lamps, I feel the heat rise in my cheeks as she gives me a knowing smile. For the sake of my sanity the next place we go I should suggest to her a turtle neck sweater.

I buy a paper from the gent on the corner and cringe, cursing the TARDIS in Gallifreyan for its knackered guidance system and look over at Rose who is watching the choir beside us with a bemused expression. I had forgotten how amazing it is to see the world anew through my companions eyes. She is so full of wonder. So young. I have traveled alone for far too long I suppose. " I might have gotten the flight wrong." I say chagrined. She gives my arm a gentle squeeze.

"I don't care." she says smiling.

"It's not 1860", she gives me a small nod. "Its 1869", I say apologetically.

She shrugs as she walks down the street, giving a giggle as a gentleman walks by her tipping his hat. I shift Rose to my other side, she gives me a puzzled expression but complies with my guidance. I wish she knew what power she holds over the male species be they human or alien. By the smirk she just gave me, she isn't as innocent to her charms as I would believe.

"Its not Naples"

"I don't care."

Maybe she doesn't, but I go for broke anyway. She's going to find out soon enough anyhow. "Its Cardiff." I say softly.

Rose stops, giving me an icy glare. "Right"

Of all the places in the universe I could take her and we are barely outside her own back door. I sense her disappointment. This is our first Christmas together and I just wanted this to be special. I have been alone for so long and she gave up a lot for me. She saved my life, no questions asked, then left her mother and a boyfriend to climb into a blue box with a daft old man who promised her adventure. "I'm sorry." I say playing with the zipper on my jacket. When did I become so self conscious? I give her a hopeful lopsided grin.

She sighs.

"I could take you home if you want." I advert my eyes because I fear the truth in them. She will leave me, and why not everyone leaves me, every second of her silence is like someone rubbing lemon juice on a paper cut to my conscience. "Alright then," I say rubbing my hands together, " Home it is." I turn on my heels and make a beeline for the TARDIS leaving Rose standing on the street corner. " Are you coming or not?" I do not hide the irritation in my voice.

" Oh no you don't!" She shouts crossing the street. She grabs my hand whirling me around to face her," You aren't ditchin me that easy!" She pokes my chest with the tip of her index finger. Her breath coming in quick pants and I can smell the endorphins in the air as her very human body seethes in anger. " YOU promised me!"

I cross my arms in defiance. " I don't recall promising you anything Rose." I say arrogantly. In times like this I like to resort to what has worked for me all these centuries. I don't need anyone or anything. I am the Oncoming Storm, the Time Lord Victorious. I don't have to answer to anyone let alone a tiny human girl. At least that sounds good enough to me in my head that I start to believe it.

She stands firm, straightening herself in an attempt to reach my height. "You are a bully."

I arch my brow in her direction. I am somewhat intrigued that this woman has the audacity to defy me. I try to hide my smirk, but not quick enough for her to miss it. She's sharp this one.

"That's right," she pokes her finger in my chest again, " You think you are so smart." She stares me down, daring me to argue with her reasoning.

"I don't think that Rose, I know for a fact its so." I grab her elbow and start to pull her back towards the archway where the TARDIS is parked, when she gives me a slap across the face that could have very well triggered another regeneration. I stand there unsure of what to do. Which of course is a first for me. This girl is something else entirely and I don't quite know what to make of her." You hit me." I say more out shock than anything else. I put my palm to my cheek, its burn still hot under my fingers.

Her hand flies up to cover the perfect O if her mouth. She is so human letting her emotions override her reasoning. "Oh Doctor…Im sorry." she says backing away from me dropping her eyes to ground below. But somehow I am the one who feels sorry in this situation. I was kind of what you humans call an ass just a few seconds ago. "Its just that you put your hands on me." She says softly "Jimmy used to um…" She looks away growing quiet again.

"Jimmy who?" I say hooking my finger under her chin and bringing her eyes up to mine, "What is it Rose? Is it the slap? I'm okay really. Takes a lot more than that to damage this old face of mine big ears and all." I am blathering on about nothing really, a nervous habit I have adopted in this regeneration. She is really upset, I don't think I like seeing her like this and I would move heaven and hell to keep it from happening again. "Hey, you can tell me." I'm almost positive I am not going to like this answer.

She nods her thanks, "I'm sorry…..its nothing really. I'm sorry I brought it up. You just scared me that's all." I don't buy her excuse, but for now I will let it go for now in hopes that someday she will be able to trust me enough to tell me about this Jimmy guy. I know just how easy it would be to make him disappear before Rose even met him. Paradoxes be damned.

"Okay then." I say shuffling my feet in the snow, " I guess I owe you an apology, I overreacted back there." I give her hand a gentle squeeze.

She gives me a slight smile, " Me too. You okay?" her look of concern for me is a bit overwhelming and I am starting to get a rather warm sensation in my stomach I haven't felt in a century or two, but who's counting.

"Think you knocked a filling loose," I say rubbing my jaw, " but other than that I'm right as rain."

She laughs, and I think it is by far the most musical sound I have ever heard outside of the whirring of the TARDIS engines. "Home?"

"Nope, its Christmas and I am in this beautiful dress, and you are taking me to a party." She smiles warm and bright and wraps her arms around me pulling me into a hug. I flinch because this very new for me, so she hugs me tighter. Oh yeah, I could grow to like this.

I am done for.